Golf, Gourmet, and Ocean Breezes

Experience Florida’s Historic Coast with world-class golf, great fishing, wildlife encounters, and memorable meals.

Ponte Vedra Beach: A Refined Coastal Retreat

Ponte Vedra Beach sets the tone with its relaxed sophistication, scenic, breezy, and home to some of the most iconic fairways in the world. It’s the kind of place where families can slow down, reconnect, and savor a weekend that feels tailor-made.

TPC Sawgrass: A Bucket-List Golf Moment

Few experiences compare to teeing off at TPC Sawgrass. This legendary course has challenged greats like Jack Nicklaus, Scottie Scheffler, and Rory McIlroy during THE PLAYERS® Championship. Even without the crowds, stepping up to the famed 17th Island Green delivers a rush that blends a thrill with natural intimidation.

What surprised us was how accessible TPC Sawgrass truly is. There are golf course tours that offer an insider’s look at signature holes and the stories behind them. The clubhouse tour showcases decades of PLAYERS memorabilia, while the restaurant and bar provide sweeping green views ideal for lingering over lunch.

Culture and Coastal Flavor

Beyond the fairways, Ponte Vedra Beach offers a cultural side worth exploring. The newly renovated Ponte Vedra Concert Hall hosts intimate, high-caliber performances that consistently exceed expectations.

For dinner, Valley Smoke BBQ is a standout. Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, this polished, waterfront restaurant pairs exceptional smoked meats with craft cocktails. Dining on the patio as the water stretches out before you feels like a quintessential Florida moment.

Waterways, Wildlife, and Wide-Open Spaces

Just south of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida’s Historic Coast opens into a network of inland waterways and Atlantic shoreline. Anglers can head into the calm inshore channels to target red drum, sheepshead, and tarpon, or venture offshore into deeper waters where snapper, grouper, and wahoo are common. My favorite is a sunset sail along the coastline that offers a breezy, scenic way to take in the coastline and ocean views.

History and Heritage in St. Augustine

If you appreciate history as we do, St. Augustine delivers at every turn. The Castillo de San Marcos — the oldest masonry fort in the nation — anchors the historic district. Nearby, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park blends legend with early colonial history.

Art and architecture lovers will find inspiration at the Lightner Museum, while guided tours of Flagler College reveal the grandeur of the Ponce de León Hotel with its Tiffany glass and carved woodwork. A great example of the opulent Gilded Age.

And then there’s the charming city itself — narrow lanes, coquina buildings, Mediterranean balconies, and centuries-old courtyards that give St. Augustine a distinctly European feel that really sets it apart.

A Father’s Day to Remember

Whether you’re chasing a bucket-list golf moment, reeling in a big catch, diving into centuries of history, or simply savoring good food, Florida’s Historic Coast is a getaway that feels meaningful, memorable, and made for celebrating family.