Just 30 minutes north of Palm Coast up I-95 sits St. Augustine — founded in 1565 and the oldest continuously inhabited city in America. It's easily the most popular day trip for Palm Coasters, and for good reason: cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial history, horse-drawn carriage rides, ghost tours after dark, and a year-round calendar of concerts, festivals, and art walks that Palm Coast simply doesn't host. When you want history and a lively downtown close to home, this is it.
St. Augustine is in St. Johns County (not Flagler). The star of the city is the Castillo de San Marcos — the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., built of coquina stone right on Matanzas Bay, with weekend cannon-firing demonstrations. A short walk away, pedestrian-only St. George Street runs through the historic district, packed with shops, galleries, restaurants, and centuries-old buildings.
Cross the Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Island and climb the 219 steps of the black-and-white St. Augustine Lighthouse for sweeping views of the coast. Add in the Fountain of Youth, the Alligator Farm, world-famous Nights of Lights in winter, and dozens of festivals, and it's no wonder this is the trip Palm Coasters make again and again. History, charm, and a great meal — all a half-hour from home.
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