Old City, Modern Charm (St. Augustine)
Historic St. Augustine is a delightful mix of colonial-city charm and 21st-century convenience.
Published in Orlando Style magazine Sept. 2008
Tucked away among St. Augustine’s ancient coquina-crafted buildings, cobblestone streets and carved-wood balconies are plenty of modern finds in the form of eats, sleeps and beats. The 442-year-old city offers everything from upscale hipster hangouts to breezy beach town B&Bs to enchanting Spanish-style castles and Mediterranean revival-style architecture. It’s Old Florida at its best mixed with nouveau amusement each visit.
Much Ado About Noshing
Each morning in the heart of the city’s historic district the aroma of pastries and fresh breads fill the air thanks to The Bunnery Bakery and Cafe (121 St. George Street; 904-829-6166) where chocolate croissants and cinnamon rolls top the menu. (Cash only). For a quick lunch, it’s hard to beat Santa Maria (135 Avenida Menendez; 904-829-6578) where feeding the fish tableside is encouraged. Come dinnertime, The Columbia Restaurant (98 St. George Street; 904-824-3341), which has been around since 1905, cooks up scrumptious favorites like Paella Campesina, a luscious combination of Valencia rice with tender bits of beef, pork chicken and chorizo, and the 1905 Salad, mixed tableside with tender baked ham, olives and a blend of cheeses. It’s so tasty it’s trademarked.
The fashion-focused crowd shouldn’t skip Rochelle’s Clothing (104 Anastasia Blvd.; 904-810-2208) in uptown St. Augustine. Outside: the renovated warehouse could easily be something you’d pass up. Inside: it’s surprisingly edgy with clothing lines ranging from Free People to French Connection. Other stops worth adding to the itinerary are the boutiques along King Street — one of the main commercial boulevards of the city’s historic district — where you’ll find unique jewelry, handmade soaps and personalized stationery.
Dine al fresco at Columbia Restaurant.
Action Figures
With 43 miles of white strands, St. Augustine boasts water sports galore. Extreme Kites (3930 A1A South; 866-790-SURF) rents a wallop of thrills in the form of kayaks and standup paddle boards. Or kick it up a notch with kite boarding lessons ($150/person for a two-person session). When you are completely worn out, unwind with a no-nonsense Wull Stone Therapy massage ($115) at Debbie’s Day Spa and Salon (403 Anastasia Blvd.; 904-825-0569). This trendy hideaway provides all the spa amenities you know you need (facials, power peels and, of course, the standard Swedish massage) and some you didn’t (eye lash tinting or pressotherapy, a process that improves oxygen flow through the body).
Places to See
Across the bridge back into town is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (1 S. Castillo Drive; 866.266.6641), which used to protect St. Augustinians from invading British troops. From here you can peek across the bay at the palatial Anastasia Island mansions. (Adults, $6; children under 15 are free) At night, join the Augustine Haunted Pub Tour (123 St. George St.; 866.266.6641) for a spooky storytelling excursion through downtown. ($16 for adults; $8 for children under 16).
Sleep Tight
If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to stay at an 1888 Moorish revival castle, here’s your chance. The Casa Monica Hotel (95 Cordova Street; 904.827.1888), part of the Kessler Collection, boasts eclectic interiors, 138 rooms, two restaurants and an eyeful of artwork. Rooms range from $189 to $379. For hibiscus martinis and espresso plus Mediterranean- and Moroccan-inspired dishes, hit 95 Cordova and Cobalt Lounge, the hotel’s own glamorous eatery. Or stay at the Casablanca Inn (24 Avenida Menendez; 800-826-2626) a restored 1914 Mediterranean revival bed and breakfast inn with sweeping views of Matanzas Bay, whirlpools, private porches and sundecks. Conveniently attached to the hotel is the The Tini Martini Bar where there are 32 vintages by the glass and 28 distinctive brews. Jazzy tunes Thursday through Sunday nights. Grab a seat on the porch for some prime people-watching. If you choose to venture out instead, try the upper deck of Panama Hatties for tiki torches and a breeze. But be prepared to shake your rump. It transforms into a dance club after hours.
