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In this guide
If a friend told me they had one weekend in St. Augustine, I wouldn’t hand them a list of 25 attractions. I’d tell them to see the famous stuff early, get off St. George Street before it fills up, eat somewhere good and finish the day near the water.
So day one is the old city on foot, and day two is the island and the beach. You’ll miss some things. They’ll still be here next time. Some of them have been here for a few hundred years already.
Before you come
- Stay close enough to walk if you can. It makes day one a lot easier.
- Book dinner ahead, especially on a weekend.
- Bring a credit or debit card. The Castillo doesn’t take cash for admission.
- Plan your parking. My downtown parking guide has the rates and rules.
- Coming during Nights of Lights? Read my Nights of Lights guide first, because parking works differently.
Day one: the old city on foot
Park once and leave the car. Everything today is close together, and the map below shows the order I’d do it in.
9am: Castillo de San Marcos
Be there for first admission. Tickets are $15 for ages 16 and up, and free for kids 15 and under. Your ticket lasts seven days. It’s the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., and you’ll enjoy it a lot more before the sun and the crowds get going.
11am: A quick pass down St. George Street
You should see it once. Walk it, grab what you came for, and get out before it’s packed. When you’ve had enough, duck over to Aviles Street for galleries and courtyards.
Lunch: Columbia Restaurant
Head to 98 St. George St. for Spanish and Cuban food in rooms full of hand-painted tile, with a Spanish-style fountain. I know, I just told you to get off St. George, but you’ll be off the sidewalk and sitting down. Reserve ahead.
2pm: Flagler College, then Lincolnville
Go look at the Gilded Age architecture at Flagler College, then walk a few blocks south to Lincolnville. It’s all tree-lined streets, Victorian homes and Civil Rights history, and it feels nothing like St. George Street.
Sunset: The Plaza and the Bridge of Lions
Walk through the Plaza de la Constitución to the bayfront for the evening light. If you’ve got the energy, walk out on the bridge a ways and look back at town.
Dinner: Catch 27
This one’s warm and intimate, and the menu leans on Florida seafood like grouper, snapper and mullet. Book ahead on weekends. For a more special night, try Collage, another small room with a strong seafood menu.
Still up for a drink? Ice Plant Bar serves craft cocktails in a restored 1920s ice plant.
Day two: the island and the beach
Today you’ll want the car or a ride. Cross the Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Island and slow things down.
Breakfast: Blue Hen Cafe
You’ll find it at 223 West King St., open Thursday to Monday, 8am to 2pm. Get the scratch biscuits, and get there before the line forms. If you’re here on a Tuesday or Wednesday, try the porch at Coffee House Realty Cafe on San Marco Ave., but call first to check the hours.
9am: St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Parking’s free at 100 Red Cox Road. The climb is 219 steps, and climbers need to be at least 44 inches tall. Do it in the morning while you’ve still got your legs.
11am: Anastasia State Park
You’ll find a beach, dunes and nature trails just down the road from the lighthouse. There’s a vehicle entry fee, so check the current rate before you go.
Lunch: On the sand, from Mango Mango’s
One of my favorite ways to do lunch: go to Mango Mango’s at 700 A1A Beach Blvd., order takeout, and have a cocktail at the bar while you wait. The shrimp tacos are amazing. Then it’s a very short walk to the beach.
Afternoon: A quieter stretch of coast
Stay on the sand, or head south. Crescent Beach is peaceful, and Matanzas Inlet is my first choice for quiet. You can also take the free ferry to Fort Matanzas, but get your pass in person at the visitor center, and go early because they often run out before 11am. My beach guide covers all of your options.
Dinner: Sunset at Cap’s on the Water
Cap’s is at 4325 Myrtle St., well away from downtown, with a rustic nautical room and western sunset views. People go for the steamed shrimp and grilled fish. Book ahead in peak season, and don’t show up after the sun’s gone down, because that’s what you came for.
Where I’d stay
Stay at St. Francis Inn, 279 St. George St., if you can. It’s a historic bed and breakfast within walking distance of everything, with a nice little courtyard and a private bar near the pool. Full disclosure: the owner is a family friend, and I may earn a commission if you book through the rate link below. I wasn’t paid to include it.
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If you need to change it up
- Got little kids? Cut the Flagler and Lincolnville walk short, and spend your beach time at the park at St. Augustine Beach, which has a splash park and a playground.
- Raining? Do the Castillo and Flagler College, have a long lunch, and save the beach for tomorrow.
- Only have one day? Do day one, but swap the dinner for Cap’s if you can get a sunset table.
- Visiting on a holiday? The Castillo and the lighthouse both close on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
What I’d leave out
- Spending all day on St. George Street. A lot of people do, and they miss most of the town.
- Driving between downtown stops. You’ll spend more time parking than you’d spend walking.
- Waiting to book dinner. On a busy weekend, you’ll get whatever’s left.
Want this in your pocket?
This plan is also in my free 8-page guide, along with parking, restaurant picks and a beach map. Get the free weekend guide.
Hours and prices were checked on Nov. 2, 2026, and they can change, so confirm before you go.