You
will pass such other points of interest including Bar-Non-Saloon,
St
Anastasia State Park, St Augustine's alligator farm,
and the Anastasia outdoors theater, that on Saturday mornings
hosts an arts and crafts thief's market.
Along
the way you will pass A1A Grill, and after A1A beach joins
back with A1A business you will pass the Oasis Restaurant.
Staying on A1A you see on the left Butler beach park.
out-of-the-way beach park, that is just right for a pick
nick lunch.
On
the right see Ft Matanzas
National monument.
This
Spanish outpost fort was built in 1740-1742 to guard the
Matanzas Inlet and to warn St. Augustine of British or
other enemies approaching from the south. Fort Matanzas
now serves as a reminder of the early Spanish empire.
In
addition, the park, which is located on barrier islands
along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas
estuary, provides a boardwalk through a natural habitat
rich in wildlife with the salt marsh, scrub, and maritime
hammock now protecting endangered and threatened species
like the historic Fort Matanzas protected St. Augustine
long ago.
After
crossing the Matanzas inlet bridge you will enter Marineland.
Florida's oldest ocean aquarium. Open everyday except
Tuesday's.
Leaving
Marineland, on the right is the entrance to Washington
oaks state gardens. The Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas
River provide the natural boundaries for the 410 acres
of coastal scenery that comprise of walks, gardens, that
are great for Kodak moments.
If
you would like to take a nice side trip, visit the St.
Augustine Historic District (directions are provided below).
This drive's starting point is the Historic district of
St. Augustine, one of the most famous in America. At the
intersection of A1A and San Marco Avenue, travel about
a quarter of a mile south on San Marco Avenue to the Visitor
Center Welcome Station on the right, at San Marco Avenue
and Riberia Street.
Stop
here for orientation, recommended walking routes, tips
on the best places to park and walk the historic streets
where cars aren't allowed, tram and buggy ride information,
and brochures on more than 20 historic buildings and sites.
The narrow streets border preserved or re-created 16th-
and 17th-century homes, inns, shops, and public buildings.
St. Augustine is America's oldest community that has been
in continuous use, founded 42 years before Jamestown and
55 years before pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
