Shhh...A Few of St. Augustine's Best Kept Secrets

Ahhhh, it is a gorgeous day here in St. Augustine!! I want to share a few of my favorite hangouts with you. First things first, FOOD! If you are hungry, St. Augustine offers an array of tasty choices. If you want something healthy and light, Diane's Health Food is on A1A near the Lion's Bridge or my favorite organic yogurt shop is located downtown. (see last blog) If I am on the beach, I usually throw on a cover up (not necessary) and head to "Stir It Up". They share a building with a surf shop just off the beach at Anastasia Island. I recommend the turkey avocado melt. Yummmmy! They use an entire avocado on one melt. I promise you won't be disappointed. Another favorite lunch spot is Stephen's Fine Foods, located in the Treasure Beach Plaza. He is only open for breakfast and lunch and serves fresh fried fish, (caught locally) and fresh vegetables (locally grown) along with hoe cake and sweet tea. The food is very "fine" indeed in my opinion. If I am going out to dinner and craving seafood, Osteen's has the best fried shrimp around (for the best price around, too). Expect at least an hour wait, no matter what time you go. They also serve some scrumptous fresh southern veggies. Trust me, it is worth the wait! Salt Water Cowboys on the inter coastal is delicious as well, just expect a wait. (esp. on weekends) If I am in the mood for Italian, it is Napoli's at Crescent Beach. (Don't be surprised if you run into a coach or two on the U of F staff). When I am in St. Augustine on Sunday, it is brunch at Cafe Eleven after early church service. (The french toast is out of this world!) It is located on Anastasia Island and it was once a 7-11 store that was converted into a restaurant. (hence the name) These are just a few of my personal favorites.

If I have some free time to browse, I like to go by the Drift Ashore resale shop. My daughter has purchased a couple pieces of furniture there in turquoise that I absolutely love. They sale on consignment and always have new things. If you like consignment shops, Christie Blue (named after her daughter) has good "stuff" and great jewelry.

If you are fishing and need bait, etc. Devil's Elbow at Crescent Beach has everything you need, including a boat ramp and adorable cabins.

When I have my little guys for the day, we can usually be found at the beach or a local park. A couple of great places for kids that are totally free would be Fort Matanzes National Monument at Crescent Beach. They have a boat ride across the inter coastal to the fort and the kids loved it. Another is the splash park located beside the St Augustine pier. Parking is good and bathrooms are there, too. The five year old loves going up to the top of the St. Augustine lighthouse but my little guy is still not tall enough. (He keeps asking me to check and see if he is tall enough yet) If we are downtown, my boys love to take the train ride. There is a fee for the later two, but it is not too bad.

St. Augustine has been a favorite city of mine for many years. As a child, we would spend most weekends and vacations at St. Augustine and Crescent Beach. Love the city, love the fishing, love the beach!!!!!

Terreckly,

Kathy