Best Places To See A Sunrise In The St. Augustine Area
If you’re visiting St. Augustine, Florida, you’ll want to get up early and see the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. Our co-owner April Creighton has found some of the best places to do this! So here’s April’s list of the 3 best places to see a sunrise in the St. Augustine area.
The Rocks At Washington Oaks State Park, Palm Coast
This beach across from Washington Oaks State Park has a very different look than most beaches in Florida. This is due to the Coquina rocks, a soft rock made of ancient marine reefs and limestone. However, you may or may not see the rocks due to the weather and tide. At times, you may just see a few bumps in the sand. At other times, the coquina rocks form caves, nooks and crannies in the sand.
Bonus: Just 3 minutes north of the rocks in Marineland, you’ll find Ragga Surf Cafe, a converted school bus serving coffee and food!
St. Augustine Lighthouse
The iconic Saint Augustine Lighthouse is a must see! It sits in a historic neighborhood that’s loaded with quaint little cottages that showcase what Florida used to look like long ago.
Just a short walk or drive east of the lighthouse is Anastasia Island State Park. This is number 2 on our list of places to catch a sunrise. Be sure to grab a smoothie at Juicy and pack a bag for the day. The park is large enough to stretch out and has clean bathrooms. It does not offer free parking so make sure you get your pass early on in your trip!
Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach is located along A1A on Anastasia Island, just south of St. Augustine, The community gets its name from the natural shape of the coastline. Minimal vehicle traffic is allowed on Crescent Beach. There is a fee for vehicle access between March 1 and September 30. Horseback riding is also allowed at certain times and subject to an access fee.
