Ponte Vedra-Jacksonville Beach-Mayport

Jacksonville Beach has tonnes of motels and places to visit. The street numbers start at First Street, which is the seafront, and the higher they go – the closer you get to the Intracostal waterway.

There’s a great little B&B called the Pelican, located right on the ocean-front at Jacksonville Beach. I highly recommend it as an option! Have a look at their website and hang on to their telephone number! Don't assume the rates from the website are written in stone, rates do vary depending on dates. Perhaps you will take advantage of the current currency exchange rates, buy a piece of property in America and set up your own B&B!

Along 'Jax' Beach, at the south end of the boardwalk stands the historic American Red Cross Life Saving Station, erected in 1947. The watchtower serves as the central headquarters for the 100-member volunteer life saving corps. A little further down the shore, between 5th and 6th avenues, is the 1,200 foot long Jacksonville Beach Pier, a popular spot for anglers that features a rustic restaurant.

As you come into Jacksonville Beach on A1A (now called Third Street) the first major intersection you encounter will be Beach Blvd.

For a bit of sightseeing and possible a meal, turn LEFT and continue out about 3 miles. On the left is a restaurant called: 'The Homestead' (Chicken Dinners). It’s at 1712 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, 904-249-9660. This is one of Jacksonville Beach’s old landmarks. The restaurant is located in a cozy (comfortable) log cabin and served old-fashioned, Southern dishes nightly for dinner. They also serve a brunch on Sundays. It’s cheap and cheerful and indicative of typical Southern Cooking.

Just past The Homestead there is an entertainment complex on the left with go-cart rides, alligators, and stuff along self-entertainment. Just past the complex is the Intracostal Waterway. You will notice it by the large bridge. This is the inland waterway system that runs three thousand miles, from New England to Miami, so that boats and small ships can travel safely inland. Occasionally, submarines have been known to surface in the intracoastal, but they ‘claim’ they can’t travel there…a load of rubbish!

If you were to continue on this road (Beach Blvd) West, you would eventually end up in the City of Jacksonville. Don’t. Just as a matter of trivia: Jacksonville is the largest city in the world (measured by land mass).

Turn around, go back to Third Street, turn left and continue until the road ends, which is Atlantic Blvd. Turn left on Atlantic. (This road also goes over the Intracoastal and eventually into Jacksonville.) If you’re interested in sightseeing, you could continue on this road for about 20-30 minutes and you would come upon a massive shopping centre on the right. And if you were to continue past that, you’d come to an extremely high bridge crossing the St John’s River, then coming into Jacksonville and eventually feeding into Interstate 95 heading northwards.

I only mention this, just in case, for some reason, the Mayport ferry isn’t running. It always operates, but Never say Never!

Anyhoo…From Third Street, turn left onto Atlantic Blvd. Don't forget about the Famous Amos Restaurant being almost immediately on the right. (highly recommended for traditional southern cooking and funny accents!) Head West about 2 miles. There is a Days Inn on the left and just past that is the road to ‘Mayport Naval Station' Also, use THIS LINK to see another map of the area, including where the Ferry goes. It will help you with your bearings.

Follow the signs to Mayport. Mayport is the Southern United States strategic nuclear warship and aircraft carrier defense port. If you're interested, I believe you are still able to drive onto the base for a tour. Pacifist that I am, I've never done it...willingly. :-)

You’ll travel about 2-3 miles and on the left there will be a sign to the Mayport Ferry. Turn left there. It will be a meandering road that will eventually end at the Mayport Lighthouse and the Ferry. Depending on the time of day, the ferries operate every thirty minutes. The fare is just a couple of bucks and will take you to Fort George. When you come off of the ferry, you will turn RIGHT.

The Mayport lighthouse is located at the Mayport Ferry and is a popular destination for artists. As you pull up to the Ferry, the light house is at approximately 4 o'clock.

Keep in mind that you are actually still following the original Highway A1A throughout!!

Starting to miss English food? Tough! You ain’t gonna find it anywhere in Florida! But you can get some half-decent fish & chips at Long John Silvers on Atlantic Blvd, on Atlantic Beach and throughout Florida and Georgia. Sorry, it’s the best I can offer.