Flagler County

With nineteen miles of beaches, beautiful public gardens, peaceful waterways, subtropical forests, a coastline thriving with fish, dolphin, sea turtles, sea birds, and the romantic blue only found in the Atlantic Ocean, many opportunities abound to do things in your own back yard.

Flagler Beach
Flagler Beach features six miles of un-crowded, serene Atlantic shoreline. There are five public parks in the area – Jungle Hut Road Park, Malacompra County Park, Old Salt Road Park, Varn Park and River to Sea Preserve. All five parks have restrooms and showers. Flagler Beach Municipal Boardwalk and Pier is the local gathering area and features restaurants, gift shops and recreational facilities. Watch locals catch dinner or the surfers catch some of the best waves in the area. Whether you choose to sunbathe, search for shells or turtle watch, this is an ideal spot to spend a quiet vacation.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
This 425-acre park is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River just south of St. Augustine's pristine beaches. Ocean waves have washed away the sand, exposing coquina rock and creating a picturesque boulder-strewn beach in one section, perfect for exploring tidal pools. This park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, and there is plenty to explore on foot or by bike. There are beautiful formal gardens well-known for their azaleas, camellias and roses. Take a break for a picnic lunch, or head to the beach for some sunbathing or fishing. The park has covered pavilions, grills and restrooms.6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd, Palm Coast, Hours 8am to sundown daily. Admission $4.00 per vehicle.

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Park
This 144-acres park features full-facility campsites, a nature trail, grills, a boat ramp and unlimited access to the beautiful Atlantic's sun-kissed coastline. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway on the west, this is truly a natural paradise to hike, camp and just enjoy for the day. During low tide, the broad shell-strewn beach becomes a favorite feeding area for many shore birds, so be sure to bring your camera. Dune walkovers provide access to the swimming area while protecting the fragile dune system.3100 South A1A, three miles south of Flagler Beach: Hours 8 am to sundown daily. Admission $4 per vehicle (386) 517-2086- To Reserve a campsite ($23 a day), call Reserve America at (800) 326-3521 or visit the site at: www.reserveamerica.com.

Bulow Plantation Ruins and State Historic Site.              Once the site of a prosperous early 1800's plantation of sugar cane, cotton, rice, and indigo, the park includes the scattered ruins of a coquina sugar mill, the manor's foundation remaining after fires and indian wars, and workers village, several wells and a spring house.  You can walk the scenic trail or drive the loop that leads to the ruins.  On Plantation Road off Old Kings Road (county road 2001), three miles west of Flagler Beach.  Hours 9 am to 5 pm daily.  Admission $3 per vehicle:  (386) 517-2084.

Marineland Oceanarium and River to Sea Preserve - Swim with the dolphins!  Marineland, the world’s first oceanarium, invites you to join them in creating your own lasting memories of their new 1.3 million gallon series of dolphin lagoons. Swim with some of the oceanarium's more gentle residents. This is the home of both the world’s oldest bottlenose dolphin, Nellie, as well as the last known blonde bottlenose dolphin, Lilly. Why stand in line just to look through windows at these beautiful animals? Book your reservations in advance to experience the power and elegance of dolphins.  (Mon-Sun 9:00 am to 4:30 pm). 9600 Oceanshore Blvd.St. Augustine, Fl 32080   (904) 471-1111