City Layout
The oldest city isn’t exactly the largest. At just 12 square miles, St. Augustine is like a CliffsNotes version of history, with everything compacted in the city’s pride and joy—the historic district. St. George Street, from King Street north to the Old City Gate (at Orange St.), is the heart of the historic district. Lined with restaurants and boutiques selling everything from T-shirts to antiques, these 4 blocks get the lion’s share of the town’s tourists. You’ll have much less company if you poke around the narrow streets of the primarily residential neighborhood south of King Street. Most of the town’s attractions do not have guided tours, but many do have docents on hand to answer questions.
Getting Around
Once you’ve parked at the visitor center (cost is $10, but worth it because parking is a premium here), you can walk or take one of the sightseeing trolleys, trains, or horse-drawn carriages around the historic district. The trolleys and trains follow 7-mile routes, stopping at the visitor center and at or near most attractions daily between 8:30am and 5pm. You can get off at any stop, visit the attraction, and step aboard the next vehicle that comes along (about every 20 min.). If you don’t get off at any attractions, it takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete the tour. The vehicles don’t all go to the same sights, so speak with their agents at the visitor center in order to pick the right one for you. You can buy tickets, as well as discounted tickets to some attractions, at the visitor center or from the drivers.
By Bus -- The Sunshine Bus Company (tel. 904/823-4816; www.sunshinebus.net) operates public bus routes Monday through Saturday from 6am to 7pm. The line runs between the St. Augustine Airport on U.S. 1 and the historic district via San Marco Avenue and the Greyhound bus terminal on Malaga Street. Rides cost $1 per person. All-day tickets are $3 for adults and $1.50 for seniors. Call for the schedule.
By Taxi -- For a taxi, call Yellow Cab (tel. 904/824-6888).
By Bike or Scooter -- Solano Cycle, 61 San Marco Ave., at Locust Avenue, 2 blocks north of the visitor center (tel. 904/825-6766; www.solanocycle.com), rents bicycles and scooters. Bikes cost $18 a day, while scooters are $75 for a single passenger and $80 for two. Open daily 10am to 6pm.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
