St. Augustine, FL – (June 29, 2021) -There are plenty of new things to celebrate this July on Florida’s Historic Coast. Life is returning to normal for many. The beaches are beautiful, the music is playing and events have returned.
On July 4, Fireworks Over the Matanzas returns with a Concert in the Plaza followed by one of the largest displays of fireworks on the East Coast- exploding above the majestic Castillo de San Marcos. Then on July 10, the Bicentennial of the Changing of the Flags – when Florida became a U.S. Territory, will be celebrated at a series of cultural reenactments, ceremonies and performances throughout the day. In early September, St. Augustine celebrates Founder’s Day with a full day of events including the reenactment of Pedro Menendez’ September 8, 1565 landing.
And staying here has never been more comfortable. Health travel protocols remain a priority and wide-open spaces abound. Visitors can safely experience summer events and experiences on Florida’s Historic Coast with great deals at great places to stay. And there are some new lodging options for visitors this summer.
At the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club the newly restored historic Ocean House and Peyton House offer 41 new oceanfront guest rooms and suites. The resort also offers multiple dining venues for guests to enjoy. The popular Surf Deck Grille, which sits on the sand’s edge offers full-service lunch and dinner with a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean. And the resort blends classic European Leisure nostalgia, and friendly competition with the debut of the new sun-dappled Croquet Lawn and Bocce Court for guests to enjoy.
The newly opened oceanside Historic Watermelon House, a luxury six-bedroom vacation home located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Crescent Beach offers a luxury getaway in the pristine Matanzas Inlet area of St. Augustine. Built in the Flagler era (1890), this historic mansion was the Mellon family winter home and hosted such prestigious guests as Eleanor Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, Cary Grant and Robert Frost. The House recently underwent a total renovation giving it a feeling of a private resort – perfect for small destination weddings and comfortable family gatherings.
The newly renovated Hampton Inn & Suites on Vilano Beach, a favorite lodging choice for many visitors provides the very best hotel experience for guests for the perfect seaside getaway.
Live Music has Returned. In addition to the live performances in the Plaza and at Colonial Oak Music Park, there are free concerts all summer long. And, the Sing Out Loud Festival, St. Augustine’s annual month of free music returns in September featuring TLC’s Celebration of Crazy SexyCool with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony; Mayday Parade; Yola; Parquet Courts; DEHD and many more.
Also this summer-featured musical performances at The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall include Steve Earle & The Dukes, Wynonna Judd, and Lindsey Buckingham, while the St. Augustine Amphitheatre will host Jamey Johnson, Jason Isbell, King Crimson, Cold War Kids, Rise Against, Cody Johnson, and few other great performers. The free Music by The Sea Concerts every Wednesday Night at St. Augustine Beach Pier Park, and Thursday night Concerts in the Plaza in Historic St. Augustine are back for the first time since Summer 2019.
Getting here is getting a little easier in 2021.
Florida’s Historic Coast remains an easy access drive destination, but there is great air service available via Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), approximately 50 minutes north of St. Augustine and 30 minutes from Ponte Vedra, and Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) is approximately 50 minutes to the south.  Both airports are serviced by all major carriers.
New for 2021, JetBlue now has non-stop daily flights between Las Angeles and Jacksonville; and new daily non-stop flights will begin between Raleigh-Durham and Jacksonville. Also, Silver Airways now provides non-stop, twice a week flights Jacksonville to and from Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, and New Orleans. American Airlines recently announced new non-stop daily service between Austin, TX and Jacksonville. American Airlines also provides daily service to Jacksonville from Charlotte, NC; Chicago; Dallas; Miami, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Earlier this year, America starting providing daily non-stop service between Dallas/Fort Worth and Daytona Beach, as well as between Philadelphia and Daytona Beach. making it just a little easier to get to Florida’s Historic Coast.

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