Florida
The Nation's Oldest City
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St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States, founded by Spanish explorers in 1565—42 years before Jamestown and 55 years before Plymouth Rock. Four and a half centuries of history are layered into its cobblestone streets, coquina fortifications, and Spanish colonial architecture.
The Castillo de San Marcos, built in 1672, stands as the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, its coquina walls having withstood sieges and hurricanes for over 350 years. Nearby, St. George Street's pedestrian-only thoroughfare bustles with shops, restaurants, and historic attractions.
Beyond history, St. Augustine offers beautiful beaches, world-class golf, and the eccentric charm of Flagler College—a stunning Spanish Renaissance building that was once Henry Flagler's Ponce de León Hotel.
The oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, built 1672
Pedestrian-only historic street with shops, restaurants, and attractions
Stunning Spanish Renaissance architecture in the former Ponce de León Hotel
Living history museum depicting life in 16th to 18th-century Florida
St. Augustine is located on Florida's northeast coast, about 40 miles south of Jacksonville. Spring and fall offer the best weather and smaller crowds. The city hosts the famous Nights of Lights festival from November through January.