St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches celebrates new businesses, amenities and hotels

St. Augustine, Fla. (October 27, 2023) – Fall is the season of renewal and Florida's Historic Coast is the place for  new and fresh experiences. St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches welcomed autumn with a host of new eateries, hotels, and experiences. These fresh, new spaces are just waiting for eager visitors!

The internationally-recognized Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach recently opened the brand-new Cabana Beach Club with access to 26 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches,  a junior Olympic pool, and three distinct eateries for resort guests to enjoy. The 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop provides spectacular views of the Atlantic. The menu features fresh seafood, small plates, elevated cocktails, and wines. Cabana Beach Club members and resort guests also enjoy access to the Sea Porch Dining Club, featuring member-inspired specialties, and Sharkey's Pool Bar & Café for handheld classics and beach-inspired drinks.

The oceanside community of Vilano Beach is now home to the highly-anticipated Hyatt Place Vilano Beach. The has a fresh and welcoming look - classic Florida Vernacular architecture with Art Deco compliments. Along with the 120 guest rooms, a second-floor swimming pool, plenty of parking, 7,200 Square feet of meeting and event spaces, it lays just steps from Vilano beach. It also features dining experiences conceptualized by lauded local restaurateur Michael Lugo. Pesca Vilano features globally-inspired coastal cuisine with bold Latin flavors and a cheeky imagination. Indoor fine dining on the main floor features an expansive wine list, while the rooftop offers a curated menu and crafted cocktails with a one-of-a-kind view of St. Augustine and the Atlantic Ocean.

In mid-November, the Casa Monica Resort & Spa is launching a reimagined restaurant concept, Cordova – a Coastal Chophouse & Bar. This indulgent coastal chophouse comprised of 145 indoor seats, with a lounge, private dining room, and intimate wine room. The menu is inspired by the bright, fresh cuisine of Spain and Morocco and showcases classic chophouse favorites.

In Uptown St. AugustineChez L'Amour, a new elevated dining concept, offers a social experience through tapas-style small plates, plant-based upscale cuisine, decadent desserts, and a full bar, complimented by intimate jazz and piano music performed by world-class musicians.

Area favorite Supremo Grocery & Meat Market has unveiled its third location, also in Uptown St. Augustine. This Latin American store offers staple items, like high-quality meats, fresh produce, cheeses and drinks, and an in-house taqueria serves freshly prepared tacos, burritos, and more.

A new concept, Dining at the Plaza, celebrated the successful launch of their evening offering, Bourbon & Boards. Crafted with nightlife in mind, Bourbon & Boards is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7-11pm. They serve up a curated selection of over 137 bottles of bourbon, 900 bottles of wine, hand-crafted cocktails, late-night bar-cuterie boards, and specially-made tapas. Live jazz music create an intimate, speakeasy atmosphere. Dining at the Plaza is also home to the Ancient City Brunch Bar and Ancient City Supper Club.

The Tasting Tours, a popular culinary tour company, has a new place to call home, the historic Solla-Carcaba Cigar Factory at 88 Riberia Street, Suite 250, in downtown St. Augustine. Guests of The Tasting Torus embark on a journey of flavors in the world of wine, culture, and shared moments. The space is perfect for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations.

There's no shortage of cultural, ecological, and educational experiences available in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches. In addition to the tried and true experiences, Florida's Historic Coast has some new offerings destined to intrigue and excite!

Occupying the former Hotel Alcazar, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the Lightner Museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. The Lightner Museum is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding and the 135th anniversary of its iconic home with a series of new exhibitions and events. The latest major touring exhibit, The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art, features organic furniture of Louis Majorelle, alluring posters of Alphonse Mucha, and luminous works of Louis Comfort Tiffany and will be on display November 17, 2023 to March 15, 2024.

The St. Johns Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve is nestled in the forests along Deep Creek in Hastings. A haven for rare and endangered flora and fauna from around the world. They offer scheduled tours and educational opportunities to learn more about plants, wildlife and the resources needed to sustain the park's vegetation.  

The Waterworks hosts the return of the Live from The Waterworks: A Gamble Rogers Concert Series which features intimate performances by prominent folk musicians as a tribute to Gamble Rogers, a renowned musician and storyteller who is regarded as the ambassador of Florida folk culture. The monthly concerts take place through June 2024 and support the annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, taking place April 14-16, 2024.

Learn to sail on the crystal blue waters surrounding historic St. Augustine with St. Augustine Sailing School's American Sailing Association courses. Experienced captains and instructors provide students with knowledge and experience to be confident and safe on their sailing adventures. Or indulge in a shared or private charter and sail the waters around St. Augustine to relax, enjoy refreshments and the exceptional scenery and the abundant wildlife from sea turtles and dolphins, and herons of the marshlands.

No matter how you stay, eat, or play, you'll fall in love with Florida's Historic Coast. Plan your trip today and enjoy autumn the Florida way. Photos available here.

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra Beach, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. For more information, call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast @ViajaStAugustine, Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine and Facebook.com/ViajaStAugustine and Twitter @FlHistoricCoast