Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Just twelve miles east from Florida’s biggest city, Jacksonville is a jewel of a beach town, one of Florida’s best-kept secrets, Jacksonville Beach. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the St. Johns River, Jacksonville Beach in Duval County is home to twenty thousand multicultural people.
About The Community
Jacksonville Beach is located on one of the barrier islands that string the coast and is one of a series of beautiful beaches that make up Florida’s First Coast. The meandering St. Johns River segments the area, adding to the beauty of the region. It has perhaps the best shoreline in America with its dazzling white tightly packed sandy white beach and barrier of soft white sugarloaf dunes. Walk along the one thousand feet long Jacksonville Pier or pick up a line, tackle and bait from the pier shop and cast a line. Nothing can be more peaceful than angling in the Florida sunshine.
Join the morning strollers for breakfast at the rustic restaurant the end of the pier. You may be lucky enough to catch sight of porpoises or even Northern right –whales in winter. Lovers of boating and water sports are spoiled for choice between the Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and the River.
Important Links
Jacksonville Beach, originally named Ruby Beach in 1883, developed when the Jacksonville Atlantic Railroad built a station here. Three years later the settlement was renamed Pablo Beach and incorporated in1907. View a part of the past preserved in Pablo Historical Park. A restored 19th century house where the stationmaster of the Florida East Coast Railroad terminal at Pablo Beach lived makes interesting viewing. Do not miss the railroad depot moved from nearby Mayport and check out the 28-ton steam locomotive built in 1911.
Vicinity of Jacksonville Beach
Additional Details
Jacksonville Beach is a happy combination of a business, resort, and resident community. Its proximity to Jacksonville, Gainesville, St. Augustine, Kennedy Space Center, and Orlando make it an ideal place to spend an extended vacation. Golfers can tee off at the local 18 hole municipal golf course or play at any of the near by resort and championship courses. Indulge yourself in the fringe pleasures of the game by exploring the new International Golf Hall of Fame and International Golf Library at the nearby World Golf Village.
Several activities in the city have suffused new life into it. Browse through the antique shops and art galleries and shop at the local plazas. The boardwalk has rejuvenated itself with a number of new restaurants. The Sea Walk Pavilion holds concerts, art and craft shows, and festivals over most weekends. The restaurants along the oceanfront, facing the waterway and on the riverside offer fine ethnic fare and excellent seafood. Round off the evening by hitting one of the local nightspots for live music and entertainment.
A good place for family fun is Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach’s latest attraction. The park includes a water park with slides and a river way, a go-kart track, miniature golf, and a games arcade. Jacksonville has something for the whole family.