Continuing south from Charleston, we spent 4 days in St. Augustine. Our stay at the Courtyard by Marriott in St. Augustine Beach was nice and was a short one block walk to the ocean. Aside from biking and walking the historic district, our three highlights in St. Augustine included the Nights of Lights, Old Coast Ales Brewery, and Fort Matanzas. Many online reviews rate the St. Augustine Nights of Lights among the best holiday light shows in the country. We’d have to agree.
On our bike ride from the Courtyard Hotel to historic St. Augustine (along A1A), we happened upon Old Coast Ales Brewery. We would put it in our top tier breweries! The El Galeon BBA Stout (14% A.B.V.), the Port of Call Porter, and the No A’Postrophe (Red) we’re our favorites. The street tacos at Osprey Tacos were excellent and reasonably priced to compliment the fantastic beers. They conveniently shared and outdoor patio with the brewery.
On our last full day in St. Augustine, we rode our bikes, from the Courtyard to Fort Matanzas (20 miles round trip). Fort Matanzas was completed in 1742 to warn St. Augustine of approaching enemies and was part of the early Spanish empire. The tour was conducted by the National Park Service and included a short ferry ride to the fort and a narrative tour of the fort by the park rangers. It was all free of charge.
We loved our time in St. Augustine and plan on visiting again and pretty much doing the same stuff! Beer and Tocos, Light show, biking, swimming…can’t wait to go back!
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