Because of Jacksonville's sheer size — at 841 square miles, the second largest city in the country — you'll find driving a car the ideal way to get around. However, in Saint Augustine you have the option of traveling aboard the Saint Augustine Sightseeing Trains. These are a series of open-air trains that pick up passengers over a 7-mile narrated tour route, allowing them to stop off to see more than twenty attractions and reboard a later train. The trains run every fifteen minutes between 8 A.M. and 5 P.M. and charge one price of $18 per adult, $5 per child for a three-day ticket (904-829-6545). You can also catch a local bus to the beach in Daytona, then catch the A1A Beachside Trolley Monday through Saturday, noon–7 P.M., to get to different sites along it (386-761-7700, www.votran.org).

Best Time to Go

The Jacksonville area lies fully in the temperate zone, with winter highs only in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-40s. Summers, with highs in the pleasant mid-80s, are the best time to visit. However, stay away from Daytona Beach during March and April when half a million college students arrive for Spring Break.

Cautions and Safety Concerns

As with any seaside resort, be mindful of your valuables. Carry only what you need to the beach and when walking in crowded tourist areas. And be sure to take along plenty of sunscreen.