places to go / the beaches
Adventure Landing Jax Beach
Beaches
Go-Karts, Laser, Tag, Mini-Golf, Batting Cages, Arcade, Waterpark. Adventure Landing's showcase attraction, Shipwreck Island Waterpark is now open daily through September.
904-246-4386 / 1944 Beach Blvd, Jax Beach / www.adventurelanding.com
Adventure Landing's Shipwreck Island Waterpark
Shipwreck Island Waterpark, and the newest slide, "The Undertow" is open March/April-September.
Hours of Operation change accoring to the season and current weather conditions.
904-246-4386 / 1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach / adventurelanding.com
Artoga- Parent's Night Out
2nd Saturday of every month 7:00pm-10:00pm(all ages) Yoga, Art and Theater activities around an awesome theme of the month. Have a night out at the beach and leave the kids at Artoga.
Artoga / 904-477-0400 / 328 9th Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach / www.artoga.org
Atlantic Beach City Parks
904-247-5828 / Atlantic Beach / Atlantic Beach City Parks
Atlantic Watersports
Boat on the Intracoastal Waterway between Jacksonville Beach and St. Augustine. Boats that are available for rent include 24' Pontoon Boats (up to 10 people); 19' Bowrider Ski Boats (up to 6 people); 19' Center Console Fishing Boats (up to 4 people); Yamaha Waverunner Jet Skis (2 adults). All boats are the same price: 1 hour=$69; 2 hours=$119; 4 hours=$199; 8 hours=$299. You will receive a quick lesson on safety and navigation, a navigation chart, and the use of life vests. Fuel and tax extra.
904-270-0200 / 2327 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach / www.atlantic-watersports.com
Beach Bowling Center
904-249-9849 / 818 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach / Beach Bowling Center
Beaches - Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach,
Ponte Vedra Beach
Call the beach of your choice to check tide conditions before leaving or click here for current weather and tide information.
Jacksonville Beach area beaches:
Oceanfront Park
904-247-6236 / First Street South between 5th & 6th Avenues South, Jacksonville Beach / City of Jacksonville Beach
A 2-acre oceanfront park offering picnic areas, volleyball court, a small children's playground, an educational kiosk system, a large open space surrounded by walking paths, and easy access to the beach. Handicapped accessible ramp. Located on First Street South between 5th & 6th Avenues South.
Jacksonville Beach
04-247-6236 / 5th Ave North, Jacksonville Beach / City of Jacksonville Beach
Parking lot with access to the beach available at 5th Ave North. Why not try a surfing lesson while you're at the beach? For ideas, check out Jax4Kids.com's Classes Page. Just scroll down to "Surfing".
Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier
904-241-1515 / 503 North 1st St, Jacksonville Beach / City of Jacksonville Beach
Features a 1,300-foot long, 20-foot wide wooden deck, fish cleaning stations, a concession area, bait shop, and restrooms. Handicapped accessible. $4 per person for fishing, $1 per person for spectators. Free for children under 6. Fishing license not required.
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Atlantic Beach area beaches:
Atlantic Beach
904-247-5828 / Ocean Blvd and 7th St, Atlantic Beach / City of Atlantic Beach
Beach access with outdoor restrooms is at Ocean Blvd and 7th Street. Bull Memorial Park is also located here.
Hanna Park
904-270-1560 / 500 Wonderwood Dr, Atlantic Beach / www.coj.net
Hiking and biking trails, beach and water playground, covered and enclosed pavilions along the lake and ocean front, picnic tables, outdoor bar-b-que grills, fishing, kayaking, paddle boats, canoes, and a great camp ground with cabins. Watercraft rentals are available from Nautical Escapes Outfitters, located within the park. Watercraft rate info available at www.nauticalescapes.com/hannaparkrental.htm
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Ponte Vedra Beach area beaches:
Mickler's Landing Beach
904-209-0336 / 1109 Ponte Vedra Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach
Beach walkover with lots of parking. Restrooms and showers available.
Beaches Museum and History Center
This museum offers the history of the beaches area, from Ponte Vedra to Mayport. Admission covers museum admission and a 30 minute guided tour of the outside buildings: a 1911 word burning steam locomotive, 1900 foreman's' house, and 1900 original train depot. Guided tours are offered from 11am-3pm every hour on the hour. Open Tue-Sat, 10am-4:30pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children, and free for 5.
Beaches Museum / 904-241-5657 / 380 Pablo Ave. Jacksonville Beach / www.beachesareahistoricalsociety.com
Bull Memorial Park
Consists of a Community Center, a large playground with sand covering, a tennis court, an amphitheater area, a picnic area, a tetherball court, a small basketball court, and an open area for various field play. Outdoor restrooms. Located on the corner of 7th Street and East Coast Drive
904-247-5828 / 716 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach / Bull Memorial Park
Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach is the place in our community to create, understand and experience the arts. Year-round, innovative, fun arts programs for preschoolers, school-aged children, home schoolers, teenagers and adults. Variety of Arts Classes for youth such as: Fine Art Instruction, Drawing & Sketching, Painting, Sculpting, Piano, Guitar, Voice and Dance. Camps are also offered over holidays and school vacations and we often bring in nationally recognized instructors to work with your child throughout the year.
904-280-0614 / 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach / www.ccpvb.org
GTM Environmental Education Center
This center, situated on the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve, features interpretive displays; three aquariums (saltwater, brackish water, and freshwater) containing live creatures; full-scale models of fish hanging from the ceiling, weekend nature movies, a scavenger hunt list for kids, and more. Open daily 9am-4pm, and closed on state holidays. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for ages 10-17, and free for kids under 10. Adjacent recreation area has trails and water access for kayaking (separate admission fee required).
904-823-4500 / 505 Guana River Rd,South Ponte Vedra Beach / www.gtmnerr.org
Hanna Park
Hiking and biking trails, beach and water playground, covered and enclosed pavilions along the lake and ocean front, picnic tables, outdoor bar-b-que grills, fishing, kayaking, paddle boats, canoes, and a great camp ground. Watercraft rentals are available from Nautical Escapes Outfitters, located within the park. Watercraft rate info available at http://www.nauticalescapes.com/hannaparkrental.htm
904-270-1560 / 500 Wonderwood Dr, Atlantic Beach / www.coj.net
Hanna Park Campground
Tent camping, RV camping, and Cozy Cabins available. Electric, water and sewer hookups are provided at all campsites. Grocery items are available at the park's general store. Laundry and restroom facilities, complete with showers, are also provided 24 hr security. Call for reservations.
904-249-4700 / 500 Wonderwood Dr, Atlantic Beach / www.coj.net
J. Johnson Gallery
Painting, prints, sculpture, and photography from modern and American masters
904-435-3200 / 177 4th Avenue North, Jax Beach / www.jjohnsongallery.com
Jack Russell Park
Rests on 12 acres of parkland and consists of a large picnic pavilion (available by reservation), 6 tennis courts, 2 racquetball courts, 2 playground areas, 2 ball fields and soccer fields.
904-247-5828 / 800 Seminole Rd, Atlantic Beach
Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier
Features a 1,300-foot long, 20-foot wide wooden deck, fish cleaning stations, a concession area, bait shop, and restrooms. Handicapped accessible. $4 per person for fishing, $1 per person for spectators. Free for children under 6. Fishing license not required.
904-241-1515 / 503 North 1st St, Jacksonville Beach / City of Jacksonville Beach
Libraries - Beaches
Beaches Branch Library
904-241-1141 / 600 3rd St, Neptune Beach / 904-726-5142 / 9900 Regency Square Blvd / jpl.coj.net
Monday thru Thursday: 10am to 9pm
Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Sunday: 1pm to 6pm
Closed on Sundays in June & July.
Movie Theaters - Beaches
Regal Cinemas Beach Boulevard
904-992-4394 / 14051 Beach Blvd
Oceanfront Park
A 2-acre oceanfront park offering picnic areas, volleyball court, a small children's playground, an educational kiosk system, a large open space surrounded by walking paths, and easy access to the beach. Handicapped accessible ramp. Located on First Street South between 5th & 6th Avenues South.
904-247-6236 / Jacksonville Beach / City of Jacksonville Beach
Oceanside Rotary Skate Park
Located on the grounds of the Jack Russell Park. The park is open 8am - 8pm. Riders are required to fill out a waiver with the City Clerk before using the facility. Helmets are required. The Skate Park also hosts an annual skate board competition.
904-247-5828 / 800 Seminole Rd, Atlantic Beach / Oceanside Rotary Skate Park
Paws Park at Wingate Park
An off-leash dog park with large and small dog areas, watering bowls, and benches. Handicapped accessible. Free to the public.
904-247-6236 / Wingate Park, South Penman Rd, Jacksonville Beach / www.jaxbch.govoffice.com
Planet Pottery
Paint your own pottery. Mosaics also available. Unlimited painting time included in the cost of each piece.
904-241-CLAY / 1013 3rd Street North, Jacksonville Beach / www.planetpottery.com
Restaurants with Tepanyaki Tables - Beaches
Kids will enjoy the show as Japanese chef's prepare their meals right in front of them.
Chizu Japanese Steak & Seafood House
904-241-8455 / 1227 3rd Street S, Jacksonville Beach
Open for dinner Sun-Thr, 5:30pm-9:45pm and Fri & Sat, 5:30pm-10:45pm.
Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
904-247-8228 / 675 North 3rd St, Jacksonville Beach
Dinner served Sun-Thr, 5pm-9:45pm and Fri-Sat 5pm-10:45pm
Matsu Japanese Steakhouse
904-249-4290 / 1515 North 3rd St, Jacksonville Beach
Open Sun, 11:30am-10pm; Mon-Thr, 5pm-10pm; and Fri & Sat, 5pm-10:30pm
For more kid-friendly restaurants you can visit while in the Beaches area, visit Jax4Kids.com's Kids Eat Free pages and scroll down to "discount for kids and kid-friendly restaurants".
South Beach Park & Sunshine Playground
A colorful children’s playground, fitness trail, basketball court, all-purpose field, tennis court, gazebo, picnic shelters, and two grills. Located at Osceola Avenue and South Beach Parkway.
904-247-6236 / Jacksonville Beach / City of Jacksonville Beach
St. Johns County Public Libraries - Ponte Vedra Branch
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 10am - 8pm; Thursday,Friday, 10am - 6pm; Saturday, 10am - 5pm; and Sunday, Closed.
904-827-6950 / 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach / www.sjcpls.org
St. Johns River Ferry
A 10-minute ride cross the St. Johns River runs between Mayport and Fort George Island.
From Mayport Village To FT. George Island
Mon.-Fri. 6am, 6:20am, 7am, and continuing on the hour and half hour,
with the final departure at 7pm.
Sat. and Sun. 7am, 7:20am, 8am and continuing on the hour and half hour,
with the final departure at 8:30pm.
From FT. George Island TO Mayport Village
Mon.-Fri. 6:10am, 6:40am, 7:15am, and continuing on the quarter after and
quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 7:15 pm.
Sat. and Sun. 7:10am, 7:40am, 8:15am and continuing on the quarter after and the
quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 8:45 pm.
Rates: Pedestrian/Bicycle $1.00, Motorcycle $3.00, 2 axle $5.00, Each additional axle $1.00/Axle, Passenger Bus $10.00
