I couldn't wait to get up early to watch the sunrise! We stayed at the Ocean Blue Hotel. It's one of my favorite places! I loved looking for shark teeth and just being there. The breeze coming off the water,the ssalty air. I need to go back there! read more

Today I went to Vilano Beach for only the second time since moving to Ponte Vedra four years ago. It was a real delight. The beach is wide and flat and packed down pretty well so it is a good beach for walking. Parking is free and there is a nice clean bathroom really close. There are also a few hotels and restaurants nearby if you want to grab some lunch. There is also a Publix store a block or two from the beach. read more

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This is the one of the most pristine beaches in Saint Augustine. I love how there is plenty of parking. The restrooms right at the beach entrance. There's a gorgeous boardwalk with great views of the ocean. The beach is kind of small, but maybe it was because it was high tide on this day. read more

Vilano Beach - Beaches Near Me

I had an amazing time at Vilano beach with my two dogs. The hotel we stayed in accepted dogs and the beach allows dogs too! It made for the perfect get away. The dogs enjoyed walking the beach. We were able to take walks for sunrise and sunset. I highly recommend staying here. read more

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An absolutely gorgeous beach! Me and my gf stopped down early one morning to watch the sunrise and we were definitely not disappointed. It wasn't too packed but everyone that was there was enjoying the sunrise. There is plenty of parking. It's a great area to come relax anytime of the day. Enjoy :D read more

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this hotel will add additional charges without your knowledge. I booked on line and they emailed me a confirmation with the total amount which I paid. the next day I checked my credit card statement and the charges had increase. I spoke with the manager and he lied about the whole thing. very poor management at this business . stayed as far away from this place as possible if you don't want to be over charged after the fact read more

The waves were so small. No rip current. Calm and nasty water. It is the Atlantic so it's gotta be nasty anyways. Nice place to go to it just gets boring fast. read more

The beach itself is fairly nice but can get crowded. The restrooms outside of the entrance were really dirty. I'm not sure what the porta potties were looking like... They do have outdoor showers and I place where you can change your clothes and privacy. The beach is family-friendly and clean. There's also a lifeguard on site. read more

Vilano Beach - Beaches Near Me

Beautiful little beach in St. Augustine. The sand, although not pure white the way it is in the panhandle, was soft and inviting. Not very crowed on the days we were there. It's mostly houses along the beach so there is very little public access. Definitely would go back again. read more

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This is a great beach, it seems to be a local's favorite, probably because it's convenient with free parking and the short walk from the parking lot to the beautiful sand and water. I came here to try my hand at metal detecting I feel pretty good in my skill set but until I walked onto this beach that was only theory, but today I planned to execute what I've learned and to see if I have the practical knowledge to be successful - although this is a hobby and I really never intended for it to generate any revenue it certainly makes it more fun when you score. After finding a shady parking spot close to the boardwalk a.k.a. cross walk I was excited to see what lies on the other side of the dune. Well I missed the sunrise which is definitely a big draw for those living on the east coast and it's no surprise why that is, the temperatures and humidity are low before the big orange ball emerges from the horizon as if was rising from the distant water, the gentle waves chase the sea birds along the shore as they rush to find a quick bite before the sun seekers arrive. The footprints and sand castles have been erased by the changing tides and the seashells have been replenished overnight and it's likely the prehistoric shark's teeth have been exposed for those early risers to find. Well I'm camping near by and live close to a beach south of here so although the sunrises can be amazing sleeping in can be too and I was here for another reason (treasure hunting) so the time of the day wasn't a concern. As I crossed over the dune I looked both left and right and plotted my course - I created a "beach program" on my Nokta Makro Legend Metal Detector before arriving to notch out the trash (pull tabs, bottle caps, foil etc.). I switched on my MD and walked to the waters edge, it's apparent this beach is a local metal detecting favorite, the county's laws allow detecting with little restrictions most metal detecting enthusiasts know the local and state laws and respect the environment when they uncover trash they bag it and take it with them to dispose of properly. Today was fun not only because of my success in finding some treasure but because of the entire experience beautiful sand, water and a rock jetty. I don't know all the rules here but the ability to drive on the beach in a responsible manner is a big one. This is a beach I definitely plan to return to when in the area... read more

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Being from CHS we have beaches, but our beaches are different than Vilano Beach. The reason I say that is because the water is prettier here, the beach was full of shells ( we're guessing that's from the recent hurricane that passed by) and it was quiet and not full of people on top of you. That could be because it's October!! You also can drink on the beach here and they provide you with public restrooms. Anyway, we really enjoyed the beach. It's funny that we drove 4+ hours to this beach in FL but we have a beach 45 minutes from the house. Vacation does that!!! I didn't make it up and over to the beach in time for sunrise which is one of my favorite things to witness, but the full moon on Sunday night was amazing!!! read more

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I'm a beach person and this beach is very nice. I don't like Jacksonville beach. Didn't go when I lived there but this place is nice.

4.5 We visited Vilano beach at the North Beach Park on our way back to our hotel. It was a great place to see. We parked for free, walked across an aerial walkway bridge and then ended up at the beach. It was a beautiful site. The weather was hot but windy from the ocean breeze. There isn't any shade so make sure to put on sunscreen. The water was cold at first touch but I adjusted once I got used to it. The sand was soft and the water was a pretty blue green color. There weren't a lot of people there. When done we walked back across the bridge and to the parking lot that also had an outdoor shower or rinsing spot. It also had two bathrooms that were clean. The toilets flushed and they had sinks to wash your hands. There was sand on the ground but not a lot of it. Overall I really loved this beach spot and it was a pleasant stopping place. read more

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It would appear that Vilano Beach was a popular driving destination during the Roadside Attraction days, and then became a backwater when the A1A Bridge was relocated. It is in a Renaissance at the moment with abandoned 1950s places being replaced with the likes of The Hampton Inn. One end of the street is a fishing pier, an interesting place to people watch. The other end is is The Beach, which is a surfer beach, not a swimmer beach. There is an interesting culture there, of young men showing off, young women admiring them, and others towards the rear taking in the whole show. Seemed safe to me, I liked the area and oh yes, it is close to Saint Augustine The Ancient City. read more

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Lovely family time. The beach is clean, they are very family oriented. Not too many wild teens like you would see elsewhere.

Watching the sunrise in Vilano Beach was amazing & beautiful. We got there early in the morning to capture some beautiful pictures. I soaked in the ocean waves and breeze and took an early morning swim in the ocean. It has been at least more than 7 years ago since I swam in the ocean. It was absolute heaven! read more

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Being that I am fairly new to Jacksonville, the obvious beach is Jax beach, however, I stumbled upon this gem early yesterday morning and it did not disappoint! Early morning views are peaceful and exactly what the doctor ordered on days when you just need to get away and clear your mind. I really like the fact that this is a drivable beach meaning you can park your car on the sand. The water is fairly warm and ocean life was visible. Such a breathtaking beach and I highly recommend if you haven't already been. read more

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Beautiful beach. It wasn't too packed when we went on a Saturday morning, the water was warm, the sand not littered with trash, and we were allowed to bring our dog. There was free parking right next to the beach as well. It's in a great location and it has become one of my favorite beaches. read more

Vilano Beach - Beaches Near Me

The Giant duck is so cute and love the boardwalk so relaxing and wonderful next to the beach and restaurants and stores and OMG so nice love beaches and definitely come on a weekday so you beat the crowds come early and so you can get nice seat on the beach and so magical and such a lovely place plus they have public bathrooms on the boardwalk nice relief compared going to beaches with nasty horrible Porta potties gross and nasty and so happy they have restrooms so close by and etc and I seriously recommend this beach and place and absolutely breathtaking to see watch the birds ocean see fishermen and boats and so lovely and plus come bring family friends and neighbors and plus anyone to explore this nice and beautiful town and beach everything definitely come early when you want to get good seats in restaurants beach and etc because once it is afternoon the crowds comes it gets packed the giant duck statue so cute and adorable and plus take pictures next to it and have fun relax and enjoy it is worth place Thank you so much I appreciate it Lauren read more

There is a submerged pipeline going in along the beach. Not too many people walking because of the construction. There are still lots of beautiful seashells to collect away from all the construction. Best time to visit is at Low tide. See my pics for pipeline details. read more

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Felt the need to spend a few days at the beach; nice view of the ocean from the hotel; love the sound of the waves; clean air; not too crazy about the beach sand though, which was full of broken shells as was the shore; have to be very careful walking along the shore especially; may be a good idea to have slides/flip flops handy; would have been nice to have umbrellas to rent for shade as well as convenient fountains spread out to wash off the sand upon leaving the beach; there is ample parking including the option of parking along the beach. read more

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This is the second time we have been to this beach, and I really do love it. Parking is pretty simple and free and not a far walk to the actual beach. Sometimes they have drive up to the beach which is what we did last time for a price because we had no idea of the two options of parking. This time it was not available. There's a small Boardwalk to walk to get across and you are right there. The side further from the bathrooms is less crowded, but don't worry. It's still not a far walk to the bathroom when you are there. There's showers close to the bathroom, four of them so it's perfect to rinse off. This is definitely a very easy going relaxing kind of beach. You will see the sailboats go through and the rocks in the distance paints a perfect picture. It's also dog friendly, I love taking my fur baby with me. Thanks to the county for this! read more

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This is a nice quiet beach and not a lot of people. The waves were great! No life guard on duty. Just a quick drive to Saint Augustine.

Great beach with plenty of places to park, restrooms, and showers! Where we parked even had a great bridge over the street with easy access to the beach. Hardly anyone was on the beach so there was plenty of space to set up and have a nice view. The sand was great too and super easy to walk on. read more

Vilano Beach - Beaches Near Me

So pretty, quiet and serene. We were told by a local to go to this beach and we are glad we did. It wasn't crowded at all. Unfortunately there wasn't any shade but the water was clean, so cooling off in the ocean wasn't bad. We parked for free! The walk wasn't far at all. They also have big tables and grills if you wanted to have a picnic. We would definitely come back. The drive up north is absolutely beautiful as well. read more

Vilano Beach - Beaches Near Me

Parking is straightforward and free and near the shore. Bring an umbrella for shade and something for the kids to collect shells in. The water is typically clean and it is very uncommon if it is crowded. Sometimes surfers can be spotted which makes for a fun afternoon! read more

I have been coming to this beach since I was a little girl. We used to camp here every summer. It seems to me the beaches all along the coast have become visitor "unfriendly". But, Vilano Beach still has great parking for visitors to come to the beach. Thank you for that! read more

Really pretty beach. If you're looking for some peace and quite, this is it. Was good for me for a day but I prefer a beach with a bit more action. read more

Vilano Beach - Beaches Near Me

Beautiful beach. We like to walk down to the end and sit on the big rocks as the waves slam into them. It is a serene setting. Many shells and sea souvenirs wash up here too. There is public parking in a couple areas for those not staying along the beach. read more

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I heard about it and expected a tourist town. No, not at all, it's residential, a handful of restaurant , a huge Publix, beautiful pier. What nobody told me about is that natural swimming hole, when u walk around the beach facing St Augustine, there's a huge stretch of beach with a pond in it. Depending on he tide coming and going it gets pretty big, no waves, ideal for kids, dogs and others that are scared of waves and sharks. The views are spectacular. There is a nature hiking trail under the bridge. Only coffee shop is circle K gas station. Next to The pier is a jet ski rental place and a floating Tiki Bar ! Paradise . read more

We we're visiting St. Augustine for the 2nd time and we decided on coming to Vilano Beach with our dogs. The beach wasn't crowded and the weather was nice. Everyone loved it and had a great time. read more

Up and coming Vilano Beach is great place to be especially when the city gets all construction plans into place. As for the present day it's still a place I love to be. The huge boat ramp parking lot gives boaters plenty of parking to slide their boats into a beautiful sunny day on the water. No boat? Keep headed over The Vilano Beach Bridge, the natives name, and as soon as you hit the peek you have to look, can't miss, out to the ocean. I swear I see the curvature of the earth, that's how vast huge it makes me feel. The view is breathtaking. Take a right at the light then left at the stop sign, park then walk down to the mostly shells mixed with white sands beach or take a right at the stop sign down to pier, which used to be the flat bridge that took you down the main road and straight to the beach. I miss it that way. Do some fishing. Not prepared? That's ok, there's a boaters dream store at your service. And they have everything along with a wealth of knowledge and the owners love to help. Hungry? Beaches restaurant will help you with that and you'll be happy with the convenience because not only is their food delicious grab some ice cold beer to enjoy the beautiful sceneries. If you spend the day and to your to exhausted just grab you a hotel room because it's right there on that same one road. That's just one road on Vilano Beach. Come explore for yourself because there's so much more to find and trust me, you will love each find. read more

Villano Beach located just over the bridge from St. Augustine is definitely a must place to stay when visiting the area. You get the best of both worlds. Touristy fun and history in St. Augustine in the evening and the beach during the day. This beach is very clean as most of it is residential private beach however there is a public beach at the start of Coastal Hwy. The public beach allows for beach parking but the rest of the beach does not allow for cars to be on the beach. Because of the beach's location it is a shell beach but still enjoyable to lay out and have a good fun in the waves. There are tons of shells to gather which can be fun for everyone in the family. This beach is also known for the shark teeth. Shark teeth get washed up onto this beach and if you sift through the sand and shells you can find some pretty cool treasures. If you come early in the morning or are there past 4 the tide is up and the waves are really rough and extreme for the little ones, but can make for some fun fun times for the bigger kids or adults. Through out the day when the tide goes down it creates these small pools along the shore then a flat sandbar that small waves break over and is perfect for the kiddos of all ages. Although the beaches are shells when the tide is down you can still have fun in the sand on the sand bars building castles etc.. There are not an over abundance of seagulls like at some beaches, to be honest I saw more pelicans and cranes then I saw of seagulls. Truly a nice and relaxing beach to be on. Down at the public beach area there are hotels there as well as a Publix grocery store and a Spirits store for those 21+, but along the residential you can find beach houses for rent which I would highly suggest for that more private and enjoyable experience however overall it is great. read more

I love this beach!!! We got there around 9 and it was empty. The water was cold but it honestly didn't matter. It was peaceful and relaxing perfect way to spend a day! read more

My place to stay if visiting St. Augustine. Just a couple miles and a bridge from downtown st. Aug , here is best of both, think location ! ( ; ...A private beach minutes from historic downtown! I honestly won't ever stay anywhere else in St. Augustine! Grocery store close, quick car ride or bike ride across the bridge to downtown. We spent a couple nights exploring downtown and a couple days on the beach. There is a public beach you can drive, but most of this coast you cannot. Beach is pretty much all shells and great if you like shelling. Its also quite easy to fins sharks teeth if you sift the sand...great place! read more

Vilano was great! It was quiet during the week, and clean. I haven't been there during what most would consider peak season, but this is probably a great alternative to somewhere like Jax Beach! read more

Beautiful beach with convenient parking and grocery shops nearby. There's no shade or umbrella vendors so just make sure to bring plenty of sunblock! Florida is burning.... read more

Vilano Beach - Beaches Near Me

Absolutely beautiful beach. The parking lot across the street also has a playground, bathroom, and shower! That's always a plus! read more

Vilano Beach - Relaxing, and beautiful - Beaches Near Me

This is a beautiful North Florida beach that is calm, and mostly occupied by families on vacation. There is none of the craziness of South Beach, or Daytona, but the sand is not as soft. It is made up of trillions of little shells that will be soft sand some day. Though there is little right on the beach, a couple blocks away there is a Publix, so cheap beach toys, and supplies are right at hand, and a couple of the hotels along the area have great beach views and casual restaurants tight on the shore side of the sand dunes. I enjoy the quiet comfort of this calm and wonderfully relaxing beach for reading and letting the stress melt away. read more

The beach itself will always be beautiful no matter where you are but the town surrounding the beach seemed dead...it was no restaurants close, the pier looked ran down and looked like a dirty lake...I know it's a beach and you can't expect too much but it was so yucky to me...the town and businesses around it just had a "dusty" feel to it. Someone told me this beach was better than Jacksonville beach and I swear it is not true...maybe I was on the wrong end of the beach...I was near the publix and near a hotel called the magic beach hotel....that's the part of the beach I visited, I'll never go back lol read more