Why It is Great to Live in St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine, FL is truly a great place to live.  Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra Beach, 42 miles of pristine, Atlantic beaches – the same beaches that greeted Ponce de Leon in 1513 when he discovered and named La Florida, an area whose boundaries encompassed what would later become the eastern United States. Several members of TEAM JOHNSON have been long time residents.  Two members have grown up, gone to school, bought homes in St. Augustine and are now raising their families here.  We cannot imagine living anywhere else.  We are not alone in our sentiments. 

*Trip Advisor has ranked St. Augustine among the Top 10 U.S. Destinations to Visit
*U.S. News and World Report named St. Augustine one of the Top 10 Best Places to Live
*Forbes Magazine placed St. Augustine in the Top 10 Prettiest Towns in the U.S.
*National Geographic named St. Augustine one of the Top 10 Best Places in The World to View Holiday Lights.

After a very busy week of listing and selling homes for sale in St. Augustine, TEAM JOHNSON decided to take a day to see what our great city has to offer.  It was very tough to decide which of the many great attractions we would see but we decided to take a tour of el Galeon, play putt-putt golf along the city's bay front of the Matanzas Inlet, and finish with dinner at one of the area’s best restaurants.

EL GALEON

When you visit el Galeon you get to take a step back in time.  With information about 16th century European sailing techniques and technology, as well as important Florida history exhibits, El Galeón will tell the 500 year story since the arrival of Juan Ponce de León on the eastern shore of Florida.  El Galeón is a 170 foot, 495 ton, authentic wooden replica of a galleon that was part of Spain’s West Indies fleet. Florida.  While in port, the 170 foot, 495 ton authentic wooden replica of a galleon that was part of Spain’s West Indies fleet will be open for public visits. Information and tickets for El Galeón are available at www.vivaflorida.org or at ticket booths at Ripley’s Red Train Tours and the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center. Tickets are $8 for children age 12 to 6 years and $15 for adults. Children age 5 and under are free. The ship will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the St. Augustine City Marina. The St. Augustine story is a compelling narrative of exploration, innovation and enduring spirit. It is marked by many milestones, including the first permanent European settlement in the United States, founded in 1565, and the first port to develop into a center of trans-Atlantic trade and commerce. St. Augustine’s bay is indeed America’s oldest seaport.

Bay Front Mini Golf

Located next to the Bridge of Lions in the heart of historic downtown St. Augustine, Bay Front Mini Golf was a fun course and is great for the whole family! Bayfront Mini Golf originally opened in 1949 it the oldest miniature golf course in the oldest city! It was recently renovated and has been restored it to its original look.  Enjoy the picturesque view of the inlet, Anastasia Island, and the downtown St. Augustine skyline while playing miniature golf.  They also offer a great snack bar which provides ice cream, snacks and cold drinks, perfect for a hot day. 

The Columbia

Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., the Columbia Restaurant is Florida’s oldest restaurant, and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.  It began in Tampa’ Ybor City as a small 60-seat corner café known for its Cuban coffee and authentic Cuban sandwiches.  To this day, over 100 years since it first opened, the Columbia remains in the same family.  Over the years, Columbia Restaurant has attracted some of the most well-known athletes and enterainers from yesteryear to today.  From Babe Ruth to Derek Jeter, Lou Piniella, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin, from Liberace to Bruce Springsteen, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Brian Johnson of ACDC, from Jack Dempsey and Rock Marciano to Evander Holyfield, from Marilyn Monroe and Liza Minelli to Bo Derek, everyone enjoys the Columbia.  Other recent visitors include George Clooney, Stephen King, Bryant Gumbel, Brooke Shields, and Lauren Hutton.  This is one of St. Augustine’s best restaurants and it is located right in the heart of the historic district.


TEAM JOHNSON does more than just help people buy and sell homes in St. Augustine.  We truly believe this is a great place to live.  Gene and Libby settled here over 25 years ago.  They have operated several businesses, raised their two children, and look forward to their retirement in this great town.  Shalynn and William grew up here, were educated in the St. Johns County schools, the best in the state, and have now bought their own homes and are raising their families here as well.  We know the area from both a business and a personal point of view.  Let TEAM JOHNSON help you with all your real estate needs.  Give us a call at 904-495-0146 or email us at teamjohnson@watsonrealtycorp.com