St. Augustine/Daytona area About This Page:

[Wendyismyname]

We are driving down to FL next year and driving down I-95. We have different places we want to see, but one of the most important things that I want to do is eat at a restaurant ON the beach. My kids have never seen the ocean and I'm dying for them to experience a beautiful, not too populated and a CLEAN place.

Our meal would be lunch.

We might stop beforehand and see Marineland. Ben has slides of their trips there waaaaaay back in 1971 on their first trip to WDW.

What would you recommend??

[yalibrarian]

Well, when we eat in Daytona area, we eat at Krystal's! Blocks from the beach and right across from the Speedway!

I'm interested to see what answers you get too. We haven't eaten at a beach place either there or in St. Augustine, but we do drive from Daytona up A1A as we get tired of 95; we stop at Flagler Beach and look at the water. The restaurants facing the ocean are pretty basic (pizza & pasta, fish sandwiches, etc.) but we like the mostly empty beach and the availability of clean free restrooms and a Bank of America right across from the fishing pier. www.cityofflaglerbeach.com

Marineland apparently has limited its focus to dolphins but might be worth a visit. Go to:
Welcome to Marineland

Heading for the Mouse right after Turkey Day!

[TKHmom]

This is just my personal opinion, but I would not waste my time and money on Marineland. We went there 2 years ago when we were in St. Augustine for vacation and we were soooo disapointed. The one thing I will say is that they were doing alot of construction when we where there, so maybe it is much better.

As far as places to eat on the beach, there are several good places in St. Augustine. Most of them are across the street from the beach though. Our favorites are The Dune Cracker House and Sunset Grille.

[Wendyismyname]

Originally Posted by yalibrarian

Well, when we eat in Daytona area, we eat at Krystal's! Blocks from the beach and right across from the Speedway!

I'm interested to see what answers you get too. We haven't eaten at a beach place either there or in St. Augustine, but we do drive from Daytona up A1A as we get tired of 95; we stop at Flagler Beach and look at the water. The restaurants facing the ocean are pretty basic (pizza & pasta, fish sandwiches, etc.) but we like the mostly empty beach and the availability of clean free restrooms and a Bank of America right across from the fishing pier. www.cityofflaglerbeach.com

Marineland apparently has limited its focus to dolphins but might be worth a visit. Go to:
Welcome to Marineland

Heading for the Mouse right after Turkey Day!

I saw that, thanks!!!
Not really interested in Krystal's gutbombs--however I like them way better than White Castle!!

I'm not hugely interested in the Daytona racetrack or whatever, we just are not race fans(even from Indiana!!)

Originally Posted by TKHmom

This is just my personal opinion, but I would not waste my time and money on Marineland. We went there 2 years ago when we were in St. Augustine for vacation and we were soooo disapointed. The one thing I will say is that they were doing alot of construction when we where there, so maybe it is much better.

As far as places to eat on the beach, there are several good places in St. Augustine. Most of them are across the street from the beach though. Our favorites are The Dune Cracker House and Sunset Grille.

Excellent!! I'll write myself a note about that.

Marineland is a piece of nostalgia for Ben, and for $6 an adult and $3 for the young ones, even if we're just basically donating to help keep it going, it'll be awesome for us.

But of course, it could go on the back burner if we decide to stop at beautiful St. Augustine!!!

Thanks guys. I hope more people can and will respond to this!!

[alisonhinsley]

We have just returned from our annual visit to Florida and spent 2 nights on Daytona Beach. We didn't do lunch but I notice that there was a large selection of restaurants just off the beach but didn't notice any on the beach front itself. The Ocean Center had a Buppa Gump that over looked the beach. We had our meals in the evening and went to Poncet Inlet area and could recommend Down the Hatch.

If I had to pick between Daytona and St Augustine. St Augustine would win hands down

[statelady01]

Funny you ask this- DH and I honeymooned in St. Augustine for a week and then planned a 2 night stopover in Daytona on the way home.

We love St. Augustine and especially St. Augustine Beach- but it's been a long time since we have made our way over there. This restaurant isn't on the beach but it is on the bay so if you have time I recommend it:

Santa Maria Restaurant

The Santa Maria is a fixture in St. Augustine- and when we took the kids there (back when there were only 3 Austin children) they loved feeding the fish from our window near the table. DH said it was some of the best seafood he had ever had.

I'm trying to think of a beachside restaurant but nothing comes to mind offhand- perhaps a little Googling will jog my memory- if so, I will come back to this post.

BTW, we got so bored with Daytona, we checked out early and headed home. Lots of crowds, little to really do and there are other beaches on the Atlantic side- St. Augustine for one- that are so much better.

[Wendyismyname]

Thanks Mo!! (BTW, LOVE that new sig pic!!)

I really appreciate the help. We're so not into Daytona area, but we know that's where we'll either catch I-4 or we'll switch off to, what is that 92?? So we can head into Deland and De Leon Springs to visit where dh's grandparents used to spend the winter. The trailer is still there and Ben's G'Pa has been gone since 1980!

Anyway, I guess the restaurant does not have to be on the beach because we can always stop some where and put our feet in the ocean. I like the looks of St. Augustine and Flagler because of all the history.

I'm creating a folder so all this stuff is going into it!!

[Kismet2213]

Not sure if youve already been around this area since your post.

Sorry i didnt catch this post earlier-its been a crazy few weeks.

I live in St Augustine. Private Msg me if you still need some help.

The Santa Maria on Avenieda Menendez is really is nice place.
We also have a Chi-chi's right off of rt 312 (takes you to beachside) and an Outback steakhouse. Sometimes we go for an early dinner, then drive over to the beach for an after dinner walk in the sand.

There's a little out of the way place called "Creekside" right off of Route 1.
Its right behind the Home Depot. Family dining-they have a bonfire pit out on the patio, and the service is good. The patio overlooks the intercoastal.

Sunset Grille isnt always totally family oriented. Its located on A1A beachside.
The crowd can get loud weekend nights. But then, again every other restraunt/bar there on A1A gets that way no matter what time of year it is.
Most all restraunts in St Aug that are beachside are very "bar" associated. ALOT of drinking going on over there.

If you like English food, you HAVE to take a drive ( close to my neighborhood which is called Palencia) on US 1 north still in St Aug, to the Kings Head pub. Family oriented, bu tlate evenings be warned-it is a functional bar also. The owner makes EVERYTHING herself. My suggestion- order fish & chips-order sticky toffee pudding for dessert. ITS AWESOME.

Daytona is a dive- no offense to those who love it. But I only go to Daytona for Petes Pizza, and a visit to Rossmeyers Harley Davidson, or If Hubby needs to stop at ERAU for some unknown reason to speak to one of his collegues.

Like I said, PM me if you still need help.

[Wendyismyname]

Thank you!! I will be PMing you when we get closer. This trip isn't until NEXT year, but I really like to research!!

You guys still have a Chi-Chi's?? I thought they closed nationwide?? Anyway, thanks for the help and I'll get back to you!!

[Kismet2213]

My mistake.
I had gotten home right before midnight. (12 hour shifts are c-razy).

Let me correct that..we have a Chili's.....the red pepper hanging above the door.
Good grief. Sorry about the typo. I got so excited that someone was actually interested in this area & I could help them out..LOL.

[Wendyismyname]

I really appreciate!! Yeah, I got super excited about the Chi-Chi's but I like Chili's too!! I'll definitely be sending you a message when we really get into the planning!!

[drmgirl]

Try Captain Jacks Conch House, it is just north of the
Bridge of the Lions, on A1A in St Augustine. The road will be to your left if coming north over the bridge. You
wind down to a Marina with a small resort (Captain Jacks). They have a nice eat in restaurant as well as outside seating on a pier. The deck is great to eat and watch chartered fishing boats bringing in their catch.

I live in Cape Canaveral but when going to St Augustine always get a 1 bedroom at Captain Jacks.

[drmgirl]

Here is the conch house website

The Conch House Marina Resort St. Augustine Florida

[Wendyismyname]

Very nice! Thank you!!

[taylan1]

Thanks also for all the information. We will be in the area at the end of December. I was wondering about places to eat too.