Florida A1A: Amelia Island to Sebastian Inlet

A1A is not one continuous road, but the coastal stretches are the heart of old-Florida beach driving. Fort Clinch, Little Talbot Island and the St. Johns River ferry take you to St. Augustine, then Washington Oaks, Marineland, Flagler Beach and Ponce Inlet. Canaveral National Seashore, Cocoa Beach and Sebastian Inlet finish the trip. Some sections need short detours onto US highways.

The stops

1. Start

   Fernandina Beach, FL

2. Town

   Fernandina Beach

   Victorian main street and Fort Clinch.

3. Historic

   Fort Clinch State Park

   Civil War–era fort on the north tip of the island.

4. Beach

   Little Talbot Island State Park

   Wild beach and dunes.

5. Historic

   Fort George Island

   Kingsley Plantation and a ferry crossing nearby.

6. Town · Overnight

   St. Augustine

   Oldest city in the US; allow time for the fort.

7. Park

   Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

   Gardens and a rocky coquina shoreline.

8. Town

   Flagler Beach

   Small beach town with a pier.

9. Lighthouse

   Ponce de Leon Inlet Light

   Tallest lighthouse in Florida.

10. Beach

    Canaveral National Seashore

    Long undeveloped beach near Titusville.

11. Town

    Cocoa Beach

    Surf town with a long pier.

12. Beach

    Sebastian Inlet State Park

    Fishing, surfing and a shipwreck museum nearby.

13. Finish

    Sebastian Inlet, FL

Where to stay

• Night 1

  St. Augustine

  Anastasia State Park campground · St. Augustine inns

• Night 2

  New Smyrna Beach

  Smyrna Dunes area stays · New Smyrna motels

• Night 3

  Cocoa Beach

  Jetty Park campground · Cocoa Beach hotels

• Night 4

  Sebastian

  Sebastian Inlet State Park campground · Sebastian hotels

When to go

Nov–Apr for cooler weather; summer is humid and hurricane season runs Jun–Nov

On the road

A1A is interrupted in places and hurricanes can close sections. The St. Johns River Ferry between Mayport and Fort George Island has a schedule; check before relying on it.