St. Johns River
The mighty St. Johns River is an integral part of the Jacksonville landscape with rich history and opportunities for both recreation and transportation needs.
Jacksonville Beach
Located 17 miles from Downtown Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach offers visitors a family-friendly beach vacation with outdoor activities, a variety of hotels for all budgets and if you’re into nightlife, we’ve got plenty of that too.
From the early days along the boardwalk to today’s oceanfront accommodations and Jacksonville Beach Pier, outdoor adventures are plentiful here. Morning strolls along the beach and hopping on a beach cruiser for a leisurely bike ride along First Street are a way of life in Jax Beach.
Explore Jacksonville Beach and discover a welcoming community that relishes the laidback vibes in this oceanfront destination.
From its early beginnings as a resort destination in 1886 and the Boardwalk era in the early 1910s with dance pavilions and even a roller coaster on the beach, Jacksonville Beach has been a longstanding vacation destination for generations.
Originally named Pablo Beach in 1886, the area was home to the Murray Hall Hotel proclaiming to be "The Finest Beach in the World!". Renamed as Jacksonville Beach in 1925, the area continues to attract beachgoers and families ready for vacation.
While the roller coasters and dance pavilions are long gone on the boardwalk, the newly reopened Jacksonville Beach Pier welcomes beachgoers to cast a fishing line and admire the waves from the 1,300-foot pier. With fish cleaning stations, bait shop and concessions, the pier is a popular spot to see the latest catches from local fisherman. Further down the boardwalk, the Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant offers beach views from the rooftop lounge and the Casa Marina Sunday Brunch is a well-known spot for locals.
New to the area, the Margaritaville Beach Hotel boasts 202 rooms featuring wrap-around balconies, modern amenities, an oceanfront pool and open-air patios to enjoy the beach scene. Enjoy a happy hour vibe at the property’s LandShark Bar & Grill and relax at LandShark Lookout while admiring the ocean views.
When it is time to eat, there’s no shortage of local restaurants in Jacksonville Beach. Treat yourself to tacos and margaritas at the popular Taco Lu. At Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House, you’ll find a large craft beer menu and food with German flair. Don’t miss their Sunday Brunch with their ‘Build Your Own Bloody Mary’ menu. Another hotspot for brunch any day of the week is the Jax Beach Brunch Haus. They also offer a variety of vegetarian options. Take a break from the beach for a sub and sweet tea at Angie’s Subs – a local favorite for almost thirty years. For a night of upscale dining, Marker 32 features coastal cuisine including oysters, scallops, shrimp with elevated flavors.
When you need a break from the sunshine, grab your Jax Ale Trail passport and stop in for a craft beer at Southern Swells Brewing Company and Engine 15 Brewing Company. Just a few blocks from the beach, you can also find Green Room Brewing, home to permanent and rotating taps with new beers every Thursday. Bring along your four-legged friends too, as Green Room is dog-friendly. Located in a former magazine publishing warehouse, Ink Factory Brewing prides itself for being a craft brewery, taproom and espresso bar. The brewery hosts regular events like morning yoga, live music, pop-up shops, comedy shows and food trucks.
Owned and operated by the city of Jacksonville Beach, golfers can test their skills at the Jacksonville Beach Golf Course, open since 1960. With an expanded driving range, the course was completely renovated in 2018 and redesigned by acclaimed golf course architect, Harrison Minchew.
For a bit of history, the Beaches Museum tells the story of the area with permanent and rotating exhibits and local artwork. The outdoors history park features the 1903 Pablo Beach post office and the Mayport East Coast Railway Depot that was once the end point for the Florida East Coast Railway. A 1911 train engine in the park is similar to the trains that once traveled as part of the East Coast Railway. The Beaches Museum Chapel is popular for events and small weddings. The museum is also home to one of Visit Jacksonville’s Visitor Centers. Stop by to discover even more ways to enjoy Jacksonville Beach and soak in the fun of beach life.
More Beaches
Neptune Beach
Nestled between Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach presents visitors with a relaxed, beach atmosphere alongside plenty of local dining and shopping opportunities.
Atlantic Beach
The farthest north in Jacksonville’s beaches community, Atlantic Beach has a rich history of being an esteemed vacation destination dating back to the early 1900s.
Black Rock Beach in Jacksonville, Florida
Black Rock Beach at Big Talbot Island, is not only beautiful, but also a geological wonder. Discover this Found #onlyinjax spot!
Beaches & Waterways
With 1,100 miles of navigable water, Jax has more shoreline than any other city in the nation.
Water Tours
Take the less traditional route to explore this River City from the water! You don’t need a boat of your own, just tag along on one of these local tours and explore the St. Johns River, the Intracoastal Waterway and our beaches.