Hi Warren,
We've been to Amelia Island twice and it's very nice with nice beaches. The first time we stayed at a B&B called The Fairbanks House. Very, very nice B&B with excellent full breakfast and afternoon cocktails, beautifully remodeled historical home and beautifully decorated with victorian pieces. They also have a pool, and even rent/loan out bikes to ride around the island in. Wonderful staff and great service. We also stayed at the Ritz-Carlton which is right on the beach a full service resort with tennis and golf and it was fabulous! I don't know when you are going, but they have a really nice outdoor pool with cabana for drinks and light lunch. They also have an indoor pool/spa and saunas in the locker rooms. We didn't eat at the restaurants there, but I hear they are good. Both places were really nice, and would highly recommend both. The historic downtown area is very quaint with horse drawn carriage rides available (about $15pp, but that was over 3 years ago). One fabulous restaurant is The Beech Street Grill. Excellent food! Make reservations. They are well known and fill up quickly. We also ate at a steakhouse, but I can't remember the name, maybe 1848 House or something, and we also ate at the restaurant in downtown that is right on the wharf for lunch and it was good. There also is an Italian restaurant that we really enjoyed (can't remember name though : ( but it also is downtown on the left hand side of the street as you walk towards the wharf. Has an outdoor courtyard area. Good variety of places to eat. The Fairbanks House had a book of menus and so does the Concierge at the Ritz. There's also a fort there that was really interesting. Actually had people walking around in period dress, cooking, carry rifles etc. Pretty neat. We're going back in June for my husbands firm retreat and staying at The Amelia Island Plantation. We've never stayed there, but hear it's nice. Hope this helps and have fun!

Don't know if you are into history but there is an wonderful civil war era fort at Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island called Ft. Clinch, nestled in acres of swampy forest, hiking, nature trails, camping, beach and fishing there as well.It is truly a beautiful place. A great restaurant for steaks is 1878 Steak House in Fernandina.
A few miles down A1A from Amelia is Big & Little Talbot Islands, also beautiful beaches with ancient oaks fallen into the beach - look like another world at Big Talbot, Little Talbot is more of a family beach area.

Joan and all,I have been trying to find info on rental house on Amelia island,and am having a difficult time of it on the web.And with two young boys and in-laws we do not want to do the B&B thing,though they look gorgeous.Can you or Warren or anyone out there tell me about a good rental agency and their phone number or web site?Thanks?