A lot of people (including myself) have requested info. on beaches that are a close and easy drive to Orlando. Now that I've heard all the opinions on the gulf beaches and Cocoa/Daytona, etc., does anyone have any info. on beaches near St. Augustine? I know it's a little further than others mentioned, but have toured the city and it's beautiful. Just don't know much about the beaches.

Is it worth spending a few days there after doing Universal?

The beaches near St Augustine (Anastasia and Crescent Beach) are atypical Florida beaches. They are very "shelly". There is not fine sand people are used to. The beaches, quite literally, are made out of finely broken-up seashells. Having said that, I find the area to be a little on the retro side. There are motels and restaurants there that have been there forever. Very 1960-ish. it's a good place to chill out, if that's you're intent. Very little to no nightlife (except, maybe, in St Augustine proper). It is more of a drive than some of the other places you mentioned.

And be careful - a good portion of the "beach" doesn't exist - it's made up of large erosion-preventing boulders. Be sure to check with any hotel you book about the beach in front of their property.

we go to anatasia st park...its pretty typical...wider than most beaches perhaps...never crowded when we went. the boulder field mentioned below starts at the far south end of anatasia.

I live in St. Augustine Beach and would like to know where all the boulders and seashells are? There are some rocks by the pier, and a "shelly" type beach at Vilano. Anastasia Island has over 10 miles of beautiful hard packed sand that you can drive on. Also many motels (mom & pop) and chains, as well as condo rentals. Don't know what kind of nightlife is wanted, but many restaurants & bars have nightly live shows. Check out www.oldcity.com and www.staugustine.com .

George, we stayed at the Days Inn on A1A 3 years ago and the "beach" across the street from us was all boulders. We could have walked a bit down to get past them, but it was a disappointment (we had a great time in town though).