We are considering a visit to Saint Augustine at Christmas as someone has proposed an apartment exchange. We have two small children and are looking for low-key, peaceful week's holiday, with plenty of walks on the beach. Can anyone tell me whether the beaches in SA are particularly beautiful (I know the city is mainly known for its historical aspects). Is the downtown pretty/interesting? Are there any particularly beautiful areas that we should look to stay in? Finally, what airport serves the city--Jacksonville? Thanks for any info.

Spent a portion of our Spring FL time at St. Augustine last April. Wonderful walking beach at least in the area we were. Lots of children about (although we are empty-nesters so can not help much with them). There were children of all ages even a few in strollers on the St. Augustine Ghost Walk & they did just fine. If your apartment exchange is not located on the beach, you will want to use the St. Augustine web site to check out their public beach. As well as the historic area, we also enjoyed the lighthouse.
Yes, we flew into Jacksonville. Took about an hour mid-day to find our way down to the beach & hotel.

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Let me first say that I like St Augustine. It's sort of a "kitschy" place. However, I am not a big fan of the beach there. It's always struck me as being somewhat "run down". (I know that term really doesn't apply to a beach, but what the hey.)
You will have to fly into Jacksonville, so why not stay at Amelia Island (north of J-Ville.) You can make a day trip to St Augustine down A1A, and take the ferry over to Mayport.

As St. Augustine is in the north of FL, it will be MUCH too cold to swim at the beach at Christmas. St. Augies is one of my fav places for historial aspets and preety beaches. December will be nice weather around 65-70 degrees which is fine for strolling beach but certainly NOT swimming.

What exact beach is the apt locaed on? On a recent college-exploring trip, we almost booked a room at the beachfront Hampton Inn on A1A, on SA beach, til we discovered you could not swim there (or walk). There was a huge jetty extending all along the beach. Had to go several miles south before the beach was walkable. I agree with Captain Kirk - the beach is beautiful, but I fail to appreciate the bonus(?) of being able to drive a car along the beach. Weird. So...pick your walking places carefully. St. Augustine downtown is both pretty and interesting. Gorgeous architecture, the Ripley museum, trolley rides, good restaurants.

I was in St. Augustine this past weekend,stayed at Casablanca a B&B, its very nice and right on the bay. Living in Orlando I visit there ofter. Orlando is 110 miles, less than two hour drive. St Augustine beach is about 5 miles form the main historic downtown area of the city. It is a very clean beach, white sand but you will find the water chilly in Dec. I would recommend staying in town if possible as there is very little at the beach ( a few motels and condo's) except beach. There is no boardwalk, you just drive up to the dunes park and walk a short distance.I very seldon go to the beach so don't know if you can still drive on the sand. The historic area of town is very pretty with lots of things to see, the fort, museums,many little shops and several good resturants and don't forget the lighthouse, you can climb up. Regarding airports Daytona is only one hour south of SA. Jacksonville's airport is approx.40 miles (on north side of that city) and could take in traffic 90 minutes. You can e-mail me for more info. Have Fun, Alex

the beach at SA is fine. actually i think the northern part of this area is called Anatasia beach w/ Anatasia state park giving you access to the beach. this park does have a small area on the beach that you can park but i've never seen a lot of cars there.....nothing like daytona. as you walk south there is a field of boulders on the sand and the hotels start to appear...at least this is the way i remember it from the last time i was there. historic SA is kinda neat..although I would get a little bored after a couple of days. however there are LOTS of tacky tourist things to experience...Ripley's museum; IMAX; america's oldest ______ (fill in the blank). my favorites are Marineland, if they are still in business, and Fort Mantanzas both off of A1A.

Actually, the area where Marineland is located (I think it's closed, but I've heard rumors that it was re-opening) has the best beach in Northern Fla. It is gorgeous. Just not a lot to do down there, but the area is certainly "Old Florida" in the best possible sense.