Crescent Beach

This might be your new happy place.

This crescent-shaped shoreline surrounds beachgoers with a beautiful stretch of quiet and a family-friendly shoreline.

With its sweeping coastline carving out a huge “C” where it meets the Atlantic Ocean (the crescent shape, of course, giving the area its name), Crescent Beach is tucked between the traditional tourist attractions of St. Augustine and Matanzas Inlet to the south. But for visiting beachgoers, Crescent Beach is slightly off the proverbial beaten path.

Why Locals Love Crescent Beach

Locals love Crescent Beach because it is wide, has convenient parking, and isn't as congested as many beaches tend to be. Because it is in the southern end of Florida’s Historic Coast, it maintains an “old Florida” vibe as a quieter beach with white sand and located in a mostly residential area. The few restaurants and taverns seem to pop out of the horizon at Cubbedge Road intersecting with Florida State Road A1A. The uninitiated could easily drive through Crescent Beach without knowing it. It’s absolutely a “family-friendly” beach.

Amenities

The center of Crescent Beach is the beachfront park with picnic gazebos, dune crossovers, restrooms, and convenient parking. Several incredible shops and restaurants also exist in the area.

The main public beach access runs to the ocean and, in a throwback to Florida’s age gone by, there is vehicle-driving permitted on the beach (although there are fees and passes required between March 1 and September 30).

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A post shared by St Augustine FL (@floridashistoriccoast) on Apr 7, 2020 at 3:18pm PDT

What to Do

If you’re here with family, the kids will love the soft, white quartz sand and clear water, perfect for building castles, looking for treasures and spotting friendly dolphins offshore. For the more adventurous and energetic, how about surf lessons? The pros at Surf Station 2 are happy to accommodate your little ones with private or group lessons. And after a rigorous morning of paddling and standing and falling off a surfboard, grab a bite to eat there.

Even your pets will like the amenities at Soggy Doggy pet wash. It’s like a spa day for your dog with grooming by appointment or self-serve pet wash. Either way, it’s a one-stop location for your pet grooming needs in a clean and airy environment—especially after a day at the pet-friendly beach.

Where to Stay

There are a few hotels and rental residences in the area. But for visitors looking to spend the night, Beacher’s Lodge Oceanfront Suites is a favorite. Beacher’s is not your typical lodging - it’s a collection of condominiums and about 80 of the units are run by the property management firm. All have amazing views!

Not everyone is into the neon, high rises and big crowds seen at beaches such as Daytona Beach. Many simply want the quiet dunes and sea oats that filter the onshore winds gusting onto the coast at Crescent Beach. Over the years, Crescent Beach has been a regional draw from cities such as Gainesville. It also attracts return guests from Georgia and even Tennessee.

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A post shared by Beacher’s Lodge (@beacherslodge) on Jun 14, 2020 at 6:36am PDT

Dining on Crescent Beach

Where do the locals eat? Try Tony’s Pizza for authentic New York-style pizza, calzones and all kinds of traditional Italian pasta meals, sandwiches, salads and appetizers made fresh. After 31 years in the area, the folks at Tony’s know what they’re doing.

904 Fuzion Eatery offers tapas-style appetizers, grilled sandwiches, smash burgers, seafood and pasta dishes you crave. Stop in for a cool cocktail and some live music at sunset and you’ll understand why this is a local fave.

Finally, top off a day at the best beach with the best ice cream around at Island Ice Cream Café. With more than 30 flavors, there’s something for every taste—the scoops are huge—and the coffee is always freshly ground. Like both? Be sure to try their famous Affogato—ice cream drowned in a hot espresso. To. Die. For.

When you stay in Crescent Beach your vacation will combine the quiet crescent-shaped white sand beaches, great local restaurants, Old Florida ambiance, and family-friendly accommodations.