Discover Jacksonville 2017

A complete guide to life and leisure on the First Coast in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties 

D I S C O V E R 

JACKSONVILLE 

2017 

Published by The Florida Times-Union 

Visit us at DiscoverJacksonville.com 

$4.00

2017 Discover Jacksonville Contents 

WELCOME 

Letter from the Times-Union Media President...................................................................... 4 

Letter from the Jacksonville Mayor......................................................................................... 6 

High marks for our city............................................................................................................. 8 

Living the good life..................................................................................................................... 9 

First Coast: Where we are …................................................................................................... 10 

Who we are . . ............................................................................................................................ 11 

Region rich in history................................................................................................................ 12 

Discover the flow of the First Coast........................................................................................ 15 

Seven links to the city............................................................................................................... 16 

Your pets as citizens................................................................................................................. 18 

First things first: Start here...................................................................................................... 19 

HOUSING 

For sale: New, historic and affordable homes....................................................................... 22 

First Coast housing by county................................................................................................. 23 

Floridian lifestyle? Just add water.......................................................................................... 26 

Homeowners associations........................................................................................................ 27 

Property tax calculator............................................................................................................. 27 

COMMUNITIES 

A place to call home................................................................................................................... 28 

EDUCATION 

ABCs of learning......................................................................................................................... 54 

Public schools ............................................................................................................................ 56 

Bright futures.............................................................................................................................. 58 

Not by chance, but by CHOICE.................................................................................................. 60 

Florida residents can lock in cost of college tuition............................................................ 66 

Private schools........................................................................................................................... 67 

Easy access to college education............................................................................................ 72 

‘Start here. Go anywhere.’......................................................................................................... 74 

MEDICAL 

A hub for health.......................................................................................................................... 76 

Health care earns honors.......................................................................................................... 82 

MILITARY 

Honor, courage, commitment................................................................................................... 88 

TRANSPORTATION 

Travel near and far..................................................................................................................... 90 

RECREATION 

A golfer’s paradise..................................................................................................................... 94 

Plenty of golf courses just a chip shot away........................................................................ 95 

Fun starts at parks..................................................................................................................... 96 

Marinas: Giving berth................................................................................................................ 98 

Ramps: Float your boat.............................................................................................................. 99 

SHOPPING 

There’s plenty in store for shoppers....................................................................................... 101 

ENTERTAINMENT 

Places to play.............................................................................................................................. 103 

Museums, art, music and more!.............................................................................................. 105 

DINING 

Feast on extraordinary fare...................................................................................................... 108 

SPORTS 

Let the games begin................................................................................................................... 110 

PROGRESS 

First Coast marches forward.................................................................................................... 113 

BOLD CITY BEST 

2016 Winners ............................................................................................................................. 114 

BUSINESS 

Booming business...................................................................................................................... 85 

An industry on the rise.............................................................................................................. 86 

Advertiser Index 

A-Coin & Stamp Gallery, Inc...........................................................................................................................................................5 

Adams Homes................................................................................................................................................................................37 

Aloft Jacksonville Airport............................................................................................................................................................80 

Atlantic Self Storage.................................................................................................................................................... Inside Back 

Baptist Health................................................................................................................................................................................79 

bestbet.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 104 

Bishop John J. Snyder High School............................................................................................................................................69 

Bishop Kenny High School...........................................................................................................................................................67 

BoatFlorida Rentals......................................................................................................................................................................99 

CareerSource Northeast Florida.................................................................................................................................................29 

Coastline Home Mortgage...........................................................................................................................................................25 

Dream Finders Homes.................................................................................................................................................Inside Front 

Dream Finders Homes...................................................................................................................................................................51 

European Leather Gallery........................................................................................................................................................... 102 

Florida State College at Jacksonville.........................................................................................................................................55 

Heekin Clinic..................................................................................................................................................................................77 

Homes by Deltona.........................................................................................................................................................................23 

Jacksonville Aviation Authority...................................................................................................................................................91 

Jacksonville Symphony.............................................................................................................................................................. 107 

Jax Events..................................................................................................................................................................................... 106 

Lazboy Furniture Galleries............................................................................................................................................................13 

Lou Sobh’s Honda of the Avenues...............................................................................................................................................21 

Museum of Science & History................................................................................................................................................... 104 

Peterbrooke Chocolatier................................................................................................................................................................ 7 

Pisco’s Restaurant...................................................................................................................................................................... 109 

Richmond American Homes..........................................................................................................................................................3 

St. Vincent’s Riverside/Mayo Clinic...................................................................................................................................... Back 

Uptown Lifestyle Concierge and Excursions............................................................................................................................35 

VyStar Credit Union.........................................................................................................................................................................1 

2 | 2017 DISCOVER JACKSONVILLE

WELCOME 

W 

e are proud to bring you the 2017 edition of Discover Jacksonville. Whether 

you’re new to the area or a longtime resident of the First Coast, you’ll appreciate 

the quality of information you’ll find in this award-winning publication. 

Every effort has been made by our talented writers, photographers and editors 

to provide you the most current and comprehensive resource guide available in 

Northeast Florida. 

Whether you’re deciding where to live or where to eat, shop and play golf, 

you can be certain the First Coast has plenty to offer. The area’s unique natural 

characteristics, like the St. Johns River, Intracoastal Waterway and miles of beautiful 

beaches, provide a wonderful place to live and play. 

We take pride in calling Jacksonville home. And as the city’s information leader, 

The Florida Times-Union, and its website, Jacksonville.com, takes tremendous pride 

in publishing Discover Jacksonville! 

Discover Jacksonville staff 

PRESIDENT | Mark Nusbaum 

MANAGING EDITOR OF SPECIALTY AUDIENCE | 

Joe DeSalvo 

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING | Lana 

Champion 

DIRECTOR OF SALES | Lyn Sargent 

ADVERTISING MANAGERS | Coty Adams, Liz Borten, 

Moneek Langston, Miranda Moore 

ADVERTISING OPERATIONS COORDINATOR | 

Dianne Knapp 

ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Jessica Wait 

DIGITAL SALES DIRECTOR | Marc Jenkins 

DIGITAL DIRECTOR | Gary T. Mills 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Beth Blacker 

MAP DESIGNER | Steve Nelson 

COORDINATOR/STAFF WRITER | Jacqueline Persandi 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS | Samantha Arora, Joy 

Batteh-Freiha, Don Coble, Bill Dougherty, Clayton 

Freeman, Barbara Gavan, Ronald L. Littlepage, Dan 

Macdonald, Giuseppe Sabella 

PHOTO EDITOR | Dede Smith 

MARKETING MANAGER | Karen Brashear 

VICE PRESIDENT OF CIRCULATION | Amy McSwain 

2017 Discover Jacksonville 

is a product of Times-Union Media 

1 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville FL 32202 

904-359-4111, 1-800-472-6397 

Jacksonville.com 

All rights reserved. No portion of this 

book may be reproduced without written 

permission of Times-Union Media and The 

Florida Times-Union. 

Enjoy! 

A complete guide to life and leisure on the First Coast in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties 

Mark Nusbaum 

President, Times-Union Media 

4 | 2017 DISCOVER JACKSONVILLE 

D I S C O V E R 

JACKSONVILLE 

2017 

Published by The Florida Times-Union 

Visit us at DiscoverJacksonville.com 

$4.00 

About the cover 

Photo: The Main Street Bridge with 

Jacksonville's downtown skyline by 

Bob Self for The Florida Times-Union. 

For ad inquiries, contact Lana Champion 

at 904-359-4471. 

Visit Discover Jacksonville online at 

DiscoverJacksonville.com

WELCOME 

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR 

LENNY CURRY 

Dear Residents: 

Welcome to Florida’s First Coast! On behalf of the beautiful city of Jacksonville, I 

thank you for choosing our corner of Northeast Florida. 

As the gateway to Florida, we are a business-minded city where people work hard 

every day to ensure a brighter future for their families. Top-notch recreation, sports 

and entertainment venues, arts and cultural activities — all make Jacksonville 

a favorite vacation spot and an even greater place to live and work. Home to the 

largest urban park system in the nation, the greater Jacksonville area also features 

many natural treasures, including the majestic St. Johns River and miles of pristine 

beaches. 

Jacksonville is open for business and remains a city of opportunity for all. The 

hardworking entrepreneurs, business owners and innovators of this great city ensure 

that Jacksonville remains a top competitor. Together, we are seizing the potential 

within our reach by supporting a shared vision and spirit of partnership for building 

“One City. One Jacksonville.” 

As you will see in the pages of this year’s guide, the Jacksonville community is as 

diverse as it is vibrant, with many unique offerings. Again, thank you for choosing 

Jacksonville. From my family to yours, welcome! 

Sincerely, 


Lenny Curry 

Mayor

WELCOME 

Riverside artist Shaun Thurston hangs "Hemming Terrarium," a 150-foot mural in downtown Jacksonville's Hemming Park. (Bruce Lipsky/ 

Florida Times-Union) 

High marks for our city 

Jacksonville receives accolades for cost of 

living, cuisine, entrepreneurship and more. 

Jacksonville is an area on the rise. With a low cost of living and all the amenities of a big city, Jacksonville is the ideal place 

to live and work. Well-known publications (like Forbes magazine) see Jacksonville’s accomplishments and potential, and 

acknowledge this city as a major player. 

Here’s a look at rankings from the last few years: 

• Forbes magazine listed Jacksonville 

as No. 23 of “25 Cities Where Your 

Paycheck Stretches the Farthest” 

in 2016. The ranking takes into 

consideration cost of living, median 

base salary and median home value. 

• In 2016, Forbes Travel Guide ranked 

Jacksonville as one of “5 Surprising 

Foodie Cities to Visit Right Now.” The 

guide boasted about Jacksonville’s 

fresh seafood and “melting pot of 

cuisines” that can be found all over 

the city. 

• Business Insider named Jacksonville 

No. 16 of “the 24 best places to live 

in the South — the region that's 

becoming the best place to live in 

America” in 2016. 

• In March 2016, Business Insider 

named Jacksonville as No. 34 in “The 

50 best places to live in America.” 

It called attention to Jacksonville’s 

beach-adjacent location, prime golf 

courses and nearby parks. 

• A study conducted by the University 

of Southern California Marshall 

School of Business found Jacksonville 

is more conducive to startup business 

success than many cities such as 

Moscow, Miami, Atlanta and Tel Aviv, 

Israel. 

• The Airports Council International 

(ACI), which represents airport 

interests with governments and 

international organizations, 

announced its expanded 2015 Airport 

Service Quality Award winners in 

2016, ranking airports around the 

world based on more than 550,000 

surveys. Jacksonville ranked at No. 

2 for Best Airport by Region: North 

America Category. 

• In 2015, the Huffington Post named 

Jacksonville No. 1 of five top secretly 

cool cities where you can still get in on 

the ground floor. 

• Forbes magazine ranked Jacksonville 

No. 1 on list of “U.S. Cities Where 

Hispanics Are Doing the Best 

Economically” in 2015. The ranking 

was based on several factors, 

including median household income 

($50,171), home ownership rate (54.9 

percent) and share who are selfemployed 

(17.1 percent). 

• In CBRE Group, Inc.’s “North America 

Ports Logistics Annual Report,” 

Jacksonville ranked among the top 

15 North American ports based on 

port infrastructure capabilities and 

strength of industrial real estate 

market in 2015. 

• Thumbtack.com gave Jacksonville 

a B in its annual Small Business 

Friendliness survey in 2015. The study, 

which draws data from nearly 18,000 

small business owners, provides 

insights into business environments 

across the nation. Jacksonville 

received particularly high marks for 

tax code friendliness (an A-). 

• Jacksonville ranked as the fifth-best 

city to find work in the U.S. by Forbes 

magazine in May 2015. Logistics 

and industrial jobs were among 

the strongest job markets found in 

Jacksonville. Other cities that ranked 

at the top were Austin, Texas; Grand 

Rapids, Mich.; Nashville, Tenn.; and 

Charlotte, N.C. 

• Similar to the last ranking, in May 

2014, Jacksonville was recognized by 

Forbes magazine as No. 4 in “The Top 

Cities for Finding Employment Right 

Now.” Top industries hiring were 

professional and business services, 

financial activities and health care. 


WELCOME 

Living the good life 

How cost of living stacks up 

Here are cost-of-living comparisons 

between Jacksonville and selected 

other cities from the October 2016 

Cost of Living Index from C2ER: The 

Council for Community and Economic 

Research (c2er.org). This quarterly 

survey measures the differences in the 

cost of six major expenditures (grocery 

items, housing, utilities, transportation, 

health care, and miscellaneous goods 

and services). The average is 100 for all 

participating areas; this means that the 

cost of living in Jacksonville, for example, 

is 6.5 percentage points below the 

average. 

250% 

232 

200% 

181.9 

150% 

117.6 

100% 

50% 

0 

New York (Manhattan), NY 

San Francisco, CA 

Chicago, IL 

114.7 

103.8 

99.4 

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 

Charleston, SC 

Houston, TX 

98.6 

Phoenix, AZ 

Cost of living index comparison 

97.6 96.3 95.9 95.7 95.1 94.7 94 

Atlanta, GA 

Austin, TX 

Charlotte, NC 

Pittsburgh, PA 

Nashville-Murfreesboro, TN 

Raleigh, NC 

Richmond, VA 

94.1 

Kansas City, MO 

93.5 

Jacksonville 

92.6 

Columbus, OH 

92.2 

Tampa, FL 

89.4 

Birmingham, AL 

Weather to expect 

Jacksonville’s average high/low: 

79.3°F 

57.8°F 

Temperature degrees Fahrenheit (2000-2016) 

100° 

90° 

80° 

70° 

60° 

50° 

40° 

30° 

20° 

10° 

0° 

88% 

64.8 

41.4 

January 

87% 

68.2 

44.7 

February 

87% 

73.7 

49.7 

March 

87% 

79.2 

54.7 

Temperature/humidity in Jacksonville 

Normal daily high 

Normal daily low 

Average morning relative humidity percentage 

April 

86% 

85.5 

62.7 

May 

89.9 

88% 

70 

June 

92 

89% 

72.6 

July 

92% 

90.9 

72.7 

August 

92% 

86.9 

69.5 

September 

91% 

80.4 

60.5 

October 

90% 

73.5 

50.9 

November 

89% 

66.6 

43.9 

December 

100% 

Source: National Weather Service Forecast Office and the Southeast Regional Climate Center 

90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

10% 

0% 

Humidity percentage 

10 in. 

8 in. 

Normal monthly precipitation in Jacksonville 

6.45 6.55 6.80 

8.19 

Average monthly rainfall in Jacksonville 

6 in. 

4 in. 

2 in. 

3.30 3.19 

3.95 

2.64 2.48 

3.93 

2.11 

2.80 

0 in. 

January 

December 

November 

October 

September 

August 

July 

June 

May 

April 

March 

February 

Source: National Weather Service Forecast Office (Stats based on 2000-2016) 

4.36 in. 

2017 DISCOVER JACKSONVILLE | 9

WELCOME 

First Coast: Where we are … 

Boulogne 

Mileage from Jacksonville 

to other Florida cities 

Bradenton 236 

Callahan 22.3 

Clearwater 220 

Cocoa 153 

Coral Gables 350 

Daytona Beach 89 

Fernandina Beach 36 

Fort Lauderdale 325 

Fort Myers 321 

Gainesville 71 

Key West 502 

Miami 343 

Melbourne 175 

Naples 352 

Ocala 101 

Orlando 140 

Palatka 63 

Panama City 268 

Pensacola 359 

Port St. Lucie 235 

St. Augustine 40 

St. Petersburg 221 

Sarasota 251 

Tallahassee 164 

Tampa 199 

Titusville 134 

Vero Beach 212 

West Palm Beach 283 

Source: MapQuest 


Olustee 

Eddy 

McNeil 

Baxter 

Taylor 

Sanderson 

First Coast commutes: From home to downtown Jacksonville 

Nassau 

Baker Duval 

Clay St.Johns 

Macarde 

Glen 

St. Mary 

Sapp 

Bessent 

Macclenny 

La Buena 

Average driving time during “moderate” traffic from First Coast areas to downtown 

Jacksonville in minutes: 

Amelia Island 40 Mandarin 26 

Arlington 7 Mayport 31 

Atlantic Beach/Neptune Beach 28 Middleburg 42 

Jacksonville Beach 29 Moncrief 8 

Callahan 31 Nocatee 29 

Deerwood/Baymeadows 16 Normandy/Hyde Grove 12-14 

Dames Point 15 Orange Park 24 

Fernandina Beach 47 Ortega 16 

Fleming Island 31 Ponte Vedra Beach 25 

Fruit Cove 33 Riverside/Avondale/Murray Hill 6-10 

Garden City/Dinsmore 18 St. Augustine 45 

Green Cove Springs 44 St. Nicholas 6 

Hilliard 42 San Marco 10 

Julington Creek 21 Southside 15 

Keystone Heights 68 Springfield 4 

Loretto 19 World Golf Village 31 

Macclenny 33 Yulee 27 


Kingsley 

Beach 

Keystone 

Heights 

Baldwin 

Middleburg 

Hilliard 

Crawford 

Lake 

Asbury 

Penney 

Farms 

Callahan 

Doctors 

Inlet 

Orange 

Park 

Fruit 

Cove 

Green Cove 

Springs 

Mandarin 

Switzerland 

West 

Tocoi 

Yulee 

Orangedale 

Palmo 

Picolata 

St. Johns 

Tocoi 

Riverdale 

Hastings 

Nassauville 

Spuds 

Fernandina 

Beach 

American 

Beach 

Mayport 

Palm 

Valley 

Armstrong 

Flagler 

Estates 

Driving mileage from Jacksonville to other U.S. cities 

Nocatee 

Atlantic 

Beach 

Neptune 

Beach 

Atlanta, GA 345 Los Angeles, CA 2,419 

Birmingham, AL 464 Nashville, TN 594 

Boston, MA 1,150 New Orleans, LA 547 

Charleston, SC 238 New York, NY 935 

Chicago, IL 1,061 Philadelphia, PA 846 

Cincinnati, OH 795 Phoenix, AZ 2,046 

Dallas, TX 995 Pittsburgh, PA 829 

Denver, CO 1,748 San Francisco, CA 2,798 

Houston, TX 871 Savannah, GA 139 

Kansas City, MO 1,146 Seattle, WA 3,041 

Las Vegas, NV 2,221 Washington, DC 710 



Beach 

Ponte 

Vedra 

Beach 

Mickler 

Landing 

South 

Ponte 

Vedra 

Beach 

Usinas 

Beach 

Vilano 

Beach 

St. Augustine 

St. 

Augustine 

Beach 

Crescent 

Beach 

Summer 

Haven

Who we are . . . 

Here are the latest figures available from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2015 

American Community Survey reported from the Jacksonville Metropolitan 

Statistical Area (rounded to the nearest whole number or percent): 

Gender 

Households 

30% 

25% 

20% 

Education 

WELCOME 

Duval County active registered voters as of 10/27/16 

Democrats: 240,079 

Republicans: 220,654 

Others: 126,991 

Total: 587,724 

Source: Duval County Supervisor of Elections 

28% 28% 

23% 

21% 


U.S. 

20% 

19% 

15% 

10% 

5% 

3% 

6% 

7% 

7% 

9% 

8% 

12% 

10% 

Male 49% 

Age 

7% 

60 to 64 years 

Female 51% 

4% 

85 years and over 

9% 


6% 


Family households 66% 

Nonfamily households 34% 

Average family size: 3.24 people 

6% 

Under 5 years 

6% 

5 to 9 years 

6% 


0% 

6% 


Less than 

9th grade 

50% 

40% 

30% 

9th to 12th grade, 

no diploma 

50% 

High school graduate 

(includes equivalency) 

44% 

Some college, 

no degree 

Associate degree 

Marital status 

15 years and older 

Male 

Female 

Bachelor's degree 

Graduate or 

professional degree 

34% 

29% 

6% 


20% 

10% 

9% 

15% 

12% 

14% 


Racial demographics 

13% 


White 

Black or 

African American 

American Indian 0.2% 

and Alaska Native 0.8% 

Asian 

Native Hawaiian 

and Other Pacific Islander 

4% 

0.1% 

0.2% 

5% 

Some other race 1% 5% 

Two or more races 

13% 

22% 

14% 


7% 



U.S. 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 

70% 

73.1% 

0% 

Married 

3% 

Widowed 

5% 

$200,000 

or more 

5% 

$150,000 to 

$199,999 

12% 

$100,000 to 

$149,999 

13% 

$75,000 

to $99,999 

19% 

$50,000 to 

$74,999 

3% 

3% Median household income 

Divorced 

2% 

Household income 

Separated 

3% 

Never 

married 

8% 

Less than 4% 

$10,000 $10,000 

to $14,999 

15% 

$35,000 to 

$49,999 

9% 

$15,000 

to $24,999 

11% 

$25,000 

to $34,999 

Jacksonville: $53,221 

Florida: $46,609 

U.S. $55,775 


WELCOME 

The remains of Jacksonville's St. Joseph Convent School are seen after the Great Fire of 1901. (Florida Times-Union file) 

Region rich in history 

From the Fountain of Youth to a devastating fire 

in 1901 to the first Hollywood, the First Coast 

has had memorable building blocks. 

P 

once de Leon was probably the first 

to find us. Timucuan Indians were in 

Florida long before but the Spaniard 

was the first to lay claim to the state 

after landing between what is now Ponte 

Vedra Beach and St. Augustine in 1513 

on his search for the rumored Fountain 

of Youth. 

The actual founding of the first 

permanent European settlement came 

in 1565, when Pedro Menendez de 

Aviles arrived at “San Augustin.” Spain 

continued in control for the next two 

centuries. 

Occasionally, there were interlopers. 

In 1562, for example, explorer Jean 

Ribault and some mainly Huguenot 

settlers claimed the land for France. 

A subsequent group of Huguenots 

established Fort Caroline, the first 

Protestant settlement in North America, 

but Spanish forces ousted them in 1565. 

By 1728, the Timucuans were virtually 

extinct and the Seminole Indians started 

inhabiting the area. One of their first 

villages west of the St. Johns River was in 

current Clay County. 

In 1763, Spain gave Florida to the 

British in exchange for Havana, Cuba 

(Spain got it back in 1784). On the eve of 

the American Revolution in 1776, about 

3,000 people lived in East Florida, the 

largest of three provinces in the British 

territory. 

Jacksonville had its beginnings as a 

narrow spot on the river that farmers 

and their livestock forded on their way 

to market. A settlement emerged at 

the “cow ford,” appropriately named 

Cowford. Just up the river was the town 

of Fernandina, named for Spain’s King 

Ferdinand VII, a haven for pirates. 

Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821, 

the same year that St. Johns County was 

created. Soon after, “Jacksonville” was 

born. A petition sent to the U.S. Secretary 

of State asking that Jacksonville be 

named a port of entry is dated June 15, 

1822; that, according to the Jacksonville 

Historical Society, is the earliest official 

use of the name. The city was named 

for Gen. Andrew Jackson, first military 

governor of Florida who, by the way, 

never visited Jacksonville. 

Duval County was established six 

months later. Carved out of St. Johns 

County, it was named after territorial 

governor William P. DuVal. Nassau 

County, established in 1824, was named 

after the German duchy of Nassau. 


WELCOME 

Just as St. Johns begat Duval, so Duval 

begat surrounding counties. Clay County, 

named for Henry Clay, was formed from 

Duval County in 1858. Baker County was 

once part of several counties, including 

Duval, St. Johns, Alachua, Columbia 

and what is now Union. Named after 

Confederate senator James McNair Baker, 

it was created in 1861. 

Early on, areas around Jacksonville 

were populated mainly by timbermen, 

hunters and farmers. For example, 

Orange Park, part of an area originally 

owned by slave trader Zephaniah 

Kingsley, was named for its many orange 

groves (they eventually succumbed to 

major freezes in the 1890s). 

The area’s population grew during the 

Civil War and Reconstruction. In 1870, 

there were 3,989 black people and 2,923 

white people living in Jacksonville. The 

city’s population was predominantly 

black until after World War I. 

The population increased 

dramatically when the railroads 

brought numerous wintering tourists to 

Jacksonville and its beach resort hotels 

in the 1880s. In 1890, Henry Flagler 

financed a train bridge across the St. 

Johns River, and his Florida East Coast 

Railway was able to take visitors from 

New York to St. Augustine, where the 

magnate had built luxury hotels. It was 

Flagler who shifted the state’s economic 

center from Jacksonville to Miami when 

he expanded his railroad’s tracks, but 

that didn’t stop the nation’s oldest city 

from remaining a tourist destination. 

Throughout this early growth, 

area waterways continued to play an 

important part. The building of the 

jetties in the late 1890s helped grow port 

business and the shrimping industry was 

born in Fernandina in the early 1900s. 

By the start of the 20th century, 

Jacksonville had begun its reign as the 

most populated city in the state. 

On May 3, 1901, however, the 

city’s fate was forged in a completely 

different way. Sparks from a chimney 

ignited a fiber factory and the resulting 

conflagration destroyed the heart of the 

city: 466 acres were incinerated; 2,368 

buildings were destroyed; 8,677 were left 

homeless; seven people died. The dollar 

loss was $15 million (equal to about $2 

billion today). 

As incredible as the devastation was, 

the rebuilding effort was more so. It 

began immediately and, 10 years later, 

more than 11,000 buildings had gone up. 

During the ragtime years, Jacksonville 

was indeed a toddlin’ town. The Ostrich 

Farm was a big tourist draw, racing cars 

sped up and down the beach and the 

Philadelphia A’s, led by Connie Mack, 

came for spring training. 

Moreover, the movie industry had 

discovered the city. By 1916, more than 

30 companies were churning out movies 

with such names as Oliver Hardy, Fatty 

Arbuckle and Tom Mix. But citizens got 

fed up with noisy explosions and false 

fire alarms. They voted out Mayor J.E.T. 

Bowden, a major film booster, and the 

industry moved to friendlier California 

climes. 

The military, though, was always 

a fixture. As world wars broke out, 

that military presence really became 

noticeable. Camp Johnston, the area now 

called Jacksonville Naval Air Station, 

held 27,000 men during World War I. 

Shipyards sprang from the riverfront 

and churned out wartime vessels. Quiet 

Ribault Bay became Mayport Auxiliary 

Air Base at the onset of World War II. 

The Depression brought hard times, 

but the corner was eventually turned. 

Jacksonville’s first condo, the Park Lane 

in Riverside, was completed in 1926. 

In 1935, A.L. Lewis opened American 

Beach, a retreat for African-Americans 

refused entry to public beaches. 

Postwar Jacksonville saw a boom, 

mainly at the hands of Mayor Haydon 

Burns. Insurance companies were lured; 

new city buildings, an auditorium and 

a ballpark were constructed; a modern 

expressway took shape; and the world’s 

largest Sears Roebuck store opened in an 

area that was once skid row. 

But the bubble burst in the early 

1960s amid scandal and school 

disaccreditation. Pressure built for 

city and county consolidation, which 

came to pass in 1968. “The Bold New 

City of the South” was the largest U.S. 

city in land mass until Juneau, Alaska, 

eclipsed it. 

But growth and prestige were not to 

be eclipsed. In 1979, the PGA Tour moved 

its headquarters to Ponte Vedra Beach; 

19 years later, the World Golf Village and 

World Golf Hall of Fame opened in St. 

Johns County. In 1986, the famed Mayo 

Clinic opened its Jacksonville campus. 

And, in 1993, the National Football 

League awarded its 30th franchise to 

Jacksonville, which led to the city being 

the site for Super Bowl XXXIX. 

Sources: The Great Fire of 1901 by Bill Foley and 

Wayne W. Wood; Jacksonville’s Architectural 

Heritage by Wayne W. Wood; The Jacksonville 

Story; History of Jacksonville, Florida and Vicinity 

by T. Frederick Davis; Jacksonville After the Fire by 

James B. Crooks; Old Hickory’s Town by James R. 

Ward; The Jacksonville Historical Society. 

In this photo, dated July 15, 1977, the Jacksonville skyline can be seen across the St. Johns 

River from Friendship Park. (Florida Times-Union file) 


WELCOME 

Families from all over Northeast Florida flock to the ocean, including Mickler's Landing Beach Park in Ponte Vedra Beach, for some fun in 

the sun. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union) 

Discover the flow of the First Coast 

Water is the crown jewel — and a way of life. 

By Ronald L. Littlepage 

You haven’t really discovered 

Jacksonville until you’ve seen the 

city from the water. 

You may think of downtown as 

nothing extraordinary until you’ve seen 

the skyline from a boat in the St. Johns 

River, approaching from the south, in 

the early evening when the wind is calm 

and the river smooth, sparkling lights 

reflected in the water’s mirrored surface. 

And you may have caught glimpses of 

the marshes of the Timucuan preserve 

and the tidal creeks that lace through 

them from a roadway or a bridge, but 

you haven’t absorbed their beauty 

until you’ve experienced them in a 

kayak, canoe or paddleboard riding the 

outgoing tide past wading birds and 

oyster beds. 

Water is the soul of Jacksonville. The 

beaches of Big and Little Talbot islands, 

preserved and protected as parks, are 

spectacular. 

The marshes of the similarly protected 

Timucuan, their grasses ever changing in 

a parade of yellows, greens and browns, 

stretch for miles to the Nassau County 

line. 

The St. Johns River, one of 14 

American Heritage rivers, ends its 

310-mile journey here, emptying into 

the blue-green waters of the Atlantic at 

Mayport. 

It was near there that the French 

explorer Jean Ribault first dropped 

anchor in the St. Johns in 1562. He was 

awed by the river’s riches, the abundant 

fish and wildlife. 

Those riches are still there today. 

I’ve been fortunate to spend many 

hours on the water in Jacksonville. 

I’ve seen bald eagles, roseate 

spoonbills, great blue herons, egrets, 

kingfishers, gallinules, marsh hens, 

pelicans, wood storks and myriad other 

birds. 

I’ve watched as pods of dolphins, 

swimming in water so shallow it barely 

covered them, shoot across a tidal bay as 

swift as a speedboat, herding mullet onto 

the bank and grabbing a quick meal. 

I’ve had manatees swim around my 

kayak. 

I’ve paddled along the narrow creeks 

and tributaries of the St. Johns into 

forests that are undisturbed, lush and 

green, past deer, turkeys, squirrels and 

rabbits. 

The waters of Jacksonville are 

working waters. They carry commerce, 

and shrimpers and crabbers earn their 

livings on them. 

They are also fun waters, for sailing, 

fishing and skiing. 

But to know them, you have to get out 

on the water. Find a boat, a canoe or a 

kayak and go exploring. Find an out-ofthe-way 

place and learn it, make it your 

own. 

Or hook up with a group on a party 

barge, or get behind a ski boat, or find a 

fishing guide, or take a walk along the 

beach. 

But get out on the water. That’s when 

you will truly discover Jacksonville. 

Florida Times-Union 

writer since 1978, Ronald 

L. Littlepage has traveled, 

fished and enjoyed the area 

waters for more than 35 

years. 


WELCOME 

Seven links to the city 

There are seven vehicle bridges that cross the St. Johns River at Jacksonville — Florida’s river 

city by the sea and gateway to the state’s interior. Sometimes we don’t call our bridges by 

their given names, so we’ve compiled a list to help you navigate the city’s connectors. 

Official name: 

John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge 

Type: 

Steel-truss — centerlift 

span 

Date opened: 

July 18, 1941 

Cost: $1.5 million 

Annual average 

daily traffic: 18,300 

Length: 1,700 feet 

Main Street Bridge John T. Alsop Jr. earned so 

much respect of the people of Jacksonville as a 

multi-term mayor, the Main Street Bridge was 

renamed in his honor nearly 16 years after it 

opened. Alsop, who came to Florida as one of Teddy 

Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, served 14 consecutive 

years before leaving office in 1937 (he returned four 

years later). He died at 83, about a month after the 

bridge was renamed for him on April 12, 1957. 

In 2014, the Florida Department of Transportation 

put $11.1 million into a project to make 

maintenance and safety repairs. From 2016 to 2017, 

a $10.8 million project is being done to rehabilitate 

the bridge, mainly for electrical and mechanical. 

The bridge is considered one of the most 

recognizable features in downtown Jacksonville. 

Fuller Warren Bridge The latest downtown 

bridge and the St. Johns River’s most 

expensive, it replaced a 1954 double-leaf 

bascule drawbridge that often saw long lines of 

stalled traffic. Officials, including Florida Gov. 

Fuller Warren, wanted to name it for J. Turner 

Butler, a former Duval County attorney and 

30-year member of the Florida Legislature. But 

Butler thought that public structures should 

not be named for living individuals, so the 

span honors Fuller Warren instead. The bridge 

continues to experience an increase in traffic 

since it is at the merge point of Interstates 

95 and 10, necessitating more interchange 

improvements starting in 2017, near the same 

time the I-95 Overland Bridge replacement 

project is finished at the south end of the Fuller 

Warren Bridge. 


Fuller Warren Bridge 

Type: Pre-stressed 

concrete beam 

Date opened: 

Nov. 17, 2002 


(estimated) 

Annual average daily 

traffic: 155,000 



Henry Holland Buckman Bridge 

Type: Steel multi-beam girder 

Date opened: May 1, 1970; 

expansion opened January 1997 

Cost: $12.5 million; expansion 

$79 million 




Buckman Bridge While this bridge was in the 

planning stage, former U.S. Rep. Charles E. Bennett 

suggested it be named for Henry Holland Buckman, 

who had been a prominent legislator instrumental 

in establishing a state road system and developing 

the St. Johns River channel. In 1905, he authored 

the Buckman Act, which laid the foundation 

for higher education in Florida. The expansion 

project, necessary because average daily traffic 

use increased nearly 11-fold in 20 years, added 

two travel lanes and two safety lanes to each of the 

twin spans. A protection and rehabilitation project 

was completed in 2016, primarily underneath the 

bridge. 


WELCOME 


St. Elmo W. Acosta Bridge 

Type: 

Cast-in-place segmental 

Opened: Aug. 7, 1994 





Acosta Bridge The Acosta replaced a 

center-lift span that had opened in 1921 

and carried the name of Jacksonville 

city councilman and state legislator, St. 

Elmo “Chic” Acosta. Acosta’s daughter, 

Florence Acosta Flynn, 82, participated 

in groundbreaking ceremonies on 

Jan. 19, 1990, using the same shovel 

she saw her father hoist in 1919 before 

construction of the first bridge. Chunks 

of that bridge are now spawning a fishing 

reef 13 miles off Mayport. 

Mathews Bridge Little wonder that this bridge 

to Arlington was named for John E. Mathews 

even before construction began. The fiery 

redhead had waged a 20-year battle for the 

span, including during his tenure as a member 

of the Florida House of Representatives. 

For nearly 20 years after the bridge opened, 

Arlington was the fastest-growing area in Duval 

County. In September 2013, a Military Sealift 

Command ship collided with the bridge and 

caused enough damage to close the bridge 

until October 2013. The bridge is scheduled for 

cleaning and painting in 2017. 


John E. Mathews Bridge 

Type: 

Cantilever steel truss 

Date opened: 

April 15, 1953 

Cost: $53 million 




Official name: Napoleon 

Bonaparte Broward Bridge 

Type: 

Cable-stayed concrete 

Opened: 

March 10, 1989 

Cost: $117 million 



Length: 10,686 ft. 

Dames Point Bridge The Napoleon 

Bonaparte Broward Bridge, named in 

honor of Florida’s governor from 1905 

until 1909, is the second longest concrete 

cable-stayed bridge in the western 

hemisphere. The name, Dames Point, 

originated in the mid-1800s, when the 

wives of seafaring men would gather at 

the site to welcome home their husbands 

after months of separation. The bridge 

is undergoing maintenance work in 2016 

and 2017 that includes work underneath, 

such as fenders for boating traffic and 

navigational lights. 

Hart Bridge In 1822, Isaiah D. Hart 

pursued the idea of establishing a town 

on the north bank of the St. Johns River 

at the “cow ford,” a shallow crossing 

point. He persuaded neighbors to join 

him in donating land and a surveyor laid 

out the streets of the town in a 20-block 

area. He is thus credited as the founder 

of Jacksonville. The bridge is undergoing 

maintenance work, such as surface 

protection and cable replacement in 2016 

and 2017. 

Source: Florida Department of Transportation 


Isaiah D. Hart Bridge 

Type: Steel arch with 

suspended deck 

Date opened: 

Nov. 2, 1967 






WELCOME 

Your pets as citizens 

Here’s how to make certain that your animals 

meet code-enforcement specifications. 

BAKER COUNTY 

• Rabies vaccination required for dogs, 

cats and ferrets; rabies tag display 

required. Leash law for all but cats; 

must be contained by leash or carrier 

outside personal property. 

• Animal control (adoptions): 

904-259-6786 

CLAY COUNTY 

• Dogs must be contained and not 

allowed to run at large. 

• Food, water and shelter must be 

provided to any domestic animal. 

• Cats can roam at will; however, the 

cat cannot become a nuisance to 

anyone. 

• Dogs or cats four months or older 

shall be vaccinated against rabies by a 

licensed veterinarian. 

• A current rabies tag must be attached 

to the animal’s collar, which shall be 

worn by the animal at all times. 

• Evidence of vaccination shall consist 

of Rabies Vaccination and License 

Certificate signed by the veterinarian 

administering the vaccination. 

• Animal care and control: 904-269- 

6342, claycountygov.com 

• Humane society (animal clinic; 

no adoptions): 904-276-7729, 

clayhumane.org 

DUVAL COUNTY 

• All city of Jacksonville resident dogs, 

cats and ferrets are required to have 

rabies vaccinations on an annual 

basis. At the time of inoculation, the 

veterinarian is required to either 

sell the City of Jacksonville Rabies 

Tag or provide the owner with the 

paperwork to purchase the tag from 

the Tax Collector. The license fee for 

an animal in the city of Jacksonville is 

$20 annually. Fees for registration in 


First Coast No More Homeless Pets holds 

Mega Pet Adoption events throughout the 

year so animals like Rachel, a pit/Boston 

terrier mix, can find a loving home. (Bruce 

Lipsky/Florida Times-Union) 

the city of Jacksonville are provided 

at no cost for up to three animals per 

household to owners who are: 62 or 

older, legally blind or 100 percent 

disabled. 

• Yearly rabies vaccination required for 

dogs, cats and ferrets. 

• Leash law; no dog or cat is allowed to 

be at large. 

• Animal Care and Protective Services: 

904-630-CITY(2489), coj.net 

• Jacksonville Humane Society: 904- 

725-8766, jaxhumane.org 

NASSAU COUNTY 

• Licenses required for dogs and cats 

renewed annually at Nassau County 

Animal Control (904-491-7440); 

proof of rabies vaccination required. 

Licenses: $10 per altered dog/cat, 

$23 non-altered. City of Fernandina 

Beach only: Licenses: $5 per altered 

dog/cat, $100 non-altered; verification 

of sterilization required. 

• Rabies vaccination required for dogs 

and cats; rabies tag display required. 

• Leash law for dogs only; must be 

contained by leash or carrier when 

not on personal property 

• Humane society (adoptions): 

904-321-1647, nassauhumanesociety. 

com 

ST. JOHNS COUNTY 

• Owners of cats and/or dogs within the 

city of St. Augustine are required to 

register their pets annually with the 

city. To register an animal, the owner 

need only present current rabies 

certificate for each cat and/or dog, 

provide some descriptive information 

about the animal (i.e. name, breed, 

color and sex) and pay the annual 

registration fee. Fee: male $3, female 

(spayed) $3 and female (unsprayed) 

$5. Upon registration, the owner will 

be provided with an information tag 

that must be attached to the animal’s 

collar. Animals may be registered 

Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 

p.m. at the Customer Service Division: 

50 Bridge Street, St. Augustine. 

• Rabies vaccination required for dogs, 

cats and ferrets; rabies tag display 

required. 

• Leash law for dogs and cats. 

• Animal control: 904-209-0746 

• Humane society (adoptions): 

904-829-2737, 

staugustinehumanesociety.org 

MORE RESOURCES 

• Jax Animals: jaxanimals.com 

• B.E.A.K.S (Bird Emergency Air & Kare 

Sanctuary): 904-251-BIRD(2473), 

beaksbirdkare.org 

• HAWKE (Human Association of 

Wildlife Care and Education): 

904-692-1777, hawkewildlife.org

WELCOME 

First things first: Start here 

Living in Florida definitely has its perks. The state has no state income tax, a 

$25,000 homestead exemption and affordable housing. 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

What you’ll be asked to provide: Utilities and 

other service providers require driver’s 

license and Social Security numbers, 

new and old addresses, home and work 

phone numbers and employer’s name. 

Some require applications be made in 

person with a photo ID. Others allow 

startups by phone or have applications 

online. 

Voter registration: You can apply to register 

to vote at any time, but to vote in an 

election, you must be registered in your 

county by the registration closing date, 

normally 29 days before each election. 

You can visit county election offices 

to register, or start the process online at 

dos.myflorida.com/elections. Florida 

has a motor-voter law, which means you 

may register to vote when you receive a 

driver’s license or identification card. 

Florida is a closed primary state. If 

you wish to vote in a partisan primary 

election, you must be a registered voter in 

the party for which the primary is being 

held. All registered voters, regardless of 

party affiliation, can vote on issues and 

nonpartisan candidates in a primary 

election. 

This is why it is important to indicate 

your preferred party affiliation at the 

time you register. If you leave the field 

blank on the registration form, you will 

be registered without party affiliation. 

To be able to register to vote in 

Florida, you must meet the following 

requirements: You must be a U.S. citizen, 

a Florida resident, and at least 18 years 

old (you can pre-register to vote at 16 

years old, but you’ll need to wait until 

you’re 18 years old to vote). Also, you 

must never have been convicted of a 

felony (unless your civil rights have been 

restored), and never been legally judged 

ineligible to vote, for either mental 

incapacitation or crime. 

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; bring 

your signed voter card and a picture 

identification card. Early voting is also 

available. Polling places are normally 

less busy during the mid-morning and 

mid-afternoon. 

Property taxes: All First Coast counties 

offer discounts for property taxes paid 

early: 4 percent if paid in November; 3 

percent if paid in December; 2 percent if 

paid in January; and 1 percent if paid in 

February. Taxes become delinquent April 

1st of each year at which time a 3 percent 

penalty plus additional fees are added 

to the bill. Pursuant to Florida Statutes, 

Chapter 197, if taxes remain unpaid, a tax 

certificate may be sold on the property 

and possibly be auctioned at a future 

date. 

Homestead exemption: Most Florida residents 

qualify for a $25,000 property tax 

exemption, which means $25,000 is 

deducted from the assessed value for 

taxes of a qualified primary residence. 

First-time applicants should supply 

a Social Security number, proof of 

residency (such as voter’s registration or 

driver’s license) and evidence of home 

Many Florida counties offer early voting. (Gary McCullough/Florida Times-Union) 


WELCOME 

Jaguar mural panels created by Jacksonville artists Jim Draper and Anne Banas. 

(Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 

ownership, such as a deed or contract. 

Apply with the Property Appraiser’s 

office between January 1 and March 1 

of the year for which the exemption is 

sought. 

Intangible tax: Since Jan. 1, 2007, 

individuals, married couples, personal 

representatives of estates and businesses 

are no longer required to file an annual 

intangible personal property tax return 

reporting stocks, bonds, mutual funds, 

money market funds, shares of business 

trusts and unsecured notes. The Florida 

Legislature has repealed the annual tax 

on these properties. 

Sales tax: 7 percent in Baker, Clay, Duval 

and Nassau counties. St. Johns County 

increased sales tax from 6 percent to 6.5 

percent in January 2016. 

Driver’s licenses: To renew or obtain a 

driver’s license, Florida law requires you 

to bring original documents that prove 

your identity, social security number 

and residential address. 

You must visit an office with these 

documents: 

• If you are applying for your first 

driver license or identification card 

• When your current credential expires 

and you have already used the onetime 

“convenience” renewal option 

• If you legally change your name (e.g., 

by marriage or divorce) 

If none of these apply, then you can 

renew your license online at gorenew. 

com, or by mail. 

Car insurance: The minimum coverage 

requirement is $10,000 personal injury 

protection (PIP) and $10,000 property 

damage liability (PDL). If you have 

been in a crash or convicted of certain 

offenses, the Florida DMV can request 

you purchase additional auto insurance 

coverage such as bodily injury liability 

coverage (BIL). 

Motor vehicles: In the state of Florida, a 

motor vehicle is required by law to be 

registered within 10 days of the owner 

becoming employed, placing children in 

public school, or establishing residency. 

Registering your motor vehicle goes 

hand in hand with the titling process. 

Visit flhsmv.gov/html/titlinf.html for 

more information. 

Termite Protection: Know right up-front 

that termites are a serious problem in 

Florida. State law requires that a contract 

be issued whenever a termite treatment 

is conducted. If building or buying a new 

house, make sure that the contractor 

or developer has a termite protection 

contract and ask for a copy. Check what 

kind of warranty the contract has and 

whether repair to structural damage is 

included. The warranty must be valid 

for a year and offer the homeowner the 

option to extend the contract annually for 

four more years. If you do not renew your 

contract, it automatically becomes null 

and void. 

If buying a house on the secondary 

market, make sure that a termite 

inspection will be done (be present if 

possible) and get written documentation 

of any treatments, inspections and 

contracts issued on the structure for at 

least three years. You are responsible for 

obtaining or transferring a contract. 

For more information, call the Florida 

Bureau of Inspection and Incident 

Response at 850-617-7996 or access 

freshfromflorida.com. 

To check that a company or 

individual is licensed to perform pest 

control in Florida, you can use this link: 

ceupublicsearch.freshfromflorida.com 

or call the Florida Bureau of Licensing 

and Enforcement at 850-617-7997. 

Electric power: Different utility companies 

often operate within the same 

areas. Visit county websites for more 

information. 

Natural gas: Some communities are piped 

for natural gas. To find out which areas 

are served by natural gas, call TECO 

Peoples Gas at 904-739-1211 or 877-832- 

6747, or visit peoplesgas.com. 

Watering restrictions: Mandatory lawn 

watering restrictions specify the days 

when you may water. These days depend 

on whether you have an odd or even 

numbered address, and the time of year. 

For more information, contact: 

St. Johns River Water Management 

District: 4049 Reid Street (P.O. Box 1429), 

Palatka 32178; 386-329-4500 or 800-451- 

7106; sjrwmd.com. 

Garbage/yard waste collection: Different 

garbage haulers serve within the same 

areas. Call the county’s Solid Waste 

Department for more information. For 

those without curbside pickup of yard 

waste, county landfills are available, 

usually for a fee. Yard waste can be tree 

limbs, grass clippings, leaves, etc. 

Recycling: Programs are ongoing in all 

First Coast counties through cityprovided 

curbside service, private 

contractors and/or drop-off sites and 

landfills. In most counties you can use 

curbside service to recycle cardboard, 

paper, food boxes, mail, beverage cans, 

food cans, jars (plastic and glass), jugs, 

plastic bottles and some glass bottles. 

For a full list of non-recyclable items, call 

the county Solid Waste Department. 

Telephone, internet and cable service: Many 

communications companies provide all 

three services in bundle packages that 

can be purchased at a reduced rate. 


HOUSING 

Based on rate of population gains, the U.S. Census reported St. Johns as No. 11 on the list of the fastest growing 100 counties in the United 

States. One new development in the area, Shearwater, offers homes from Florida Bungalow and Spanish Craftsman to Coastal Traditional 

and Florida Farmhouse designs. (Jacqueline Persandi/Florida Times-Union) 

For sale: New, historic 

and affordable homes 

Signs of growth 

are obvious in all 

directions in and 

around Jacksonville. 

New communities throughout 

Northeast Florida draw families, 

professionals and retirees. Existing 

communities and historic districts 

are attracting a new audience with 

renovations and infill construction. It 

all points to a steady comeback from the 

economic downturn that slowed growth 

for a few years. 

Home values are on the rise with the 

five-county average of $177,751, below 

the state average of $194,200, but still an 

increase of 3.4 percent. Median housing 

costs by county from low to high are 

$146,300 in Duval, $194,500 in Baker, 

$199,50000 in Clay, $229,800 in Nassau, 

and $273,400 in St. Johns. 

Analysts often rank Jacksonville high 

in job growth and housing affordability. 

Based on rate of population gains, the 

U.S. Census reported St. Johns as No. 

11 on the list of the fastest growing 100 

counties in the United States. St. Johns 

County showed an increase of 4 percent 

over last year, compared to a 2.1-percent 

average growth rate in the five-county 

area, 1.9-percent rate in Florida and a 

1.9-percent rate nationwide. 

With positive economic news 

coming from many angles, there are no 

imminent factors to prepare for beyond 

the typical seasonal drop-off. Analysts 

agree the area is in the midst of one 

of the healthiest housing markets in 

the past 15 years. In conjunction with 

the improvements in the economy, an 

anticipated interest rate hike is expected. 

The Office of Economic and 

Demographic Research estimates that 

Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns 

counties have nearly 598,490 housing 

units, including single-family residences, 

condos, apartments and manufactured 

housing. Nearly 65 percent of those are in 

Duval County. 

Single-family housing in the area 

is available in all price ranges. From 

handyman fixer-uppers below $100,000 

to more than $10 million, homebuyers 

have choices. Homes in many upscale 

communities start in the high-$100,000s 


HOUSING 

First Coast housing by county 

BAKER CLAY DUVAL NASSAU ST. JOHNS 5-COUNTY TOTAL/AVG FLORIDA UNITED STATES 

Population 27,420 203,967 913,010 78,444 226,640 1,449,486 20,271,272 324,896,082 

Population change 1.2% 2.1% 2.7% 2.4% 3.9% 2.1% 1.9% 1.9% 

Housing units 9,687 75,478 388,486 35,009 89,830 598,490 8,989,580 133,957,180 

Homeownership rate 70.3% 69.6% 54.3% 64.1% 64.4% 58.6% 55.6% 63.5% 

Median value 

(owner-occupied units) 

$194,500 $199,500 $146,300 $229,800 $273,400 $177,751 $194,200 $188,900 

Sources: Office of Economic and Demographic Research, U.S. Census, SuburbanStats. org, Point2Homes.com 

to mid-$200,000 and run into the 

millions, depending on available 

amenities. Upscale communities are 

found throughout the area and offer 

such amenities as navigable waterways, 

gated entrances, golf course, tennis 

courts and organized social activities. 

Condominium prices range from the 

low $100,000s to several million for a 

waterfront view. 

Historic areas are benefiting from 

infill construction activity. New homes 

are being built on vacant lots or to 

replace demolished houses. Historic 

areas such as Springfield, Riverside, 

Avondale, Tinseltown, San Marco 

and Murray Hill in Jacksonville are 

continuing to come back to life thanks 

to private enterprise and the city’s 

completion of infrastructure projects 

under the Better Jacksonville Plan. New 

developments also are springing up in 

Bayard, St. Johns, Nocatee, Palencia, 

Palm Valley, Mill Creek and World 


There are plenty of chances to catch a wave 

in Northeast Florida. Jax Surf Camp in 

Neptune Beach teaches children ages 6 to 

16 the basics of surfing. (Will Dickey/Florida 

Times-Union)

HOUSING 

Golf Village areas in northern St. Johns 

County. 

Recent retail and housing projects 

along Riverside Avenue near downtown 

have added to the area’s residential 

options. Development of the Brooklyn 

area brought new homes with the 

opening of Brooklyn at Riverside and 220 

Riverside. The net result has been the 

addition of hundreds of new residential 

units, a retail grocery story, restaurants, 

specialty shops and an urban park. 

Just across the street from Brooklyn, 

construction on the $22-million Winston 

Family YMCA is underway with expected 

completion in 2017. 

According to the Index Committee at 

S&P Dow Jones Indices, homes generally 

are sold within 103 days of a listing. 

The only thing impeding the sales 

market is the low inventory of new 

homes, said Terrell Newberry, president 

of the Northeast Florida Association of 

Realtors. 

“Real estate is a cycle,” Newberry said. 

“We like a steady, gradual growth. Our 

mean average resale prices are up. If we 

had a more robust inventory it would be 

even better.” 

Still haunted by the housing bubble 

collapse that started in 2005, builders 

are excited by the upturn in permits 

while remaining prudent about lessons 

learned. 

“I like where we are now compared to 

2005,” said Chet Skinner, president of the 

Northeast Florida Builders Association. 

“But if you go through what most of us 

went through, especially from 2008 until 

the end of 2013 and beginning of 2104, it 

isn’t that easy for some of us to forget.” 

Although prices rose 11.9 percent 

over the same time in the five-county 

area, the number of September 2016 

sales compared to September 2015 sales 

were down 4.4 percent, Newberry said. 

Mirroring those numbers was a 15.7 

percent decrease – down from 10,765 

units to 9,077 — in inventory from 

September 2015 to September 2016. 

Another fact is the alarming growth of 

St. Johns County. Builders in the area are 

struggling to keep up with the demands 

for new homes. At the same time, the 

state of Florida also can’t keep up with 

the demands for new schools. 

“People from outside of Florida 

do their homework on the internet,” 

Newberry said. “They see St. Johns 

schools are ranked No. 1. They want their 

kids in those schools. It’s hard to keep up 

with those kinds of demands.” 

That’s why nearly 3,000 new homes 

are under construction on State Road 

210 and on International Golf Parkway 

in northern St. Johns County. There 

also are three schools — an elementary 

and two kindergarten-through-eighth 

grade — under construction, as well as 

expansions at several schools. 

“Prices are up, mortgage rates are 

down and, depending on who you talk to, 

the economy is getting better,” Newberry 

said. “Things are good. We just need 

more inventory.” 

Realtors are getting just that. The 

NEFBA said permits for new construction 

in May 2016 for Clay, Duval, Nassau 

and St. Johns counties were 804, up 39.1 

percent compared to the same numbers 

reported in May 2015. 

“It really is a healthy market,” Skinner 

said. “People ask if it’s a buyer’s market 

or a seller’s market. I say it’s a healthy 

market. I like where we are compared 

to 2005. The truth is back in those days 

it wasn’t a sustainable pace. This is a 

healthy pace. It’s important not to get too 

far out.” 

Skinner is confident the housing 

market will continue to flourish. 

“The biggest message for 2016 is if 

we continue to grow at this clip, you’re 

going to see people want to start hiring 

and people wanting to get hired,” he said, 

“and that’s good for everyone.” 


HOUSING 

The Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier offers a great view of beach events, such as the Jacksonville Beach Festival of Chariots Bhakti Yoga 

Culture & Wellness Fest. (Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union) 

Floridian lifestyle? Just add water 

From lakes to ocean, the First Coast offers 

choices to enjoy waterfront living. 

In Northeast Florida, homes on the 

Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal 

Waterway provide upscale waterfront 

living. Rivers such as the St. Johns, St. 

Marys, Trout, Ortega, Nassau, Guana and 

Tolomato form a network throughout 

the area that is ideal for boaters, 

birdwatchers, kayakers, paddle boarders 

and nature lovers. In addition to natural 

waterways, numerous subdivisions have 

manmade lakes for recreation. 

Nationally, waterfront homes are 

worth more than double the value of 

homes overall. Florida is reported to have 

some of the lowest prices for waterfront 

homes. In 2016, Zillow published a study 

that showed the median value for a 

waterfront single-family home in Ponte 

Vedra Beach was $462,700 as compared 

to a non-waterfront home at $273,400. 

Epping Forest on San Jose Boulevard 

has a yacht club, access to a private 

marina and residences from $500,000 

for a condominium to single-homes 

in the millions. Homes at Queen’s 

Harbour Yacht and Country Club, with a 

navigational freshwater lock system on 

the Intracoastal Waterway, typically start 

just above $300,000 and can go as high as 

$4 million. 

If you’re looking to live on the St. 

Johns River, prices for properties located 

on the St. Johns tributaries start at 

$200,000 for smaller homes either on 

the Northside of Jacksonville or much 

further south towards Palatka. 

To get a St. Johns riverfront home with 

deep-water access and stretching views, 

prices start at $400,000 and go much 

higher (think into the millions). 

Waterfront condos and townhomes 

are also popular in the area because they 

typically require less maintenance, but 

still offer all the beauty and convenience 

of living on the water. Channelside 

Luxury Waterfront Townhomes is a 30- 

unit waterfront townhome community, 

located just off Beach Boulevard. The 

townhomes offer unobstructed views of 

the Intracoastal Waterway and start in 

the $600,000s. 

In Nassau and St. Johns counties, the 

story is much the same. Homebuyers 

will pay a premium price for oceanfront 

properties, and marsh, river and creek 

frontages are in high demand. Area 

developers are also carving out enclaves 

for those who want a small private 

neighborhood with a water view. 

Living on the water is desirable 

to many. For those who want a rush, 

it’s easy to enjoy water sports such as 

wakeboarding and water skiing. For 

nature lovers, the water offers a view 

of wildlife in your backyard, including 

birds, turtles, dolphins and manatees. 


HOUSING 

Homeowners associations 

Homeowners associations — 

commonly known as HOAs — exist 

to protect property values and 

ensure the consistent, attractive 

appearance of a community. A covenant 

of restrictions consistent with local 

codes are incorporated into the 

purchase transaction. The groups are 

backed by Florida law. Residents pay 

monthly dues for landscaping, pool 

maintenance, taxes, power costs, and 

other maintenance and repair items. 

Nonpayment of dues can lead to liens or 

foreclosure of your home. 

Professional management groups 

are often hired to oversee finances, seek 

bids for services and act on behalf of 

the community’s interests. A volunteer 

board of directors meets each month, 

and other members may serve on 

architectural review, communications, 

beautification and welcoming 

committees. 

Restrictions vary but frequently 

include the following covenants: 

• Garbage cans must be concealed on 

non-trash-pickup days. Restricted 

hours when garbage cans may be 

placed at the curb. 

• Exterior of house and lawn must be 

maintained. 

• Inoperable or unlicensed vehicles, 

boats and recreational vehicles 

may not be allowed in yard or on 

driveway. 

• Houses may not be used to breed 

animals. 

• Neighborhood home colors must be 

approved. 

• Vehicles must be parked in the 

garage, not in the driveway. 

• Restricted hours for contract labor 

(lawn maintenance, plumber, 

construction, etc.) to be allowed into 

the community. 

• Mailboxes and “For Sale’’ signs must 

be a certain type for consistent look 

in community. 

Property tax calculator 

Add your county millage rate and any city millages and/or special district taxes. Multiply that total by every $1,000 of taxable 

property (after subtracting your $25,000 homestead exemption). For example, if your taxes total 18.1825 mills and your home 

is assessed at $125,000, subtract the exemption and divide by $1,000 ($125,000 - $25,000 = $100,000 and $100,000/$1,000 = 100). 

Then calculate your taxes as follows: 18.1825 x ($100,000/$1,000) 100. Your tax obligation is $1,818.25. These are current millage 

rates in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties: 

Baker County.............................................15.4887 

Macclenny......................................................................19.0887 

Suwannee River............................................................15.6095 

Clay County................................................. 15.1515 

Green Cove Springs........................................................18.7515 

Keystone Heights...........................................................18.8515 

Orange Park.................................................................. 18.4672 

Penney Farms................................................................15.0405 

Lake Asbury (water)....................................................... 15.1515 

Duval County (except Beaches, Baldwin) ...........18.5645 

Jacksonville Beach........................................................19.0684 

Atlantic Beach............................................................... 18.5022 

Neptune Beach.............................................................. 18.6393 

Baldwin......................................................................... 19.7289 

Nassau County...........................................15.3509 

Callahan......................................................................... 16.8376 

Amelia Island (outside city limits)................................ 15.6117 

Piney Island (with mosquito control)...........................15.5096 

Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island..........................20.2467 

Hilliard............................................................................ 14.2131 

St. Johns County.........................................14.7396 

Hastings........................................................................ 23.0948 

Ponte Vedra Beach........................................................15.1146 

South Ponte Vedra and U.S. 1 area..............................14.8034 

St. Augustine................................................................ 20.8334 

St. Augustine South lighting (no port)........................14.9496 

St. Augustine South lighting (with port)..................... 15.0134 

St. Augustine Beach.......................................................17.7026 

St. Augustine Beach (outside city limits).....................14.8034 

Marineland area............................................................14.8034 

Northridge Lakes CDD..................................................14.8034 

Julington Creek (municipal).......................................... 14.7396 

Julington Creek Plantation CDD................................... 14.7396 

Marshall Creek CDD.......................................................14.8034 

Sampson Creek CDD...................................................... 14.7396 

Elkton drainage............................................................. 14.7396 

Hastings drainage (in city limits)................................ 23.0948 

Hastings drainage (outside city limits) ...................... 14.7396 

Flagler Estates road and drainage district................. 14.7396 

Vilano Beach lighting....................................................14.8534 

St. Johns Forest............................................................. 14.7396 

Brandy Creek................................................................. 14.7396 

Durban Crossing, Aberdeen......................................... 14.7396 

World Commerce, Sandy Creek.................................... 14.7396 

Heritage Landing, Lake Beluthahatchee..................... 14.7396 

Tolomato, Turnbull Creek, Main Street........................ 14.7396 

Sweetwater, Glen St. Johns, Treaty Oaks.................... 14.7396 

Las Calinas, Rivers Edge............................................... 14.7396 

Moultrie Creek............................................................... 14.7396 

Isles of Bartram Park, Flagler Estate.......................... 14.7396 

Six Mile Creek................................................................ 14.7396 

Sandy Creek................................................................... 14.7396 

Bartram Springs............................................................ 14.7396 

Trout Creek.................................................................... 14.7396 

Southaven CDD.............................................................. 14.7396 

Marshall Creek.............................................................. 14.7396 

Heritage Park................................................................14.8034 

Antiqua at St. Augustine, Maderia.............................. 23.0948 

Deerfield Preserve CDD................................................ 14.7396 

Summer Haven..............................................................23.3034 

Source: County Tax Appraiser offices 


COMMUNITIES 

Every neighborhood in Northeast Florida has its own flavor of fun. Residents in Jacksonville Beach enjoy the benefits of living by the ocean, 

as well as experiencing fun right in their backyard. Here, children play on the Spider Jump at the Seawalk Music Festival, one of many 

annual events in the community. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 

A place to call home 

From multimillion-dollar homes on the water to rural 

communities, Northeast Florida has a variety of neighborhoods 

that are sure to fit your lifestyle and budget. 

A resident enjoys a morning on the water 

by stand-up paddleboarding toward the 

downtown skyline on the St. Johns River. 

(Mark Woods/Florida Times-Union) 


This corner of the world may be spread 

out, but an individual or family can find a 

niche within one of the many towns, cities 

and neighborhoods. However, the area’s 

expanse can make finding your way a 

difficult task. Names such as the Westside, 

Baymeadows, Murray Hill, Arlington 

or Loretto may pinpoint that particular 

area for the people who live there, yet be 

meaningless to newcomers or those not 

familiar with that part of town. 

These brief capsules of many of our 

communities give a glimpse of the people 

who live there, work there and raise 

their families there. You’ll find many 

interesting people and places, plus homes 

in a wide range of prices — sometimes in 

unexpected places. 

In this corner of the world, there are 

diverse places and a diverse population 

— with some embracing the past, some 

embracing growth, but all embracing the 

individuality of their communities. 

BAKER COUNTY 

Macclenny and Glen St. Mary 

Best of both worlds 

For those who want small-town 

friendly and big-city bustle, Baker 

County is ideal. Downtown Jacksonville 

is a 30-minute drive from Baker County, 

where you’ll find all the friendliness and 

hospitality that is part of a small town.

For relaxing with family and friends, 

Baker County offers swimming, boating, 

fishing, hiking, camping and hunting. 

Shoals Park has more than 1,600 acres of 

hiking, ATV and equestrian trails, while 

Ocean Pond, an 800-acre lake, offers 

picnic areas and modern camp sites. The 

St. Marys River and the Little St. Marys 

River are pristine waterways that take 

you back to nature. Take advantage of 

the fresh air and nature in the Osceola 

National Forest, a federally managed 

forest of 220,000 acres, which provides 

some of the best hiking and hunting in 

Florida. 

Macclenny’s residents are diversified 

in their career choices with many 

commuters to neighboring Jacksonville. 

Other residents work for Baker County 

schools, hospitals or the Walmart 

distribution center. 

Glen St. Mary has its own appeal and 

history. A northern vacationer, Alverdo 

Geiggey, was so impressed with the 

community, he invested in 12,700 acres 

of Baker County land making him the 

first real estate developer. He named the 

streets after U.S. presidents and some of 

Glen's horticultural products. 

At the turn of the century, Glen St. 

Mary was a thriving little town. Within 

the township limits were at least three 

boarding houses, two general stores, a 

doctor's office with pharmacy, a train 

depot, an ice-cream parlor, a livery 

stable, a cotton and lumber mill, a 

large strawberry farm, a boom citrus 

and lumber industry, an alcohol-free 

billiard hall, various churches and 

their crowning glory, the Glen St. Mary 

Nursery. All this industry took place 

south of Highway 90, which was just a 

dirt road then. Growth and development 

have not diminished the town’s original 

appeal. 

The area offers large acreages as 

well as houses that average $146,400 in 

Macclenny. The average home price in 

Glen St. Mary is $155,600. 

COMMUNITIES 

Baker County Neighborhoods 


COMMUNITIES 

A new Drees Home (L) takes shape next to a recently finished one on Orchard Oriole Place in Preserve at Two Creeks in Middleburg. 

(Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union) 

Sanderson 

A chosen few 

About 50 miles west of Jacksonville 

on Interstate 10, Sanderson offers a 

faster commute to downtown than some 

communities with a Jacksonville ZIP 

code. While many commute to work, 

jobs have increased by 4.29 percent in 

Sanderson, including jobs in health care, 

retail, hospitality and service businesses. 

And those who live there enjoy a cost 

of living 10.9 percent lower than the 

U.S. average. In the past two years, the 

population of Sanderson more than 

doubled to 12,495. 

Home buyers typically get a larger 

house and more property for less money 

than they would elsewhere, choosing 

from manufactured housing in the 

$50,000s to a 1,700-square-foot cabin on 

50 acres for $625,000. The average home 

price is $114,900. 

CLAY COUNTY 

Fleming Island 

(Eagle Harbor ... Fleming Island Plantation ... Pace Island ... Hibernia 

Plantation ... Margaret’s Walk ... Romeo Point) 

Strength of character 

Margaret Seton Fleming had a 

working knowledge of trade, business 


and politics, as well as domestic subjects. 

In 1837, the highly disciplined and 

spiritual Fleming moved to Hibernia 

Plantation with her new husband, Lewis 

Fleming, whose father George had 

received Fleming Island as a 1790 land 

grant from the king of Spain. In the years 

to come, she would twice witness the 

destruction of the plantation and twice 

bring it back from ashes. 

Her dream from the time she arrived 

at Hibernia was to have a proper chapel 

on the grounds. Construction on the 

church in the Carpenter Gothic style 

began in 1875 and was completed in 

1878. Sadly, Margaret died only months 

before its completion, and its first service 

was her funeral. 

Today, Fleming Island is one of the 

fastest-growing areas in the county. 

Fleming Island home prices in 

developments such as Eagle Harbor, Pace 

Island, Hibernia Plantation and Romeo 

Point range from the $300,000s up to 

$3 million, with the majority of homes 

in the $350,000-to-$500,000 range. The 

median house or condo value for all 

Fleming Island is $243,300. 

The area has many organized 

activities for people of all ages. There 

is an active 55-plus group, a number 

of championship-quality golf courses, 

organized tennis, soccer and all types of 

programs for children. 

Green Cove Springs 

Healthy beginning, healthy living today 

Green Cove Springs was a booming 

town on a bend of the St. Johns River 

early in the 1900s. River steamers 

brought visitors to the “Saratoga of the 

South,” noted for the health-giving 

qualities of its spring. Its hotels and 

boarding houses rivaled the best 

northern resorts. 

As an expanding railroad system 

carried tourists south, Green Cove 

Springs saw its first decline. Grand 

hotels, most made of wood, were left in 

disrepair or burned down. 

The city experienced renewed 

development in the 1940s with the wartime 

construction of Benjamin Lee Field, 

a 1,500-acre air auxiliary complex, by the 

U.S. Navy. After the war, the base became 

home port to a fleet of 600 ships. Green 

Cove Springs experienced yet another 

decline when the Navy decommissioned 

its base in 1961. 

But Green Cove, as most locals refer to 

the county seat, has been coming back. 

Its population is about 7,000. 

There are many older homes in Green 

Cove, and in and around town a lot of 

new homes continue to be built. The 

average home price is $121,800.

COMMUNITIES 

Magnolia Point, a gated golf, tennis 

and country club off U.S. Highway 17, 

is zoned for about 975 homes, with 800 

already built and inhabited. Current 

prices range from about $208,000 to 

$382,000. Bay Street Condominiums offer 

two- or three-bedroom condos with a 

boat slip for about $300,000. 

Keystone Heights 

To the moon and back 

Keystone Heights is a community 

found at the southern tip of Clay County 

amid numerous sand-bottomed lakes. 

Keystone was settled by 

Pennsylvanians drawn to the numerous 

lakes in the early 1920s. The town’s 

name was derived from Pennsylvania’s 

nickname — the Keystone State — and 

for the area’s unusual hilly terrain. 

Keystone Heights is also home to 

one of the country’s moon trees. When 

Apollo 14 launched in 1971, it carried 

with it hundreds of tree seeds, part of a 

joint NASA/USFS project. Upon return 

to Earth, the seeds that survived reentry 

were germinated by the U.S. Forest 

Service. Known as the “moon trees,” 

the resulting seedlings were planted 

throughout the U.S and around the 

world. Unfortunately no systematic effort 

was made to track the trees, but one of 

the rare trees stands beside the library 

at the corner of Lawrence Boulevard and 

Orchid Avenue in Keystone Heights. 

Today, Keystone Heights is a small, 

peaceful, family-oriented town, with 

many family-owned businesses. The 

average home price is $133,100. 

There are numerous recreational 

opportunities, including a beach with 

bathhouses and shaded picnic tables, 

public boat ramps, lighted tennis courts, 

nature trails and the former Keystone 

Heights golf course, renamed Lakeside 

Links Golf Club in 2015. 

Keystone Heights Airpark, 

constructed in 1942 as Crystal Lake 

Airfield, also calls the area home. The 

2,500-acre park has one of the few 

aviation sports facilities in Florida and 

also offers flight training. The Airpark 

Authority also leases wildlife area to 

a sportsman’s club, with designated 

areas for corporate leasing and access 

to the taxiways, and a large area for an 

industrial park. 

Middleburg 

A simpler way of life 

Middleburg started in the early 1800s 

as Clark’s Ferry. Nearby Fort Heilman 

protected settlers at Clark's Ferry where it 

was a major depot for Florida’s east coast. 

From 1833 to 1850, the area was then 

known as Gary's Ferry, and in 1853 the 

area was finally called Middleburg. The 

town traded in timber, citrus fruits and 

crops from farmland. When Clay County 

was created in 1858, Middleburg became 

the temporary county seat until 1874. 

Decades ago, dirt roads were 

common. Visitors rarely saw a street sign, 

and most residents came to Middleburg, 

St. Vincent’s 

Medical Center 

Clay County 

St. Johns 

River State 

College 

Orange Park 

Medical Center 

southwest of Orange Park, looking for a 

way to escape the hustle and bustle of 

city life. Now, most — if not all — of that 

has changed. 

Middleburg covers a nearly 20 squaremile 

area in Clay County and had a little 

more than 13,000 residents in 2016. 

Spurred by infrastructure 

improvements a few years ago, with 

water and septic lines coming into the 

community, a great deal of commercial 

building has occurred, including new 

fast-food restaurants and retail outlets. 

This has led to increased property 

values and has made Middleburg more 

appealing to commuters. 

Kindred 

Hospital 

North 

Florida 

Baptist & Wolfson 

Children’s 

Emergency Center 

Clay County Neighborhoods 


COMMUNITIES 

Stretching only about 25 blocks from north to south, Atlantic Beach is a closed-end community located right on the water. 

(Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union) 

The community is still considered 

somewhat rural, offering a laid-back 

lifestyle, larger home lots and a chance 

to commune with nature. Potential 

buyers have numerous choices, from 

manufactured housing to million-dollar 

properties. The average home price 

throughout Middleburg is $128,200. 

Orange Park 

A town with its own flavor 

The town of Orange Park stretches 

along the western bank of the St. Johns 

River, the nation’s longest north-flowing 

river and Florida’s largest. Once known 

as Laurel Grove after the name of the 

old Kingsley Plantation, the area was 

incorporated into Clay County in 1877. 

Orange groves, a valuable 

commodity planted by developers from 

Massachusetts, originally enticed many 

new residents to the area. The groves died 

out in harsh freezes in the mid-1890s, 

but a strong community flourishes in 

their place. Orange Park is now Clay 

County’s largest city, with about 8,570 

residents. Orange Park sits on a high and 

dry area featuring beautiful oak trees and 

splendid vistas along the St. Johns River. 

Convenient to Interstates 10, 95 and 295, 


many residents work elsewhere and raise 

their families in this community. 

Wells Road has been dubbed 

“Restaurant Row” for all of its dining 

options. Jacksonville International 

Airport, downtown Jacksonville and the 

beaches are all within a 45-minute drive. 

Orange Park also boasts a nine-mile 

jogging and mountain biking trail that 

winds parallel with U.S. Highway 17 and 

a 1.5-mile concrete river walk along the 

St. Johns River. The Orange Park Kennel 

Club (now known as bestbet Orange 

Park) has been in the area since the 

1930s. 

Orange Park also has a reasonable 

tax base and the average home value is 

$158,000. 

OakLeaf Plantation 

Bi-county hometown 

OakLeaf is really a giant subdivision, 

but it is somewhat unique in that 

it includes parts of Clay and Duval 

counties. Most of the 6,400-acre property 

is in Clay, however, southwest of 

Jacksonville and next to the 20,000-acre 

Jennings State Forest. 

Several areas offer single-family 

homes and condominiums priced 

from $80,000 to more than $500,000. 

Completed and planned amenities 

include two village retail centers, two 

multimillion-dollar athletic centers and 

a waterpark, an 18-hole championship 

golf course, a public library and 

2.5-million square feet of commercial 

space. Housing in OakLeaf ranges from 

less than $100,000 to more than $500,000. 

Penney Farms 

A haven for retirees 

The town’s name is, indeed, from 

department store icon J.C. Penney, 

who, in 1923, founded an experimental 

farming community where destitute 

farmers could live and work until they 

rebuilt their lives. 

Next to his Penney Farms, 8 miles 

west of Green Cove Springs, he built 196 

apartment units. The Memorial Home 

Community became a retirement home 

for ministers and gospel workers and 

their spouses and was dedicated in 1926 

in memory of Penney’s father, a minister, 

and his mother. The community is now a 

historic district. 

Today, Penney Farms is a selfsufficient 

town of about 800 (with most 

residents age 60 and older). About 530

COMMUNITIES 

residents live in the Penney Retirement 

Community, while others live in singlefamily 

homes with a median value of 

about $46,500. Living choices include 

apartments, cottages or single-family 

homes in a safe, secure environment. As 

a continuing care retirement community, 

Penney Retirement Community 

allows residents to remain in the same 

community, regardless of the changes 

in living assistance needs. Penney 

Farms has a full continuum of health 

care services, including skilled nursing, 

rehab/therapy and memory care. 

DUVAL COUNTY 

Argyle 

Becoming a city of its own 

Argyle, a family-friendly community 

of homes, schools and businesses close 

to Jacksonville Naval Air Station and 

Interstate 295, has evolved from the 

farmlands it once was. Since its inception 

in the early 1980s, the area, part of which 

is in Clay County, continues to be a hot 

spot for affordable housing. 

New subdivisions have spurred the 

growth of stores and services to the area, 

including street lane expansions and 

additional public services. A potentially 

long commute from Argyle to work and 

school was alleviated with construction 

of the First Coast Expressway (FCE), the 

northern portion of which was formerly 

called Branan Field-Chaffee Road. FCE 

is a 15-mile section of toll road along 

Florida 23 from Interstate 10 to Blanding 

Boulevard. Construction on the second 

segment from north of Argyle Forest 

Boulevard to Blanding Boulevard began 

in May 2014. 

A separate project to construct a 

non-tolled frontage road parallel to the 

eventual First Coast Expressway from 

OakLeaf Plantation Parkway to Old 

Jennings Road began in September 2012 

and was completed as of spring 2014. 

Neighborhood parks, recreation 

centers and churches dot Argyle Forest 

Boulevard. An established portion of 

Argyle is Chimney Lakes, consisting of 

1,677 homes in 24 separate subdivisions. 

The property boasts 14 lakes, a recreation 

center, tennis courts, volleyball courts, 

a swimming pool, basketball courts, 

horseshoes facility and a covered 

pavilion. A white gazebo on scenic Twin 

Lakes is a popular place for residents’ 

parties and weddings. 

Homes in Argyle can be purchased for 

as low as the $60,000s (condos and small 

detached) up to an average in the mid- 

$130,000s. 

Arlington 

(Alderman Park ... Arlingwood ... Charter Point ... Glynlea ... Grove Park ... 

Spring Hill ... Holiday Hills ... University Park ... Woodmere) 

Traditional yet young 

From its earliest days of settlements 

during the Spanish ownership of Florida, 

Arlington — the community west of the 

Regency Square shopping area and north 

of Beach Boulevard — has played an 

important role in Jacksonville’s housing 

history. 

During the 1800s, lumber and grist 

mills were established and, after the Civil 

War, more homes were constructed. It 

also was the site of religious colonies and 

a popular railroad line. 

Starting in 1950 and assisted by the 

opening of the Mathews Bridge in 1953, 

Arlington was the fastest-growing area in 

Duval County for the next 20 years. 

Arlington has since mushroomed 

far beyond its original boundaries. Real 

estate professionals familiar with the 

area see a renewed interest in some of 

the older homes, especially those with 

waterfront property. Some of these 

homes date back to the early 1900s. 

Many home buyers are looking for 

resale homes in mature neighborhoods 

and Arlington has a large price range to 

offer with an average of $121,094. 

Atlantic Beach 

A drive-to neighborhood 

Bordered by Kathryn Abbey Hanna 

Park to the north, Atlantic Boulevard to 

the south and the Intracoastal Waterway 

to the west, Atlantic Beach offers a smalltown 

atmosphere with easy access to the 

ocean. 

Stretching only about 25 blocks from 

north to south, Atlantic Beach is a closedend 

community of more than 13,000 

with a neighborhood feeling. The town 

center, near One Ocean Resort and Spa, 

is a popular gathering point with many 

quaint eateries and boutiques. 

Atlantic Beach has plenty of parks 

with opportunities for a variety of 

activities such as tennis, racquetball, 

basketball, baseball and nature hikes, 

as well as playground equipment. In 

addition, the Bull Recreational Area 

houses the Atlantic Beach Experimental 

Theater. 

The community is dominated 

by single-family homes, with some 

townhomes and duplexes. Prices range 

from about $100,000 for a starter home 

to the $600,000s-plus for a four-bedroom 

a few blocks from the beach to several 

million dollars for an oceanfront 

residence. The average house or condo 

price is $286,732, up from $155,400 in 

2000. 

Many Atlantic Beach residents work in 

downtown Jacksonville or the Southpoint 

area, both about a 30- to 45-minute 

commute, depending on traffic. 

Community activities are an 

important part of the Atlantic Beach 

lifestyle. Popular events include the 

Farmers Market, the annual Dancin’ 

in the Street festival in May, yoga and 

meditation classes, and a local art walk 

on Thursday evenings. 

Although part of the greater 

Jacksonville municipality, Atlantic Beach 

has its own mayor, city council, police 

and fire departments. 

Baldwin 

Away from it all 

Baldwin, a town of 1,440 in extreme 

western Duval County north of Interstate 

10, was named for Dr. A.S. Baldwin, 

who led the successful fight to bring the 

railroad to the area. 

Beaver Street, once known as the Old 

Spanish Trail, almost bisects Baldwin, 

from which there is easy access to I-10 

and to U.S. Highway 301. 

Baldwin is the end point of the 

Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, a 

14.5-mile trail system for hikers, in-line 

skaters, bicyclists and horseback riders. 

The trail runs between Imeson Road and 

County Road 121, just past Baldwin. 

Most Baldwin residents live in singlefamily 

older homes. The mean price for 

all housing units, including detached, 

townhomes/condos and other attached 

housing, mobile homes and occupied 

mobile residences is $116,700. 

Bayard 

Quaint area on the upswing 

Bayard, off U.S. Highway 1 at the 


COMMUNITIES 

deep southern end of Duval County, 

was founded in the 1800s to serve 

nearby sawmills and turpentine plants. 

Named for a member of President 

Grover Cleveland’s Cabinet, Thomas 

Francis Bayard, it was a stopping point 

for wagons, coaches and Florida East 

Coast railroad trains headed between 

Jacksonville and St. Augustine. 

While it still features a popular antique 

village perfect for shoppers who crave 

garage sale-type bargains, the area has 

seen a recent influx in commuters. The 

I- 295 loop around Jacksonville connects 

to U.S. 1 by Bayard, and 9B also connects 

to U.S. 1 just south of Bayard, making it a 

higher traffic area than before. 

Also close to the area is Baptist 

Medical Center South, a high-tech 

state-of-the-art hospital at the southeast 

corner of I-95 and St. Augustine Road. 

The average home price is $328,250. 

Baymeadows 

Mixing it up 

On any given day in Baymeadows, 

you might find families looking for 

starter homes, empty-nesters scaling 

down in house size or growing families 

moving up. The many apartments mean 

that Baymeadows is often the choice of 

singles who have just moved to the city. 

The landscape is a mix of mature 

trees and large yards with the 

conveniences of city living. You don’t 

have to go far to get to the places you 

need to go, but still have the feeling that 

you live among nature. 

With Southside Boulevard and an easy 

connection to I-95 from Baymeadows 

Road, residents can be downtown in 

20-25 minutes — if traffic isn’t heavy 

(popularity of the area has brought 

increasing traffic tie-ups). Nearby are 

The Avenues mall, Deerwood Village 

Mall and St. Johns Town Center, an openair 

shopping area with restaurants and 

many high-end stores. 

The area has a range of home types 

and prices, including patio homes, 

condominiums, townhouses and singlefamily 

homes. A condo home or small 

single-family detached can be purchased 

for less than $100,000, and the average 

home listing price is $123,720. Many 

neighborhoods include amenities such 

as tennis courts, playground equipment, 

pools, security gates, soccer fields and 

parks. 

A sign spinner stationed outside The Brooklyn Riverside apartments grabs the attention of 

passing motorists. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 


Beauclerc 

A tree-lined spot 

Straddling the eastern bank of the St. 

Johns River at one of its widest points, 

and nestled between Mandarin, San 

Jose and Baymeadows lies Beauclerc, 

an idyllic, tree-lined neighborhood 

conveniently located with easy access to 

greater Jacksonville. 

Sections of the neighborhood have 

developed an overhanging canopy, with 

the branches of trees on opposite sides of 

the roadway interlocking high above and 

providing a shaded pathway for residents 

and cars. 

Beauclerc homes have proven to be 

good investments, with the median sales 

price of $312,500. 

The area’s larger lots translate into 

homes with more floor space and bigger 

yards, some encompassing more than 

half an acre. Though many homes date 

from the 1970s, most homeowners 

have steadily updated interiors, giving 

most properties a modern touch with 

few renovations needed. Home styles 

range from traditional to contemporary 

to colonial, the variety of architecture 

stemming from the many different 

builders who constructed homes over 

the years. Many houses feature brick 

construction.

COMMUNITIES 

Beauclerc is centrally located to shopping areas; proximity 

to I-295 allows residents access to many other parts of the 

city. The St. Johns River marks the neighborhood’s border, so 

boating is a popular recreational outlet. 

A number of marinas dot the area, including the Epping 

Forest Yacht Club, a half-mile north of the Epping Forest 

neighborhood. The club’s centerpiece is a beautiful Spanish 

Renaissance-style mansion, originally built by a duPont family 

heir in 1927. 

Brentwood 

Reclaiming a neighborhood 

Old photos of Brentwood reveal its past as a former 

military base with barrack-style housing. Crime was rampant 

in an area of racial disharmony; in 1975, the privately run 

golf course closed. Part of the property was sold to the Duval 

County School Board for the construction of the A. Philip 

Randolph Academies of Technology. 

The remaining property reopened in 2000 as a nine-hole 

course with driving range under the direction of the First Tee 

of Jacksonville, an organization focused on impacting the 

lives of young people by providing educational programs that 

build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote 

healthy choices through the game of golf. In 2013, Brentwood 

Golf Course earned the PGA Excellence Award for its 

outstanding performance in growing the game of golf. 

The most significant and galvanizing change in Brentwood 

is $34 million in new public housing. The Jacksonville 

Housing Authority complex is a mixed-income, 32-acre area 

with 328 public housing and subsidized units. An adjacent 18 

acres holds 94 HabiJax, the local arm of Habitat for Humanity, 

single-family homes. Seniors can choose to live in a separate 

section of apartments, and families can transition more 

smoothly into owning a home. 

Residents continue to work hard to reclaim their 

neighborhood from crime. Older developments, such as 

589-unit Brentwood Park, have reported fewer crimes after 

massive rehabilitations. Repairs occur more quickly, federal 

laws help evict criminals faster and more police patrol the 

area. 

Brentwood home prices average $60,266. 

Brooklyn 

A quickly emerging community 

The historically residential Brooklyn area, between 

Riverside Avenue and Park Street, has seen its share of 

progress. In October 2004, Jacksonville approved the Brooklyn 

Neighborhood Strategy Plan, which called for the creation 

of mixed-income residential, parking and commercial 

development for south Brooklyn, to the tune of $290 million in 

projects for up to 1,050 residences, 167,000 square feet of retail 

space, 250,000 square feet of office space and a central park. 

220 Riverside and The Brooklyn Riverside added nearly 

1,000 residential units. The Brooklyn Riverside development, in 

addition to apartments, features a Fresh Market, restaurants, 

boutiques, hair and nail salons, and specialty shops. 

Unity Plaza, an urban park associated with 220 Riverside, 

was designed to be a public gathering spot, with scheduled 

activities such as concerts and art shows, festivals and free 

yoga, and meditation sessions. The developers of 220 Riverside 

and Unity Plaza will begin construction on a hotel and on more 

apartments, tentatively called 200 Riverside, which should take 

about two years to complete. 

Across Riverside Avenue the Winston Family YMCA has 

undergone its own renaissance. In August 2016, the new 

72,000-square-foot branch, which overlooks the St. Johns River, 

opened. The $22-million facility containing wellness spaces, 

group exercise spaces, an indoor track, locker and shower 

facilities, healthy living spaces, an aquatics center, meeting 

spaces, a café, outdoor café seating, outdoor lawn areas, and a 

future splash park is expected to be completed early 2017. 

Officials say its proximity to I-95 and downtown make 

Brooklyn a marketable area, with home prices expected to be 

an average of $205,699. 

Cedar Hills/Confederate Point/Jacksonville Heights 

Westside resurgence 

The close-knit neighborhoods of Cedar Hills, Confederate 

Point and Jacksonville Heights received renewed interest as 

residential communities as well as retail and commercial 

areas several years ago. These long-standing communities 

on the Westside lie east and west of I-295 along 103rd 

Street experienced resurgence in the construction of new 

subdivisions, the remodeling of existing homes and opening 

of new stores and shopping centers. Major thoroughfares 

that connect these communities to Jacksonville include Old 

Middleburg Road, Blanding Boulevard and Lane Avenue. 

One of the last vestiges of a simpler, country Jacksonville 

lifestyle, developments took place in the area in the 1950s, ‘60s 

and ‘70s, resulting in homes built in a variety of styles. 

An extensive housing price range is one of the area’s biggest 

assets, with the average price being $175,571. Property values 

are increasing, but not skyrocketing. 

Residents are a short drive from the Cecil Field Commerce 

Center, an area of growing industry and several recreational 

facilities. 

Dames Point 

Diamond in the rough 

This area in Jacksonville offers an abundance of waterfront 

property and pristine views of the St. Johns, Trout and Broward 

rivers, and Dunn Creek. It is an area where industry and nature 

coexist. Jacksonville’s Northside is a diamond in the rough, 

offering an expanse of land to those desiring a quieter lifestyle. 


COMMUNITIES 

The Publix supermarket on Riverside Avenue in Five Points opened in 2003, starting a series of new retail buildings that worked to fit into 

the surrounding architecture to better blend with the neighborhood. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 

Although the area has been known 

primarily for industry, the tides have 

turned. People now see the Northside 

as incredibly convenient to downtown, 

Jacksonville International Airport (only a 

15-minute drive), and varied recreational 

opportunities such as Big Talbot and 

Little Talbot islands, the Jacksonville 

Zoo and Gardens, and Huguenot Park. 

The Dames Point area backs up to 56,000 

acres of the Timucuan Ecological and 

Historic Preserve. 

The area has space to expand with 

waterfront land available. The average 

home price is $180,500, but waterfront 

properties can go much higher. Newer 

housing developments offer homes 

priced from the $100,000s to the 

$500,000s. 

Deerwood and Tinseltown 

Upscale with razzle-dazzle 

The gated, golf club communities 

of Deerwood and Deercreek set the 

stage for this area of town off Southside 

Boulevard. While there are numerous 

developments of moderately priced 

condominiums, apartment homes and 

single-family residences off Southside, 


Deerwood is the venerable locale with 

homes ranging from the $200,000s to $1.5 

million or more. 

Beautifully kept office parks and car 

dealerships are close by, while the St. 

Johns Town Center and The Avenues 

Mall are just a short drive. 

The Tinseltown area, north of the 

Deerwood-Deercreek area, is named for 

the Cinemark Tinseltown Theater that 

was first on the site. Now, it has plenty of 

company with numerous restaurants and 

nightspots, shops, hotels and offices. 

Upscale apartments near Tinseltown 

and the St. Johns Town Center have 

attracted young singles, while other 

developments in the area, such as Old 

Mill Branch off Gate Parkway, has singlefamily 

homes priced from the high- 

$200,000s to mid-$400,000s. 

The area has also seen many 

apartment-to-condo conversions, with 

units beginning in the $100,000s. The 


Durkeeville 

A real success story 

Durkeeville, a Myrtle Avenue 

neighborhood, west of I-95 north of Kings 

Road, began life as a suburb primarily 

for middle class African-Americans who 

were prohibited from living in other parts 

of Jacksonville by segregation laws. 

In 1937, Durkeeville was the first 

federally funded housing complex in 

Jacksonville for African-Americans. 

The Durkeeville Housing Project 

was built on land Dr. Jay Durkee had 

sold to the city. Over the years, the 

neighborhood fell into decline. But in 

1992, the housing project was replaced 

with a new housing complex — The 

Oaks of Durkeeville. Many changes were 

necessary to restore this neighborhood. 

Today, the area boasts single-family 

homes, a park and a shopping area. 

The homeowners association and the 

Durkeeville Historical Society point with 

pride to the many positive changes. In 

2000, Durkeeville was honored by the 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development as one of the top public 

housing areas in the nation. 

The Durkeeville Historical Society, 

which operates a museum, is dedicated 

to telling the stories of many prominent 

African-Americans from the area, such 

as Charlie “Hoss” Singleton, who wrote

COMMUNITIES 

Frank Sinatra’s "Strangers in the Night," 

among other hits. 

The average home price in the area is 

$49,610. 

Five Points 

Eclectic and vibrant 

Five Points — named for where 

Park, Margaret and Lomax streets 

come together from five directions 

— is a distinct area of the Riverside 

neighborhood. It stands on its own 

because of its unusual nature. 

Colorful storefronts, restaurants and 

funky specialty shops, some with a lot 

of attitude, make up the retail part of 

this area. Within eyesight and walking 

distance are schools, churches, parks 

and the Cummer Museum of Art and 

Gardens. The area is known for its 

diversity, young people with generational 

preferences in clothing, hair color and 

styles and more conservatively attired 

people of all ages mingle easily at the 

area’s restaurants, the neighborhood 

Publix and Starbucks. 


With numerous rental offerings, the 

average monthly rent is $1,277. 

Fort Caroline/East Arlington 

Still a popular settlement 

Fort Caroline is an area less than 

15 square miles east of downtown 

Jacksonville on the southern shore with 

breathtaking views of rolling terrain and 

stately oaks. 

In their leisure time, families in Fort 

Caroline take advantage of their natural 

surroundings by hiking, exploring, 

kayaking and fishing. They don’t have 

to go far: a protected nature preserve is 

practically in their backyard. 

Fort Caroline National Memorial, a 

part of the Timucuan Ecological and 

Historic Preserve, pays tribute to early 

French settlement efforts with a replica 

fort exhibit and visitor’s education center. 

Just next door is St. Johns Bluff at Ribault 

Monument, a memorial to Jean Ribault, 

one of the area’s first explorers. The view 

from the bluff offers a bird’s-eye vista of 

the St. Johns River, once known as the 

River of May. 

Adding to a buyer’s choices are 

homes in the $200,000-to-high-$300,000 

range in housing developments such 


as Waterleaf, The Preserves at St. 

Johns Landing, Kernan Forest and 

Summerbrook. Captiva Condominiums 

in Arlington offer one-, two- and threebedroom 

condominiums beginning in 

the $60,000s. The average home price for 

the area is $150,200. For home buyers in 

search of country club living, one of the 

area’s more established private clubs is 

Hidden Hills Country Club, founded in 

1965. 

Although new homes are going 

up quickly, hundreds of acres in Fort 

Caroline will remain untouched because 

of their historic standing. 

Garden City and Dinsmore 

Quiet lifestyle on city outskirts 

The communities of Dinsmore and 

Garden City retain the rural small-town 

appeal they have held for decades. 

Residents who move here tend to stay, 

and many have neighbors they have 

known for years. 

With the exception of Dunn Avenue 

and I-295, most of the area comprising 

Dinsmore and Garden City has 

been spared heavy traffic and urban 

encroachment. These two areas have 

communities sprinkled amid acres of 

forested, undeveloped land. Residents 

enjoy a friendly, rural lifestyle in quiet 

neighborhoods filled with large private 

properties. 

The area has single-family home 

developments, including Waterbrook 

Falls, with homes from the high 

$100,000s to the $300,000s, and White 

Oak Trail, with homes in the $200,000s. 


Gateway and Talleyrand 

Full spectrum of real estate 

It’s a part of Jacksonville that often 

gets overlooked, but Gateway and 

Talleyrand are redeveloping themselves. 

Historically, the Gateway and 

Talleyrand areas, on the outskirts of 

Springfield and downtown, were some 

of the earliest settled neighborhoods 

in Jacksonville. Examples of early 

1900s architecture still exist. Buyers 

are purchasing these older homes and 

restoring them to their original glory. 

Parts of Talleyrand are highly 

industrial, but the landscape is rapidly 

changing. The opportunity to own 

riverfront housing downtown in former 

industrial areas has become a reality. 

The Plaza Condominium at Berkman 

Plaza and Marina is a luxury riverfront 

complex. Located along the St. Johns 

River on 400 E. Bay Street, the 22-story, 

208-unit high-rise tower, has many 

amenities, including a swimming pool, 

a private parking garage with rooftop 

tennis courts, a sun deck and gardens. 

The building features Mediterranean 

architecture and lush landscaping. 

Recent for-sale-by-owner one- and twobedroom 

condo homes begin at $169,000, 

townhomes about $400,000. Subleases 

are available from $1,350 to $2,000. 

The Shipyards, an ill-fated riverfront 

development on a 40-acre plot of cityowned 

land, has been mired in lawsuits, 

bankruptcy, grand jury investigations 

and broken contracts. It is currently 

the subject of proposals that would add 

office, retail, residential and medical 

facilities. 

Intracoastal and Intracoastal West 

A place like no other 

When you stop in one of the 

neighborhoods along the Intracoastal 

Waterway, taking in its vibrant 

ecosystem, you will see why so many 

residents have selected the area to 

call their home. It is, for all practical 

purposes, the city's eastern frontier 

— not quite the Beaches, not quite 

Jacksonville. It is a unique community, a 

place like no other in Northeast Florida. 

The Intracoastal West real estate 

market is almost entirely made up of 

single-family homes. The typical home 

ranges in size from 1,000 to 5,000 square 

feet, with home prices ranging from 

around $125,000 to more than $3 million 

for estate properties and waterfront 

homes with magnificent views. 

Waterfront homes start at $400,000. Land 

is also available for custom homes. 

Development didn’t stop with 

single-family homes. Spots along the 

Intracoastal were tapped for condos, 

such as Marina San Pablo off Butler 

Boulevard, the first tower of which was 

completed in late 2006 and immediately 

sold out. Bove LLC and Remi Properties 

announced the launch of the Aphora 

Coach Homes at Marina San Pablo, an 

$11 million development in 2016.

COMMUNITIES 

Rides, arts and crafts, and food were on hand during the 26th annual George’s Music Springing the Blues Festival at the SeaWalk Pavillion 

in Jacksonville Beach. (Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union) 

Construction for first phase of the 

upscale townhomes began in May. 

West of what residents call “The Big 

Ditch” was once tree farms and cow 

pastures along Butler Boulevard, then 

a two-lane road leading to the beach. 

Begun simply as an access road to the 

University of North Florida, it is now six 

lanes for most of its length. 

Homes in the region between Butler 

Boulevard along Hodges and Kernan 

roads to Atlantic Boulevard appeal to 

home buyers in every income level. The 

average home value is $250,000, but there 

are newer upscale neighborhoods with 

homes going for more than $1 million. 

Gated golf communities, such as 

Jacksonville Golf and Country Club and 

Glen Kernan Golf and Country Club, are 

housing choices. Also in the area are the 

University of North Florida campus and 

the St. Johns Town Center, an upscale 

super-regional open-air mall with a 

variety of shops and restaurants. 

Residences range from moderate 

homes starting at $175,000 to gated 

country club communities with homes 

up to $2 million and more. The average 

home price is $286,700. 

Jacksonville Beach 

By the beautiful sea 

Formerly known as the beach 

commercial center, Jacksonville Beach 

was full of businesses and residential 

rental property. It was a nice place to visit 

or shop. 

But as demand for homes at the 

Beaches continues to skyrocket, more 

people have found Jacksonville Beach’s 

mix of everything from $1 million-plus 

oceanfront homes to the area’s most 

affordable housing quite appealing. The 


Of course, the resort and laid-back 

lifestyle is Jacksonville Beach’s biggest 

perk. The area is a community of the 

young and active. Head out on the 

weekends and you'll see young people 

everywhere — playing on school 

grounds, bicycling along the ocean, or 

riding the waves on surfboards. 

Cultural, music and entertainment 

events are often on stage in Jacksonville 

Beach. The SeaWalk Pavilion is the focal 

point of beach festivals, which bring 

everything from blues legends to Latin 

bands to the stage. 

There’s a vibrant arts community 

throughout Jacksonville Beach — by 

day or night. You can hear classical 

music performed at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea 

Episcopal Church throughout the fall as 

part of the Beaches Fine Arts Series and 

see a production Players by the Sea, one 

of the Beaches’ two community theater 

groups. 

All this activity, combined with some 

vigorous efforts by the city of Jacksonville 

Beach to beautify the area, adds to the 

demand for Jacksonville Beach property. 

Lake Shore 

Water, water everywhere 

A neighborhood reaching back from 

the shores of the Ortega, Cedar and 

St. Johns rivers, Lake Shore is a family 

community that consists of both modest 

residences and waterfront homes. Lake 

Shore real estate is primarily made up of 

medium-sized (three or four bedrooms) 


COMMUNITIES 

to small (studio to two bedrooms) singlefamily 

homes and small apartment 

buildings. 

Most of the residential real estate is 

owner occupied. Many of the residences 

in the Lake Shore neighborhood are 

older, well-established and built 

between 1940 and 1969. A number of 

residences were built before 1940, but 

it was primarily developed after the 

Jacksonville Naval Air Station boom in 

the 1940s. The average home price is 

$77,950. 

Because of its major road access — 

Blanding Boulevard, Cassat Avenue 

and Roosevelt Boulevard cross the area, 

Lake Shore residents are a quick drive 

away from shopping at Roosevelt Square, 

restaurants, the river and downtown. 

LaVilla 

Bringing back vitality 

From its years as a bustling 

transportation center in the late 1800s 

to the time when it swung to the beat of 

Ray Charles, Duke Ellington and Sarah 

Vaughan, LaVilla has had a colorful 

past. Its busy railway depot attracted 

thousands of travelers along Lee and Bay 

streets. In the early 1900s, its African- 

American community of houses and 

entertainment venues flourished. 

Today, after decades of urban decay 

and a controversial revitalization plan 

in the 1990s that left vacant lots where 

several longtime structures existed, 

LaVilla has been revitalized. 

The Ritz Theater has been restored 

to its former glory. The LaVilla School 

of the Arts attracts talented students 

from across the county. An increasing 

number of businesses are expanding or 

developing offices. 

While development in LaVilla — 770 

acres north and west of the central 

downtown business district — has been 

commercial so far, in 2016 Jacksonvillebased 

Vestcor Companies proposed to 

build a $22 million, 120-unit affordable 

housing development at Bay and 

Lee Streets. Called Lofts at LaVilla, 

conceptual plans illustrate the project 

consisting of five stories with four 

residential floors above a floor of parking 

and amenities. Before this project can 

become a reality, it will need to receive 

federal funds through the Florida 

Housing Finance Corporation's Low 

Income Housing Tax Credit Program. 

One of the many perks of living in Mandarin is enjoying a beautiful sunset on the St. Johns 

River. (Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union) 


Loretto 

A bit of middle America 

A distinct part of the greater 

Mandarin area, Loretto sits between San 

Jose Boulevard to the west and Philips 

Highway to the east. It is bordered to the 

north by Interstate 295 and to the south 

by the county line. 

Loretto was formed by the Catholic 

Diocese of St. Augustine. In the days of 

Reconstruction, Loretto sprouted up 

next to the nuns’ convent, dormitory 

and school. It is on what became 

Old St. Augustine Road, the highway 

between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. 

According to Wayne Wood’s Jacksonville’s 

Architectural Heritage, the nuns were 

sent there to educate both the residents 

and newly freed slaves. 

As more and more new Northeast 

Florida residents found the area’s 

ancient tree cover, access to the river and 

convenient location appealing, Loretto 

and Mandarin started to grow. 

The average price for homes is 

$179,283. Many homes are built on some 

of the largest new construction lots in the 

area. 

Loretto is popular, too, because of 

all its nearby amenities. Just about 

every merchant, service or restaurant 

imaginable is on San Jose Boulevard.

COMMUNITIES 

Mandarin 

Popular, family-oriented community 

Bordered by the Beauclerc area to the 

north, Julington Creek to the south and 

the St. Johns River to the west, Mandarin 

offers residents a suburban, familyfocused 

lifestyle in an area that is quaint, 

charming and filled with history. 

Named for the Mandarin orange in 

1830, this neighborhood on the St. Johns 

River was once described as “a tropical 

paradise” by Harriet Beecher Stowe, the 

author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Both Harriet 

Beecher Stowe, and painter Lee Adams 

once lived here. 

Mandarin is characterized by 

its magnificent oak trees hung with 

dramatic Spanish moss and boasts some 

of the best views of the St. Johns River in 

greater Jacksonville. Once an important 

river port for shipping oranges and other 

citrus fruit northward, today Mandarin 

is known as a family-friendly area with a 

blend of residential areas and shopping 

centers. 

There are plenty of choices for home 

buyers with prices ranging from $140,000 

to more than $3 million for a riverfront 

home. The median real estate value is 

$284,900. 

Marietta and Whitehouse 

Country atmosphere 

Few places around Jacksonville still 

can claim a country atmosphere with 

room to move. 

Marietta offers unusually large 

lots with an average of a half-acre and 

an average home value of $112,500. 

New development, too, satisfies those 

looking for a good combination of rural 

community and modern homes. 

Many move to Marietta because they 

have animals. It’s not uncommon to see 

cows, horses or other farm animals. 

The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail 

also winds through Marietta. The 

trail, converted from the roadbeds of 

abandoned railroad lines to paved or 

graveled restricted thoroughfares, Rails 

to Trails, offers a pathway for bicyclists, 

skaters and walkers/hikers as well as 

horseback riders. The 14.5-mile trail 

runs through an area of industrial 

developments, farms with grazing cows, 

and horses that come right up to the 

grassy shoulders. 

Marietta is home not only to people 

looking for space, it is also home to 

many businesses looking for space. The 

Publix Super Market Division Office and 

Michaels Distribution Center are off 

Beaver Street; the Westside Industrial 

Park is just north of Marietta; and 

the Cecil Commerce Center also is 

convenient. 

Mayport 

Simply shipshape 

Mayport, the nation’s oldest fishing 

village, is an eclectic mix of a beach 

community and quaint town with a 

strong military presence. It is the site 

of Naval Station Mayport, which is one 

of three major Navy installations in the 

Jacksonville area. 

Mayport is the most northern of 

the Jacksonville beaches, and home to 

delicious seafood restaurants, offering 

their freshest catch. Residents and 

visitors can dine on freshly caught 

seafood, including the local specialty, 

Mayport shrimp, and enjoy nature 

at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, the 

northernmost beach on the south side of 

the St. Johns River. 

The average home price in Mayport is 

$89,900. 

Maxville 

A little corner of the world 

Maxville, a community at the 

intersection of U.S. Highway 301 and 

Normandy Boulevard in the southwest 

corner of Duval County to the Clay 

County line, is home to about 6,000 

people who like to get away from it all. 

The first things you notice about 

Maxville is that homes have lots of land 

and that their park has softball fields that 

are almost always full. 

New residential development is 

anticipated due to Maxville’s proximity 

to the Cecil Commerce Center, an 

indicator that more businesses and 

people are probably on their way. Of 

existing homes, the average price is 

$77,900. 

Moncrief 

Pride on the Northside 

Pride is a word that comes up when 

talking about the Moncrief area, 

bordered by Moncrief Road and 44th 

Street on the south, Sibbald Road on the 

west and the Trout and St. Johns rivers on 

the north and east. 

The Moncrief Improvement 

Association has made great strides and it, 

along with the community’s City Council 

representatives, church-funded charities 

and other groups are continually 

working to beautify the area. 

Moncrief residents enjoy quick access 

to the downtown area, the airport, retail 

shopping centers and the core of the city. 

The addition of some major retailers, as 

well as small businesses, offer practically 

all of the same services and goods other 

Jacksonville communities enjoy. 

New residential construction is 

coming to Moncrief and the surrounding 

areas. The average home price is $76,000. 

Murray Hill 

Blast from the past 

Murray Hill was first platted in 1906, 

became a city in 1916 and was voted to 

become a part of the city of Jacksonville 

in 1925. Its beginnings are linked to the 

railroads — families settled in the area 

because of its close proximity to the rail 

yards. 

With a history dating back to the 

turn of the century, Murray Hill has 

landmarks that add to its uniqueness. 

The neighborhood boasts one of 

Jacksonville’s only two 1918 Sears, 

Roebuck and Co. kit homes. And, the 

original Dreamette, a Jacksonville 

institution, still offers soft-serve ice 

cream at Edgewood and Post. 

The borders of Murray Hill run 

roughly from I-10 down Cassat Avenue 

to Park Street, Roosevelt Boulevard, and 

back up to I-10. 

Now boasting more than 5,000 homes, 

ranging from small bungalows and 

brownstones to larger two-story homes, 

residents of Murray Hill are moving in or 

staying in the small community because 

of its family-oriented appeal, its location 

close to major arteries and downtown, 

its parks, and its pedestrian-friendly 

business district. 

The Murray Hill Preservation 

Association, which has operated under 

different names since 1932, can take 

much of the credit for making Murray 

Hill what it is today. MHPA, organized 

to preserve the neighborhood, is a key 

component to planning, representing 

and preserving Murray Hill’s unique 

character. 


COMMUNITIES 

Homes in Murray Hill range from 

fixer-uppers at $18,000 to more than 

$300,000, with an average price of 

$159,000. The average rental price in 

Murray Hill is currently $697 per month. 

Neptune Beach 

The ‘burbs of the beaches 

The youngest and smallest of the 

beaches neighborhoods, Neptune Beach 

has defined itself by becoming the 

closest thing to a suburban area among 

Jacksonville’s oceanfront communities. 

Neptune Beach’s boundaries run 

from Atlantic Boulevard to the north, 

the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the 

Intracoastal Waterway to the west 

and Seagate Avenue to the south. 

According to Wayne Wood’s Jacksonville’s 

Architectural Heritage, Neptune Beach 

first came into being in 1931 when the 

citizens organized a tax revolt against 

the city of Jacksonville Beach for better 

services. Since 1989, it has operated 

under an elected mayor, council and city 

manager government. 

The name Neptune is attributed to 

resident Dan G. Wheeler. Wheeler, who 

regularly walked to Mayport to catch the 

train for work in Jacksonville, found out 

that if he constructed a station near his 

home, the train would have to stop there. 

He built the station in 1922 and named 

the station Neptune. It’s been the name 

ever since. 

Legendary Pete’s Bar is the granddaddy 

of all of Duval County watering holes, 

with the area’s first liquor license issued 

in 1933. It also was featured in John 

Grisham’s novel, The Brethren. 

One of the strongest similarities 

among Neptune Beach and the other 

beaches communities is the steady rise in 

property values. The average home price 

is in the $371,700, but expect to pay much 

more for oceanfront homes. 

Nocatee 

New town, new type of living 

The town of Nocatee is a masterplanned 

community in the northeast 

corner of St. Johns County and the 

southeast corner of Duval County. 

The development offers a variety of 

residential lifestyles, employment 

opportunities, shopping, schools and 

civic uses. 


Nocatee Parkway opened in January 

2007, with traffic routed from County 

Road 210. This east-west route takes 

drivers north of 210 into Nocatee, a 

15,000-acre development that eventually 

will have 30,000 residents. A southern 

route, Crosswater Parkway, opened in 

2007. 

Some neighborhoods, like Riverwood, 

a 55+ community by Pulte Del Webb, 

and Coastal Oaks by Toll Brothers, have 

houses for sale beginning at $247,995 and 

going up to $1 million or more. 

The town has more than 360 acres 

of neighborhood and community 

parks. Each neighborhood has its own 

park, which may include ball fields, 

tot lots, playgrounds and picnic areas. 

In addition, 185 acres of community 

parks are dedicated to athletic fields, 

an aquatics park, playgrounds, tennis 

facilities and basketball courts. 

The turndown in the economy 

initially slowed construction in Nocatee, 

but today it is one of the hottest real 

estate markets in the region. 

Normandy and Hyde Park 

(Hyde Grove) 

Past merges with future 

Driving along Normandy Boulevard is 

like looking into the past and future all at 

once. The previously rural area nestled 

on Jacksonville’s Westside was once 

used mainly for dairy farming, and large 

patches of land spotted with sprawling 

oaks, tall pines and grazing cattle still 

can be found. 

With Jacksonville Naval Air Station and 

the former Cecil Field Naval Air Station 

close by, Normandy/Hyde Park has long 

been a military community. The federal 

government closed Cecil Field in 1999, 

and the city improved the 17,000-acre 

property into the Cecil Commerce Center. 

The Cecil Commerce Center includes 

the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, 

with indoor arena seating for 4,000, 

an outdoor arena and ring, lighted 

practice rings and barns. There is also 

a recreation complex and community 

center, Olympic-size swimming pool, 

instructional pool and softball fields. The 

original plans projected that businesses 

at the center would have 25,000 

employees by 2019. 

Part of the draw to Normandy/ 

Hyde Park is its location with easy 

access to Interstates 295 and 10 and 

only a 10-minute drive to downtown. 

Jacksonville International Airport and 

shopping are 15 to 30 minutes away, and 

the beaches about 40 minutes away. 

Existing neighborhoods offer 

affordable housing, and new 

developments have homes ranging from 

the low $100,000s to the $700,000s. The 

median home price is $132,866. 

Oceanway 

A rural fixture 

Amid the major development in 

Oceanway, the rural aspect of life — the 

cows, the green fields and the lush forests 

— remain as fixtures that embody the 

area. 

New communities have sprung up 

along Busch Drive, Alta Drive, Starratt 

Road and New Berlin Road. Amelia View, 

a development with homes starting in 

the high-$200,000s and up, features 

deep, navigable water and direct access 

to the Intracoastal Waterway, along 

with views across the Nassau Sound to 

Amelia Island. Home sites are a quarterto 

a half-acre in size, and community 

amenities include lakes, clubhouse, a 

pool, basketball courts, play area and a 

waterfront park. 

Industry in Oceanway is alive and 

well. Industrial parks blend in with the 

landscape, and acres of undeveloped 

land surround businesses. Companies 

along busy Busch Drive include 

Anheuser-Busch, Smurfit-Stone 

Container Corp. and Bacardi Bottling 

Corp. River City Marketplace, an openair 

shopping complex along Interstate 

95 at Duval Road, includes retail shops, 

restaurants and a movie theater. 

Nature-based recreation is popular 

in this area with access to many water 

sources, including a public pond behind 

Oceanway Community Center that offers 

residents a place to fish and relax. 

The median home price is $197,500. 

Ortega and Ortega Forest 

Defined by the river and the past 

The currents of the Ortega River 

have swept ashore a host of colorful 

characters: renowned botanist William 

Bartram; highwayman and cattle rustler

Daniel McGirtt and Don Juan McQueen, 

who attempted to establish a plantation 

on his 1791 Ortega land grant, but was 

forced out by the attacks of Georgians 

and the French. There was even a 

persistent rumor that gangster George 

“Machine Gun” Kelly and his wife were 

the mysterious couple who abruptly left 

their rented Grand Avenue home hours 

before a midnight police raid in 1933. 

Present-day Ortega is defined by its 

rivers, tree-shaded home sites and parks, 

and an eclectic collection of spectacular 

architectural styles. Mediterranean 

Revival homes sit side-by-side with 

colonial-style frame houses. Grand 

Tudors are alongside cedar-shingle 

homes. 

Perhaps the most obvious 

characteristic of today’s Ortega is its 

stability. It is well-known as a place to 

raise a family and to remain even after 

the children are grown and have left 

home. Roosevelt Square, a collection of 

restaurants and shops, is just across the 

river, and the Ortega Village shopping 

area has its own array of retail and 

service businesses. 

Also drawing residents is Ortega’s 

physical beauty. The view of the city 

from across the water is spectacular, and 

there seems to be a park around every 

corner. 

Ortega, long known as home to “Old 

Jacksonville” families, has waterfront 

home prices that can reach into the 

multi-millions, although the median 

price is $277,500. 

Riverside/Avondale 

Preserving our roots 

In 1868, Confederate veteran Miles 

COMMUNITIES 

Price sold 500 acres of his property, 

known as Dell’s Bluff, to a Yankee, 

Edward M. Cheney, and financial 

backer John M. Forbes of Boston for 

$10,000 in gold. Forbes and Cheney built 

grand riverfront homes and waited for 

the influx of residents. For the next 30 

years, however, they remained the only 

homeowners in the very rural area. 

On May 3, 1901, in less than 24 hours, 

downtown Jacksonville and the majority 

of the city’s homes disappeared in a 

blazing inferno, sparked by a fire that 

spread from the Cleveland Fiber Factory. 

With downtown Jacksonville in ruins 

from the Great Fire, residents relocated 

in droves to the suburbs, starting with 

Riverside. 

Soon the riverfront on Riverside 

Avenue was lined with elegant 

mansions and within 10 years was 

A look at the many neighborhoods of Duval County 

As you can see, Jacksonville has a variety of 

communities spread across its large land mass. 

Downtown spans the Northbank and Southbank at 

a narrow spot on the St. Johns River. Just north of 

there is Historic Springfield. North Jacksonville 

goes from the Trout River to the Nassau County 

line and from New Kings Road on the west 

to the Intracoastal Waterway. Westside 

runs from Riverside Avenue west 

to Baker County and from 

Interstate 10 to Clay County. 

Arlington is bordered by 

the river on the west 

and north and the 

Intracoastal on 

the east. 

River City 

Marketplace 

Southside, a huge area that runs on both sides of the river from 

Arlington south to Baymeadows Road and the St. Johns County line, 

includes such diverse areas as San Jose, San Marco and the St. Johns 

Bluff Road area. Mandarin is the area south of Baymeadows, bordered 

by Philips Highway to the west and Julington Creek to the south. The 

Beaches are bordered by the Intracoastal and the Atlantic Ocean. 

B 


COMMUNITIES 

being called one of the most beautiful 

streets in America. Architects and 

construction companies from all over 

the country had followed the fire to 

Jacksonville, and Riverside benefited 

greatly. Innovative home designs were 

commissioned by lumber magnate 

Wellington W. Cummer and his two 

sons, Waldo and Arthur, Jacksonville’s 

Mayor J.E.T. Bowden, Col. Raymond 

Cay and Episcopal Bishop Edwin G. 

Weed. Homes were designed by Mark & 

Sheftall, Henry J. Klutho and Addison 

Mizner. 

The expansion continued with the 

creation of Avondale, an exclusive 

development planned by a group 

of investors led by Telfair Stockton. 

Appealing unabashedly to the well-todo, 

Avondale was a huge success with 

nearly 200 homes built in its first two 

years. Most of the residences were two 

stories and many were designed in the 

Mediterranean Revival style, which 

Mizner had earlier taken to South 

Florida and which became the strongest 

architectural statement of 1920s Florida. 

Klutho brought the Frank Lloyd 

Wright-inspired Prairie style to 

Jacksonville. The simple bungalow, 

influenced by the Arts and Crafts 

Movement, made a big statement: 

along with Avondale, Riverside has the 

largest collection of bungalows of any 

neighborhood in Florida. 

Thanks to historically minded people 

and the Riverside Avondale Preservation 

Association, much of that distinctive 

architecture remains today. You can 


COMMUNITIES 

All Wet Sports offered paddleboard lessons during the River Ruckus event 

sponsored by the St. Johns Riverkeeper and Riverside Arts Market in 

Downtown Jacksonville. (Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union) 

see many houses with the brown RAP 

plaque — symbolic of a restoration effort. 

Developers are also continuing to take 

a fresh look at old buildings and finding 

innovative new uses for them. 

The Riverside Arts Market has 

become a popular destination on 

Saturdays March through December. 

Based on a concept Dr. Wayne Wood, 

local historian, brought back to 

Jacksonville from Oregon, the location 

under the Fuller Warren Bridge provides 

protection from the weather and 

features local artists in a number of 

media, baked goods, entertainment, a 

farmers market and something for just 

about everyone. 

Where Park and King streets intersect 

has become the hub of gastropubs, 

bakeries, restaurants, vintage shops 

and a popular meeting place. The Blind 

Rabbit, Kickbacks, Carmine’s Pie House, 

and Lola’s Burrito and Burger Joint are 

interspersed with smaller local offerings 

and longtime favorites, such as Whiteway 

Deli, which has been around since the 

1920s. Breweries, Bold City Brewery and 

Intuition Ale Works, have also found a 

home on King Street. 

The area has homes in every price 

range from bungalows up to millions of 

dollars for estates on the St. Johns River. 


St. Nicholas 

(Empire Point) 

Jolly old neighborhood 

St. Nicholas’ history began in 1822 


COMMUNITIES 

when the British settled the northern 

bank of the St. Johns River at the narrow 

crossing called the “Cow Ford” and the 

Spanish fortified the Pass de San Nicolas 

along the southern bank, making it an 

important northerly point of defense for 

St. Augustine. 

The area south of the river near the 

former fort has continued to be known 

as St. Nicholas, a tribute to days of yore. 

After the Civil War and through the late 

1800s, the area from the ferry landing to 

the Arlington River, including Empire 

Point, was referred to as the village of St. 

Nicholas. 

The community, the heart of which 

lies where Beach and Atlantic boulevards 

meet, is a few minutes from I-95, 

downtown and the San Marco shopping 

district. 

It also is home to two of the most 

respected private high schools in the 

area. Episcopal and Bishop Kenny both 

have beautiful campuses spotted with 

century-old oaks standing tall along 

waterfront property with spectacular 

views of downtown Jacksonville. 


San Jose 

(Lakewood) 

Grace and elegance 

Born of the Florida land boom in 1925 

on the tree-shaded eastern bank of the 

St. Johns River, San Jose Estates was the 

most ambitious land development in 

North Florida in its day. Hotels, a yacht 

club, shopping center, schools, a country 

club and hundreds of houses were 

planned. The best architectural, design 

and development firms were retained. 

A national advertising campaign was 

so successful that construction crews 

worked around the clock to meet the 

demands of prospective buyers from 

across the country. 

By late 1926, all construction on 

San Jose Estates had ceased. The Great 

Depression loomed on the horizon, and 

Florida’s boom became a bust. Only one 

hotel, the country club and 31 houses 

were built. The development was dead, 

but the San Jose neighborhood lived on. 

Today, the San Jose Hotel is the 

private Bolles School; the development’s 

administration building has become San 

Jose Episcopal Church; and the site of 

the never-built second hotel became the 

Alfred I. duPont estate, Epping Forest — 

now a yacht club surrounded by upscale 

homes and condominiums. 

Only San Jose Country Club still 

functions as it did upon completion. 

Although renovations have updated 

the clubhouse interior and facilities, 

the club’s architecture remains intact. 

In 1985, the remaining San Jose Estates 

structures were listed on the National 

Register of Historic Places. 

Many other architectural styles have 

found a home in San Jose, giving it an 

eclectic appeal. Condos start in the 

$50,000s, and single-family detached 

homes start in the low $200,000s and can 

reach the millions. The median price of a 

home in Lakewood is $184,500. 

Contributing to the community’s good 

looks and overall allure are its sweeping 

trees and many parks. 

The central location is minutes from 

downtown or Southpoint and well within 

a half-hour of Jacksonville’s beaches. 

Fine restaurants and good shopping add 

to San Jose’s appeal. 

A bicyclist makes his way past the red, white and blue bunting decorated lions that grace 

the fountain in San Marco’s Balis Park. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 

San Marco 

Where past and present meet 

Red Bank Plantation House on 

Greenridge Road, the oldest known 

structure still standing in San Marco, 

was completed in 1857 by Albert Gallatin 

Philips, Jacksonville’s sheriff from 1833 to 

1839. Philips Highway, on the periphery 

of San Marco, was named for one of his 

sons, Judge Henry B. Philips. 

No longer in existence, Villa 

Alexandria was the grandest structure 

of its time. Built in 1872 by Martha 

Reed Mitchell, sister of former Florida 

Governor Harrison Reed, it stood on 

a 140-acre tract on the St. Johns River. 

Mitchell’s home was a showplace 

and served as the center of her many 

charitable activities — St. Luke’s 


COMMUNITIES 

Hospital (now St. Vincent’s Southside) 

and All Saints Episcopal Church, among 

others. 

Mitchell’s neighbors in the Fletcher 

Park area were 158 shipyard workers 

living in Henry Klutho-designed homes. 

World War I saw a boom in shipbuilding, 

creating in turn a need for housing for 

its workers. Today, 12 of these homes 

surround Fletcher Park with its 1883 

church, now home to the San Marco 

Preservation Society. 

Modern residential development 

came to San Marco with the 1921 

completion of the St. Johns River Bridge, 

later renamed the Acosta Bridge. Then, 

came Telfair Stockton and his plans 

for an 80-acre subdivision called San 

Marco. Streets were curved to show off 

trees and scenic vistas and Lake Marco 

was formed out of an old brickyard. The 

mix of architectural styles reflected 

residents’ strong interest in the outside 

world. 

In 1926, the shopping district was 

laid out at the corner of Atlantic and San 

Marco boulevards. Theatre Jacksonville, 

one of the nation’s oldest continuously 

operating community theater groups, is 

housed in an Art Deco building dating 

from 1937. With its many-tiered fountain 

and wrought iron sculpture still intact, 

the area thrives today as home to an 

eclectic collection of trendy shops, 

theaters and restaurants. 

Homes can cost more than $1 million, 

but the average value is $845,500. 

San Mateo 

From ecological roots 

Before 1956, the area known as San 

Mateo was mostly forest with huge oaks 

laden with Spanish moss, wild holly 

trees and an abundance of magnolias, 

hickories, pines and wildflowers. Wildlife 

was abundant. 

In the winter of 1955-1956, though, 

development found the area and the 

first families began moving in. Now, the 

area is a quiet residential neighborhood 

of 50-plus-year-old homes on the 

northern bank of the St. Johns River. 

The community name comes from the 

Spanish name given to the river in the 

1560s, Rio de San Mateo (River of St. 

Matthew). 

San Mateo, south of Oceanway, has 

very affordable homes, with an average 

price of $130,000. 

Southside 

(San Souci ... Southside Estates ... Spring Glen ... Windy Hill) 

Location, location, location 

This is the confusing one. Southside 

is really more of a general location 

than a pure neighborhood, but you’ll 

hear it referred to quite often as where 

people live. San Jose is on the Southside, 

but so is Southside Estates, across the 

river and 15 miles away. Because we’ve 

outlined particular neighborhoods 

within Southside, we’re identifying it 

here as north of Butler Boulevard, south 

of Atlantic Boulevard, east of University 

Boulevard and west of St. Johns Bluff 

Road. 

Not surprisingly, Southside has a 

diverse mix of residential styles and 

offerings within its borders. Home prices 

in the area can reach the $1 million 

range, with the average price being in the 

mid-$100,000s. Neighborhood offerings 

range from working class, single-family 

homes, condos and townhomes to gated 

communities with all the amenities. 

There are a host of retailers and 

restaurants in the area, and Regency 

Square and The Avenues malls are just a 

10- to 20-minute drive away. Easy access 

to the St. Johns River through tributaries 

such as Pottsburg Creek appeals to those 

interested in fishing and boating. 

Southside is in close proximity to 

the University of North Florida and the 

Florida State College at Jacksonville’s 

South Campus. 

Springfield 

History in a house 

There has been a great deal of 

renewed interest in living in the historic 

district of Springfield. Many believe 

it has a lot to do with the charm of the 

beautiful homes. Touring one, as many 

people have done over the past few years, 

is like opening a yearbook of the city, 

circa the late 1800s. Windows, porches, 

staircases, attics, and fireplaces yield 

page after page of historical glimpses of 

Jacksonville’s past. 

New homes are being built that are 

architecturally compatible with the 

historic district’s building guidelines 

for the area. A few of these homes that 

line Pearl Street look like rehabilitated 

homes, but they are new — with many 

of the features people love in older-style 

homes, including the porches. The 

homes have standard features such as 

prewired security systems, semi-plank 

exterior siding, decorative foundation 

blocks, fiberglass shingles, all-wood 

kitchen cabinets, kitchen appliances, 

ceramic tile and double-hung wood 

exterior windows. 

Beyond the crop of new historiclooking 

homes, some of the area’s 

authentic homes, with rich histories 

behind them, are capturing people’s 

attention. Popular styles include 

Florida vernacular, bungalow, Prairie 

and transitional Queen Anne/Colonial 

Revival. 

Henry J. Klutho, who was influenced 

by Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture, 

began experimenting with the Prairie 

style in Springfield. The aesthetically 

pleasing style endures today. 

The median home price in Springfield 

is $180,000, but large renovated homes 

can go much higher. According to Trulia, 

the median rent is $1,200. 

In 1987, Springfield was selected as a 

National Register Historic District under 

federal criteria and recognized under 

federal law. Only three other areas in 

Jacksonville — Avondale, Riverside and 

Ortega — hold the title. A historic gem 

worth revitalizing, Springfield contains 

one of the largest concentrations of 

residences dating from the early 1800s in 

Florida. 

Timuquana and Venetia 

Beautiful vistas 

With an area along one of the most 

scenic stretches of the St. Johns River, the 

Venetia and Timuquana area is a little 

bit of heaven. Southeast of Ortega off 

Roosevelt Boulevard and bordered by the 

river and Timuquana Country Club, the 

Westside communities have beautiful 

vistas galore. 

The private country club is a buffer 

from the hustle and bustle of the 

Jacksonville Naval Air Station, while the 

Timuquana Yacht Club also provides 

relaxation on the river for its members. 

The homes are older but beautifully 

kept, with expansive manicured lawns. 


COMMUNITIES 

While you might be able to find a house 

in the nearby area for less, most are in the 

multi-hundred-thousands. On the river, 

of course, prices can reach $1 millionplus. 

The average home price in the area 

is $215,000. 

Wesconnett 

Call it eclectic 

Wesconnett, more than a century 

old, has grown and evolved along with 

Jacksonville. Today, this neighborhood 

offers a variety of residential areas, goods 

and services. 

Hundreds of businesses — from car 

dealerships to mom-and-pop stores — 

line Blanding Boulevard, Timuquana 

Road and 103rd Street, creating several 

shopping districts. 

Residents like the area because it is 

quaint and quiet, yet it is only a 10- to 

20-minute drive to downtown. 

The area has many established older 

neighborhoods with nice block or brick 

homes that are moderately priced and 

conveniently located. There is a wide 

range of home prices available as well. 

NASSAU COUNTY 

Amelia Island 

The fairest of the isles 

Amelia Island, the southernmost 

of the “Golden Isles” chain of barrier 

islands, claims title to the fairest of the 

isles — and its 13 miles of unsullied 

beaches and 40-foot dunes, lush golf 

courses and captivating old Victorian 

homes support the claim. 

As the only territory in the U.S. under 

the dominion of eight different flags 

during the past five centuries, it absorbed 

much from each culture to become the 

multi-faceted region it is today. 

It was not until the early part of the 

20th century that Amelia Island, because 

of its natural deep-water harbor, gave 

birth to the modern shrimping industry 

that is still thriving today. 

A community of beachfront homes, 

luxurious condominiums and myriad 

golf courses, Amelia Island also boasts a 

50-block section of tree-shaded streets 

lined with authentic and original 

Victorian homes. Their architectural 

styles range from the Florida Vernacular 

and Mississippi Steamboat to Queen 

Anne, Italianate and Chinese 

Chippendale. Many of these gracious 

homes have become plush inns and bedand-breakfast 

destinations. 

The island is a national resort 

destination. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia 

Island, operates an AAA-rated, fivediamond 

resort and restaurant, and 

has a golf course on the property. 

Amelia Island Plantation offers both 

resort and residential communities 

carefully developed for a complementary 

relationship with native wildlife, 

secluded beaches, maritime forest and 

tidal marshes. 

Amelia Island is also home to the 

Concours d'Elegance, a renowned 

automotive charitable event held each 

March, featuring significant cars, drivers 

and concepts. 

Amelia Island is about 15 minutes 

west of I-95 and about 30 minutes away 

from Jacksonville International Airport. 

Amelia Island has a median home price 

of $306,600; however properties can go 

into the millions. 


FSCJ Nassau 

Center 

Fernandina 

Beach Municipal 

Airport 

Nassau County Neighborhoods 

Baptist 

Medical 

Center 

Nassau 

Fernandina Beach 

Old-town, relaxed charm 

Bordered by parks, buffered by 

natural wetlands, pristine rivers and 

alluring beaches, Fernandina Beach sits 

on the northern end of Amelia Island. 

As the second oldest city in the state of 

Florida, it is rich with history. 

Once a bustling Victorian seaport, 

picturesque downtown Fernandina 

Beach harbors a treasure trove of history, 

antiques, fashions and restaurants. 

Buildings dating from 1873 to 1900, gas 

lantern replicas, wrought-iron benches 

and cobblestone walks lead to the 

marina filled with shrimp boats. 

The 12-mile-long and 2.5-mile-wide 

island is surrounded by the Amelia River, 

the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Marys River 

and Nassau Sound. Nearly 10 percent 

of the land is dedicated to parks, and 

miles of beaches (with public access 

and walkovers) are available, as well as 

several golf courses. Fort Clinch State 

Park, at the north end of the island, 

preserves 1,121 acres of beaches, dunes, 

nature trails, salt marshes and ponds. 

The Spanish influence is seen in 

its plaza and city plan. Florida’s oldest

Amelia Island is known for its annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp 

Festival, which is held the first weekend in May each year. It attracts 

locals and visitors from all over Northeast Florida and South Georgia. 

(Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union)

COMMUNITIES 

surviving tourist hotel, the Florida House 

Inn, remains in Fernandina and boasts of 

once having Ulysses S. Grant as a guest. 

Centre Street Historic District covers 50 

blocks of restored 19th century Victorian 

homes, shops and restaurants. 

One of the biggest festivals of the 

Southeastern coast honors the shrimping 

industry and the area’s history. The Isle 

of Eight Flags Fernandina Beach Shrimp 

Festival attracts 150,000 visitors during 

its spring weekend run. 

The average home price is $306,600, 

but intricate mansions and waterfront 

properties can go much, much higher. 

Hilliard and Callahan 

The backbone of America 

Wide yards full of trees draped with 

Spanish moss hold homes with oldfashioned 

front porches, harkening back 

to a time when neighbors strolled and a 

community grew together through hard 

times as well as good. This is Hilliard and 

Callahan. 

Ideally placed as bedroom 

communities to both Jacksonville and 

Kings Bay in Georgia, Hilliard and 

Callahan offer their own brand of familyoriented 

living within easy commuting 

distance. Just west of I-95 in western 

Nassau County, the “main drag” through 

both towns is U.S. Highway 1, a slightly 

sleepy, mostly two-lane road running 

north and south throughout the eastern 

portion of the country. 

There are many small local businesses 

supporting the citizens of the area. 

Hilliard has one of the largest employers 

in Nassau County, the Federal Aviation 

Administration Air Traffic Control 

Center. The median home price in 

Hilliard is $149,500. 

Callahan residents are proud of a 

beautifully restored railroad depot. 

Flags fly in front of many businesses 

The Florida Times-Union Metro Columnist Mark Woods, with a group of friends and fellow 

walkers, walks across the Julington Creek Bridge into St. Johns County. (Bruce Lipsky/ 

Florida Times-Union) 

and homes, local high school football 

games are attended even by those with 

no children in the school and churches 

ae full on Sunday mornings. The median 

home price in Callahan is $184,400. 

Yulee 

On the go 

As Territorial Representative to 

Congress and later as Florida’s U.S. 

senator, David Yulee had a presence in 

the area that is felt even to this day. His 

vision of a cross-Florida railroad with 

Fernandina as its east terminus was 

thought an outlandish idea in the earlyto 

mid-1850s, but Yulee never wavered in 

his determination. 

Neither the Civil War, incarceration 

in a federal prison nor the necessity of 

physically moving an entire town could 

deter Yulee from his goals of statehood 

for Florida and of cross-state commercial 

centers joined by his railroad tracks. 

Statehood came first. Then, Yulee’s 

Florida Railroad was completed in 1860, 

just before Florida’s secession from the 

Union. 

After the Civil War came the depths. 

The Confederate Army ripped up Florida 

Railroad’s tracks to use for their own 

transport system and, by the end of the 

war, the railroad was in total disrepair. 

Yulee’s life was unraveling; in 1865, he 

was arrested and charged with treason. 

He served only 10 months and was freed 

in 1866, returning home to resurrect his 

beloved railroad. Eventually, Florida 

Railroad became the successful Atlantic, 

Gulf and West India Transit Co. with 

trains arriving daily bearing tourists 

from New York and other cities. 

Nassau County’s largest 

unincorporated area with a population 

of about 12,000, Yulee consists primarily 

of residential neighborhoods and 

commercial development along State 

Road A1A. 

Residential choices are numerous 

and range from planned communities, 

waterfront property and private tracts 

to an emerging rental market. Yulee is 

the fastest-growing residential market in 

Nassau County, with developments such 

as North Hampton, Lighthouse Pointe 

and Flora Parke providing a variety of 

housing options. The average home value 

in Yulee is $184,200. 



Hastings 

Grown from a garden 

Hastings, about 18 miles southwest of 

St. Augustine, is an agricultural center 

that, according to the St. Johns County 

Chamber of Commerce, literally grew 

from a garden. Henry Flagler, who built 

tourist hotels in St. Augustine, needed a 

source of fresh vegetables for his guests. 

He persuaded a cousin, Thomas Horace 

Hastings, to develop a farm; a small 

town evolved to which Hastings gave his 

name. 

Since that birth in 1890, Hastings 

has been known as the “Potato Capital 

of Florida” with 21,000 acres of potato 

farmland. The area is also known 

for its cabbage, onions, eggplant and 

ornamental horticulture. 

The small-town closeness of Hastings 

coexists peacefully with the progress the 

town has made in recent years. The Al 

Wilke Recreation Field, just across the 

street from the town office, provides a 

venue for children’s fun and organized 

sporting events. The average home price 

in the area is $107,200. 

Julington Creek 

Crossing bridge to paradise 

Northwest St. Johns County — Fruit 

Cove, Switzerland and Orangedale — has 

been experiencing growth for quite some 

time. 

The area is home to Julington 

Creek Plantation, which encompasses 

4,119 acres, with more than a dozen 

distinctive neighborhoods. Among the 

top 10 master-planned communities in 

Florida, Julington Creek Plantation offers 

recreational facilities, a large selection 

of homes and price ranges (from the 

mid-$200,000s to more than $1 million 

with an average price in the $300,000s) 

and a great location — 30 minutes to 

downtown Jacksonville and 30 minutes 

to St. Augustine. 

Compared to many areas of Florida, 

Julington Creek has a young residence 

base, with families flocking to the 

area because of the high-rated school 

system and close proximity to major 

super markets, pharmacies, top-ranked 

restaurants, golf courses, and numerous 

office parks. 

Many recreational opportunities 

exist, including golf courses, such as The 

Champions Club in Julington Creek. The 

Julington Creek Marina offers wet and 

dry storage for boating. 

Palm Valley 

A mix of modern and classic 

For a community with an evergreen 

name, Palm Valley has been through 

plenty of changes. Once home to only 

Native Americans and later Spanish 

settlers, in 1908 a canal was dug through 

the area (then called Diego Plains) 

connecting the San Pablo River to the 

north with the Tolomato River near St. 

Augustine to the south. This intracoastal 

canal made access much easier for the 

residents that had settled in this area. 

Residents raised cattle, farmed and 

logged. The plentiful palms prompted 

residents to change the name from Diego 

Plains to Palm Valley. 

Prohibition turned some of the valley 

residents to another source of income – 

moonshine. The abundant water supply 

and deep woods helped conceal illegal 

COMMUNITIES 

whiskey distilling. The moonshine 

industry thrived even after the Volstead 

Act was repealed in 1933, but the rising 

price of sugar finally brought the 

industry to an end. 

The expansion of the beaches 

has grown Palm Valley from a quiet 

community into a luxurious land to live 

on. Today most farms in the valley have 

disappeared, and waterfront properties 

along Roscoe Boulevard sell for at least 

$1 million to several million, but the 

average home value in Palm Valley is 

$349,600. 

Ponte Vedra Beach and Sawgrass 

Sophisticated beach living 

The rich history of the area and 

its pristine natural resources helped 

shape Ponte Vedra Beach. Years of 

conflict between Timucuan Indians, 

the Spanish, the French and the English 

persisted until around 1821, when Spain 

sold Florida to the U.S. and it became 

a territory. Nearly 100 years later, in 

1914, two young chemical engineers, 

Henry Holland Buckman and George A. 


COMMUNITIES 

Pritchard, discovered that Ponte Vedra’s 

beaches contained industrial minerals, 

including components necessary for the 

production of titanium and zirconium. 

The National Lead Co. bought out the 

partners in 1916. 

The mining settlement, named 

Mineral City, played a crucial role in 

World War I, as titanium was a key 

component in the manufacture of 

poisonous gas. In 1928, the National Lead 

Co. rechristened Mineral City in honor 

of what was believed to be the birthplace 

of Christopher Columbus — Pontevedra, 

Spain. City founders later learned that 

Columbus was actually born in Genoa, 

Italy. 

St. Johns County Neighborhoods 

Racetrack Road 

The name Ponte Vedra stuck 

and today has come to symbolize 

sophisticated beach-style living. 

Modern-day Ponte Vedra Beach began 

to take shape when National Lead built 

a nine-hole golf course for its employees 

along with a log clubhouse and polo field 

in 1922. In 1928, the complex became the 

world-famous Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. 

With the post-war mineral market gone 

and production at a standstill, National 

Lead used its clubhouse and golf course 

as the base from which to launch a resort 

community. 

Road construction in the 1940s 

through the 1960s brought further 

development and, in 1972, developer 

Roscoe Blvd 

Palm 

Valley 

Nocatee Parkway 

Nocatee 

Mickler’s 

Landing 

Flagler 

Hospital 

Northeast 

Florida 

Regional 

Airport 

James Stockton Jr. broke ground on 

the 1,100-acre development known as 

Sawgrass. Today, Sawgrass is home 

to THE PLAYERS Championship golf 

tournament and is world headquarters 

for the PGA TOUR, thanks to a legendary 

1978 deal in which developers Jerome 

and Paul Fletcher sold then-PGA TOUR 

Commissioner Deane Beman 415 

densely-wooded acres for $1. 

Although synonymous with luxury, 

Ponte Vedra Beach does have affordable 

housing away from the ocean. The 

median home price is $462,700, but those 

elaborate waterfront mansions will set 

you back multimillions. 

St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach 

A hub of history 

The oldest continuously occupied 

European settlement in the U.S. still 

gives residents a taste of small-town 

charm more than 450 years after its 

founding. 

St. Augustine, 35 miles south of 

Jacksonville beside Matanzas Bay, was 

established by Spanish Admiral Don 

Pedro Menendez de Aviles Sept. 8, 1565. 

St. Augustine is the host of more than 50 

annual events, many revolving around 

the city’s historic role. The Fort Castillo 

de San Marcos, built between 1672 and 

1695 by the Spanish, dominates the city’s 

tableau. Its massive gates draw tourists 

and longtime residents to explore the 

city’s past. More than 85 historic sites lie 

within the city’s confines. 

Numerous museums detail an 

aspect of the city’s development, 

while archaeological digs proceed 

throughout the year, unearthing further 

information on St. Augustine’s heritage. 

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, 

the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and 

Potter’s Wax Museum are among the 

popular attractions. With an average 

temperature of 70 degrees and mild 

winters, St. Augustine allows for yearround 

recreation. Boating, swimming 

and surfing take a high priority in 

leisure activities as does golf, with 

championship golf courses, including 

two at the World Golf Village. 

St. Augustine is a shopping experience 

with more antique shops, art galleries 

and an abundance of specialty shops, 

many located on the brick-lined streets 


COMMUNITIES 

of the city’s historic district. Two outlet 

malls off Interstate 95 and State Road 16 

are visited by locals and by visitors. The 

city is also known for its fine eateries. 

Restaurants in St. Augustine, some 

ranked among the highest in the state, 

offer everything from authentic French 

cuisine to eclectic new world fusion 

cooking. Higher education is provided by 

Flagler College, a private four-year liberal 

arts school, and St. Johns River State 

College. 

The median home value for the area 

is $207,500. Golf course communities, 

oceanfront homes, Intracoastal 

Waterway spreads, marsh front 

properties and homes in the city’s 

historic district command top dollar. 

Vilano Beach 

Rising interest 

Residents in the seaside community 

of Vilano Beach enjoy Oceanside living 

with a small-town feel. The community 

really started to develop in 1995 when 

the small bridge connecting Vilano 

Beach to the mainland was torn down 

and the Francis and Mary Usina Bridge, 

a graceful arch of steel and concrete, was 

opened. 

Vilano Beach is a peninsula bordered 

by South Ponte Vedra Beach to the 

north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, 

St. Augustine Inlet to the south and the 

Intracoastal Waterway to the west. 

The most expensive houses are the 

oceanfront homes beginning at $800,000 

in the southern end of Vilano Beach 

known as Porpoise Point. However, the 

median value for homes in the area is 

$522,888. 

The Vilano/Surfside area was 

primarily a summer beach community, 

but more and more people are living 

there year-round. Vilano Beach also has 

one of the few red shell coquina beaches 

in the state. 

take the hall of fame concept, combine 

it with the future of the sport and the 

technology of the industry, then build 

into it a sense of place that would 

celebrate that concept. That sense of 

place would incorporate the roots of the 

game in Scotland and the architectural 

details of the St. Augustine area in which 

it would be located. 

Bermuda grass was planted to the 

roadbed of the winding entrance, 

bordered on either side by the greens 

and fairways of The Slammer and 

Squire Course, designed by golf giants 

Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen. Street 

signs became monuments of stone, 

reminiscent of the ancient stonework 

of St. Augustine. More than 4,000 trees 

were planted. The Arnold Palmer-Jack 

Nicklaus King and Bear golf course was 

also completed. 

The 75,000-square-foot Hall of 

Fame with its historical artifacts and 

interactive displays, an IMAX theater, 

restaurants, boutiques, hotel and resort 

soon followed and World Golf Village 

opened in May 1998. Residents of various 

neighborhoods who would make it truly 

a village began moving in, starting with 

the Davidson family. 

With homes in every price range — 

custom homes, condominium homes, 

patio homes, even a continuingcare 

community for retirees, The 

Neighborhoods of World Golf Village 

blends many different ages, incomes and 

lifestyles. The price of homes begins in 

the $200,000s for patio homes and ranges 

to $2 million-plus for estate homes. The 


Besides the golf courses, amenities 

include a swim and tennis center, several 

parks, resort hotels, nature preserves and 

picnic areas. There are baseball, softball 

and soccer fields, basketball courts, sand 

volleyball, shuffleboard, playgrounds, 

barbecue grills and a full-time activities 

director. And, thanks to Davidson 

Development, Inc., about 44 percent of 

World Golf Village is in its natural state 

as wildlife and environmental preserves, 

never to be developed. 

World Golf Village 

Living with the legends 

When Jim Davidson, president/CEO 

of Davidson Development, learned of 

tentative plans to build a golf hall of 

fame 10 miles north of his property, he 

began to re-think his plan to build a selfcontained 

resort community. 

He had a proposal for golf’s officials: 

St. Augustine residents enjoy Crescent Beach almost year-round thanks to mild winters in 

Northeast Florida. (Daron Dean/St. Augustine Record) 


EDUCATION 

The First Coast offers students of any age a variety of options from early child development 

to graduate programs, and everything in between. (Bob Mack/Florida Times-Union) 

ABCs of learning 

From kindergarten to PhDs, Jacksonville 

has education for all ages. 

Jacksonville is the largest city by land 

area in the country. So, it should be no 

surprise that it holds the 20th largest 

school district in the nation, according 

to 2017 data, and the sixth largest school 

district in Florida. 

The First Coast has a tradition of 

creating opportunity for all students. 

Stanton Prep in Duval County was voted 

No. 6 out of 500 for the nation’s best high 

schools by Newsweek Magazine, and 

Allen D. Nease High School in St. Johns 

County was ranked No. 191. 

In 2015, the Washington Post 

named area schools as America’s most 

challenging high schools based on a 

number of college-level tests given at 

a school in the previous calendar year, 

divided by the number of graduates that 

year. The index scores for more than 

2,300 high schools nationwide. Several 

area high schools scored among the top 

percentage, including: Stanton Prep, No. 

8; Paxon School for Advanced Studies, 

No. 14; Douglas Anderson School of 

the Arts, No. 120; Creekside, No. 200; 

Bartram Trail, No. 271; Mandarin, No. 

284; and Allen D. Nease, No. 310. 

Located just west of Jacksonville is 

Baker County, an area comprised of 

several rural communities with more 

than 27,000 residents. Baker County High 

School is the only public high school, 

serving nearly 1,350 students in grades 

nine through 12. 

The Duval County public school 

system has more than 125,000 students 

and 8,000 teachers. The goal of the 

district is to provide educational 

excellence “in every school, in every 

classroom, every day.” 

Currently, Duval County has moved 

away from the traditional FCAT testing 

system and has implemented the Florida 

State Assessment (FSA) and the Florida 

Alternate Assessment (FAA). 

In St. Johns County, 18 high school 

seniors have qualified, based on their 

scores on the PSAT test taken as a junior, 

as National Merit Semifinalists for 2016, 

and are eligible to advance to the finalist 

competition to compete for nearly 7,400 

scholarships that are worth more than 

$32 million. These students are from 

various schools in St. Johns County, 

including Bartram Trail High School, 

Allen D. Nease High School, Ponte Vedra 

High School, Creekside High School and 

St. Augustine High School. 

Continuing their tradition of 

excellence, St. Johns County School 

District was the recipient of the Sunshine 

Medallion Award for their excellence in 

public relations, earned for its Connect, 

Commit, Care conference. 

Currently, St. Johns County boasts a 

graduation rate of 90.5 percent and ranks 

among the highest in the state. 

Along with hundreds of public schools 

in the area, the First Coast offers an 

extensive number of private schools as 

well. 

Duval County also offers another 

alternative to traditional public school: 

Duval Choice. This program allows 


EDUCATION 

Students practice for a robotics competition at Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 

students to apply to attend a school 

outside of their zoned school within the 

Duval County public school system, as 

well as apply to multiple charter and 

magnet schools. 

Also available is Home Education, 

which is a parent-directed alternative 

to the public and private school system. 

In order for families to establish a home 

school program, they are required to 

complete a notification form within 30 

days of its establishment. Florida Statute 

1002.41 requires that parents notify 

the District Superintendent of Schools 

in writing of intent to initiate a Home 

Education Program. 

For more information about how 

to set up a home school program, visit 

duvalschools.org, select the schools 

tab and choose “Home Education.” If 

parents have any other concerns about 

laws or creation of a home education 

program, the Florida Parent Educators 

Association has the most accurate, upto-date 

information available to educate 

and inform its members. For more 

information, visit fpea.com. 


EDUCATION 

Public schools ... 

BAKER COUNTY 

Elementary Schools 

Macclenny 

One Wildkitten Drive 

Macclenny 32063 

904-259-2551 

Westside 

One Panther Circle 

Glen St. Mary 32040 

904-259-2216 

Middle Schools 

Keller Intermediate 

420 South Eighth St. 


904-259-4244 

Baker County 

211 Jonathan St. 


904-259-2226 

High School 

Baker County 

One Wildcat Drive 

Glen St. Mary 32040 

904-259-6286 

CLAY COUNTY 


Argyle 

2625 Spencer Plantation 

Blvd., Orange Park 32073 

904-573-2357 

Charles E. Bennett 

One South Oakridge Ave. 


32043 

904-336-0475 

Clay Hill 

6345 County Road 218 

Jacksonville 32234 

904-289-7193 

Clay Virtual Academy 

2306 Kingsley Ave., Bldg. 

20, Orange Park 32073 

904-336-9875 

Coppergate 

3460 Copper Colts Ct. 

Middleburg 32068 

904-291-5594 

Doctors Inlet 



904-336-0975 


4425 Lakeshore Drive 

Fleming Island 32003 

904-336-1075 

Grove Park 

1643 Miller St. 

Orange Park 32073 

904-336-1275 

J.L. Wilkinson 



904-291-5420 


335 SW Pecan St. 

Keystone Heights 32656 

352-336-1375 

Lake Asbury 

2901 Sandridge Road 

Green Cove Springs 32043 

904-336-1525 

Lakeside 

2752 Moody Ave. 


904-213-2966 

McRae 

6770 County Road 315 C 


352-336-2125 

Middleburg 

3958 Main St. 


904-291-5485 

Montclair 



904-278-2030 

Oakleaf Village 

410 Oakleaf Village 

Parkway 


904-291-5458 

Orange Park 

1401 Plainfield Ave. 


904-278-2040 

Paterson 

5400 Pine Ave. 


904-336-2575 

Plantation Oaks 

4150 Plantation Oaks Blvd. 


904-214-7474 

RideOut 

3065 Apalachicola Blvd. 


904-291-5430 

Ridgeview 

421 Jefferson Ave. 


904-213-5800 

S. Bryan Jennings 

215 Corona Drive 


904-213-3021 

Shadowlawn 


Green Cove 

Springs 32043 

904-336-3375 

Swimming Pen Creek 

1630 Woodpecker Lane 


904-336-3475 

Thunderbolt 

2020 Thunderbolt Road 


904-278-5630 

Tynes 

1550 Tynes Blvd. 


904-336-3850 

W.E. Cherry 

420 Edson Drive 


904-278-2050 



Junior High 

1220 Bonaventure Ave. 

Green Cove 

Springs 32043 

904-336-5175 

Lake Asbury Junior High 

2851 Sandridge Road 

Green Cove 

Springs 32043 

904-291-5582 

Lakeside Junior High 



904-213-1800 

Oakleaf Junior High 

4085 Plantation Oaks 

Blvd. 


904-213-5500 

Orange Park Junior High 

1500 Gano Ave. 


904-278-2000 

Wilkinson Junior High 

5025 County Road 218 W. 


904-291-5500 

High Schools 

Clay 

2025 State Road 16 W. 


32043 

904-529-3000 


2233 Village Square 

Parkway, Fleming Island 

32003 

904-336-7500 


900 Orchid Ave. 


352-473-2761 

Middleburg 



904-213-2100 

Oakleaf 

4035 Plantation Oaks 

Blvd. 


904-213-1900 

Orange Park 

2300 Kingsley Ave. 


904-272-8110 

Ridgeview 

466 Madison Ave. 


904-213-5203 

Alternative Schools 

PACE Center for Girls, Clay 

1241 Blanding Blvd., Suite 

5, Orange Park 32065 

904-458-0840 

AMI Kids @ Clay High 

2025 State Road 16 


32043 

904-529-3057 

Florida Youth Challenge 

Academy 


Starke 32091 

904-682-4036 

Bannerman Learning 

Center 

608 Mill St., Green Cove 

Springs 32043 

904-529-2100 

DUVAL COUNTY 

(Jacksonville unless 

otherwise noted) 


Abess Park 

12731 Abess Blvd. 32225 

904-220-1260 

Alimacani 

2051 San Pablo Road 

32224, 904-221-7101 

Atlantic Beach 

298 Sherry Drive 

Atlantic Beach 32233 

904-247-5924 

Bartram Springs 

14799 Bartram Springs 

Parkway 32258 

904-260-5860 

Bayview 

3257 Lake Shore Blvd. 

32210 

904-381-3920 

Beauclerc 

4555 Craven Road W. 

32257 

904-739-5226 

Brookview 

10450 Theresa Drive 

32246 

904-565-2720 

Cedar Hills 

6534 Ish Brant Road 

32210, 904-573-1050 

Central Riverside 

2555 Gilmore St. 32204 

904-381-7495 

Chaffee Trail 

11400 Sam Caruso Way 

32221 

904-693-7510 

Chets Creek 

13200 Chets Creek Blvd. 

32224 

904-992-6390 

Crown Point 

3800 Crown Point Road 

32257 

904-260-5808 

Don Brewer 

3385 Hartsfield Road 

32277 

904-745-4990 

Enterprise Learning 

Academy 

8085 Old Middleburg 

Road 32222 

904-573-3260 

Greenland Pines 

5050 Greenland Road 

32258 

904-260-5450 

Hendricks Avenue 

3400 Hendricks Ave. 

32207 

904-346-5610 

Jacksonville Heights 

7750 Tempest St. S. 

32244 

904-573-1120 

Joseph Finegan 

555 Wonderwood Drive 


904-247-5996 

Kernan Trail 

2281 Kernan Blvd. S. 

32246 

904-220-1310 

Kings Trail 

7401 Old Kings Road S. 

32217 

904-739-5254 

Louis Sheffield 

13333 Lanier Road 32226 

904-696-8758 

Love Grove 

2446 University Blvd. S. 

32216 

904-720-1645 

Mamie Agnes Jones 

700 Orange Ave. 

Baldwin 32234 

904-266-1214 

Mandarin Oaks 

10600 Hornets Nest Road 

32257 

904-260-5820 

Merrill Road 

8239 Merrill Road 32277 

904-745-4919 

Neptune Beach 

1515 Florida Blvd. 

Neptune Beach 32266 

904-247-5954 

New Berlin 

3613 New Berlin Road 

32226 

904-714-4601 

Normandy Village 

8257 Herlong Road 32210 

904-693-7548 

Parkwood Heights 

1709 Lansdowne Drive 

32211 

904-720-1670 


EDUCATION 

Ramona Boulevard 

5540 Ramona Blvd. 32205 

904-693-7576 

Ruth N. Upson 

1090 Dancy St. 32205 

904-381-7485 

Sabal Palm 

1201 Kernan Blvd. N. 32225 

904-221-7169 

Sadie T. Tillis 

6084 Morse Ave. 32244 

904-573-1090 

Seabreeze 

1400 Seabreeze Ave. 

Jacksonville Beach 

32250 

904-247-5900 

Southside Estates 

9775 Ivey Road 32246 

904-565-2706 

Stonewall Jackson 

6127 Cedar Hills Blvd. 

32210 

904-573-1020 

Timucuan 

5429 110th St. 32244 

904-573-1130 

Twin Lakes 

8000 Point Meadows Drive 

32256 

904-538-0238 

Waterleaf 

450 Kernan Blvd. N. 

32225 

904-565-8000 

West Jacksonville 

2115 Commonwealth Ave. 

32209 

904-630-6592 

Westview K-8 School 

5270 Connie Jean Road 

32210, 904-573-1082 

Whitehouse 

11160 General Ave. 32220 

904-693-7542 


Arlington 

8141 Lone Star Road 

32211 

904-720-1680 

Fletcher 

2000 N. Third St. 

Jacksonville Beach 32250 

904-247-5929 

J. E. B. Stuart 

4815 Wesconnett Blvd. 

32210 

904-573-1000 

Jefferson Davis 

7050 Melvin Road 

32210 

904-573-1060 

Kernan Middle 

2271 S. Kernan Blvd. 

32246 

904-220-1350 

Landmark 

101 N. Kernan Blvd. 

32225 

904-221-7125 

Mandarin 

5100 Hood Road 32257 

904-292-0555 

Oceanway 

143 Oceanway Ave. 

32218 

904-714-4680 

Twin Lakes 

8050 Point Meadows 

Drive 32256 

904-538-0825 

Westview 

5270 Connie Jean Road 

32210 

904-573-1082 

High Schools 

Atlantic Coast 

9735 R.G. Skinner 

Parkway 32256 

904-538-5120 

Edward H. White 

1700 Old Middleburg 

Road 32210 

904-693-7620 

Englewood 

4412 Barnes Road 32207 

904-739-5212 

First Coast 

590 Duval Station Road 

32218 

904-757-0080 

Fletcher 

700 Seagate Ave. 


904-247-5905 

Sandalwood 

2750 John Prom Blvd. 

32246 

904-646-5100 

Terry Parker 

7301 Parker School Road 

32211 

904-720-1650 

Westside 

5530 Firestone Road 

32244 

904-573-1170 

NASSAU COUNTY 

Primary/ 


Bryceville (K-5) 

6504 Church Ave. 

Bryceville 32009 

904-266-9241 

Callahan (Pk2- 2) 

449618 U.S. Highway 301 

Callahan 32011 

904-879-2121 

Callahan Intermediate (3-5) 

34586 Ball Park Road 


904-879-1114 

Emma Love Hardee (3-5) 

2200 Susan Drive 


904-491-7936 

Hilliard (PreK-5) 

27568 Ohio St. 

Hilliard 32046 

904-491-7939 

Southside (PreK-2) 

1112 Jasmine St. 


904-491-7941 

Yulee (3-5) 

86063 Felmor Road 

Yulee 32097 

904-225-5192 

Yulee Primary (PreK-2) 

86426 Goodbread Road 

Yulee 32097 

904-225-9711 


Callahan (6-8) 

450121 Old Dixie Highway 


904-879-3606 

Fernandina Beach (6-8) 

315 Citrona Drive 


904-491-7938 

Hilliard Middle-Senior 

High (6-12) 

One Flashes Ave. 


904-845-2171 

Yulee (6-8) 

85439 Miner Road 

Yulee 32097 

904-225-5116 

High Schools 

Fernandina Beach 

435 Citrona Drive 


904-261-5713 

West Nassau County (9-12) 

One Warrior Drive 


904-879-3461Yulee 

(9-12) 

85375 Miner Road 

Yulee 32097 

904-225-8641 



John A. Crookshank 

1455 North Whitney St. 


904-547-7840 

Cunningham Creek 

1205 Roberts Road 

St. Johns 32259 

904-547-7860 

Durbin Creek 

4100 Race Track Road 


904-547-3880 

W. D. Hartley 

260 Cacique Drive 


904-547-8400 

Hickory Creek 

235 Hickory Creek Trail 


904-547-7450 


2316 Racetrack Road 


904-547-7980 

Ketterlinus 

67 Orange St. 


904-547-8540 

Mill Creek 

3750 International Golf 

Parkway 


904-547-3720 

Ocean Palms 

355 Landrum Lane 

Ponte Vedra Beach 32082 

904-547-3760 

Osceola 

1605 Osceola Elementary 

Road, St. Augustine 32084 

904-547-3780 

Otis A. Mason 

207 Mason Manatee Way 


904-547-8440 

Palencia 

355 Palencia Village 

Drive, St. Augustine 

32095 

904-547-4010 

PV/PV – Rawlings 

610 A1A North, Ponte 

Vedra Beach 32082 

PV/PV: 904-547-3820; 

Rawlings: 904-547-8570 

R. B. Hunt 

125 Magnolia Drive 


904-547-7960 

South Woods 


West Elkton 32033 

904-547-8610 

Timberlin Creek 

555 Pine Tree Lane 


904-547-7400 

Wards Creek 



904-547-8730 

The Webster School 

420 North Orange St. 


904-547-3860 

K-8 Schools 

Liberty Pines Academy 

10901 Russell Sampson 

Road, St. Johns 32259 

904-547-7900 

Patriot Oaks Academy 

475 Longleaf Pine 

Parkway, St. Johns 32259 

904-547-4050 

Valley Ridge Academy 

105 Greenleaf Drive 

Ponte Vedra 32081 

904-547-4090 


Alice B. Landrum 

230 Landrum Lane, Ponte 


904-547-8410 

Fruit Cove 



904-547-7880 

Pacetti Bay 

245 Meadowlark Lane 


904-547-8760 

Gamble Rogers 

6250 U.S. Highway 1 S. 


904-547-8700 

R. J. Murray 

150 North Holmes Blvd. 


904-547-8470 

Sebastian 

2955 Lewis Speedway 


904-547-3840 

Switzerland Point 

777 Greenbriar Road 


904-547-8650 

High Schools 

Allen D. Nease 

10550 Ray Road 


904-547-8300 

Bartram Trail 

7399 Longleaf Pine 

Parkway, St. Johns 32259 

904-547-8340 

Creekside 

100 Knights Lane 


904-547-7300 

Pedro Menendez 

600 State Road 206 W. 


904-547-8660 

Ponte Vedra 

460 Davis Park Road 


904-547-7350 

St. Augustine 

3205 Varella Avenue 


904-547-8530 

St. Johns Technical 

2980 Collins Avenue 


904-547-8500 

Alternative Schools 

Gaines Alternative and 

Transition Schools 

at the Evelyn B. Hamblen 

Center 

One Christopher St. 


904-547-8560 


EDUCATION 

Bright futures 

Students can earn one 

of three scholarships 

toward education. 

Students must apply in order to receive 

a Bright Futures scholarship by 

submitting the Florida Financial Aid 

Application (FFAA) starting Dec. 1 of 

their senior year and no later than Aug. 

31 following high school graduation. 

All eligibility requirements must 

be met by high school graduation, but 

testing scores will be accepted through 

June 30 of the graduation year. 

Three tiers of the scholarship and requirements: 

1. Florida Academic Scholars (FAS): requires 100 service hours; SAT score of 1290 or 

ACT score of 29; 3.5 GPA unweighted 

2. Florida Medallion Scholar (FMS): requires 75 service hours; SAT score of 1170 or ACT 

score of 26; 3.0 GPA unweighted 

3. Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV): requires 30 service hours; SAT Reading 440 and 

Math 440; ACT English 17, Reading 19 and Math 19; or PERT scores Reading 

106, Writing 103 and Math 114. Applicants must also take at least three full 

credits in a single Career and Technical Education program and achieve 

the required minimum 3.5 GPA in the career education courses. 

Students are also required to submit Proof of Dependency, a Declaration 

of Florida Residency, documentation of service hours and official high school 

transcripts. 

For more information about the requirements for the Bright Futures 

scholarships, visit floridastudentfinancialaid.org. 

St. Johns Technical High School seniors gather together as they wait to start their graduation ceremony in a hallway at St. Augustine High 

School. (Peter Willott/St. Augustine Record) 


University of North Florida's mascot, 

Ozzie, hypes the crowd before an NCAA 

basketball game against University of 

Florida at UNF. (Gary Lloyd McCullough, 

Florida Times-Union)

EDUCATION 

How to enroll a new student 

Registration requirements 

All registrants must provide valid 

documentation to include proof of 

birth age, Florida certification of 

immunization or exemption, proof 

of residency, and meet the following 

school registration requirements under 

Florida Law: 

1. Kindergarten: Children may enter 

kindergarten if they will be 5 years 

old on or before Sept. 1. 

2. First grade: Children may enter 

first grade if they will be 6 years 

old on or before Sept. 1, and 

have successfully completed 

kindergarten. 

3. All children who will be 6 years old by 

Feb. 1 must attend school. 

4. All children must attend school until 

they reach the age of 16. 

The requirements above are Florida law 

and there are no exceptions. 

Immunization requirements 

Florida law requires that students must 

have on file a Florida Certification of 

Immunization (DH Form 680) or have 

an exemption on file at their school. 

The Duval County Health Department’s 

Immunization Center can be reached at 

904-253-1420. 

Students entering, attending, or 

transferring into seventh, eighth or 

ninth grade must have documented 

proof on a “Florida Certificate of 

Immunization” one dose of Tdap 

(tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine. 

All other vaccinations should be 

complete. 

Transfer students 

Florida laws authorize school officials 

to permit transfers of students who 

present proof of measles vaccination to 

attend school up to 30 school days until 

their records can be obtained unless 

the student is transferring into a grade 

covered by a policy for two doses of the 

MMR vaccine and/or documentation of 

Hepatitis B vaccine series or Varicella. 

Students transferring into seventh, 

eighth and ninth grades require an 

additional proof of a recent tetanus, 

diphtheria, pertussis vaccine. 

For more help on registration contact: 

• Pupil Assignment Office 

904-390-2144 

• School Choice Office 

904-390-2082 

• Exceptional Education 

& Student Services Office 

904-348-7800 


The GRASP Academy is a school of choice option for students in grades 1 to 8. The 

school incorporates project-based learning and enrichment with prescriptive structured 

language instruction and interventions. (Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union) 

Not by chance, but by CHOICE 

Duval County Public Schools offer the option to apply 

to a different school in the county; schools range from 

traditional public schools to magnet programs. 

The goal of Duval County Public 

Schools is to offer every student 

the best opportunity for academic 

success. In order to accomplish this 

goal, the school system created the 

Duval Choice program. The Duval 

County magnet programs are the 

main attraction for the Duval Choice 

program. Duval County boasts the 

magnet programs in more than 70 

different schools. The Choice program 

is host to multiple education-specific 

programs, including magnet, career 

academies, high school acceleration 

programs, choice programs and 

charter schools. Much of the focus for 

a magnet program is based on a theme 

and will give students an opportunity 

to explore an interest or talent. Duval 

County public schools hosts its annual 

School Choice Expo, typically in 

January, at the Prime F. Osborn III 

Convention Center. Following the 

expo, schools offer tours and open 

houses for families to visit and see how 

the different programs are facilitated 

in each school. 

Choice schools 

Sometimes families seek 

prospective schools outside the area 

the student is zoned to attend. Choice 

schools were designated to give 

students the opportunity to transfer 

from their assigned school. As of 2016, 

all traditional elementary and middle 

schools are part of Duval Choice. These 

transfers can only occur during the 

Special Transfer Option period and 

will be determined by a lottery based 

on that school’s enrollment ability. If 

a student chooses to attend a school 

zoned in a different area, it is the parent 

or guardian's responsibility to provide 

transportation to the new school. 

If an application to transfer is 

received following the deadline, they 

will be filed. If space becomes available 

for the school that was requested, 

parents will be notified in the summer.

EDUCATION 

Magnet program 

These schools were developed so 

students would have the chance to attend 

a school that has a focus on themes or 

career areas that may be geared toward 

a student’s special interest. At more 

than 50 schools in the area there are 

more than 30 different programs with 

opportunities that range from culinary 

arts and Montessori to computer 

sciences and the medical professions. 

Often, students have the opportunity 

to follow that same magnet prospect 

through middle school to high school. 

Students who are enrolled at magnet 

programs at Darnell-Cookman, James 

Weldon Johnson, Julia Landon, Kirby- 

Smith, LaVilla School of the Arts, Frank 

H. Peterson, Paxon School for Advanced 

Studies, A. Philip Randolph and Stanton 

College Preparatory must meet specified 

academic performance standards in 

order to continue attendance each year. 

These standards are: 

• Grades 6-7: pass all courses. 

• Grades 7-11: maintain an overall 

unweighted 2.0 grade point average 

and pass all courses. 

• Also, students at LaVilla must earn 

a “C” or higher in each arts area. 

Acceleration programs 

These programs give students the 

opportunity to earn college credits while 

attending high school. The programs 

include Advanced International 

Certificate of Education (AICE), AP 

Honors, Early College and International 

Baccalaureate. They are intended 

to “serve students from outside the 

attendance area on a space available 

basis." 

The AICE program is an 

internationally recognized system 

geared toward “highly motivated, 

academically exceptional students” 

attending high school. The program 

sponsors a “flexible, wide-ranged, two 

year program for upperclassmen,” 

and the University of Cambridge 

International Examinations hosts it. 

The AP Honors program was created 

to challenge students to excel in 

academic achievement on AP exams 

across multiple academic areas. These 

classes are taught at an academic 

level that would be equal to a college 

freshman course. Students are able 

to earn credits to college by scoring a 

minimum of three on a five-point scale 

on a comprehensive exam the College 

Board created. 

Early College, sometimes referred 

to as a “school within a school,” is a 

small community of students that have 

a curriculum of both high school and 

college courses. This program allows 

students to earn a high school diploma 

and credits toward a college degree. 

Students are enrolled full time at Florida 

State College at Jacksonville when they 

reach their junior and senior year. 

The IB program is also an 

internationally known course of study 

for students seeking a challenging 

curriculum based on college 

preparation. The purpose of the program 

is to promote students who recognize 

world citizenship to create a better world. 

How to Apply 

Choice schools 

Choice applications can be found 

online at duvalschools.org/schoolchoice 

in the “forms” section. 

Families are allowed to only make one 

choice on the application. Families need 

to make sure they name the program 

correctly on the application, and there 

may only be one application per student. 

The application must be signed by a 

parent or legal guardian and is generally 

due by mid-May. The application will 

be placed in a lottery that is based on 

supply and demand. Priority is given to 

students whose parent is employed at 

the school they are applying for, along 

with dependents of recently transitioned 

active-duty military members. 

Applicants will also receive priority If 

they have a sibling enrolled at the school 

who can attend again the next school 

year, or if the principal of the school signs 

the application. Families are notified 

mid-June. 

Magnet programs 

Families can either apply on paper 

or online, and the deadline is the same 

for both options. If someone is currently 

enrolled in a Duval County public school, 

his or her name will be recognized 

in the system and they can see which 

priorities have an effect on their choices. 

Applicants will need the 10-digit PIN 

at the bottom of the paper application. 

Students are limited to making three 

choices but may only make one or two 

if they wish. It is suggested applicants 

only apply to a program the student 

really wants. If an applicant uses the 

paper form and the student is eligible for 

program continuity to the next school 

level, he or she must make sure they 

mark that selection on the application or, 

if they are filling out a blank form, they 

must fill in the box. 

For more information on how to apply 

to all of the programs listed, or for more 

information about schools that have 

possible openings to both magnet and 

non-magnet Choice schools, refer to the 

website duvalschools.org/schoolchoice, 

where all applications and the School 

Choice Reference Guide can be found. 

Students gather around while working on a project in AP Environmental Science at Darnell- 

Cookman School of the Medical Arts. (Bob Mack/Florida Times-Union) 


EDUCATION 

Duval County Magnet Schools 

Grades 

Served Phone Magnet Specialty 

School Name 

Address (Jacksonville unless otherwise noted) 

A. Philip Randolph Academies 1157 Golfair Blvd. 32209 PK, 6-12 904-924-3011 Technology 

Alfred I. Dupont Middle 2710 Dupont Ave. 32217 6-8 904-739-5200 International Business & World Language Academy 

Andrew A. Robinson Elementary 101 W. 12th St. 32206 PK-5 904-630-6550 STEM 

Andrew Jackson High 3816 N. Main St. 32206 9-12 904-630-6950 Early College; Engineering Academy 

Baldwin Middle/High 291 Mills St. W 32234 6-12 904-266-1200 Information technology 

Brentwood Elementary 3750 Springfield Blvd. 32206 KG-5 904-630-6630 Visual and performing arts 

Carter G. Woodson Elementary 2334 Butler St. 32209 PK-5 904-924-3004 Medical arts 

Central Riverside Elementary 2555 Gilmore St. 32204 PK-5 904-381-7495 Gifted and academically talented 

Chimney Lakes Elementary 9353 Staples Mills Drive 32244 PK-5 904-573-1100 International studies 

Crystal Springs Elementary 1200 Hammond Blvd. 32221 PK-5 904-693-7645 Business and entrepreneurship 

Darnell Cookman Middle/High 1701 N. Davis St. 32209 PK, 6-10 904-630-6805 Medical arts 

Dinsmore Elementary 7126 Civic Club Drive 32219 KG-5 904-924-3126 Science 

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts 2445 San Diego Road 32207 9-12 904-346-5620 Visual and performing arts 

Englewood Elementary 4359 Spring Park Road 32207 KG-5 904-739-5280 Literacy and technology 

Fishweir Elementary 3977 Herschel St. 32205 PK-5 904-381-3910 Performing arts 

Fort Caroline Middle 3787 University Club Blvd. 32277 6-8 904-745-4927 International Baccalaureate; Middle years Spanish 

Frank H. Peterson Academies 7450 Wilson Blvd. 32210 9-12 904-573-1150 Technology 

Greenfield Elementary 6343 Knights Lane N. 32216 KG-5 904-739-5249 STEM 

Henry F. Kite Elementary 9430 Lem Turner Road 32208 KG-5 904-924-3031 International studies 

Highlands Middle 10913 Pine Estates Road E. 32218 6-8 904-696-8771 Aviation; Military sciences 

Holiday Hill Elementary 6900 Altama Road 32216 PK-5 904-720-1676 Gifted 

J. Allen Axson Elementary 4763 Sutton Park Court 32224 PK-5 904-992-3600 Montessori 

Jacksonville Beach Elementary 315 10th St. S, Jacksonville Beach 32250 KG-5 904-720-1663 Gifted 

James W. Johnson College Prep Middle 13276 Norman E Thagard Blvd. 32254 6-8 904-630-6640 Gifted 

Jean Ribault High 3701 Winton Drive 32208 9-12 904-924-3092 JROTC – Marine Corps 

Jean Ribault Middle 3610 Ribault Scenic Drive 32208 6-8 904-924-3062 Early high school 

John E. Ford K-8 1137 Cleveland St. 32209 PK-8 904-630-6540 Montessori; Spanish Montessori 

John Stockton Elementary 4827 Carlisle Road 32210 KG-5 904-381-3955 Math, science and technology 

Joseph Stilwell Middle 7840 Burma Road 32221 6-8 904-693-7523 Military Leadership 

Julia Landon College Preparatory & 

1819 Thacker Ave. 32207 6-8 904-346-5650 Gifted; Leadership 

Leadership 

Kirby-Smith Middle 2034 Hubbard St. 32206 6-8 904-630-6600 Math, science and technology 

Lake Forest Elementary 901 Kennard St. 32208 PK-5 904-924-3024 Visual and performing arts 

Lake Shore Middle 2519 Bayview Road 32210 6-8 904-381-7440 IB; Early years Spanish 

The Duval Transformation Office (DTO) was developed in 2013 with a goal 

to provide quality education to the students of historically 

low-performing schools. The Quality Education for All (QEA) 

Fund is a large pool of private dollars for targeted investment 

in human capital (defined as high-quality teachers and 

leaders) for Duval County Public Schools. 

DTO/QEA Schools 



Andrew Jackson - QEA 

3816 Main St. N. 32206 

904-630-6950 

Andrew Robinson - QEA 

101 West 12th St. 32206 

904-630-6550 

Annie R. Morgan - QEA 

964 Saint Clair St. 32254 

904-381-3970 

Arlington - DTO 

1201 University Blvd. N. 

32211 

904-745-4900 

Arlington Heights - DTO 

1520 Sprinkle Drive 32211 

904-745-4923 

Biltmore - QEA 

2101 Palm Ave. W. 32254 

904-693-7569 

Biscayne - QEA 

12230 Biscayne Blvd. 

32218, 904-714-4650 

Brentwood - QEA 

3750 Springfield Blvd. 

32206 

904-630-6630 

Carter G. Woodson - QEA 

2334 Butler Ave. 32209 

904-924-3004 

Dinsmore - QEA 

7126 Civic Club Road 

32219 

904-924-3126 

Eugene Butler, YMLA 

(Boys) - QEA 

900 Acorn St. 32209 

904-630-6900 

Eugene Butler, YWLA 

(Girls) - QEA 

900 Acorn St. 32209 

904-630-6900 

Fort Caroline E - DTO 

3925 Athore Drive 32277 

904-745-4904 

Garden City - QEA 

2814 Dunn Ave. 32218 

904-924-3130 

George W. Carver - QEA 

2854 West 45th St. 32209 

904-924-3122 

Gregory Drive - DTO 

7800 Gregory Drive 32210 

904-573-1190 

Henry F. Kite - QEA 

9430 Lem Turner Road 

32208 

904-924-3031 

Highlands Elementary - DTO 

1000 DePaul Drive 32218 

904-696-8754 

Highlands Middle - QEA 

10913 Pine Estates Road 

E. 32218 

904-696-8771 

Hogan-Spring Glen E - DTO 

6736 Beach Blvd. 32216 

904-720-1640 

Hyde Grove - DTO 

2056 Lane Ave. S. 

32210 

904-693-7562 

Hyde Park - DTO 

5300 Park St. 32205 

904-381-3950 

John E. Ford - QEA 

1137 Cleveland St. 

32209 

904-630-6540 


Duval County Magnet Schools 

Grades 

Served Phone Magnet Specialty 

School Name 

Address (Jacksonville unless otherwise noted) 

LaVilla School of the Arts 501 N. Davis St. 32202 6-8 904-633-6069 Visual and performing arts 

Lone Star Elementary 10400 Lone Star Road 32225 KG-5 904-565-2711 Math, science and technology 

Loretto Elementary 3900 Loretto Road 32223 PK-5 904-260-5800 Technology 

Mandarin High 4831 Greenland Road 32258 9-12 904-260-3911 Cambridge Secondary 2 

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary 8801 Lake Placid Drive E. 32208 KG-5 904-924-3027 Foreign language, academics & music enrichment 

Matthew W. Gilbert Middle 1424 Franklin St. 32206 6-8 904-630-6700 Middle years exploration w/tech 

Mayport Elementary 2753 Shangri-La Drive, Atlantic Beach 32233 PK-5 904-247-5988 Coastal sciences 

Mayport Middle 2600 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach 32233 6-8 904-247-5977 Coastal sciences 

North Shore Elementary 5701 Silver Plaza 32208 KG-5 904-924-3081 Science 

Ortega Elementary 4010 Baltic St. 32210 KG-5 904-381-7460 Museum studies 

Paxon School for Advanced Studies 3239 Norman E. Thagard Blvd. 32254 9-12 904-693-7583 College prep; IB; Diploma Programme 

Pinedale Elementary 4229 Edison Ave. 32254 KG-5 904-381-7490 STEM 

Pine Forest Elementary 3929 Grant Road 32207 KG-5 904-346-5600 Visual and performing arts 

R. V. Daniels Elementary 1951 W. 15th St. 32209 KG-2 904-630-6872 Gifted 

Richard L. Brown Elementary 1535 Milnor St. 32206 KG-5 904-630-6570 IB; Primary years 

Robert E. Lee High 1200 S. McDuff Ave. 32205 9-12 904-381-3930 Early College; Engineering 

Rufus E. Payne Elementary 6725 Hema Road 32209 PK-5 904-924-3020 IB; Primary years Chinese 

Sallye B. Mathis Elementary 3501 Winton Drive 32208 PK-5 904-924-3086 STEM 

Samuel W. Wolfson High 7000 Powers Ave. 32217 9-12 904-739-5265 Business; Finance; Law 

San Jose Elementary 5805 St. Augustine Road 32207 PK-5 904-739-5260 Dual language – Spanish 

San Mateo Elementary 600 Baisden Road 32218 KG-5 904-696-8750 Accelerated Academy of Learning 

San Pablo Elementary 801 18th Ave. N., Jacksonville Beach 32250 KG-5 904-247-5947 Science 

Southside Middle 2948 Knights Lane E. 32216 6-8 904-739-5238 IB; Middle years Spanish 

Spring Park Elementary 2250 Spring Park Road 32207 PK-5 904-346-5640 IB; Primary years Spanish 

Stanton College preparatory 1149 W. 13th St. 32209 9-12 904-630-6760 IB; Diploma Programme 

Susie E. Tolbert Elementary 1925 W. 13th St. 32209 3-5 904-630-6860 Gifted 

Thomas Jefferson Elementary 8233 Nevada St. 32220 KG-5 904-693-7500 Multiple intelligences 

Venetia Elementary 4300 Timuquana Road 32210 KG-5 904-381-3990 Medical arts 

West Riverside Elementary 2801 Herschel St. 32205 KG-5 904-381-3900 Dual language – Spanish 

William M. Raines High 3663 Raines Ave. 32209 9-12 904-924-3049 Info. technology; arts 

Windy Hill Elementary 3831 Forest Blvd. 32246 PK-5 904-565-2700 Leadership 

Woodland Acres Elementary 328 Bowlan St. N. 32211 PK-5 904-720-1663 Medical arts 

Young Men’s Leadership Academy 900 Acorn St. 32209 6-8 904-630-6900 Leadership and tech. 

Young Women’s Leadership Academy 900 Acorn St. 32209 6-8 904-630-6900 Leadership and tech. 

EDUCATION 

John Love - QEA 

1531 Winthrop St. 32206 

904-630-6790 

Lake Forest - QEA 

901 Kennard St. 

32208 

904-924-3024 

Lake Lucina - DTO 

6527 Merrill Road 

32277 

904-745-4916 

Long Branch - QEA 

3723 Franklin St. 32206 

904-630-6620 

Martin Luther King - QEA 

8801 Lake Placid Drive E. 

32208 

904-924-3027 

Matthew Gilbert - QEA 

1424 Franklin St. 32206 

904-630-6700 

North Shore - QEA 

5701 Silver Plaza 32208 

904-924-3081 

Northwestern - QEA 

2100 West 45th St. 32209 

904-924-3100 

Oak Hill - DTO 

6910 Daughtry Blvd. S. 

32210 

904-573-1030 

Oceanway Elementary - DTO 

12555 Gillespie Ave. 

32218 

904-696-8762 

Pickett - QEA 

6305 Old Kings Road N. 

32254 

904-693-7555 

Pine Estates - DTO 

10741 Pine Estates Road E. 

32218 

904-696-8767 

Rufus E. Payne - QEA 

6725 Hema Road 

32209 

904-924-3020 

Rutledge H. Pearson - QEA 

4346 Roanoke Blvd. 32208 

904-924-3077 

Reynolds Lane - QEA 

840 Reynolds Lane 32254 

904-381-3960 

Ribault High - QEA 

3701 Winton Drive 32208 

904-924-3092 

Ribault Middle - QEA 

3610 Ribault Scenic Drive 

32208 

904-924-3062 

Richard L. Brown - QEA 

1535 Milnor St. 32206 

904-630-6570 

S. A. Hull - QEA 

7528 Hull St. 

32219 

904-924-3136 

S. P. Livingston - QEA 

1128 Barber St. 

32209 

904-630-6580 

Saint Clair Evans - QEA 

5443 Moncrief Road 32209 

904-924-3035 

Sallye B. Mathis - QEA 

3501 Winton Drive 32208 

904-924-3086 

Susie Tolbert - QEA 

1925 West 13th St. 32209 

904-630-6860 

Thomas Jefferson - QEA 

8233 Nevada St. 

32220 

904-693-7500 

William Raines - QEA 

3663 Raines Ave. 32209 

904-924-3049 

Duval Exceptional 

Student Education 

Schools 

Alden Road 

11780 Alden Road 32246 

904-565-2722 

GRASP Academy 

3101 Justina Road 32277 

904-745-4909 

Mount Herman 

1741 Francis St. 32209 

904-630-6740 

Palm Avenue 

1301 Palm Ave. 32254 

904-693-7516 


EDUCATION 

Charter schools 

The purpose of a Charter 

School is to allow for different 

options as it pertains to school 

choice. These schools are open 

to all students in the districts. 

However, these schools may 

aim to enroll students based 

on grade level or age. The 

difference between these 

schools and others in the 

counties is that they have more 

freedom from many of the 

guidelines that are present in 

traditional public schools. 

Duval and St. Johns 

counties have charter schools 

serving many grade levels. 

Below you will find the charter 

schools in the two counties, 

their locations and their 

contact information. 

Sha’Tyra Gay is a senior at Lone Star High School, a charter school that has given her the opportunity to 

catch up on her academics after her life was disrupted by her mother’s death and Hurricane Katrina in 

Louisiana. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 

Duval County (Jacksonville unless otherwise noted) 

Biscayne High School 

1680 Dunn Ave. 32218 

904-423-8855 

KIPP Jacksonville K-8 

1440 N. McDuff Ave. 32254 

904-683-6643 

San Jose Academy 

4072 Sunbeam Road 32257 

904-425-1725 

Valor Academy of Leadership High School 

4819 Soutel Drive 32208 

904-469-8195 

Duval Charter Scholars Academy 

100 Scholars Way 32216 

904-724-1536 

KIPP Impact Middle School 

1440 N. McDuff Ave. 32254 

904-683-6643 

San Jose Preparatory 


904-425-1725 

Valor Academy of Leadership Middle School 

4819 Soutel Drive 32208 

904-469-8195 

Duval Charter at Baymeadows 

7510 Baymeadows Way 32256 

904-638-7947 

KIPP VOICE Elementary 

1440 N. McDuff Ave. 32254 

904-683-6643 

Seacoast Charter Academy 

9100 Regency Square Blvd. N. 32211 

904-562-4780 

Virtue Arts and Science Academy Middle 

1824 Dean Road 32216 

904-379-0004 

Duval Charter High at Baymeadows 

7510 Baymeadows Way 32256 

904-271-4127 

Lone Star High School 

8050 Lone Star Road 32211 

904-725-5998 

Seaside Community 

2630 State Road A1A 32233 

904-853-6287 

Virtue Arts and Science Academy High 

1824 Dean Road 32216 

904-379-0004 

Duval Charter at Flagler Center 

12755 Flagler Center Blvd. 32258 

904-899-1010 

Murray Hill High School 

929 McDuff Ave. S. 32205 

904-866-4516 

Somerset Academy Eagle High 

1429 Broward Road 32218 

904-503-0661 

Waverly Academy 

5710 Westconnett Blvd. 32244 

904-647-8552 

Duval Charter at Mandarin 

5209 Shad Road 32257 

904-440-2901 

Duval Charter at Southside 

8680 AC Skinner Parkway 32256 

904-423-5348 

Duval Charter at Westside 

9238 103rd St. 32210 

904-421-0250 

Florida Cyber Charter Academy 

9143 Philips Highway 32256, Suite 590 

904-247-3268 

Global Outreach Academy 

9570 Regency Square Blvd. 32225 

904-551-7104 

MYcroSchool 

1584 Normandy Village Parkway 

Suite 25, 32221 

904-783-3611 

River City Science Academy Elementary 

7555 Beach Blvd. 32216 

904-565-0065 

River City Science Academy 

7565 Beach Blvd. 32216 

904-855-8010 

River City Science Innovation 

8313 Baycenter Road 32256 

904-647-5110 

SAL Tech 

4811 Payne Stewart Drive 32209 

904-328-5001 

Somerset Academy Elementary-Eagle Campus 


904-551-3292 

Somerset Academy Middle-Eagle Campus 


904-551-3292 

Somerset K-8 

1429 Broward Road 32218 

904-503-0661 

SOS Academy 

6974 Wilson Blvd. 32210 

904-573-0880 

Tiger Academy 

6079 Bagley Road 32209 

904-309-6840 

Wayman Academy of the Arts 

1176 LaBelle St. 32205 

904-695-9995 

St. Johns County 

First Coast Technical College 

2980 Collins Ave., St. Augustine 32084 

904-547-3282 

St. Johns Community Campus (ARC) 

62 Cuna St., St. Augustine 32084 

904-209-6842 

Therapeutic Learning Center 

2109 Arc Drive, St. Augustine 32084 

904-824-8932 

St. Augustine Public Montessori 

7 Williams St., St. Augustine 32084 

904-342-5350 


EDUCATION 

Clay County Career Academies 

School 

Academies 

Clay High School 

Fleming Island High School 

Keystone Heights High School 

Middleburg High School 

Oakleaf High School 

Orange Park High School 

Ridgeview High School 

St. Johns County Career Academies 

School 

Academies 

Allen D. Nease High School 

Bartram Trail High School 

Creekside High School 

Pedro Menendez High School 

Ponte Vedra High School 

St. Augustine High School 

St. Johns Technical High School 

Programs of Choice 

Academy of Business and Leadership; Academy of Law and Emergency Services; Academy of Manufacturing and 

Veterinary Assisting 

AICE Academy; Academy of Digital Media; Academy of Visual and Performing Arts; VyStar Academy of Business and 

Finance 

Academy of Business, Leadership and Advanced Studies (BLAS); Academy of Arts, Health and Human Services (AHS); 

Academy of Agriscience, Manufacturing and Technology (STEM) 

Design Build Academy Architecture, Construction and Design; MECCA Academy - Medical, Early Childhood and 

Culinary Arts; STEAM Academy - Science Technology, Agriculture and and Automotive; VITAL Academy - Visual, 

Information Technology and Leadership; VyStar Academy of Business and Entrepreneurship 

Academy of Digital and Commercial Media; Academy of Visual and Performing Arts; Academy of Public Service; 

Cambridge AICE Academy; STEM Academy 

Academy of Business and Leadership; Academy of Engineering, Manufacturing and Design; Orange Park Medical 

Center Academy of Health; Academy of Family and Consumer Services 

Academy of Advanced Studies; Academy of Health and Human Services; Academy of Performing Arts and Design; 

Academy of Technology and Innovation 

Communications Academy; Stellar Academy of Engineering; St. Johns Academy of Hospitality and Tourism 

Academy of Information Technology; Design Academy; VyStar Academy of Business and Finance 

Academy of Environmental and Urban Planning; Academy of Emerging Technology 

Academy of Architectural and Building Sciences; Flagler Hospital Academy of Medical and Health Careers; VyStar 

Academy of Business and Finance 

Academy of Biotechnology and Medical Research; Academy of International Business and Marketing; Academy of 

Information Technology 

St. Johns County Aerospace Academy; St. Johns County Center for the Arts; St. Johns County Academy of Future 

Teachers 

Academy of Culinary Arts; Academy of Coastal and Water Resources 

Acceleration Academies 

There are three acceleration academies in St. Johns County: 

School 


Pedro Menendez High School 


Program 

International Baccalaureate 

Program (IB) 

International Baccalaureate 

Program (IB) 

Advanced International 

Certificate of Education (AICE) 

“Bartram Trail, Ponte Vedra and Creekside high schools 

also have advanced academic programs for students who 

live within their school zones only,” according to the school 

district’s website. 

ROTC program 

“The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is a program 

of choice designed to focus on leadership development, 

problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics," 

according to the school district’s website. 

School 


Bartram Trail High School 


Program 

Navy JROTC 

Air Force JROTC 

Army JROTC 


In addition to a variety of colleges and universities, Florida offers parents multiple ways to save for college tuition, including The Florida 

Prepaid College Plan and 529 Savings Plans. (Daron Dean/St. Augustine Record) 

Florida residents can lock 

in cost of college tuition 

Florida Prepaid College and 529 Savings Plans 

are great ways to save for the future. 

Taking advantage of prepaid college 

Number of children enrolled in the Florida Prepaid 

College Plan by county: 

Duval: 35,638 

Baker: 680 

The Florida Prepaid College Board’s 

investment program lets parents pay 

for tuition, fees and dorm housing for 

Florida public colleges at current prices. 

It allows for the amount saved to be used 

at Florida colleges or state universities. 

However, it can also be applied to other 

schools nationwide. 

The 529 Savings Plan, named 

after a section of the federal tax code, 

allows you to choose from any of their 

investment options to decide how much 

or how often you want to contribute. 

The Florida Prepaid College Plan, 

allows parents to select from options 

with specific costs, payment schedules 

and benefits. The largest difference 


between the two is that the 529 plan 

has the possibility to fluctuate due to 

financial markets, whereas the other is 

guaranteed by the state of Florida. 

The 529 option allows for families to 

pay as much as they would like, as often 

as they would like. On the other hand, 

the prepaid option has its first payment 

due April 20, 2017. For monthly and fiveyear 

plans, each payment will be due on 

the 20th until the plan is paid in full. 

Parents also have the option to invest 

more money in their plans to help cover 

the costs of books, housing, food and 

other college needs. 

Nassau: 2,727 

St. Johns: 14,006 

For more information about how to 

sign up for Florida Prepaid or to learn 

more about the different plans, visit 

myfloridaprepaid.com. 

Clay: 

9,680 

= 

1,000 Children

EDUCATION 

Private schools 

The following private schools designated to each county are listed below 

in alphabetical order. Contact the school for current tuition rate and specific 

religious denominations. If the school is a specialty school, alternative or special 

needs, it will be labeled after the school name. 

Baker County 

United Christian Academy 

K-12 

590 N. Seventh St. 


unitedchristianmacclenny. 

com 

904-259-1199 

Clay County 

Annunciation Catholic 

Sch. PK-8 

1610 Blanding Blvd. 


annunciationcatholic.org 

904-282-0504 

Calvary Christian 

Academy K-12 

1532 Long Bay Road 


facebook.com/ 

ccamiddleburg 

904-282-2068 

Center Academy Special 

Program Emphasis 6-12 



centeracademy.com 

904-276-3552 

Christian Home Academy 

Alternative Sch. K-12 

16 College Drive 


christianhomeacademy. 

info 

904-276-3339 

Citizens’ High Sch. 9-12 

188 College Drive 

P.O. Box 66089 


citizenshighschool.com 

904-276-1700 

Eagle Harbor Pkwy 

KinderCare NS-PK 

1735 Eagle Harbor 

Parkway 


kindercare.com 

904-278-7710 

Faith Christian Academy 

PK-12 


Orange Park 

32073fcaflorida.com 

904-276-1300 

Grace Episcopal Day Sch. 

PK-8 



geds.net 

904-269-3718 

Heritage Christian 

Academy 1-12 

4325 US Highway 17 


hcafi.info 

904-343-1561 

HighPoint Christian 

Academy Special Program 

Emphasis 7-12 

84 Knight Boxx Road 


facebook.com/ 

highpointchristian 

academy 

904-272-7949 

Madeira Christian 

Academy K-9 



904-291-1875 

Orange Park Kindergarten 



opkinc.org 

904-264-9959 

Pinewood Christian 

Academy PK-8 

198 Knight Boxx Road 


pcaknights.org 

904-272-6408 

Primrose Sch. of Fleming 

Island K 

Alternative School 

2031 Town Center Blvd. 


primroseschools.com/ 

schools/fleming-island 

904-298-3938 

Seamark Ranch K-12 

3631 Seamark Ranch Road 


seamarkranch.com 

904-529-1951 

Seven Bridges Sch. 3-11 

Special Education School 

402 Loring Ave. 


albertseducationcenter. 

com 

904-269-7377 

St. Johns Country Day 

Sch. PK-12 

3100 Doctors Lake Drive 


sjcds.net 

904-264-9572 

Free 2 Be Me [Orange 

Park] KG-12 


772 Foxridge Center Drive, 


broachschool.com 

904-264-2522 

Wonderworks PK-K 

2036 Reed St. 


904-264-7330 

Duval County 

First Avenue Montessori 

Sch. PK-K 

617 1st Ave. N. 

firstavenue 

montessorischool.com 


904-246-0433 

A Child’s Place 

Montessori Sch. NS-5 

3718 Salisbury Road 


a-childs-place.com 

904-733-5797 

Academie de Montessori 

PK-6 

1216 Lasalle St. 


academie-de-montessori. 

org 

904-398-3830 

Academy of Scholars 

6620 Arlington 

Expressway, Jacksonville 

32211 

academyofscholarsinc.org 

904-274-1107 

Al-furqan Academy PK-5 

2333 St. Johns Bluff Road S. 


alfurqanacademy.org 

904-645-0810 

Amikids Jacksonville 

Alternative Sch. 6-12 

13375 Beach Blvd. 


amikids.org 

904-223-1121 

Argyle Christian PK-K 

6823 Argyle Forest Blvd. 


myacpk.com 

904-778-4838 

Arlington Country Day 

Sch. K-12 

5725 Fort Caroline Road 


facebook.com/ 

arlingtoncountryday 

904-762-0123 

Arlington Kindergarten 

PK-KG 

1210 Marcheck St. 


1210 Marcheck Street 

arlingtonkindergarten. 

com 

904-743-4034 

Assumption Catholic Sch. 

PK-8 

2431 Atlantic Blvd. 


assumptionjax.org 

904-398-1774 


EDUCATION 

Interscholastic activities are an important aspect of Bishop John J. Snyder High School. The 

school believes participation in high school athletics is an extension of what happens in the 

classroom. (Photo provided by Bishop John J. Snyder High School) 

Atlantic Beach KinderCare 

NS-PK 

#2 Atlantic Court 



904-249-0888 

Baymeadows Christian 

Academy NS-8 

4826 Baymeadows Road 


academy.bbcjx.org 

904-733-3400 


Baymeadows KinderCare 

NS-PK 

8401 Baymeadows Way 



904-730-9181 

Beaches Chapel Sch. 

PK-12 



beacheschapelschool.com 

904-241-4211 

Beaches Episcopal Sch. 

PK-6 

1150 5th St. N. 


beachesepiscopalschool. 

org 

904-246-2466 

Beverley Hills 

Development Center 

NS-PK 

3731 Rogers Ave. 


childcarecenter.us 

904-768-3428 

Bible Baptist Academy 

2-12 

3134 Trout River Blvd. 


jacksonville.bible-baptistchurch.us 

904-765-5111 

Bishop John J. Snyder 

High Sch. 9-12 

5001 Samaritan Way 


bishopsnyder.org 

904-771-1029 

Bishop Kenny High Sch. 

9-12 

1055 Kingman Ave. 


bishopkenny.org 

904-398-7545 

Blessed Trinity Catholic 

Sch. PK-8 



blessedtrinitycatholic 

school.org 

904-641-6458 

Broach School of 

Jacksonville 6-12 


929 McDuff Ave. S. 


broachschool.com/westhome-page.html 

904-389-5106 

Broach School South 1-12 


11915 Beach Blvd. #101 


broachschool.com/South- 

Home-Page.html 

904-674-0900 

Cedar Creek Christian 

Sch. PK-12 

1372 Lane Ave. S. 


cccsjax.org 

904-781-9151 

Cedar Hills Baptist 

Christian Sch. PK-8 

4200 Jammes Road 


chbcs.org 

904-772-0812 

Center Academy 4-12 


10679 Old St. Augustine 

Road, Jacksonville 32257 

centeracademy.com 

904-448-1956 

Center Academy 

[St. Johns Bluff] 6-12 


2804 Saint Johns Bluff 

Road S., Suite 103 


904-645-5366 

Chappell Child Dev Center 

[Deerwood] NS-PK 

8400 Baycenter Road 


chappellschools.com 

904-739-1279 

Chatmans Early Learning 

Christian Academy PK-9 

1614 Leonid Road 


904-751-9803 

Chosen Vessels Christian 

Academy K 

4545 Shirley Ave., Unit 3 


childcarecenter.us 

904-854-0100 

Christ The King Catholic 

Sch. PK-8 

6822 Larkin Road 


ctkschooljax.com 

904-724-2954 

Christ’s Church Academy 

K-12 



ccajax.org 

904-268-8667 

Christ(United) Methodist 

Kindergarten PK-K 

400 Penman Road 


christumcnb.org 

904-249-5370 

Christian Heritage 

Academy KG-8 



chajax.org 

904-733-4722 

Clarke Schools for 

Hearing & Speech PK-KG 

Jacksonville Special 

Education School 


Road, Suite 7 


clarkeschools.org 

904-880-9001 

Community Presbyterian 

PK-K 

150 Sherry Drive 


cpcab.org 

904- 249-8698 

Conservative Christian 

Academy 7-12 



conservative.edu 

904-268-7778

EDUCATION 

Coral Ridge Baptist Sch. 

6-12 


2967 Huffman Blvd. 


coralridgebaptist 

ministries.net 

904-485-7189 

Cornerstone Christian 

Sch. PK-1 



csjax.org 

904-730-5500 

Crossroads Christian 

Sch. 5-8 




ces-schools.net 

904-254-6428 

Depaul School of NE Florida 

[Gudal Campus] 2-8 

3044 San Pablo Road S. 


depaulschool.com 

904-223-3391 

Discovery Montessori 

Sch. K-7 

102 15th St. S. 


dmsonline.org 

904-247-4577 

Eagle Academy NS 



904-722-9223 

Eagle's View Academy 

KG-12 

7788 Ramona Blvd. W. 


evajax.com 

904-786-1411 

Ephesus Junior Academy 

K-9 

2760 Edgewood Ave. W. 


ephesusjunioracademy. 

org 

904-765-3225 

Episcopal School of 

Jacksonville 6-12 



esj.org 

904-396-5751 

Esprit De Corps Center For 

Learning K-12 

9840 Wagner Road 


edccenterforlearning.com 

904-924-2000 

Eunice Christian Sch. K-12 


P.O. Box 26157 


eunicechristianprivate 

school.com 

904-351-6610 

First Baptist Academy Of 

Jacksonville KG-8 

600 N. Main St. 


fbcjaxacademy.com 

904-265-7474 

First Coast Academy, 

Inc. 9-12 

2725 College St. 


fcahighschool.org 

904-381-1935 

First Coast Christian Sch. 

PK-12 



fccsjax.org 

904-777-3040 

Ft. Caroline Learning 

Tree K-6 



learningtreeschools.org 

904-744-0434 

Ft. Caroline Baptist 

Academy NS-PK 

11428 Mccormick Road 


fcbajax.com 

904-642-3210 

Grace Christian Academy 

PK-12 

479 Center St. N. 

Baldwin 32234 

gbcbaldwin.org 

904-266-9532 

Grace Lutheran Sch PK-8 

12200 Mccormick Road 


gracelcms.com 

904-928-9136 

Great Strides 

Rehabilitation PK-K 


12276 San Jose Blvd. 

Suite 508 


greatstridesrehab.com 

904-886-3228 

Greenwood School 6-12 


9920 Regency Square 

Blvd., Jacksonville 32225 

greenwoodjax.org 

904-726-5000 

Harvest Christian 

Academy KG-12 

1051 Arlington Road N. 


904-724-8223 

Harvest Community Sch. 

PK-12 

2360 St. Johns Bluff Road 

Suite 1, Jacksonville 32246 

hcsjax.org 

904-997-1882 

Heart To Heart Christian 

Academy & Childcare 1-12 

8247 Ramona Blvd. W. 


h2hacademy.com 

904-783-8638 

Highlands Baptist 

Weekday Ministry PK-K 

2159 Broward Road 


highlandsbaptist.net 

904-751-3500 

Holy Family Catholic Sch. 

PK-8 

9800-3 Baymeadows 


holyfamilyjax.com 

904-645-9875 

Holy Rosary Catholic Sch. 

PK-8 

4920 Brentwood Ave. 


holyrosaryschooljax.org 

904-765-6522 

Holy Spirit Catholic Sch. 

PK-8 



hscatholicschool.com 

904-642-9165 

House Of God Day Care 

Center PK-K 

1916 Meharry Ave. 


houseofgod.org 

904-764-4444 

Jacksonville Adventist 

Academy PK-8 

4298 Livingston Road 


jaxaa.org 

904-268-2433 

Jacksonville Assembly 

Christian Academy 1-12 

6350 Old Kings Road N. 


jaxassembly.org 

904-786-1198 

Jacksonville Christian 

Academy 1-12 

11697 Normandy Blvd. 


jcajacksonville.com 

904-783-2818 

Jacksonville Country Day 

Sch. NS-6 



jcds.com 

904-641-6644 

JCA - Michele Block Gan 

Yeladim Preschool & 

Kindergarten NS-K 



jcajax.org 

904-730-2100 

Joshua Christian Academy 

NS-12 

924 Saint Clair St. 


jcacademy.org 

904-388-2227 


EDUCATION 

Keystone Academy PK-11 


6867 Southpoint Drive N. 


904-619-6071 

Lighthouse Christian 

School [Northside] 3-12 


5400 N Pearl St. 


lighthousechristian 

school.net 

904-353-7062 


School [Westside] 4-12 


6800 W. 5th St. 



school.net 

904-854-4599 


School [Arlington] 1-12 




school.net 

904-642-4043 


School [Mandarin] 4-12 

3423 Loretto Road 



school.net 

904-288-0673 

Little Star Center Inc. PK 


8011 Philips Highway 

Suite 10 


littlestarjax.com 

904-928-0112 

Martin J Gottlieb Day 

Sch. K-8 

Special Program Emphasis 

3662 Crown Point Road 


mjgds.org 

904-268-4200 

Montessori Tides Sch. 

PK-6 



montessoritides.com 

904-241-1139 

Monument Christian 

Academy KG-12 

1509 Mayport Road 


904-247-0929 

Monument KinderCare 

NS-PK 

12040 McCormick Road 



904-641-1812 

Morning Star Sch. K-8 


725 Mickler Road 


morningstar-jax.org 

904-721-2144 

New Beginning PK-KG 

2804 W Edgeview Ave. 


904-765-2845 

New Beginnings Christian 

Academy 1-12 

7020 Ramona Blvd. 


nbca.nbccjax.org 

904-786-3178 

New Dimensions Learning 

Center PK-1 

3612 Belfort Road 


ndlcjax.com 

904-739-1062 

New Leaf School for 

Change 1-12 


407 3rd St. 


newleafschool.com 

904-246-9100 

North Florida Educational 

Institute K-8 

6803 Arques Road 


nfei.org 

904-574-8059 

North Florida Educational 

Institute 9-12 

580 Lawton Ave. 


www.nfei.org 

904-764-0084 

North Florida School Of 

Special Education KG-12 


223 Mill Creek Road 


northfloridaschool.org 

Oak Hill Christian 

Academy K-6 

7876 Gregory Drive 


904-771-9599 

Old Plank Christian 

Academy PK-12 

8964 Old Plank Road 


oldplankca.com 

904-783-4888 

Old St. Augustine Road 


4310 Barkoskie Road 



904-262-3034 

Pablo Academy Private 

Sch. Inc. K-12 

P.O. Box 350009 


pabloacademy.org 

904-412-3362 

Parsons Christian 

Academy PK-12 



pclions.org 

904-745-4588 

Parsons’ Little Scholars 

PK-6 

6505 Ft. Caroline Road 


parsonslittlescholars.com 

904-744-3221 

Primrose School of 

St. Johns Forest PK-KG 

180 Gateway Circle 


primroseschools.com 

904-824-1100 

Promise Land Academy K-7 

3990 Loretto Road 


promiselandschools.org 

904-268-2422 

Providence Sch. PK-12 

2701 Hodges Blvd. 


prov.org 

904-223-5270 

Resurrection Parish Sch. 

PK-8 

5710 Jack Road 


resurrectionschooljax. 

com 

904-744-1266 

Riverside Presbyterian 

Day Sch. NS-6 

830 Oak St. 


rpds.com 

904-353-5511 

Sacred Heart Sch. PK-8 



sacredheartcatholicjax. 

com 

904-771-5800 

Safe Harbor Academy 9-12 

All-boys Alternative School 

4772 Safe Harbor Way 


safeharboracademy.com 

904-757-7918 

San Jose Catholic Grade 

Sch. PK-8 

3619 Toledo Road 


sanjosecatholicschool. 

com 

904-733-2313 

San Jose Episcopal Day 

Sch. NS-6 



sjeds.org 

904-733-0352 

Seacoast Christian 

Academy K-5 

861 Townsend Blvd. 


seacoastchristian 

academy.com 

904-421-3900 

Seacoast Christian 

Academy 6-12 

8057 Arlington 

Expressway 


seacoastchristian 

academy.com 

904-722-1738 

Shepherd of the Woods 

Lutheran Sch. [Mandarin] 

PK-7 

6595 Columbia Park Court 


sotwjax.com 

904-641-8385 

St. Andrews Episcopal 

School PK-5 



standrewsjax.com 

904-725-6566 

St. John’s Presbyterian 

Kindergarten PK-K 

4275 Herschel St. 


sjpk.org 

904-389-8191 

St. Joseph Catholic Sch PK-8 



stjosephcs.org 

904-268-6688 

St. Marks Episcopal Day 

School NS-6 

4114 Oxford Ave. 


stmarksdayschool.org 

904-388-2632 

St. Matthew Catholic Sch. 

PK-8 



stmatthewscs.com 

904-387-4401 

St. Patrick’s Catholic Sch. 

PK-8 

1429 Broward Road 


stpatrickjacksonville.org 

904-768-6323 

St. Paul Catholic Sch. PK-8 

428 Second Ave. N. 


stpaulscatholicschool.com 

904-249-5934 

St. Paul’s Catholic 

Elementary Sch. 

[Riverside] PK-8 

2609 Park St. 


spsjax.org 

904-387-2841 

St. Pius V Catholic Sch. 

PK-8 

1470 W. 13th St. 


stpiusjax.com 

904-354-2613 

St. Stephen Child Care & 

Learning Center NS-K 

1525 N. Davis St. 


saintstephenamec.com 

904-358-2799 

Tempette Learning 

Academy K-12 

1766 W. 17th St. 


templecollegeprep.com 

904-598-0078 

The Beaches Sch. PK-9 



thebeachesschool.com 

904-249-0905 

The Beverly Institute 6-12 

5310 Lenox Ave., Suite 13 


thebeverlyinstitute.org 

904-394-0877 

The Bolles Sch. PK-12 

Day & Boarding 



bolles.org 

904-256-5030 

The Foundation Academy 

PK-12 

Special Program Emphasis 



foundationacademy.com 

904-493-7300 

The Jericho School for 

Children with Autism 

PK-12 

1351 Sprinkle Drive 


thejerichoschool.org 

904-744-5110 

The Keystone Academy UG 


6867 Southpoint Drive 

Suite 103 


Keystonebehavioral.com 

904-619-6071 

The Little Country Sch. PK-11 

862 Baisden Road 


littlecountryschool.com 

904-757-8200 

The Noble Street Sch. 6-12 



Suites 2&3 


nobleschooljax.org 

904-803-3260 

The Potter’s House 

Christian Academy K-8 



phcalions.org 

904-786-0028 

The Potter’s House 

Christian Academy 9-12 

1150 S. Lane Ave. 


phcalions.org 

904-695-2837 

The Seaside Playgarden K 

Waldorf Inspired Program 

223 8th Ave. S. 


seasideplaygarden.org 

904-241-3259 


EDUCATION 

Lighthouse Christian School students work together with building blocks. (Photo provided by Lighthouse Christian School) 

Torah Academy of 

Jacksonville NS-8 



torah-academy.com 

904-268-7719 

Trinity Christian Academy 

PK-12 

800 Hammond Blvd. 


tcajax.org 

904-596-2400 

University Christian Sch. 

NS-12 

5520 University Blvd. W. 


ucsjax.com 

904-737-6330 

West Jacksonville Baptist 

Daycare K 



westjaxbaptist.org 

904-781-4321 

West Meadows Baptist 

Academy KG-12 



wmbcjax.org 

904-786-2711 

Zarephath Learning 

Center K-12 

1028 E. 10th St. 


zarephathacademy.com 

904-632-1330 

Nassau County 

Amelia Island Montessori 

Sch. PK-6 

1423 Julia St. 


ameliaislandmontessori. 

com 

904-261-6610 

Faith Christian Academy 

PK-8 

96282 Brady Point Road 

fcaangels.com 


904-321-2137 

New Life Christian Sch. 

PK-12 



Yulee 32097 

nlbcministries.com 

904-261-4818 

Sonshine Christian 

Academy NS-12 

45082 Frank Brookins 

Drive, Callahan 32011 

sonshinechristian.com 

904-879-1260 

St. Michael’s Academy 

PK-8 

228 N. Fourth St. 


smacad.org 

904-321-2102 

The Ogburn School 2-12 


1411 S. 14th St., Unit H 


ogburn.org 

904-491-6233 


Beacon Of Hope Christian 

Sch. PK-12 

1230 Kings Estate Road 


beaconeagles.net 

904-797-6996 

Bible Baptist Sch. 5-8 

2485 Old Moultrie Road 


bbcstaugustine.org 

904-797-3999 

Cathedral Parish Sch. K-8 

259 Saint George St. 


thecathedralparishschool. 

org 

904-824-2861 

Christ Episcopal 

Preschool NS-K 

400 San Juan Drive 


christepiscopalchurch.org 

904-285-6371 

Crosswater Christian 

Academy NS-PK 

211 Davis Park Road 


crosswaterchurch.net 

904-824-0086 



200 North Ridgecrest Lane 



904-287-3211 

Living Waters Preschool 

NS-PK 


Switzerland 32259 

livingwaterspreschool.net 

904-287-2883 

Matanzas Academy 2-12 

4255 U.S. Route 1 S., Suite 18 


matanzasacademy.com 

904-794-1623 

Memorial Lutheran Chapel 

Sch. K-3 

3375 U.S. Route 1 S. 


lutheranchapelschool.org 

904-797-8777 

Palmer Catholic Academy 

PK-8 

4889 Palm Valley Road 


pcapvb.org 

904-543-8515 

Ponte Vedra KinderCare 

NS-PK 

12000 Sawgrass Village 

Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach 

32082 


904-285-9054 

San Juan Del Rio Catholic 

Sch. PK-8 



sjdrparish.org 

904-287-8081 

St. Gerard Campus 8-12 

All-girls 

1405 U.S. 1 S. 

St Augustine 32084 

904-829-5516 

St. John's Academy PK-8 

1533 Wildwood Drive 


stjohnsacademy.com 

904-824-9224 

St. Johns Grammar Sch. 

K-9 

2353 State Road 13 N. 


sjgs.net 

904-287-8760 

St. Joseph Academy 9-12 



sjaweb.org 

904-824-0431 

The Village Academy PK-1 

145 Lewis Point Road 


village-academy.com 

904-797-5909 

Trinity Early Learning 

Center K 

215 Saint George St. 


acswebnetworks.com 

904-824-2876 

Turning Point Christian 

Academy PK-6 



tpcalvary.com 

904-829-9795 

Victory Preparatory Sch. 

K-9 

110 Masters Drive 


victoryprep.org 

904-810-053 


A Flagler College student walks across the Ponce Courtyard. (Daron Dean/St. Augustine Record) 

Easy access to college education 

Anyone with a car or a computer can go to college. 

Jacksonville’s higher-education opportunities have grown in program offerings and 

availability. From private universities to public universities, to colleges that focus 

on liberal arts or on law, there are options for every type of education. 

Edward Waters College was founded in 1866 

and is the oldest private institution of 

higher education in the state of Florida. 

It was initially named “Brown Theology 

Institute.” Edward Waters College awards 

bachelor’s degrees in eight academic 

major courses throughout arts, science 

and business administration. 

Flagler College is located in downtown St. 

Augustine and has been ranked No. 2 

in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best 

Colleges guide for the best regional 

colleges in the south. It also ranked No. 

12 in the category for best value. It is a 

four-year college that offers more than 

30 majors and 40 minors that combine 

classroom and real-world experiences. 

Florida Coastal School of Law is fully accredited 

by the American Bar Association and 

opened in 1996. With a full-time staff that 

represents more than 50 ABA-accredited 

law schools from across the country, it 

was the recipient of the 2010 ABA Smythe 

Gambrell Professionalism Award. It is 

one of only a few ABA-accredited laws 

schools that offer a spring start date. 

Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) is 

growing its reputation as a dynamic and 

influential higher education institution 

on the First Coast. FSCJ’s 150-plus degree 

and certificate options offer real, handson 

training and comprehensive content 

matter that provides students with the 

industry required knowledge and skills 

to excel in the workforce and prepare 

for the career of their dreams. FSCJ has 

multiple locations in Duval and Nassau 

counties and offers traditional day 

classes as well as evening and weekend 

classes, hybrid classes and completely 

online courses, in addition to several 

accelerated learning programs. 

The University of North Florida (UNF) offers majors 

in five colleges ranging from business 

to health, along with various minors in 

each college. Not only does the school 

offer undergraduate degrees, but also is 

host to graduate degrees and doctorate 

programs ranging from education to 

physical therapy. 

Jacksonville University (JU) was founded in 1934 

as a junior college offering night classes 

and became a four-year college in the 

1950s. It boasts seven bachelor’s degree 


Other education opportunities: 

AAA Construction School 


904-722-9994 

aaaconstructionschool.com 

Alliance Business Schools 

Ponte Vedra 

904-825-4934 

floridacamtraining.webs.com 

Alpha School of Massage 


904-389-9117 

alphaschoolofmassage.com 

Art Institute of Jacksonville 


800-924-1589 

artinstitutes.edu 

First Coast Academy 

online high school 

800-658-1180 

aiilearn.com 

Columbia College 


904-338-9150 

ccis.edu 

Concorde Career Institute 


904-725-0525 

concorde.edu 

Conservative Theological 

Seminary 


904-262-8275 

conservative.edu 

DeVry University 


904-367-4942 

devry.edu 

Everest University 

Orange Park 

904-264-9122 

everest.edu 

First Coast Technical College 

St. Augustine 

904-547-3282 

fctc.edu 

Florida Aviation Career Training, 

Inc. 

St. Augustine 

904- 824-9401 

florida-aviation.com 

Florida Beacon College & 

Seminary 


904-786-5033 

floridabeacon.org 

Health, Wellness & Fitness 

Professionals, Inc. 


904-323-9913 

hwfitness-pros.com 

Heritage Institute – Jacksonville 


904-332-0910 

heritagecollege.edu 

Jones Technical Institute 


877-447-0442 

jtech.org 

Jacksonville Theological 

Seminary 


904-786-5383 

jts.edu 

Jones College 


904-743-1122 

jones.edu 

Keiser University 


904-296-3440 

keiseruniversity.edu 

Logos University 


800-776-0127 

logos.edu 

National Heavy Equipment 

Operators School 

Orange Park 

904-272-4000 

earthmoverschool.com 

North Florida Medical Institute 


904-534-3478 

nflmi.com 

Nova Southeastern University 


904-245-8910 

nova.edu 

Professional Dealer & Player 

School, Inc. 

904-317-6537, 

professionaldealerschool.com 

Remington College 

Online 

800-323-8122 

remingtoncollege.edu 

Revelation Message Bible School 


904-744-9773 

rmbcjax.com 

Roadmaster Drivers School 


904-783-3333 

roadmaster.com 

Saint Leo University 

Orange Park 

352- 588-5700 

saintleo.edu 

St. Thomas Christian University 


904-724-3210 

greateducation.com 

Southeastern College 


904-396-3440 

sec.edu 

EDUCATION 

Southern Illinois University at 

NAS Jacksonville 


904-771-4258 

siu.edu 

Strayer University 


904-538-1000 

strayer.edu 

Trinity Baptist College 


904-596-2451 

tbc.edu 

Tulsa Welding School 


888-765-5555 

weldingschool.com 

University of Phoenix 


904-636-6645 

phoenix.edu 

University of St. Augustine for 

Health Sciences 

St. Augustine 

800-241-1027 

usa.edu 

Webster University 


904-268-3037 

webster.edu/jack 

Zoe University 


904-743-6166 

zoeuniversity.org 

programs with more than 70 majors, 

programs and concentrations. JU also 

offers the Accelerated Degree Program, 

which allows students to attend classes 

during the evenings and weekends. 

St. Johns River State College (SJR State) has been 

dedicated to meeting the educational 

and workforce training needs of its 

Northeast Florida district since 1958. 

With campuses in Orange Park, Palatka 

and St. Augustine, SJR State is expanding 

its services and programs while 

continuing its focus on the Associate in 

Arts (transfer) degree, along with more 

than 20 Associate in Science degrees and 

nearly 30 college credit certificates. The 

college also offers three baccalaureate 

degrees, including one for registered 

nurses who want to advance their 

education. 

School Address Phone Website 

Edward Waters 

College 

Florida Coastal 

School of Law 

Flagler College 

Florida State 

College at 



University 

St. Johns River 

State College 

University of North 

Florida 

1658 Kings Road 


8787 Baypine Road 


74 King St. 


Visit fscj.edu for more 

information on locations in 

Duval and Nassau counties 

2800 University Blvd. 


Visit sjrstate.edu for more 

information on locations 

One University of North 

Florida Drive, Jacksonville 

32224 

Average 

annual tuition 

904-470-8000 ewc.edu $20,607 

904-680-7700 fcsl.edu 

904-819-6220 flagler.edu $27,620 

904-633-8100 

*contact for 

Downtown campus 

fscj.edu $13,010 

904-256-8000 ju.edu $40,000 

904-808-7400 

*contact for 

St. Augustine 

campus 

sjrstate. 

edu 

full-time students 

$46,068; 

part-time $37,362 

$16,570 

904-620-1000 unf.edu $14,163 


EDUCATION 

A fire truck parked on Laura Street in front of the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville allowed children to explore as part of the library’s 

10th anniversary celebration. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 

‘Start here. Go anywhere.’ 

Libraries are easily accessible 

to all residents. 

Duval County consists of the Main 

Library and 20 branch locations 

throughout Jacksonville. The Main 

Library is a 300,000-square-foot library 

in the heart of downtown Jacksonville 

that has a little something for everyone. 

The library system of Duval County 

directly serves the residents and 

employees within Jacksonville city limits, 

extending to the Beaches and Baldwin 

communities. The system also allows 

the residents of neighboring counties to 

use their services if they meet specific 

criteria. 

The mission of the Jacksonville 

Public Library System is “to enrich lives, 

build community, and foster success by 

bringing people, information and ideas 

together.” They work to be accessible for 

all people in the community by offering 

the Talking Books/Special Needs Library 

and an adult literacy program. 

Not only can you check out books 

from the library, but you can score 

movies and music as well. 

Need a space for meeting or event? 

The Jacksonville Public Library offers 

residents the ability to rent or schedule 

use of meeting rooms at various branches 

or the conference center at the Main 

Library. 

For more information and branch 

hours, visit jaxpubliclibrary.org. 

County libraries 

BAKER COUNTY 

Emily Taber Public Library 

(located in the Peg McCollum Building) 

14 McIver Ave. W. 


904-259-6464 

newriverlibrary.org/etpl 

CLAY COUNTY 

claycountygov.com/departments/library 

Green Cove Springs Library 

403 Ferris St. 


904-284-6315 

Headquarters Library - Fleming Island 



904-278-3720 

Keystone Heights Library 

175 Oriole St. 


352-473-4286 

Middleburg-Clay Hill Library 

2245 Aster Ave. 


904-541-5855 


EDUCATION 

Orange Park Library 

2054 Plainfield Ave. 


904-278-4750 

DUVAL COUNTY 

(Jacksonville unless otherwise noted) 

jaxpubliclibrary.org 

Main Library 

303 Laura St. N. 32202 

904-630-2665 

Argyle Branch 

7973 Old Middleburg Road S. 32222 

904-573-3164 

Beaches Branch 

600 3rd St. 


904-241-1141 

Bradham and Brooks Branch 

1755 Edgewood Ave. W. 32208 

904-765-5402 

Brentwood Branch 

3725 Pearl St. 32206 

904-630-0924 

Brown Eastside Branch 

1390 Harrison St. 32206 

904-630-5466 

Dallas Graham Branch 

2304 Myrtle Ave. N. 32209 

904-630-0922 

Highlands Regional 

1826 Dunn Ave. 32218 

904-757-7702 

Mandarin Branch 

3330 Kori Road 32257 

904-262-5201 

Maxville Branch 

8375 Maxville Blvd. 32234 

904-289-7563 

Murray Hill Branch 

918 Edgewood Ave. S. 32205 

904-384-2665 

Pablo Creek Regional 

13295 Beach Blvd. 32246 

904-992-7101 

Regency Square Branch 

9900 Regency Square Blvd. 32225 

904-726-5142 

San Marco Branch 

1513 LaSalle St. 32207 

904-858-2907 

South Mandarin Branch 

12125 San Jose Blvd. 32223 

904-288-6385 

Southeast Regional 

10599 Deerwood Park Blvd. 32256 

904-996-0325 

University Park Branch 

3435 University Blvd. N. 32277 

904-630-1265 

Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional 

6887 103rd St. 32210 

904-778-7305 

West Branch 

1425 Chaffee Road S. 32221 

904-693-1448 

Westbrook Branch 

2809 Commonwealth Ave. 32254 

904-384-7424 

Willowbranch Branch 

2875 Park St. 32205 

904-381-8490 

NASSAU COUNTY 

nassaureads.com 

Bryceville Branch 

7280 Motes Road 

Bryceville 32009 

904-266-9813 

Callahan Library Branch 

450077 State Road 200, Suite 15 


904-879-3434 

Fernandina Library Branch 

25 N. 4th St. 


904-277-7365 

Hilliard Branch Library 



904-845-2495 

Yulee Library Branch FSCJ Campus 

76346 William Burgess Blvd. 

Yulee 32097 

904-548-4467 


sjcpls.org 

Anastasia Island Branch 

124 Seagrove Main St. 

St. Augustine Beach 32080 

904-209-3730 

Bartram Trail Branch 

60 Davis Pond Blvd. 

Fruit Cove 32259 

904-827-6960 

Hastings Branch 

6195 S. Main St. 

Hastings 32145 

904-827-6970 

Main Library 

1960 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd. 


904-827-6940 

Ponte Vedra Beach Branch 

101 Library Blvd. 


904-827-6950 

Southeast Branch 

6670 U.S. 1 South 


904-827-6900 

Bookmobile - Extension Services 

904-827-6944 

The Jacksonville Public Library’s Main Library in downtown Jacksonville hosted a Global Cardboard 

Challenge day of play, where families were invited to come and be creative using cardboard scraps in 

October 2016. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 


MEDICAL 

Baptist interventional cardiologist Marc Litt examines John Thorpe. Thorpe was taken to Baptist Heart Hospital after suffering a heart 

attack during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship. (Photo provided by Baptist Health) 

A hub for health 


Area hospitals are at the forefront 

in providing highly specialized 

services with the latest technology. 

The First Coast is home to some of the most sought-after health care facilities, 

research programs and cutting-edge technologies in the nation. 

Medical facilities 

Founded in 1955, Baptist Health has 

been serving Northeast Florida and 

Southeast Georgia for 60 years. Baptist 

Health serves families in the area with 

high-quality, comprehensive care for 

every stage of life through its downtown, 

Southside, Beaches and Nassau facilities. 

Baptist is also home to freestanding 

Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Heart 

Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer 

Center. Baptist Health comprises seven 

area hospitals: 

• Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville is the central 

hub of the Baptist Health system. 

Located on the south bank of the 

St. Johns River, Baptist Jacksonville 

provides the highest level of medical 

and surgical care, using the latest 

technologies, such as the roboticassisted 

da Vinci Surgical System. 

This was the first area hospital to 

offer Gamma Knife surgery, a noninvasive 

treatment of brain tumors. 

The mission of Baptist Jacksonville 

pairs highly advanced diagnostic and 

treatment capabilities with highly 

personalized care. 

• Baptist Medical Center South serves the 

residents of southern Duval and 

northern St. Johns counties. At 

Interstate 95 and Old St. Augustine 

Road, Baptist South offers residents 

access to a full-service health 

care facility. The hospital boasts 

technologically advanced facilities 

alongside Baptist Health’s mission of 

providing for the physical, spiritual 

and emotional needs of patients and 

their families. In 2011, Baptist South 

opened the 20,000 square-foot, $11 

million expansion to the Emergency 

Center, more than doubling the size of 

the center.

MEDICAL 

• Baptist Medical Center Beaches provides the only hospital-based, 

24-hour emergency service available at the beach. This 

facility provides beaches residents with convenient access 

to comprehensive, high-tech medical and surgical care. 

The ER is currently undergoing renovation that will result 

in an additional 1,000 square feet, including improvement 

of patient rooms, renovation and expansion of the waiting 

room, and a larger lobby area. Baptist Beaches received an 

‘‘A’’ grade from the Leapfrog Group for hospital safety. 

• Baptist Medical Center Nassau is an acute-care hospital on Amelia 

Island that provides various inpatient and outpatient 

services and 24-hour emergency services to Northeast 

Florida and Southeast Georgia. It was among the first 

small community hospitals in the nation to use totally 

electronic medical records (EMR) and the Picture Archive 

Communications System (PACS). 

• Baptist Heart Hospital is the Jacksonville area’s only freestanding 

hospital for heart and vascular care. This state-of-the-art 

hospital is the core of Baptist Health’s top-ranked heart and 

vascular program with more than 500 physicians, nurses 

and staff — all with specialized training in providing 

inpatient and outpatient cardiovascular and thoracic care. 

The Heart Hospital was recently awarded the Women’s 

Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart 

Care and Patient Safety by WomenCertified. 

• Baptist & Wolfson Children's Emergency Center is located on Fleming 

Island at U.S. 17 and Village Square Parkway at the Baptist 

Clay Medical Campus. The child-friendly emergency center 

is staffed with nurses who specialize in pediatric medicine 

and a pediatric emergency medicine physician. 

• Wolfson Children’s Hospital is the area’s only full-service children’s 

hospital, providing state-of-the-art comprehensive pediatric 

specialty care. Centers of Distinction at Wolfson Children’s 

include the Behavioral Health Center, C. Herman and Mary 

Virginia Terry Heart Center, Cancer Center, Diabetes and 

Endocrinology Institute, Gastroenterology Center and the 

Walter and Michelle Stys Neuroscience Institute. More than 

90,000 children of all ages are seen at Wolfson annually. The 

hospital is recognized year after year by U.S. News and World 

Report as one of America’s best children’s hospitals. This 216- 

bed facility provides care for all children regardless of ability 

to pay. 

• Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center is the result of uniting The 

MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baptist Health. This 

new partnership brings together MD Anderson’s cancer 

expertise and Baptist Health’s comprehensive health 

system/network to create a range of options for adult cancer 

patients in the area. The new Baptist MD Anderson Cancer 

Center is focused on adult cancer care, addressing the 

medical needs of patients as well as emotional, spiritual, 

social and financial needs. It offers all the services patients 

need in one facility: diagnosis, treatment planning, 

treatment, support and survivorship. 


MEDICAL 

Brooks Rehabilitation has more than 40 years 

of experience in providing physical 

rehabilitation services. It offers advanced 

therapy and medical care, along with 

the compassion, motivation and hope 

needed to help people reach a healthy 

recovery. Brooks offers many services 

including: inpatient rehabilitation and 

outpatient therapy at Brooks Hospital on 

University, home care (AmeriCare Main 

office: 844-238-0064), skilled nursing 

at the Bartram Crossing facility, and 

assisted living/memory care at Bartram 

Lakes. 

Baker County Medical Services was established 

in 1993 to operate Ed Fraser Memorial 

Hospital and W. Frank Wells Nursing 

Home. Ed Fraser Hospital offers inpatient 

and outpatient care, respiration, physical 

therapy and emergency services. The 

Dopson Family Medical Center was also 

created under Baker County Medical 

Services to provide primary and specialty 

physician services to the residents of 

Macclenny and Baker County. 

Flagler Hospital is a 335-bed, acute care 

facility that has operated as a not-forprofit 

health care institution in St. 

Augustine since its founding in 1889. 

The hospital provides various medical 

services, including psychiatric services 

in the outpatient behavioral health 

clinic. The independent Leapfrog Group 

recently gave Flagler an ‘‘A’’ grade for 

patient safety, and for nearly a decade, 

the hospital has consistently ranked 

among the top 5 percent in the nation 

for clinical excellence and patient 

safety. In addition, Flagler Hospital was 

recognized as a Magnet® organization in 

2006 and again in 2012 by the American 

Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). 

The Magnet Recognition Program is a 

voluntary organizational credentialing 

program that recognizes health care 

organizations for quality of care, 

nursing excellence and innovations in 

professional nursing practice. 

Hope Haven Children’s Clinic and Family Center, 

founded in 1927, focuses on outpatient 

care of children with developmental, 

psychological, behavioral or academic 

achievement problems. This facility 

provides services for children, families 

and young adults with special needs. 

Hope Haven serves more than 5,000 

families each year. 

Kindred Hospital North Florida, located in 

Green Cove Springs, is an 80-bed fully 

accredited transitional care hospital 

long-term acute care facility. The hospital 

offers a range of services for medically 

complex patients who require continued 

care and extended recovery time. 

Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville is the 

premier medical destination center in the 

Southeast, and was recently named the 

No. 1 hospital in Florida in U.S. News & 

World Report’s rankings of best hospitals 

in America. The campus was established 

in 1986, with a focus on treating complex 

conditions and unraveling hard-to-solve 

medical problems, pooling the knowledge 

of physicians and scientists through 

state-of-the-art electronics at its three 

locations. Like Mayo’s other locations 

in Rochester, Minn., and Scottsdale, 

Ariz., the Jacksonville site has education 

and research arms that complement its 

patient-care services. Research is done 

in such areas as Parkinson’s disease, 

Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and more. 

Mayo has the technologically advanced 

da Vinci robot, which allows surgeons to 

perform minimally invasive surgeries. 

Mayo Jacksonville dedicated the first 

center in the history of Mayo Clinic 

devoted exclusively to cancer research 

in February 2004; it’s nationally ranked 

cancer program has received the National 

Cancer Institute’s highest designation as 

one of only two comprehensive cancer 

centers in Florida. Mayo Clinic Hospital 

is the admitting hospital for Mayo Clinic’s 

campus in Florida. It has 304 beds and 

22 operating rooms, and offers care in 

more than 35 adult medical and surgical 

specialties. The hospital includes a fullservice 

emergency department, open to 

everyone. 

In February 2004, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville dedicated the first center in the history of Mayo 

Clinic devoted exclusively to cancer research. (Florida Times-Union file photo) 


Memorial Hospital has been serving Northeast 

Florida for more than 45 years now. The 

hospital is a 418-bed acute care facility 

offering a range of services, including 24- 

hour emergency care at three different 

locations around the Jacksonville area. 

The hospital also features an accredited 

Chest Pain Center, certified Stroke 

Center, Heart Center, which treats more 

than 10,000 patients annually, Bone and 

Joint Center, and Memorial’s maternity 

center — Special Beginnings. The 

Emergency Department at Memorial 

treats more than 100,000 patients each 

year for a variety of minor and major 

ailments, using the most advanced 

technology available. The 33-bed 

emergency room features comfortable 

treatment rooms, kid-friendly rooms and 

advanced patient monitoring equipment. 

Located across the parking lot from the

MEDICAL 

main ER is Memorial’s ExpressCare, designed to rapidly treat 

minor illnesses and injuries, and ExpressKids, a special area 

designed to treat children with minor ailments and less severe 

emergencies. Memorial recently received an ‘‘A’’ from the 

Leapfrog Group for hospital safety. 

Naval Hospital Jacksonville is located in Jacksonville and is the Navy’s 

third largest hospital that provides medical care and support to 

our nation’s heroes and their families. In addition to the main 

hospital in Jacksonville, care is provided to its four branch 

clinics in Albany, Ga.; Key West; Kings Bay, Ga.; and Mayport. 

The private medical treatment facility offers comprehensive 

health care from urgent care to preventive and routine. 

Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville is an 11-story clinic 

on the south bank of the St. Johns River that provides 

comprehensive, family-focused care in more than 30 medical 

specialties. U.S. News & World Report named Nemours’ 

gastroenterology and neurology programs (partnership with 

Wolfson Children’s Hospital, University of Florida College 

of Medicine-Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic Florida) among 

the best in the country. Nemours Jacksonville is one of only 

two pediatric oncology programs in the country recognized 

for outstanding achievement by the American College of 

Surgeons. 

Northeast Florida State Hospital (NEFSH) is located in Macclenny, 

and has provided mental health services to people requiring 

specialized psychiatric treatment since 1959. The facility has 

633 beds and serves residents from 30 of the 67 counties in 

Florida. 

Orange Park Medical Center, established in 1974, is a full-service 

acute-care hospital with 297 inpatient beds. The hospital 

provides medical care to Clay County and the surrounding 

communities. The hospital has 174 private rooms. There 

are nine labor, delivery and recovery room suites for new 

mothers and a seven-bed, Level-2 neonatal intensive care 

unit (NICU) for premature babies and those born with special 

needs. There is also a 24-bed psychiatric unit and 20 intensive 

care unit (ICU) beds. The hospital also offers rehabilitation 

services and emergency services. The hospital recently 

received an ‘‘A’’ grade from Leapfrog Group for hospital 

safety. 

St. Vincent’s HealthCare, part of Ascension, the nation’s largest 

Catholic and non-profit health system, is a faith-based, not-forprofit 

health system that has served the people of Jacksonville 

and the surrounding communities since 1873. 

• St. Vincent’s Medical Center Riverside was founded by the Daughters 

of Charity in 1916 to provide health services to the sick and 

poor of North Florida. In 2016, St. Vincent’s opened the 

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center at St. Vincent’s Riverside. 

• St. Vincent’s Medical Center Southside, formerly St. Luke’s Hospital, 

was founded in 1873 by three women who saw the need for 

medical care in the community. St. Vincent’s Riverside and 

St. Vincent’s Southside both received ‘‘A’’ grades in hospital 

safety from the Leapfrog Group. 

• St. Vincent’s Medical Center Clay County, a 106-bed hospital, opened its 

doors to the community in 2013 and began an expansion to 

double in size in 2015. The expansion adds maternity and 

women’s services, 30 inpatient beds, 13 treatment rooms in 

the emergency department and a shell to add 30 additional 

beds. 

University of Florida Health is the Southeast’s most comprehensive 

academic health center. The system encompasses hospitals, 

physician practices, colleges, centers, institutes, programs 

and services across Northeast and North Central Florida and 

Southeast Georgia. 

• UF Health Jacksonville is the region’s academic health center in 

association with the University of Florida. The hospital, 

with its 3,300 employees, serves Northeast Florida and 

Southeast Georgia and offers various services, including 

emergency services, neurology, cancer, heart and vascular, 

orthopaedics, rehabilitation and pediatrics among others. 

Separate from the emergency department is UF Health 

TraumaOne, the only adult and pediatric Level 1 trauma 

center in the region. TraumaOne began in 1983 as Florida’s 

first trauma program. 

• UF Health North opened in February 2015 and is the only 

outpatient medical complex in North Jacksonville. 

The facility houses a full-service adult and pediatric 

emergency department, birth center, pediatrics, women’s 

services, outpatient surgery, radiology and rehabilitation 

services among others. UF Health North will open its 92- 

bed hospital in the summer of 2017. The hospital will have 

all-private rooms, including 12 large labor and delivery 

suites. 

• UF Health Emerson Medical Plaza is a multi-service outpatient center 

located on Jacksonville’s Southside. The center offers a wide 

variety of specialty services, including general medicine, 

advanced imaging, women’s services rehabilitation, 

orthopaedics and more. As part of the UF Health network, 

the Emerson Medical Plaza provides the Southside 

community with conveniently located medical services. 


Hospital and medical center profiles 

MEDICAL 

BAKER COUNTY 

Dopson Family Medical Center 



904-259-7815, bcmedsvcs.com 

Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital 



904-259-3151, bcmedsvcs.com 

Type of facility: Short-term acute care 

Total staffed beds: 93 

Northeast Florida State Hospital 

7487 FL-121, Macclenny 32063 

904-259-6211, myflfamilies.com 

Type of facility: Psychiatric 


CLAY COUNTY 

Baptist & Wolfson Children's Emergency 

Center (Baptist Clay Medical Campus) 

1771 Baptist Clay Drive 


904-516-1000, baptistjax.com 

Kindred Hospital North Florida 

801 Oak St. 


904-284-9230, khnorthflorida.com 

Type of facility: Long-term care 


Orange Park Medical Center 



904-639-8500, 

orangeparkmedical.com 



St. Vincent’s Medical Center Clay County 

1670 St. Vincent’s Way 


904-602-1000, jaxhealth.com 



DUVAL COUNTY 

Baptist Heart Hospital 

800 Prudential Drive, 



St. Vincent’s HealthCare celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 at 

the Riverside campus in Jacksonville. (Will Dickey/Florida Times- 

Union) 

Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center 

1235 San Marco Blvd. 



Baptist Medical Center Beaches 

1350 13th Ave. S. 





Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville 

800 Prudential Drive 




Total staffed beds: 821 (including 

Baptist South, Wolfson’s and 

Baptist Heart) 

Baptist Medical Center South 

14550 Old St. Augustine Road 





Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital 



904-345-7600, brooksrehab.org 

Type of facility: Rehabilitation 


Hope Haven Children’s Clinic 

and Family Center 

4600 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville 32207 

904-346-5100, hope-haven.org 

Type of facility: Children’s 

Specialty Hospital Jacksonville, established in 1992, is a long-term acute 

care hospital under Memorial Health — one of approximately 

300 in the nation. The first of its kind in North Florida, 

Specialty Hospital is for patients in need of extended hospital 

stays with complex medical conditions. The hospital’s goal is 

to provide individualized, coordinated care for its patients. 

River Point Behavioral Health is a private facility offering inpatient 

hospitalization, partial hospitalization, addiction treatment, 

rehabilitation and intensive outpatient programs for 

children and adults with psychiatric problems and chemical 

dependencies. 

Wekiva Springs Center offers specialized mental health programs 

for men and women. Each program is customized to meet 

the needs of each individual, and provides specialized care 

designed to facilitate healing and recovery. Programs address 

mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and 

chemical dependency. Detoxification and rehabilitation 

treatments are also available. 

Hospice care 

Community Hospice of Northeast Florida has offered a variety of resources 

to terminally ill adults and children, and their families at 

home, in long-term care facilities, hospitals, short-term 

inpatient facilities and at Community Hospice’s centers 

for caring since 1979. With a team of physicians, nurses, 

social workers, home health aides, grief experts and trained 

volunteers, Community Hospice is the state’s only hospice 

provider, among the top 2 percent nationally, to earn Hospice 

Honors Elite two years in a row, a designation based on family 

evaluations. 

Haven Hospice has served the community since 1979 and is North 

Florida’s expert in end-of-life and palliative care, serving 

high quality home health and hospice services to patients 

and families in 19 Florida counties. Haven Hospice formed 

an affiliation with the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice 

of the Florida Keys (VNAHFK) in 2015. Haven is an affiliate 

of SantaFe HealthCare, a not-for-profit organization serving 

Floridians at all stages of life through AvMed Health Plans, 

SantaFe Senior Living, Haven Hospice and VNA/HFK. 

Haven has been the recipient of the Circle of Life Award from 

the American Hospital Association for its excellence and 

innovation, and recognized as a Florida Pacesetter for its 

leadership in promoting advance directives. 

Heartland Hospice is part of the HCR ManorCare family, a leading 

provider of home health care, hospice care, skilled nursing, 

memory care and post-acute care. In Northeast Florida, 

Heartland serves Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns 

counties. 


MEDICAL 

Health care earns honors 

Local hospitals and medical centers receive 

recognition for outstanding services. 

T 

he Jacksonville area offers a plethora 

of quality health care. Mayo Clinic 

is internationally recognized, but 

it’s not the only noteworthy medical 

facility in the area. Other hospitals 

have received awards and recognition 

as well. The U.S. News & Health Report 

ranks hospitals in terms of performance 

in medical specialties and in common 

procedures. They evaluate nearly 5,000 

hospitals across 16 adult and 10 pediatric 

specialties. 

According to U.S. News & Health 

Report, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is 

ranked No. 1 overall in the Jacksonville 

area and No. 4 in the state of Florida. 

In terms of national rankings, Mayo 

Clinic is No. 40 in gastroenterology and 

GI surgery, No. 41 in geriatrics, No. 46 

in neurology and neurosurgery, and 

No. 48 in cancer treatment. UF Health 

Jacksonville is ranked third in the 

Jacksonville area, and No. 18 in the state 

of Florida, according to U.S. News & 

Health Report. 

Healthgrades is a national health 

care quality company that recognizes 

hospitals that have met a standard of 

excellence in various areas. Ratings 

can be seen at healthgrades.com. 

Hospitals in Jacksonville that have 

received Healthgrades’ Patient Safety 

Excellence Award include: St. Vincent’s 

Medical Center Southside, St. Vincent’s 

Medical Center Riverside and Mayo 

Clinic Jacksonville. The Patient Safety 

Excellence Award is awarded to hospitals 

that do an outstanding job at preventing 

infections, medical errors and other 

complications. Hospitals given the 

Patient Safety Excellence Award have a 

lower risk of experiencing patient safety 

events. Hospitals in the area are also 

recognized by Healthgrades for high 

performance in specialties. Baptist 

Medical Center Jacksonville received 

America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular 

Surgery Award 2015 and 2016. The 

hospital was also awarded America’s 100 

Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention 

Award 2016. 

St. Vincent’s Medical Center 

Riverside has received a few awards 

including: Labor and Delivery Excellence 

Hospital and medical center profiles continued ... 

Mayo Clinic – Jacksonville 

4500 San Pablo Road 


904-953-2000, mayoclinic.org 



Memorial Hospital 



904-399-6111 

memorialhospitaljax.com 



Naval Hospital Jacksonville 

2080 Child St., Jacksonville 32214 

904-542-7300, med.navy.mil 


Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville 

807 Children's Way, Jacksonville 32207 

904-697-3600, nemours.org 


Riverpoint Behavioral Health 


904-724-9202, riverpointbehavioral.com 




Specialty Hospital Jacksonville 

4901 Richard St., Jacksonville 32207 

904-737-3120, specialtyhospitaljax.com 

Type of facility: Long-term care 


St. Vincent’s Medical Center Riverside 

1 Shircliff Way, Jacksonville 32204 




St. Vincent’s Medical Center Southside 

4201 Belfort Road, Jacksonville 32216 




UF Health Emerson Medical Plaza 

4555 Emerson St., Jacksonville 32207 

904-633-0052, ufhealthjax.org 

UF Health Jacksonville 

655 West Eighth St., Jacksonville 32209 

904-244-0411, ufhealthjax.org 



UF Health North 

15255 Max Leggett Parkway, Jacksonville 32218 

904-383-1000, north.ufhealthjax.org 


Wekiva Springs Center 

3947 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville 32216 

904-296-3533, wekivacenter.com 



Wolfson Children’s Hospital 

800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville 32207 



NASSAU COUNTY 

Baptist Medical Center Nassau 

1250 S. 18th St., Fernandina Beach 32034 





Flagler Hospital 

400 Health Park Blvd., St. Augustine 32086 

904-819-5155, flaglerhospital.org 


Total staffed beds: 335

MEDICAL 

Award 2015, and Spine Surgery 

Excellence Award 2014 and 2015. 

Baptist Medical Center South 

received: America’s 50 Best Hospitals for 

Vascular Surgery Award 2015 and 2016, 

and America’s 100 Best Hospitals for 

Coronary Intervention Award 2016. 

Orange Park Medical Center 

was awarded the Labor and Delivery 

Excellence Award 2015 and the 

Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence 

Award 2015. 

UF Health Jacksonville received the 

Women’s Health Excellence Award 2014, 

Neurosciences Excellence Award 2014 

and Stroke Care Excellence Award 2014. 

Baptist Medical Center Beaches was 

given the Maternity Care Excellence 

Award 2014. 

Flagler Hospital St. Augustine also 

received a number of awards including: 

Distinguished Hospital Award for 

Clinical Excellence 2014 and 2015; 

Women’s Health Excellence Award 

2014 and 2015; America’s 100 Best 

Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery Award 

2016; America’s 100 Best Hospitals for 

Pulmonary Care Award 2014, 2015 and 

2016; General Surgery Excellence Award 

2016; Joint Replacement Excellence 

Award 2016; Cardiac Care Excellence 

Award 2015; and Gynecologic Surgery 

Excellence Award 2015. 

Mayo Clinic is in a league of its 

own when it comes to awards from 

Healthgrades. The area hospital 

received: Distinguished Hospital Award 

for Clinical Excellence 2014 and 2015; 

Women’s Health Excellence Award 2014 

and 2015; America’s 100 Best Hospitals 

for Critical Care Award 2016; America’s 

100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal 

Care Award 2015 and 2016; America’s 

100 Best Hospitals for General Surgery 

Award 2015 and 2016; America’s 100 

Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement 

Award 2014, 2015 and 2016; Cardiac 

Care Excellence Award 2016; Cranial 

Neurosurgery Excellence Award 2016, 

Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award 

2014, 2015 and 2016; and Stroke Care 

Excellence Award 2014 and 2015. 

Mayo Clinic and Baptist Medical 

Center Beaches received the 

Outstanding Patient Experience Award 

2016 from Healthgrades. The award 

recognizes hospitals that provide an 

overall outstanding patient experience. 

Healthgrades evaluates patient 

experience performance by applying 

a scoring methodology to 10 patient 

experience measures, using data 

collected from the 32-question survey 

of the hospital’s own patients. Hospitals 

in the top 15 percent with the highest 

overall patient experience scores are 

recognized as Outstanding Patient 

Experience Award recipients. 

Loren McClendon and Dr. Scott Silliman stand in the Neurology department at UF Health Jacksonville. The hospital is ranked third in the 

Jacksonville area, and No. 18 in the state of Florida, according to U.S. News & Health Report. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union ) 


BUSINESS 

This photo captures a reflection of Jacksonville's 

tallest building, the Bank of America Tower, in the 

windows of One Enterprise Center in downtown 

Jacksonville. (Mark Woods/Florida Times-Union) 


BUSINESS 

Booming business 

Companies big and small find success in Northeast Florida. 

When you think of Northeast Florida, 

you typically think of sunny 

beaches and soft sand. However, 

it’s not all vacation here. We know how to 

get down to business, too. A recent study 

conducted by the University of Southern 

California Marshall School of Business 

found Jacksonville is more conducive 

to start-up business success than many 

well-known cities, such as Miami, 

Atlanta, Moscow and Tel Aviv, Israel. 

Jacksonville is great for local 

businesses and international 

headquarters. It’s actually home to four 

Fortune 1000 and three Fortune 500 

company headquarters. Businesses 

flock to the region because of the young, 

educated workforce, including a median 

age lower than most areas in Florida, 

and public and private universities that 

continually produce an eager, educated 

workforce. 

In 2016, St. Johns County 

commissioners unanimously approved 

drafting an agreement that awarded 

$426,141 in economic development 

incentives to Burkhardt Distributing 

Company. The beer distributor plans to 

build an $11 million, 113,000-square-foot 

office/warehouse in the county to serve 

as its headquarters and distribution 

center. 

Another company expanding on 

the First Coast is Safariland, which 

makes body armor, holsters and 

other equipment for military and law 

enforcement. The company confirmed 

it will add 152 jobs to its plant near the 

Jacksonville International Airport by 

the end of 2018. According to the city’s 

records, 52 of the jobs will average 

$44,065 and the other 100 will average 

$33,000 annually. 

In 2015, Forbes magazine ranked 

Jacksonville as the fifth-best city to find 

work in the U.S. Logistics and industrial 

jobs were among the strongest job 

markets found in Jacksonville. This is 

just one of many accolades that the area 

has earned in the last several years. 

Entrepreneurs and small businesses 

on the First Coast have a host of support, 

including One Spark, a festival to 

encourage innovation and creativity. 

One Spark provides an opportunity for 

creators, entrepreneurs and all those 

with great ideas to connect with the 

resources they need, and make their 

dreams a reality through crowdfunding. 

The festival is held yearly (typically in 

the spring) in downtown Jacksonville. 

The Florida Small Business 

Development Center, located at the 

University of North Florida, is another 

resource for business owners. It is a 

no-cost consulting, low-cost training 

and extensive information center that 

offer entrepreneurs access to business 

solutions that help them grow and 

succeed. 

The Jacksonville Chamber of 

Commerce supports local businesses 

through the Office of Economic 

Development. This office assists small 

business owners with financing through 

local, state and federal programs. 

It also guides businesses in using 

innovative financing alternatives. The 

Chamber also offers a host of mentoring, 

entrepreneurial education, consulting 

and networking opportunities through 

its Small Business Center. For more 

resources and information, visit 

myjaxchamber.com/doing-business/ 

small-business-center. 

Jacksonville is great for local businesses and international headquarters. It’s actually home 

to three Fortune 500 company headquarters, and holds annual events, including One Spark, 

to help entrepreneurs bring their visions to life. Here, competitors shake hands with Chris 

Carter, president of One Spark Ventures, at the “Spark Tank” competition awards ceremony. 

Spark Tank was a private event held during the 2016 One Spark event where competitors 

presented ideas to judges with investment backgrounds. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 


BUSINESS 

Stellar President and COO Michael Santarone joins the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships team as they break ground on their second 

collaborative project. Stellar has more than 600 employees at its headquarters on the First Coast. (Joe DeSalvo/Florida Times-Union) 

An industry on the rise 

Northeast Florida looks 

good to manufacturers. 

“We are working on 

all different levels in 

order to help support 

our manufacturers and 

attract them into the 

region.” 

Lake Ray 

First Coast Manufacturers 

Association President 

T 

he number of jobs in Florida was 

8,428,000 in September 2016. Of those 

jobs, 360,800 were in manufacturing. 

That’s an increase of 15,300 positions, or 

4.4 percent, from 2015. Florida has been 

recognized as No. 2 in the country for 

aerospace-manufacturing attractiveness 

and with the second-largest growth in 

manufacturing firms between 2012 and 

2015, according to the Bureau of Labor 

Statistics. 

Northeast Florida is one of the largest 

manufacturing regions in the state, 

employing 30,700 residents in 2016 — an 

increase of 3.4 percent from 2015. 

JAXUSA Partnership reports that 

competitive local assets such as 

JAXPORT, the area's three major rail 

lines, and ample land for large facilities 

and operations are attracting advanced 

manufacturing companies because the 

area provides the necessary means for 

companies to run their businesses, as 

well as expand. 

In 2016, the KLS Martin Group, a 

global leader in innovative surgical 

technology, moved forward with plans 

to establish its first U.S. manufacturing 

operations in Jacksonville. The company 

will create at least 25 new jobs and 

invest more than $5 million in the local 

community. 

While some companies are relocating 

to grow, other big-name players in the 

industry, including Bacardi Bottling 

Corporation, REVLON and VISTAKON, 

a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision 

Care Inc., have already benefited from 

the area. 

The First Coast Manufacturers 

Association (FCMA), a non-profit trade 

association serving as the voice for 


BUSINESS 

manufacturers located in Northeast 

Florida, plays a big part in helping these 

businesses in the areas of government 

relations and workforce development. 

In 2016, FCMA passed a permanent 

sales tax exemption for manufacturing 

equipment in Jacksonville. This benefits 

both those relocating their company to 

the area as well as those already here 

who are upgrading their equipment. 

An eager, educated workforce is also 

attracting manufacturers. FCMA is 

focused on providing manufacturing 

companies a skilled workforce in 

Jacksonville. University of North Florida, 

Jacksonville’s public university, works 

closely with FCMA to develop programs 

that will provide a workforce during a 

time where there is a national shortage of 

skilled workers. 

FCMA created a managers training 

program in partnership with the 

university to provide hands-on training 

with targeted results. The program 

began last year, and has already had 

success. 

“We completed our fifth program 

[in 2016]. We have a standard of about 

24 to 25 students in one of our classes 

and it has been very exciting and very 

successful,” First Coast Manufactures 

Association President Lake Ray said. “We 

have programming for next year filled 

up for four more classes to go through in 

2017. Basically, another 100 employees 

are about to go through.” 

As the industry thrives, the positive 

impact spills over to other areas of 

business and development, as well as 

economic growth throughout Northeast 

Florida. 

Ray said plans are underway to teach 

the community more about Jacksonville’s 

manufacturing industry. 

“We are working on a promotion of 

manufacturers to get the public informed 

about what is made here,” Ray said. 

He stressed it’s important for people 

to support our manufacturing industry 

because it leads to other business 

opportunities. 

“For every job that is created in 

manufacturing, it’s like creating three 

jobs,” Ray said. “We are working on all 

different levels in order to help support 

our manufacturers and attract them into 

the region.” 

Corporate headquarters on the First Coast 

Jacksonville is home to three Fortune 500 companies, including CSX, Fidelity 

National Financial and FIS. Major companies flock to the area because of the 

competitive cost of living and doing business, as well as a diverse and educated 

workforce. Look at some of the major employers in the area. 

The top employers with headquarters on the First Coast (number of employees) 

1. Florida Blue (6,000) 

2. Southeastern Grocers (5,700) 

3. CSX Corporation (3,600) 

4. GATE Petroleum Company (3,125) 

5. Black Knight Financial Services (2,400) 

6. Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (2,000) 

7. Brooks Rehabilitation (1,606) 

8. EverBank (1,400) 

9. VyStar Credit Union (1,300) 

10. GuideWell Source (1,300) 

11. Stein Mart Inc. (1,000) 

12. Web.com (1,000) 

13. Crowley Maritime Corporation (925) 

14. Landstar System Inc. (833) 

15. Allstate (800) 

16. W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor Inc. (750) 

17. Suddath Relocation Systems (750) 

18. Interline Brands Inc. (700) 

Key industries with high-growth potential: 

Financial Services, including professional services 

Health and Life Sciences, including health care technology 

Logistics, including supply chain management/IT 

Aviation and Aerospace, including aviation and aircraft components 

Advanced Manufacturing 

Information Technology 

Source: Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce 

19. Venus (700) 

20. Unison Industries (650) 

21. Stellar (639) 

22. Ring Power Corporation (630) 

23. PGA Tour (620) 

24. Beaver Street Fisheries Inc. (600) 

25. Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (600) 

26. Advanced Disposal (600) 

27. ERC (600) 

28. Acosta Inc. (500) 

29. Logistics Services International (LSI) (500) 

30. Fidelity National Financial Inc. (500) 

31. Fanatics (500) 

32. NGA Human Resources (450) 

33. Haskell (420) 

34. FIS (400) 

35. Adecco Group North America (400) 

Source: JAXUSA 


MILITARY 

The honor guard rifle team of the USS New York joins the other attendees as they bow their heads for the invocation on Sunday, Sept. 11, 

2016, during a remembrance ceremony at Mayport Naval Station marking the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. 

(Bob Mack/Florida Times-Union) 

Honor, courage, commitment 

There are three major naval installations in the area. 

On its two bases in Jacksonville, the 

service employs almost 30,000 

active-duty personnel, reservists and 

civilians, and its operations occupy more 

than 7,000 acres of land. 

The U.S. Navy has a commanding 

presence here to the tune of more than 

$8 billion in payroll, goods and services 

purchased on the local economies. 

Jacksonville is home to Commander, 

Navy Region Southeast, which manages 

and oversees shore installation 

management support and execution for 

18 installations within the Southeastern 

United States and parts of the Caribbean, 

and three area Navy installations: Naval 

Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station 

Mayport and Naval Submarine Base 

Kings Bay in Georgia. 

These three installations employ 

nearly 30,000 active-duty personnel, 

Naval Reservists and civilians, and 

provide services to more than 40,000 

military retirees and family members. 

Officially commissioned on Oct. 15, 

1940, Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS 

Jacksonville) occupies more than 3,800 

acres of land and employs more than 

19,000. 

In 1946, NAS Jacksonville was the 

birthplace of the Blue Angels, the Navy’s 

flight demonstration squadron. In 2016, 

the Blue Angels celebrated their 70th 

anniversary. Today, more than 100 

tenant commands make up the multimission 

base. Mayport Naval Station 

was commissioned in December 1942, 

decommissioned at the end of World 

War II, then reactivated in 1948. Today, 

it is the third largest naval facility in the 

continental U.S., encompassing more 

than 3,400 acres and a harbor that can 

accommodate up to 35 ships. 

Naval Station Mayport is home to a 

busy seaport as well. The installation’s 

mission is to sustain and enhance 

warfighter readiness. It is home to 

Commander, 4th Fleet/US Naval Forces 

South (COMUSNAVSO). 

Mayport is the announced homeport 

of several LCSs, and is also home to 

the Southeast Regional Maintenance 

Center. 

Kings Bay Submarine Base was 

commissioned in July 1978; two years 

later, it was named the Atlantic Fleet 

homeport of the Trident submarine. 

Currently, the installation is the home 

port for six ballistic missile submarines 

and two guided missile submarines. 


MILITARY 

Capt. Howard Wanamaker delivers his retirement remarks in the hangar crowded with guests and a MH-60R Seahawk “Romeo” helicopter 

from HSM-72 Proud Warriors. (Bob Mack/Florida Times-Union) 

Recruiting offices in Jacksonville 

Air Force 

2141 Loch Rane Blvd., 904-272-6164 

4539 Beach Blvd., 904-396-0901 

7451 103rd St., 904-777-8944/8912 

Air National Guard 

14300 Fang St., 904-741-7155 

Army 

5751 N. Main St., 904-696-9777 

4539 Beach Blvd., 904-393-4738 

1549 Atlantic Blvd., 904-241-3115 

7451 103rd St., 904-771-8620 

Army Reserve 

1851 Executive Center Drive 

904-396-2598 

Coast Guard 

10601 San Jose Blvd., 904-232-1561 

Marine Corps 

7451 103rd St., 904-779-1633 

4539 Beach Blvd., 904-396-1298 

1036 Dunn Ave., 904-757-4880 

Navy 

4539 Beach Blvd., 904-398-5118 

7451 103rd St., 904-778-7407 

4070 Blvd. Center Drive 

904-396-3822 

4051 Philips Highway, 904-737-6321 

360 new military recruits took the oath of enlistment given by Brig. Gen. Norman B. Green 

during halftime of the Jaguars game against the San Diego Chargers at EverBank Field 

November 29, 2015. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 



State Road 9B is a planned four-lane divided highway that will connect Duval and St. Johns County from the I-295 East Beltway to County 

Road 2209 (St. Johns Parkway). The road was planned in three phases. The final phase, which will connect I-95 to County Road 2209, is 

scheduled to be complete in summer 2018. (Daron Dean/St. Augustine Record) 

Travel near and far 

With an international airport, historic ferry and various car 

services, there are plenty of ways to get where you need to go. 

A 

s 

the First Coast continues to grow, so does the area’s transportation. Whether 

residents are looking to travel to another city across the water, or ship important 

products, Jacksonville’s transportation has their bases covered. 

Ever-changing roads 

As Jacksonville continues to grow, 

transportation for both the people 

and products must keep up with the 

demand. The Florida Department 

of Transportation has some major 

upcoming projects on Florida’s highways 

that many Northeast Florida commuters 

are eager to see completed. There 

are several substantial road changes 

underway to ease the stress of the 

Jacksonville commute. 


Here is a little overview of some of the 

major improvements. 

• Interstate 295 (formerly Florida 9A) 

forms the suburban beltway loop 

around the Jacksonville metropolitan 

area. The loop is split between the 

West Beltway and East Beltway. The 

West Beltway carries the original 35 

miles of I-295 from I-95 in Southside 

through to Mandarin, Orange Park, 

Westside and Northside, where 

it meets I-95 near Jacksonville 

International Airport. The newer 

26-mile East Beltway continues 

I-295 from the West Beltway and I-95 

through Northside and Arlington to 

the West Beltway in Southside. 

• State Road 9B (SR 9B) is a planned 

four-lane divided highway that will 

connect Duval and St. Johns County 

from the I-295 East Beltway to County 

Road 2209 (St. Johns Parkway). The 

road was planned in three phases. 

Construction on Phase 1 began in 

summer 2010. The northbound lanes 

of the new roadway from Philips 

Highway to the I-295 East Beltway 

opened to traffic Sept. 19, 2013.


Southbound lanes opened Sept. 20, 

2013. 

• Construction began on Phase 2 in 

2013. Phase 2 of State Road 9B is from 

Interstate 95 to Philips Highway (U.S. 

1). Construction began Sept. 8, 2015 

on Phase 3, the final phase of State 

Road 9B, from I-95 to County Road 

2209 (St. Johns Parkway) in St. Johns 

County. It is scheduled to be complete 

in summer 2018. 

• The Florida Department of 

Transportation (FDOT) started 

construction on a project to 

improve the I-95/Butler Boulevard 

interchange. The project — scheduled 

for completion in summer 2017 — 

will provide a flyover bridge for 

southbound I-95 traffic exiting onto 

eastbound Butler Boulevard, along 

with about 10 other improvements. 

• Tampa Bay to Northeast Florida 

Corridor is a proposed new toll 

road that would connect Tampa to 

Jacksonville. The highway concept 

could extend Suncoast Parkway 

further north and east to meet 

Interstate 75 somewhere around 

Ocala, Gainesville or Lake City. 

Three ways to ride: buses, trolley and skyway 

The Jacksonville Transportation 

Authority (904-630-3181; jtafla.com) 

plans, designs and builds highway 

projects. It also runs the city bus 

system, the Skyway, trolleys, a stadium 

shuttle, Park-N-Ride and a disabled and 

disadvantaged rider service. 

Public buses run across Jacksonville, 

the beaches and into Clay County. 

STAR is JTA's fare collection system 

and it makes use of hard-plastic smart 

cards and smart paper tickets. The 

system features ticket vending machines 

and “Simply Tap And Ride” card readers 

on buses, trolleys, Community Shuttles 

and paratransit vehicles. 

JTA Paratransit Service provides 

destination-to-destination public 

transportation for people with 

disabilities who are unable to use fixedroute 

services. Paratransit Service also 

offers travel training to people who 

have the ability to use a fixed route and 

are Americans with Disabilities Act 

paratransit eligible. 

Connexion, JTA's paratransit 

service, is a comparable service under 

the Americans with Disabilities Act 

for people with disabilities who are 

functionally unable to use regular fixed 

route bus services for some or all of their 

transportation needs, and for people 

who are transportation disadvantaged. 

Connexion runs daily, including holidays 

(jtafla.com/schedules/paratransit). 

Skyway: The JTA Skyway (jtafla.com/ 

schedules/skyway) is a 2.5-mile elevated 

monorail system, offering service to 

downtown patrons and employees. The 

free system currently consists of two 

routes that serve eight stations and cross 

the St. Johns River on the Acosta Bridge. 

The Skyway operates Monday through 

Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and trains 

arrive every three to eight minutes. The 

Skyway is also open until 9:30 p.m. on 

the first Wednesday of each month for 

First Wednesday Art Walk. 

JTA also offers the Riverside 

Avondale Night Trolley


(riversideavondalenighttrolley.com), 

which is a service from the Jacksonville 

Landing to Five Points. The trolley runs 

every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. 

to 2 a.m., and the cost is $1.50 per ride. 

Patrons can also pay $4 using the MyJTA 

app for Androids and iPhones to receive 

unlimited rides for the evening. 

The Beaches Trolley (jtafla.com/ 

schedules/the-beaches-trolley) runs 

Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. 

to 2:30 a.m., taking passengers to and 

from the South Beach Regional Shopping 

Center and Atlantic Boulevard. It runs 

every 20 minutes and costs $1.50 to ride. 

Fly in the sky 

The Jacksonville Airport Authority, 

(904-741-2000; jaxactionline@flyjax. 

com) owns and operates Jacksonville 

International Airport. The airport’s 

system serves the commercial, business 

and recreational aviation needs of 

Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. 

The organization encompasses 

four central airports: Jacksonville 

International Airport, Cecil Airport, 

Jacksonville Executive Craig Airport and 

Herlong Recreational Airport. 

The Jacksonville International 

Airport (flyjax.com; 904-741-4902) 

is 18 miles north of downtown. It is 

a commercial service airport with 

approximately 200 flights per day. 

The airport includes an art gallery, 

lactation suite, meditation room, live 

entertainment, onsite restaurants and an 

information desk. 

The Cecil Airport (904-573-1611) 

is a public joint civil-military airport 

and spaceport located on the site of the 

former Naval Air Station Cecil Field, 

which opened in 1941 and closed in 1999. 

Jacksonville Executive Craig Airport 

(904-641-7666), located just minutes from 

downtown, serves the needs of general 

aviation enthusiasts and corporate 

passengers. JAXEX is ideally located with 

quick access to the city’s beaches and the 

downtown business district. 

Herlong Recreational Airport (904- 

783-2805) has been home to Jacksonville 

Aviation enthusiasts since the 1960s. It is 

“Northeast Florida’s primary location for 

light sport aircraft, skydiving, gliders and 

other experimental aircraft,” according 

to Flyjacksonville.com. 

On the rails 

Headquartered in Jacksonville, CSX 

Corp (904-359-3200; csx.com) is the 

parent company of subsidiaries that 

include CSX Transportation (904-359- 

3100), one of the largest rail networks on 

the East Coast with about 21,000 route 

miles. CSX serves nearly two-thirds 

of the American population through 

a network that spans 23 states, the 

District of Columbia and two Canadian 

provinces. 

Florida East Coast Railway, (904-538- 

6100; fecrwy.com) is a freight railroad 

that extends from Jacksonville to Miami. 

It operates 351 miles of mainland track 

along the east coast of Florida with direct 

rail access to South Florida’s ports. 

For rail passengers, Jacksonville’s 

Amtrak station (904-766-5110; amtrak. 

com) offers the Silver Star or Silver 

Meteor route to New York City, Miami, 

Tampa and destinations in between. 

The Carnival cruise ship Elation offers four- and five-day cruises out of the Jacksonville Port 

Authority's North Jacksonville cruise terminal. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 


Big ports of call 

JAXPORT (904-357-3000; jaxport. 

com) is a 1,500-acre, international trade 

seaport situated at the crossroads of 

the nation’s rail and highway network. 

The port offers worldwide cargo service 

from dozens of ocean carriers, including 

direct service with Asia, Europe, Africa, 

the Middle East, South America, the 

Caribbean and other key markets. 

JAXPORT’s intermodal connections 

include three U.S. interstates (I-10, 

I-95 and I-75), along with 36 daily train 

departures via several railroads. 

The port “owns, maintains and 

markets three cargo terminals and one 

passenger cruise terminal along the 

St. Johns River: Blount Island Marine 

Terminal, Dames Point Marine Terminal, 

Talleyrand Marine Terminal and the 

JAXPORT Cruise Terminal” according 

to its website. JAXPORT’s three marine


terminals handle every type of general 

and project cargo. 

JAXPORT also operates Jacksonville’s 

passenger cruise terminal, which is home 

to Carnival Cruise Line. JAXPORT Cruise 

Terminal offers year-round service from 

Jacksonville to the Bahamas. 

With the work of about 20 privately 

owned marine terminals and JAXPORT 

facilities at Blount Island, Talleyrand 

and Dames Point, the company moved 

8.2 million tons of cargo in 2015. A year 

later, JAXPORT began operating its 

new Intermodal Container Transfer 

Facility, installing new container cranes, 

modernizing docks and entering the 

construction phase of a project to deepen 

the Jacksonville shipping channel to 47 

feet. 

TOTE Maritime (877-775-7447 or 

904-855-1260; totemaritime.com), 

formerly known as Sea Star Line LLC, 

is headquartered in Jacksonville and 

operates terminals in Florida, Puerto 

Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

In January 2016, TOTE Maritime 

launched Isla Bell, the world’s first 

container ship powered by liquefied 

natural gas. More than 40 LNG-ready 

or LNG-fueled container ships have 

been ordered or are under construction 

worldwide, according to the company’s 

website. 

Horizon Terminal Services (904- 

479-3194; horizonterminals.com) began 

operating on Blount Island in late 2016. It 

sits on nearly 30 acres and its president, 

Per Folkesson, said he expects the 

company to move 80,000 cars under 

existing contracts in 2017. Among other 

services, the company offers vehicle 

processing, equipment processing and 

storage, according to its website. 

Trailer Bridge Inc. (800-554-1589 

or 904-751-7100, trailerbridge.com), 

headquartered in Jacksonville, provides 

weekly sailings between Jacksonville 

and San Juan, Puerto Rico, along with 

trips from Jacksonville to the Dominican 

Republic. It also offers weekly interisland 

service between Puerto Rico 

and the Dominican Republic. “Our 

customers depend on Trailer Bridge 

to deliver many of the products that 

sustain and drive the Puerto Rico and 

Dominican Republic economies — from 

foodstuffs and furniture, to appliances 

and automobiles, and everything in 

between,” according to its website. 

The Port of Fernandina (904-261-0753; 

portoffernandina.org) “provides terminal 

service to numerous pulp and paper 

producers located throughout Florida and 

the Southeast, and provides steel export 

services to several steel companies with 

mills in the Southeast,” according to the 

Florida Ports Council website. 

The Clay County Port (Reynolds 

Park; 904-284-3676; reynoldspark.com) 

is a 1,700-acre complex located on the 

St. Johns River in Green Cove Springs. 

With a close proximity to the interstate, 

service from the CSX railroad company, 

1.1 miles of bulkhead and 13 piers, the 

complex works by lan d, air, sea and rail. 

A cargo connection 

Jacksonville-based Landstar (904- 

398-9400, landstar.com) is a global 

transportation system with more 

than 1,100 agents, 9,000 leased owner 

operators, 14,000 trailers and 44,000 

approved capacity providers. 

Other haulers based in Jacksonville 

are Patriot Transportation Holding 

Inc. (877-704-1776, patriottrans.com) 

and its subsidiary, Florida Rock & Tank 

Lines Inc. (floridarockandtanklines. 

com), which serves the southeastern 

United States as a premier bulk carrier. 

In 2015, Patriot Transportation Holding 

Inc. became a separately traded 

public company trading under the 

ticker symbol “PATI” on the NASDAQ 

exchange. Florida Rock & Tank Lines Inc. 

specializes in hauling freight consisting 

mainly of petroleum and other liquid 

and dry bulk commodities. 

Suddath Transportation (888- 

799-5033, suddath.com) does office 

relocation, and it makes 35,000 domestic 

and 17,000 international corporate 

and consumer moves each year. It also 

transports products as a third-party 

logistics partner. 

Travel by bus 

Greyhound Lines has a 24- 

hour main bus terminal located in 

downtown Jacksonville, along with 

branches throughout the Jacksonville 

area. Greyhound offers assistance for 

customers with disabilities (800-752- 

4841 or 904-356-9976), free Wi-Fi and 

individual power outlets at nearly every 

seat. 

Megabus (us.megabus.com) has 

routes from Jacksonville to Orlando and 

Atlanta, Ga. The stop for all arrivals and 

departures in Jacksonville is located at 

the Jacksonville Skyway Convention 

Center Station. The station is located 

at 1100 West Forsyth St. The stop is at 

the last loading bay which is closest 

to Johnson Street. Megabus customer 

parking is located in the lot across the 

Street on West Forsyth in spaces 438 to 

447. 

Rental services 

The Jacksonville area has various taxi, 

limo, shuttle and rental services. Taxi 

fares are about $2 to start and another 

$1.85 for each mile. Please keep in mind 

rates differ between taxi companies. 

Fares from Jacksonville International 

Airport (JIA) are about $35 to downtown 

Jacksonville; $50 to the Beaches or 

Amelia Island; and $105 to St. Augustine. 

Shuttle fares from JIA to downtown are 

about $24 one way, and private black cars 

cost about $45. The popular ride service 

Uber, available as a phone app, is also 

used in Jacksonville. 

A unique way to travel within 

downtown Jacksonville is hopping 

aboard one of four St. Johns River 

Taxis (904-860-8294, jaxrivertaxi. 

com) that cross the St. Johns River from 

The Jacksonville Landing, Friendship 

Fountain, the Doubletree by Hilton hotel, 

the Lexington Hotel and Conference 

Center, and the Metropolitan Park 

Marina. The marina is only a designated 

water taxi stop when events are taking 

place at EverBank Field. 

The company now offers a sunset 

cruise on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays 

and Sundays. The one-hour trip leaves 

from Friendship Park at 6:30 p.m. and 

includes live music. 

A historic ride 

The St. Johns River Ferry (904- 

241-9969, stjohnsriverferry.com) is for 

vehicles and passengers and its history 

dates back to 1874. The St. Johns River 

Ferry Commission was created to keep 

the ferry in service, and it still runs every 

day between Mayport Village and Fort 

George Island. The service’s main vessel, 

which was named after French explorer 

Jean Ribault and launched in 1996, can 

hold 40 cars. 


RECREATION 

Left: THE PLAYERS Championship fans walk 

by the Clubhouse at the Stadium Course 

at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach 

sporting pink for “Pink Out” day in support 

of the 26.2 with DONNA and the Finish 

Breast Cancer charity and marathon. 

(Terry Dickson/Florida Times-Union) 

A golfer’s paradise 

THE PLAYERS Championship winner Jason 

Day holds his trophy after the final round of 

the 2016 tournament held at the Stadium 

Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra 

Beach. (Tim Darby/Florida Times-Union) 

With more than 1,220 holes and approximately 

70 private and public courses, Northeast Florida 

is the perfect place to putt. 

It should be no secret golf is a popular 

sport in Florida. The state is known for 

being home to more golf courses than 

any other with nearly 1,500 courses. With 

that many places to putt, it’s a golfer’s 

dream. 

Here’s the “hole” story of Northeast 

Florida: Residents have a variety of 

courses — from plush, oceanside layouts 

to popular public greens. The area 

features plenty of tour-caliber courses 

designed by experts such as Tom Fazio, 

Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, 

Mark McCumber and the late Arnold 

Palmer. 

Two key factors in the First Coast’s 

golf reputation lie directly south of 

Jacksonville in St. Johns County. The 

Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass in 


Ponte Vedra Beach is home to the PGA 

Tour headquarters and THE PLAYERS 

Championship, while World Golf Village 

— located north of St. Augustine — has 

become a destination attraction. 

More so than ever, the First Coast is an 

area in which to learn and appreciate the 

game, thanks in good part to the First Tee 

program. 

The First Tee of North Florida works 

to “impact the lives of young people by 

providing educational programs that 

build character, instill life-enhancing 

values and promote healthy choices 

through the game of golf,” according to 

its website. 

Its signature course, the Brentwood 

Golf Course, offers a quality nine-hole 

course with a challenging layout: three 

par 3s, five par 4s and one par 5. It also 

offers a full practice facility, including 

a driving range, putting and chipping 

green. 

Golf lovers now have a haven to beat 

the heat during the brutal summer 

months. Topgolf recently opened 

one of its golf entertainment centers 

in Jacksonville at the St. Johns Town 

Center. 

The complex features a hightech 

driving range with targets that 

range from 25 yards to more than 200 

yards. Each target reads a microchip 

inside each golf ball, allowing various 

measurements of distance and accuracy. 

The location also includes several bars, 

a full-service restaurant and more than 

200 TVs.

Plenty of golf courses just a chip shot away 

Golf clubs and 

courses 

CLAY COUNTY 

River Bend Golf Links 

659 Leonard C. Taylor Parkway 


904-284-8777 

riverbendgolflinks.com 

Eagle Harbor Golf Club 

2217 Eagle Harbor Parkway 


904-269-9300 

eagleharboronline.com 

The Golf Club at Fleming Island 



904-269-1440 

solegolf.com 

Lakeside Links Golf Club 

294 SE 43rd St. 


352-473-4540 

lakesidelinksgolfclub.com 

Magnolia Point Golf 

& Country Club 

3670 Clubhouse Drive 


904-269-9276 

magnoliapointgolfclub.com 

Country Club of Orange Park 

2525 Country Club Blvd. 


904-276-7664 

solegolf.com 

Eagle Landing Golf Club 

3989 Eagle Landing Parkway 


904-291-5600 

eaglelandinggolf.com 

DUVAL COUNTY 

Blue Cypress Golf Club 

4012 University Blvd. 


904-762-1971 

bluecypressgolf.com 

Deercreek Country Club 

7816 McLaurin Road N. 


904-363-1604 

deercreekclub.com 

Deerfield Lakes Golf Club 

54002 Deerfield Country Club 

Road, Callahan 32011 

904-879-1210 

jacksonvillegolf.com 

Deerwood Club 

10239 Golf Club Drive 


904-641-6400 

deerwoodclub.com 

Fiddler’s Green 

13715 Lake Newman St. 


904-778-5245 


Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club 

4590 Glen Kernan Parkway E. 


904-646-1116 

glenkernanrealty.com 

Bent Creek Golf Course 

10440 Tournament Lane 


904-779-0800 

golfbentcreek.com 

Hidden Hills Country Club 

3901 Monument Road 


904-641-8121 

hiddenhillscc.com 

Hyde Park Golf Club 

6439 Hyde Grove Ave. 


904-786-5410 

hydeparkgolfclub.com 

Jacksonville Beach Golf Course 

605 Penman Road S. 


904-247-6184 

jaxbchgolf.com 

Jacksonville Golf & Country Club 

3985 Hunt Club Road 


904-223-5555 

jaxgcc.com 

Blue Sky Golf Club 

1700 Monument Road 


904-446-2899 

golfbluesky.com 

NAS Jacksonville Golf Club 

809 Mustin Road 


904-542-3249 

navymwrjacksonville.com 

Pablo Creek Golf Club 



904-992-6900 


Queen’s Harbour Yacht & 

Country Club 

1131 Queen’s Harbour Blvd. 


904-220- 2118 

clubcorp.com 

San Jose Country Club 



904-733-2020, sjccjax.com 

Atlantic Beach Country Club 

1600 Selva Marina Drive 


904-372-2222 

atlanticbeachcountryclub.com 

Timuquana Country Club 

4028 Timuquana Road 


904-389-0477, timuquana.net 

Windsor Parke Golf Club 

13823 Sutton Park Drive N. 


904-223-4653 

windsorparke.com 

Windy Harbor Golf Club 

Naval Station St. 18, Bldg. 1981 

Mayport 32228 

904-270-5328 

windyharborgolf.com 

NASSAU COUNTY 

Omni Amelia Island Plantation 

39 Beach Lagoon Road 

Amelia Island 32034 

904-277-5907, omnihotels.com 

Fernandina Beach Golf Club 

2800 Bill Melton Road 


904- 310-3175 

fernandinabeachgolfclub.com 

The Golf Club at North Hampton 

22680 N. Hampton Club Way 


904-548-0000 

hamptongolfclubs.com 

The Golf Club of Amelia Island 

4700 Amelia Island Parkway 


904-277-8015 

golfclubofamelia.com 

Amelia River Golf Club 

4477 Buccaneer Trail 


904-491-8500 

golfclubameliariver.com 

Amelia National 

95211 Clubhouse Road 


904-652-0660 

amelianationalgolf.com 


Julington Creek Golf Club 

1111 Durbin Creek Blvd. 

Fruit Cove 32259 

904-287-4653 

julingtoncreekgc.com 

Cimarrone Golf Club 

2800 Cimarrone Blvd. 


904-287-2000 

cimarronegolf.com 

The Golf Club at South Hampton 

315 S. Hampton Club Way 


904-287-7529 

golfsouthhampton.com 

Marsh Creek Country Club 

169 Marshside Drive 


904-461-1101 

marshcreek.com 

Marsh Landing Country Club 

25655 Marsh Landing Parkway 


904-285-6514 

marshlandingcc.com 

Palencia Club 

600 Palencia Club Drive 


904-599-9040 

palenciaclub.com 

Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach 

101 Plantation Drive 


904-543-2999 

theplantationpvb.com 

Ponte Vedra Golf & Country Club 

254 Alta Mar Drive 


904-285-5552 

thepontevedragolfandcc.com 

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club 

200 Ponte Vedra Blvd. 


888-839-9145 

pontevedra.com 

RECREATION 

Royal St. Augustine Golf 


301 Royal St. Augustine 

Parkway 


904-824-4653 

royalstaugustinegolf.com 

St. Augustine Shores 

707 Shores Blvd. 


904-794-4653 

capstonegolf.net 

St. Johns Golf Club 

4900 Cypress Links Blvd. 

Elkton 32033 

904-209-0350, sjgc.com 

St. Johns Golf & Country Club 

205 St. Johns Golf Drive 


904-940-3200 

stjohnsgolf.com 

Sawgrass Country Club 

10034 Golf Club Drive 


904-273-3700 

sawgrasscountryclub.com 

TPC at Sawgrass Players 

Stadium Course 

110 Championship Way 


904-273-3235, tpc.com/ 

sawgrass 

World Golf Hall of Fame 

One World Golf Place 


904-940-4000, golfwgv.com 

Driving ranges 

Standalone facilities in 

the area: 

UNF Golf Complex at the Hayt 

Learning Center 

One UNF Drive, Building 48, 

904-620-2050 

Westside Golf Center 

2301 Parrish Cemetery Road, 

904-786-1999 

MasterFit Golf Teaching and 

Fitting Academy 

14055 Philips Highway, 

904-886-4800 


RECREATION 

Fun starts at parks 

For a getaway day or just an afternoon, you can 

hike, bike, fish, swim, picnic or just relax. 

BAKER COUNTY 

For more information, contact 

the Osceola National Forest at 

904-752-2577. 

Parks 

Heritage Park Village 

102 S. Lowder St., Macclenny 

32063; includes storefronts 

from the 1930s and 1950s, 

along with a gazebo, garden, 

picnic area and restored train 

depot and caboose 

Little St. Marys River Park 

Highway U.S. 90 West between 

Macclenny and Glen St. Mary 

on the South Prong of the St. 

Marys River; picnic areas and 

fishing in a stocked pond 

Ocean Pond Recreation Area 

Located in Osceola National 

Forest, four miles from Olustee 

Battlefield Park off County 

Road 250A between U.S. 90 

and Interstate 10; 2-mile-wide 

lake, hiking trails, camping 

areas, boat ramp, fishing, 

swimming and picnic area 

Osceola National Forest 

Ranger station on U.S. 90, 

just west of Olustee; about 

one-half of the 200,000 acres 

is in Baker County; swamps, 

woodlands, streams, ponds 

and hiking trails; camping 

allowed 

CLAY COUNTY 


Clay County Parks and 

Recreation at 904-269-6378 or 

claycountygov.com. 

Selected parks 

Camp Blanding Wildlife 

Management Area 

myfwc.com 

In Clay County, east of Starke; 

more than 56,000 acres for 

hunting, fishing, swimming 

and picnicking 


Carl Pugh Park 

317 West St., Green Cove 

Springs; leased to the city 

athletic association; softball 

field and baseball field 

Four Silo Park 

1657 Farm Way, off County 

Road 220 in Middleburg; 

tennis courts, basketball court, 

softball field, picnic areas and 

playground on 6 acres 

Foxmeadow Recreational Park 

1155 Foxmeadow Trail off 

Old Jennings Road; pavilions, 

basketball court, all-purpose 

ball field, horse riding trails 

and playground 

Hunter-Douglas Park 

4393 Longmire Road, 

Middleburg 32068; a 10-acre 

park with a picnic pavilion, 

softball field, basketball court, 

tennis court, playground and 

community meeting room 

Island Forest Park 

6183 Bermuda Drive, Fleming 

Island 32003; a 2.8-acre park 

with a playground, picnic 

areas, pavilions, volleyball and 

basketball courts 

Jennings State Forest 

freshfromflorida.com 

1337 Long Horn Road, 

Middleburg 32068; more than 

23,000 acres with swimming, 

hiking, bicycling, canoeing, 

horseback riding and wildlife 

viewing, The forest is open 

to regulated hunting and 

fishing, and closed to all other 

recreation activities during 

hunting periods 

Keystone Beach 

565 S. Lawrence Blvd., 

Keystone Heights 32656; 

picnicking, volleyball, 

playground and pavilion 

Kingsley Lake Park 

6110 Kingsley Lake Drive, 

Kingsley Lake 32091; tennis 

court, picnic area with covered 

pavilion and playground 

Little Rain Lake Park 

6725 Little Rain Blvd., 

Keystone Heights 32656; a 34- 

acre park with a football field, 

baseball fields, basketball 

court and tennis courts 

Master Sgt. John E. Hayes 

Memorial Park 

3788 Main St., Middleburg 

32068 (next to Main Street 

boat ramp); the 5-acre 

park includes a picnic 

area, playground, 825-foot 

boardwalk and two fishing 

piers 

Moccasin Slough 

4393 Raggedy Point Road, 

Fleming Island 32003; a 255- 

acre parcel with two walking 

trails, eight fitness stations, 

a playground and a shaded 

picnic station; one of the 

largest undeveloped tracts on 

the river between Jacksonville 

and Palatka 

Omega Community Park 

4319 County Road 218, 

Middleburg 32068; a 16-acre 

park with baseball, football 

and softball fields, along with 

tennis courts, a concession 

area and a playground 

Paul C. Armstrong Park 

2445 County Road 220, Doctors 

Inlet 32068; an 18-acre park 

with softball and soccer fields, 

tennis courts, a basketball 

court, a playground and 

covered picnic pavilions 

Ronnie Van Zant Park 

2760 Sandridge Road, Lake 

Asbury 32068; an 85-acre park 

with basketball and tennis 

courts, soccer and softball 

fields, picnic pavilions, a 

playground, a volleyball court, 

Frisbee golf, nature trails and 

a fishing pond with piers 

Spring Park 

In Green Cove Springs along 

the St. Johns River and next to 

City Hall; featuring playground 

equipment, picnic facilities, a 

gazebo, spring-fed pool and 

500-foot pier with 12 boat slips 

Theme Park 

555 S. Lawrence Blvd., 

Keystone Heights 32656; tiny 

tot play area, picnicking, and 

tennis and basketball courts 

Twin Lakes Park 

6065 Twin Lakes Road, 

Keystone Heights 32656; a 

50-acre park with a bike trail, 

baseball field, soccer fields, 

playground, picnic pavilion 

and two tennis courts 

Vera Francis Hall Park 

At the west end of Martin 

Luther King Jr. Boulevard; 

basketball courts, volleyball, 

fitness center, nature trails, 

playground, picnic facilities, 

nature interpretive center, 

canoe landing, horseshoe 

courts, ball field and 

amphitheater 

W.E. Varnes Park 

3593 Fortuna Drive, Orange 

Park 32065; a 3.25-acre park 

with two tennis courts, a 

covered picnic area and a 

playground 

DUVAL COUNTY 

The city of Jacksonville 

operates one of the largest 

urban park systems in the 

country, providing services 

at more than 400 locations. 


the Jacksonville Parks and 

Recreation Department at 

904-630-2489 or coj.net. 

All parks are located in 

Jacksonville unless otherwise 

noted. 


A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park 

1096 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.; 

playground equipment and 

picnic facilities 

Alberts Field 

12073 Brady Road; lighted 

youth and adult baseball 

fields, concession stand and 

picnic facilities 

Baker Skinner Park 

7641 Powers Ave., across from 

Wolfson High School; features 

38 acres with lighted baseball 

fields, picnic areas, nature and 

jogging trails and playgrounds 

Bethesda Park 

10790 Key Haven Blvd.; 

completely accessible and 

barrier-free recreational 

complex for the physically 

disabled; includes nature trail 

boardwalks, 20-acre stocked 

fishing lake, picnic facilities, 

cabins and a lodge 

Blue Cypress Park 

4012 University Blvd. N.; a 119- 

acre park on the south bank of 

the St. Johns River; includes a 

nine-hole golf course, fishing 

pier, boardwalk, community 

center and swimming pool 

Bruce Park 

6549 Arlington Road; lighted 

softball field, lighted tennis 

and basketball courts, 

playground and picnic shelters 

Catherine Hester McNair Park 

551 W. 25th St.; a 16-acre park 

with baseball and softball 

fields, basketball and tennis 

courts, shuffleboard and 

playground equipment 

Cecil Field 

13531 Lake Newman Drive; 

more than 800 acres for 

recreational use with picnic 

areas, playground, gym, ball 

fields, basketball court, lighted 

tennis courts, golf course and 

two pedestrian docks 

Crystal Springs Road Park 

10151 Crystal Springs Road; 

lighted tennis courts, nature 

trails, picnic tables, grills, 

playground, and baseball field 

Ed Austin Regional Park 

11751 McCormick Road; 

features golf course with 

tournaments available, along 

with lighted baseball fields, 

soccer fields, walking trail, 

community center, playground 

and picnic area 

Dutton Island Park 

and Preserve 

793 Dutton Island Road W., 

Atlantic Beach 32233; this park 

lies along the Intracoastal 

Waterway and includes a 

dock, canoe launch, picnic 

area, trail, fishing and wildlife 

observation posts

Jarboe Park 

301 Florida Blvd., Neptune 

Beach 32266; two free beach 

volleyball courts, tennis 

courts, a baseball field, 

jogging trail, basketball court, 

playground and picnic area 

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park 

500 Wonderwood Drive; this 

park, located on a 1.5-mile 

stretch of the Atlantic Ocean, 

has a 60-acre freshwater 

lake, water playground, hiking 

trails, single-track biking 

trails, picnic shelters and is 

close to 300 campsites with 

shower facilities; $5 entrance 

fee per vehicle 

Lannie Road Park 

3461 Lannie Road; a 215-acre 

park with radio control flying 

field for model airplane 

enthusiasts; to fly a model, 

you must have Academy of 

Model Aeronautics insurance 

coverage or its equivalent; 

weekend classes are provided 

for beginners; covered 

pavilion with picnic tables, 

workbenches, clubhouse, 

playground equipment and 

athletic fields 

Lonnie C. Miller Sr. 

Regional Park 

7689 Price Lane; this 126- 

acre park has a playground, 

volleyball area, paved trails, 

restrooms and picnic pavilions 

Mandarin Park 

14780 Mandarin Road; the 

park has a small pond, short 

trails, a nature discovery 

center, picnic pavilions 

with grills, a fishing area, 

observation pier, playground, 

boardwalk and boat ramp 

Memorial Park 

1620 Riverside Ave.; dedicated 

in 1924, this park on the St. 

Johns River honors the 1,200 

Floridians who died in World 

War I; listed on the National 

Register of Historic Places 

Metropolitan Park 

4110 Gator Bowl Drive; 23-acre 

waterfront park with outdoor 

concerts and events, picnic 

shelters, docking facilities and 

a playground 

Ringhaver Park 

5198 118th St.; athletic 

fields, covered picnic area, 

Big Talbot Island State Park is primarily a natural preserve with stunning views of 

the sunrise, and an ideal location for bird-watching. (Florida Times-Union file) 

playground and canoe launch 

on the Ortega River 

Treaty Oak at Jessie Ball 

duPont Park 

1207 Prudential Drive; this 

3-acre park is centered by the 

more than 200-year-old Treaty 

Oak tree 

Tree Hill Nature Center 

7152 Lone Star Road; a 50-acre 

forest with an indoors nature 

center, interactive exhibits, 

wildflower gardens and nature 

trails; admission is $4 for 

adults, $3 for students and 

seniors, $2 for children 17 and 

under, and free to Tree Hill 

members 

Walter Jones Historical Park 

11964 Mandarin Road; 

the park is significant for 

its historic buildings and 

centuries-old oak and cypress 

trees, along with its museum 

highlighting post-Civil War 

Mandarin and its boardwalk 

on the St. Johns River 

Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park 

7000 Roosevelt Blvd.; the park 

has a nature center, picnic 

area with grills, playground, 

biking trails, hiking and nature 

trails, and an observation 

tower to view wetlands and 

wildlife 

NASSAU COUNTY 


Nassau County Parks and 

Recreation Department 

at 904-530-6120 or 

nassaucountyfl.com. 


Atlantic Recreation Center 

2500 Atlantic Ave., 

Jacksonville 32207; community 

center, pool, baseball field and 

basketball court 

Big Talbot Island State Park 

State Road A1A North, 

Jacksonville 32226; five 

hiking trails through dunes, 

hammocks and beach 

Central Park 

1200 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina 

Beach 32034; tennis courts, 

basketball court, playground 

and baseball/softball complex 

Main Beach Park 

32 N. Fletcher Ave., Amelia 

Island 32034; picnic tables, 

sand volleyball, playground 

and multipurpose court 

Martin Luther King Jr. 

Recreation Center 

1200 Elm St., Fernandina 

Beach 32034; playground, 

picnic area, baseball practice 

field and the Martin Luther 

King Jr. Center Pools 



St. Johns County Parks and 

Recreation Office at 904-209- 

0333 or co.st-johns.fl.us. 


Al Wilkie Park 

6150 S. Main St., Hastings 

32145; playground, picnic 

shelter, tennis courts, 

basketball courts, baseball 

field and community center 

Alpine Groves Park 

2060 State Road 13, Fruit 

Cove 32259; a 55-acre park 

with historical structures, 

hiking trails, picnic areas and a 

playground 

Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park 

10 North Holmes Blvd., St. 

Augustine 32084; the park 

includes volleyball and 

basketball courts, along with 

a tennis court, softball field, 

picnic area and playground 

Cornerstone Park 

1046 A1A N., Ponte Vedra 

Beach 32082; the park 

includes a multi-purpose field 

and picnic shelter, along with 

baseball fields, tennis courts 

and basketball courts 

Davenport Park 

174 San Marco Ave., St. 

Augustine 32084; includes 

the area’s only carousel, and a 

playground and picnic area 

Davis Park 

210 Davis Park Road, Ponte 

Vedra Beach 32082; the park 

includes soccer, football, 

softball and baseball 

complexes, along with a picnic 

shelter and playground; home 

to one of the county’s three 

Paw Parks, which includes a 

large off-leash play area 

Frank Butler Park West 

399 Riverside Blvd., St. 

Augustine 32080; the park 

RECREATION 

includes a boat ramp, picnic 

shelters and grills, along with 

a view of the Intracoastal 

Waterway 

Lighthouse Park/ J. Edward 

Cox Recreational Facility 

442 Ocean Vista Ave., 

St. Augustine 32080; a 

lighthouse, fishing pier, boat 

ramp, playground and grills 

North Beach Park 

3721 Coastal Highway, St. 

Augustine 32084; beach 

access, playground, showers 

and grills 

Ron Parker Park 

607 Old Beach Road, St. 

Augustine Beach 32080; 

playground, softball field and 

lighted tennis, paddle tennis 

and basketball courts 

St. Johns County Ocean Pier 

350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. 

Augustine Beach 32080; 

4-acre beachfront park with 

playground, Splash Park, 

pavilion, lighted beach 

volleyball courts and fishing 

pier; parking is free; $1 fee to 

visit pier; daily fishing passes 

are $2 for residents and $3 for 

non-residents 

Treaty Park 

1595 Wildwood Drive, St. 

Augustine 32086; playground, 

picnic shelter, grills, nature 

trails, bicycle and fitness 

trails, 3-acre lake with canoe 

trail, lighted tennis and paddle 

tennis courts, racquetball 

courts, softball fields, multipurpose 

fields, skate park and 

pavilion; includes one of three 

county Paw Parks 

Trout Creek Park 

6795 Collier Road, Orangedale 

32092; 16.5-acre park with 

onsite naturalist, nature trails, 

community center, boat ramp 

and playground 

Northeast Florida is also home 

to many national parks. Visit 

floridastateparks.org for more 

information. 


One of the many perks 

of life in Northeast 

Florida is boating. In this 

photo, vessels rest at the 

Doctors Lake Marina, 

located off of State Road 

17 at the northernmost 

end of Fleming Island. 

(Florida Times-Union file) 

Marinas: Giving berth 

CLAY COUNTY 


Green Cove Springs Marina 

851 Bulkhead Road 


gcsmarina.com 

Holland Marine 

1011 Bulkhead Road 


hollandmarineboatyardcom 

Rudder Club 

8533 Malaga Ave. 


rudderclub.com 

Doctors Lake Marina 

3108 U.S. Highway 17 S. 


doctorslakemarina.com 

Fleming Island Marina 

3027 U.S. Highway 17 


904-269-0027 


Full-service marinas take care 

of all your boating needs. 

DUVAL COUNTY 

(Jacksonville unless otherwise 

noted) 


Arlington Marina 

5137 Arlington Road 32211 

arlingtonmarina.com 

Clapboard Creek Marina 

6220 Heckscher Drive 32226 

904-757-1135 

Epping Forest Yacht Club 

1830 Epping Forest Dr. 32217 

efyc.com 

Florida Yacht Club 

5210 Yacht Club Road 32210 

thefloridayachtclub.org 

Morningstar Marinas 

at Mayport 

4852 Ocean St. 32233 

morningstarmarinas.com/ 

mayport 

Metropolitan Park Marina 

1410 Gator Bowl Blvd. 32202 

904-630-0839, coj.net 

River City Marina 

835 Museum Circle 32207 

904-398-7918 

St. Johns River (Julington Creek) 

The Marina at Julington Creek 


904-268-5117 

Mandarin Holiday Marina 


mandarinholidaymarinajaxfl. 

com 

St. Johns River (Ortega River) 

The Marina at Ortega Landing 

4240 Lakeside Drive 32210 

ortegalanding.com 

Sadler Point Marina 

4669 Roosevelt Blvd. 32210 

sadlerpoint.com 

Lamb’s Yacht Center 

3376 Lake Shore Blvd. 32210 

lambsyachtcenter.com 

Lakeshore Dry Storage 

3326 Lake Shore Blvd. 32210 

lakeshoredrystorage.com 

St. Johns River (Trout River) 

Seafarers Marina 

455 Trout River Drive 32208 

seafarersmarina.com 

Intracoastal Waterway 

Beach Marine 



jaxbeachmarine.com 

Marina San Pablo Yacht Club 

4388 Marina San Pablo Place 

32224 

aphoracoachhomes.com 

Palm Cove Marina 

14603 Beach Blvd. 32250 

palmcovemarina.com 

Queens Harbour Yacht 


1131 Queens Harbour Blvd. 

32225 

qhycc.com 

NASSAU COUNTY 

(Fernandina Beach unless 


Amelia Island Yacht Basin 

251 Creekside Drive 32034 

aiyb.net 

Fernandina Harbor Marina 

Three S. Front St. 32034 

fhmarina.com 

Olde Towne Marina 

1420 N. 14th St. 32034 

oldetownemarinafla.com 

Tiger Point Marina 

& Boat Works 

997 Egan’s Creek Lane 32034 

tigerpointmarina.com 


(St. Augustine unless 


English Landing Marina 

509 South Ponce de Leon Blvd. 

32084 

englishlanding.net 

Hidden Harbor Marina 

10 Prawn St. 32084 

hiddenharbor.biz 

Intercoastal Marina 

200 Nix Boat Yard Road 32084 

intercoastalmarinainc. 

blogspot.com 

River’s Edge Marina 

65 Lewis Blvd. 32084 

29riversedgemarina.com 

St. Augustine Marina 

245 Vilano Road 32084 

staugustinemarina.net 

St. Augustine Yacht Club 

442 Ocean Vista Ave. 32080 

staugustineyachtclub.com 

Trout Creek Marina 

6550 Sate Road 13 32092 

904-342-2471 


Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor 

3070 Harbor Drive 32084 

camacheeisland.com 

St. Augustine Municipal Marina 

111 Avenida Menendez 32084 

staugustinegovernment.com 

Salt Run (between Conch & 

Anastasia islands) 

Conch House Marina Resort 

57 Comares Ave. 32080 

conch-house.com/marina 

San Sebastian River 

Oasis Boatyard 

256 Riberia St. 32084 

oasisboatyardandmarina.com

RECREATION 

Ramps: Float your boat 

There are plenty of places to 

launch a day on the water. 

BAKER COUNTY 

Ocean Pond (Olustee Beach) 

Osceola National Forest 

off U.S. 90, end of CR 

231, about half-mile 

north of Olustee; $3 fee 

Ocean Pond (Hog Pen 

Landing) 

Off Interstate 10, Forest 

Road 241, 241-A about 11 

miles east of Lake City; 

$2 fee 

Ocean Pond (North 

Campground) 

East of Hog Pen Landing 

Boat Launch, off 

National Forest Road 266 

St. Marys River 

Off Steel Bridge Road, 

about 4 miles north of 

Macclenny; surface is 

hard-packed sand 

CLAY COUNTY 

Black Creek (Rideout Ferry) 

Old Ferry Road, off CR 

209, 1 mile north of 

Middleburg; single-lane 

Black Creek (Middleburg) 

Off Highway 21, down 

the end of Main Street 

Lake Geneva 

Off CR 100, 2.4 miles 

west of Keystone Heights 

Lake Lowry and 

Lake Magnolia 

Off CR 100, State Road 

21, 5 miles north of 



Lake Shore (Doctor’s Lake) 

Off U.S. 17 South, south 

of Orange Park; two 

lanes, launch and staging 

areas 

Knight’s Boat Ramp 

1492 River Lane, north 

of Green Cove Springs; 

three-lane ramp with 

floating docks; fishing 

pier; 40-slip docking 

facility; large paved 

parking lot, restrooms, 

picnic area and fuel 

Governor’s Creek 

Off U.S. 17 next to 

Clay County Parks and 

Recreation at 1300 N. 

Orange Ave., Green Cove 

Springs 32043 

Old Shand’s Bridge Pier 

(Shallow waters) 

4051 Old Shands Bridge 

Boat Launch, Green Cove 

Springs 32043 

Whitey's Fish Camp 

2032 County Road 220, 

Fleming Island 32003; $5 

weekend; $3 weekday 

DUVAL COUNTY 


Alimacani 

At Huguenot Memorial 

Park off A1A; 

unimproved sand-andshell 

ramp suitable only 

for small craft; limited 

parking; picnic area, 

grills, portable restroom 

Talbot Island State Park 

Sawpit Creek at A1A 

bridge over Nassau 

River; single-lane ramp 

with good surface; 

restrooms; $3 charge on 

honor system 

Jim King Park 

Off Heckscher Drive; 

double-wide ramp; 

adequate paved parking 

lot; floating concrete 

docks; restrooms 

Joe Carlucci 

McKenna Drive off 

Heckscher Drive on 

north bank of St. Johns 

River at juncture with 

ICW; double-wide, 

rippled-surface ramp; 

picnic area; restrooms 

Mayport 

Off A1A at Mayport east 

of ferry slip; one of best 

ramps for ocean access; 

currents and wakes from 

large vessels can be a 

problem 

Oak Harbor 

2428 Seaway St. off A1A 

near Mayport Road; 

good access to ICW and 

ocean; good facilities; 

restricted to shallow 

draft boats 

McCue Park 

Just east of Intracoastal 

bridge behind Beach 

Marine; on-site and offsite 

parking 

St. Johns River and 

tributaries 

Lonnie Wurn 

4131 Ferber Road in Fort 

Caroline area; limited 

parking 

Bert Maxwell 

Just north of Interstate 

95 at 500 Maxwell Road 

on Trout River; parking 

T.K. Stokes 

Ribault River on 

Riverview Avenue off 

Lem Turner Road; limited 

parking; Not suitable for 

boats more than 22 feet 

in length 

Arlington Lion’s Club 

At Lion’s Club Park off 

University Boulevard, 


RECREATION 

Greater Jacksonville has lots of options for boaters looking to cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 

north of Jacksonville 

University; good parking, 

nature trails, picnic areas, 

restrooms 

Arlington Road 

At the end of Arlington Road, 

north of Mathews Bridge; 

single-wide ramp; limited 

parking 

St. Johns Marina 

Last ramp going south on 

the St. Johns River in Duval 

County, directly behind River 

City Brewing Company; wide 

and well-surfaced; parking and 

access limited; currents can 

also be a problem 

Curtis Lee Johnson Marina Park 

(Lighthouse Marina) 

Cedar River, 5434 San Juan 

Ave. at bridge; floating dock; 

restrooms; limited parking 

Wayne B. Stevens 

Fishing Creek off Ortega 

River at Ortega Farms Blvd.; 

adequate parking; restrooms 

Hood Landing 

Julington Creek at the end of 

Hood Landing Road at Clark’s 

Fish Camp; singlewide ramp 

with no dock; ramp offers 

only ready access to St. Johns 

River from east bank between 

downtown Jacksonville and St. 

Johns County 

Goodby’s Creek 

San Jose Boulevard; floating 

docks; good parking; 

restrooms 

Timucuan Eco and Historic 

Preserve 

(Cedar Point) 

Horseshoe Creek at the end of 

Cedar Point Road; very limited 

parking 

Mandarin Park 

14780 Mandarin Road, 


Palms Fish Camp 

6359 Heckscher Drive, 


NASSAU COUNTY 

Holly Point Park 

Off Old Nassauville Road 

at 3336 Winterberry Ave.; 

restrooms; picnic area; 

floating dock 

Fernandina Harbour Marina 

One N. Front St., Fernandina 

Beach; good surface, picnic 

tables and restrooms 

Dee Dee Bartels 

(North End Boat Ramp) 

97177 Pogy Place, Fernandina 

32034; ample parking, picnic 

tables, restrooms, good access 

to St. Marys River entrance 

Wilson Neck 

85006 Faye Road, south 

of Yulee off U.S. 17; limited 

parking, good surface, new 

ramp with floating dock 

Egans Creek Marina 

1620 N. 14th St., 


Goffinsville Nassau River Park 

95001 Goffinsville Road, 


Melton Nelson Park 

463540 State Road 200, 

Yulee 32097 

Nassau Landing 

436 Edwards Road, 

Yulee 32907 

St. Marys River 

King’s Ferry 

49127 Bill Johnson Road, 

Hilliard 32046; single lane, 

floating dock 


Intracoastal/ocean 

Frank Butler Park 

399 Riverside Blvd. off A1A in 

Butler Beach; picnic shelters, 

grills 

Douglas C. Crane Park 

Shore Drive in St. Augustine 

South subdivision; adequate 

parking, portable restroom 

Guana River (North) 

In Guana State Recreation 

Area off A1A between 

Jacksonville Beach and St. 

Augustine, 6 miles north of 

Guana Dam; outboard motors 

limited to 10 HP 

Guana River (South) 

Guana Dam off A1A; picnic 

tables, grill, restrooms 

Lighthouse Park 

At St. Augustine Lighthouse 

south of Bridge of Lions; two 

ramps; good surface, limited 

parking, small dock; grills 

Vilano 

Vilano Causeway; good 

surface; ample parking; follow 

navigation markers carefully; 

great ocean access 

Moultrie Creek 

Off Shore Drive in St. 

Augustine Shores; one ramp, 

limited parking 

St. Johns Recreation Park/ 

Usina 

611 Euclid Ave., St. Augustine 

32084 


Palmo Cove 

Palmo Fish Camp Road, off 

County Road 13; shallow ramp, 

limited parking 

Trout Creek 

6795 Collier Road, St. 

Augustine 32092; good access 

to St. Johns; adequate parking; 

tables, grills and fish cleaning 

station 

Pacetti’s Marina 

6550 State Road 13 N., St. 

Augustine 32092; $10 fee 


SHOPPING 

Take a look at some of the major 

retail areas on the First Coast: 

CLAY COUNTY 

Orange Park Mall 

1910 Wells Road, Orange Park 32073 

orangeparkmall.com 

This mall features 116 specialty stores and department 

stores, including Dillard’s, Belk and Sears, along with 

a food court, restaurants and an AMC 24-screen 

megaplex. 

St. Johns Town Center is an outdoor lifestyle mall that is home to more than 150 brand 

name retailers, many of which are exclusive in the market. (Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union) 

There’s plenty in 

store for shoppers 

From large department stores to small consignment 

shops, you can find anything on the First Coast. 

The Jacksonville area might be spread 

out, but shopping is always close at 

hand — from major malls to oneof-a-kind 

designers to antique malls to 

thrift shops. Most neighborhoods have 

everything nearby, including grocery 

stores. Major markets include Winn- 

Dixie, Publix and Rowe’s, along with the 

groceries inside Walmart Supercenter 

and SuperTarget. The Fresh Market, 

Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Trader Joe’s, 

and locally-based Native Sun Natural 

Market and FreshJax offer organic and 

gourmet fare. 

Department store shopping is 

available at such mainstays as Dillard’s, 

Belk, Sears, JCPenney, Kohl’s and Stein 

Mart, as well as discounters Walmart and 

Target. Warehouse shopping is available 

at Sam’s Club, Costco and BJ’s. 

The area’s history also translates into 

unique shopping areas. The shopping 

districts in San Marco, Five Points and 

Avondale are in some of Jacksonville’s 

oldest and most historic neighborhoods 

and offer restaurants, quaint shops, 

boutiques, coffee shops, book stores and 

more. 

Along St. George Street, the main 

street in St. Augustine’s historic 

district, there are 11 pedestrian-only 

blocks of historic sites (the oldest 

wooden schoolhouse among them), 

eating establishments and shopping. 

If you’re into antiques, San Marco 

Avenue in St. Augustine has one store 

after another. 

Centre Street in Fernandina Beach 

consists of 50 blocks of restored Victorian 

homes, shops and restaurants. The 

shopping area has everything from 

antiques to fashions to collectibles and 

such historical treasures as the Palace 

Saloon, the state’s oldest tavern. 

DUVAL COUNTY 

The Avenues 

10300 Southside Blvd., Jacksonville 32256 

simon.com/mall/the-avenues 

The Avenues is a multi-level indoor shopping center 

offering more than 1.1 million square-feet of shopping. 

Home to five major department stores including 

Belk, Dillard’s, Forever 21, JCPenney and Sears, The 

Avenues also offers more than 150 specialty stores and 

restaurants along with a food court. 

Gateway Town Center 

5000-7 Norwood Ave., Jacksonville 32208 

gatewaytownctr.com 

As the city’s oldest mall, this area has emerged as a 

community and retail center. The newly renovated 

center houses both local and national businesses, as 

well as some government services. 

The Jacksonville Landing 

2 Independent Drive, Jacksonville 32202 

jacksonvillelanding.com 

Known as “The Landing” to locals, this festival 

marketplace is on the St. Johns River in downtown 

Jacksonville. The two-level, U-shaped pavilion facing 

the river has shops, restaurants and a nightclub. 

Weekly events include live weekend entertainment in 

the center courtyard. 

Regency Square Mall 

9501 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville 32225 

regencysquaremall.com 

This enclosed shopping mall features a Dillard’s 

Clearance Center, JC Penney and other shops. A vacant 

wing of the mall is being transformed into storefronts 

for International Decor Outlet. 

River City Marketplace 

13000 City Station Drive, Jacksonville 32218 

rgpt.com/property/river-city-marketplace 

The marketplace features 72 stores, numerous 

restaurants and a movie theater. It's the largest 

outdoor shopping center on Jacksonville’s Northside. 

Stores include Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart 

and PetSmart. 

Roosevelt Square 

4535 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville 32210 

Roosevelt Square is located at the corner of San Juan 

Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. This community 

center has about 50 stores and restaurants, including 

one of the locals’ favorite hangouts, Metro Diner. 

Roosevelt Square is anchored by Stein Mart and Publix. 


SHOPPING 

St. Johns Town Center 

4663 River City Drive, Jacksonville 32246 

simon.com/mall/st-johns-town-center 

St. Johns Town Center represents the heart of shopping 

and dining in Jacksonville. Home to Northeast Florida’s 

only Nordstrom, the outdoor lifestyle center offers 

more than 150 brand name retailers, many exclusive 

in the market, including Dillard’s, Apple and Pottery 

Barn as well as shops in the Luxury Collection like Louis 

Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Mayors. As much a shopping 

hotspot as a dining destination, the diverse palate is 

represented by exciting options like The Cheesecake 

Factory, The Capital Grille and Cantina Laredo. 


St. Augustine Outlets 

500 Outlet Mall Blvd., St. Augustine 32084 

staugoutlets.com 

The St. Augustine Outlets have 75 brand-name discount 

outlet stores, a food court and free trolley service. 

Fully renovated in 2015, the St. Augustine Outlets is 

anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and features 

Bealls Outlet, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors and more. 

St. Augustine Premium Outlets 

2700 State Road 16, St. Augustine 32092 

premiumoutlets.com/outlet/st-augustine 

St. Augustine Premium Outlets is a 329,000 squarefoot 

outlet center with 85 premium shops with 

everyday savings of 25 to 65 percent off. The outdoor 

center features designer brands including Coach 

Outlet, Express Factory Outlet, Gap Outlet and more. 

First Coast slow food 

Farmers markets are a great way to enjoy farm to table food in your own home. The 

greater Jacksonville area started with only a handful of markets, and now there 

is one in almost every corner of the city. The list below is a taste of markets on the 

First Coast. Stop by the one closest to you to enjoy homegrown, slow food. 

CLAY COUNTY 

Keystone Heights Farmers Market 

State Road 21, south of SR 100 in 


keystoneheightsfarmersmarket. 

blogspot.com 

Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

DUVAL COUNTY 

Atlantic Beach Mid-Week Market 

Bull Park, 7th St. and East Coast 

Drive, Atlantic Beach 32233 

Hours: Wednesdays, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

Beaches Green Market 

Jarboe Park, intersection of A1A 

and Florida Boulevard in 

Neptune Beach 

beacheslocalfoodnetwork.org 

Hours: Saturdays, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. 

Jacksonville Farmers Market 

1810 West Beaver St. 


Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Riverside Arts Market 

under the Fuller Warren Bridge 

715 Riverside Ave. 


riversideartsmarket.com 

Hours: Saturdays, 

10 a.m. - 4 p.m., March through 

December 

NASSAU COUNTY 

Fernandina Farmers Market 

North 7th St. 


fernandinafarmersmarket.com 

Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 


Nocatee Farmers Market 

245 Little River Road 


Hours: Every third Saturday, 

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Old City Farmers Market 

St. Augustine Ampitheatre 

1340C A1A S., St. Augustine 32080 

staugustinefm.com 

Hours: Saturdays, 

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

The Wednesday Market 

Saint Johns County Pier Park 

350 A1A Beach Blvd. 

St. Augustine Beach 32080 

thewednesdaymarket.com 

Hours: Wednesdays, 

8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 


ENTERTAINMENT 

ENTERTAINMENT 

Adventure Landing’s Shipwreck Island Waterpark in Jacksonville Beach is the perfect way 

to cool off on a hot summer day. (Bob Mack/Florida Times-Union) 

Places to play! 

From Topgolf to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, 

Jacksonville has an attraction for everyone. 

CLAY COUNTY 

Bestbet Orange Park (Orange Park Kennel Club) 

455 Park Ave., Jacksonville 32073 

904-646-0001, bestbetjax.com 

Bestbet Orange Park has plenty of action for 

accomplished players as well as beginners. It has 40 

tables of your favorite poker games including Texas 

Hold ‘em, Seven Card Stud and Omaha, along with 

daily tournaments. Bestbet Orange Park is also home 

to exciting, fast-paced Greyhound racing. 

DUVAL COUNTY 

Adventure Landing (3 locations) 

• 1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach 32250 

904-246-4386, adventurelanding.com 

The Beach Boulevard location features Shipwreck 

Island Waterpark, go-karts, miniature golf, laser 

tag, arcade, batting cages, Wacky Worm rollercoaster, 

Frog Hopper, 3D Max Flight coaster 

simulator, teddy bear factory, candy shop and party 

facilities. 

• 4825 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville 32210 


The Blanding Boulevard location features an 

arcade, go-karts, laser tag and miniature golf. 

• 2780 State Road 16, St. Augustine 32092 


The The St. Augustine location features a megaarcade, 

go-karts, miniature golf and batting cages. 

Anheuser-Busch Brewery 

111 Busch Drive, Jacksonville 32218 

904-696-8373, anheuser-busch.com 

Brewery features free beer-making tour, guided tours 

and enhanced attractions. 

Autobahn Indoor Speedway 

6601 Executive Park Court N., Jacksonville 32216 

904-425-5005, autobahnspeed.com 

Autobahn is European-style indoor go-karting in an 

80,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. Two 

Grand Prix style tracks offer guests unique racing 

experiences. 

Bestbet Jacksonville 

201 Monument Road, Jacksonville 32225 

904-646-0001, bestbetjax.com 

The poker room at Bestbet Jacksonville is the largest 

in the state with 70 tables and spreads all poker 

games at all limits. The Poker Room is open from 10 

a.m. to 4 a.m. on weekdays and 24 hours on Saturday 

and Sunday. 

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sactuary 

1860 Starratt Road, Jacksonville 32226 

904-757-3603, cattyshack.org 

The nonprofit organization's focus is to rescue 

endangered big cats from serious situations and 

provide a safe, loving, forever home, as well as educate 

the public about cat’s plight in the wild and captivity. 

Dave & Buster’s 

7025 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville 32256 

904-296-1525, daveandbusters.com/jacksonville 

Dave & Buster’s offers food, drinks and hundreds of 

arcade games to play, as well as TVs to watch sporting 

events. 

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens 

370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville 32218 

904-757-4463, jaxzoo.org 

The zoo features more than 2,000 rare and exotic 

animals and more than 1,000 plants on display as well 

as educational programs, camps and special events 

throughout the year. 

Intuition Ale Works 

929 E. Bay St., Jacksonville 32202 

904-683-7720, intuitionaleworks.com 

Intuition Ale Works is a local beer maker with a 

taproom where patrons can bring their own food, plus 

it features gear and beer for sale. 

Kingsley Plantation 

11676 Palmetto Ave., Jacksonville 32226 

904-251-3537, nps.gov/timu/learn/historyculture/ 

kp.htm 

This Fort George Island site has plantation and kitchen 

houses, an interpretive garden, a barn and the ruins of 

25 slave cabins. 


ENTERTAINMENT 

Riverside Arts Market 

715 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville 32204 

904-389-2449, riversideartsmarket.com 

This open-air market features live musical 

entertainment, street performers, food vendors and 

a fresh produce market. RAM is located under the 

Fuller Warren Bridge. Free admission and parking is 

available. 

Sweet Pete’s Candy 

400 N Hogan St., Jacksonville 32202 

904-376-7161, sweetpetescandy.com 

The candy shop, dessert bar and entertainment venue, 

located in a historic building in downtown Jacksonville, 

offers all-natural, gluten-free and vegan sweets in its 

on-site candy factory. Also available: candy-making 

demos, hands-on classes and parties. 

Topgolf 

10531 Brightman Blvd., Jacksonville 32246 

904-328-2002, topgolf.com 

This sprawling entertainment venue features a hightech 

driving range and swanky lounge with drinks and 

games. 

Tree Hill Nature Center 

7152 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville 32211 

904-724-4646, treehill.org 

This nonprofit organization and wildlife preserve 

offers outdoor education, family programs, butterfly 

and hummingbird gardens, animals, a hands-on 

museum and hiking trails. 

NASSAU COUNTY 

Fort Clinch State Park 

2601 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach 32034 

904-277-7274, floridastateparks.org/fortclinch 

The Civil War-era fort features reenactments and 

campsites, as well as nature trails, fishing, mountain 

biking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and surfing. 


Castillo de San Marcos 

1 S. Castillo Drive, St. Augustine 32084 

904-829-6506, nps.gov/casa 

Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest remaining 

European masonry fort in the continental U.S. 

Mission Nombre de Dios and Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche 

27 Ocean Ave., St. Augustine 32084 

904-824-2809, missionandshrine.org 

As America’s first mission, it was a sacred spot for 

Spanish settlers. 

Marineland Dolphin Adventure 

9600 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., St. Augustine 32080 

904-471-1111 or 888-279-9194, marineland.net 

Marinelane was the world’s first oceanarium. It has 

exhibits and interactive dolphin encounters. 

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! 

19 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine 32084 

904-824-1606, ripleys.com/staugustine 

This museum of oddities set in an historic castle offers 

more than 300 exhibits and artifacts in 19 themed 

galleries. 

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park 

999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine 32080 

904-824-3337, alligatorfarm.com 

This 120-year-old park is home to all 23 species of 

living crocodilians plus reptiles, monkeys, wading birds 

and parrots. Other attractions include zip-line and 

climbing wall. The park also hosts camps and parties. 

St. Augustine Distillery 

112 Riberia St., St. Augustine 32084 

904-825-4962, staugustinedistillery.com 

This distillery is housed in St. Augustine’s first power 

and ice complex and includes an Ice Plant museum, 

brewery tours and retail shop on site. 

St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum 

12 S. Castillo Drive, St Augustine 32084 

877-467-5863, thepiratemuseum.com 

The museum is an interactive, educational experience 

of 1700s Port Royal, Jamaica, the Golden Age of 

Piracy. Parties, tours, camps and field trips are 

available. 

World Golf Village and World Golf Hall of Fame 

1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine 32092 

904-940-4123, worldgolfvillage.com, 

worldgolfhalloffame.org 

World Golf Village is home to exhibits, restaurants, 

shops and an IMAX Theater. 


ENTERTAINMENT 

Left: Boston-based artist Ethan Murrow’s 

piece, titled “Plethora,” was added to the 

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in 

2016. (Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union) 

Museums, art, music and more! 

The First Coast has entertainment in every corner — 

from concert headliners to intimate theaters, there’s 

something to experience each week. 

Museums 

CLAY COUNTY 

Black Heritage Hilltop Museum 

Longmire Avenue at Hunter-Douglas Park in 

Middleburg, 904-282-4168 or 904-891-4972 

Camp Blanding Museum & Memorial Park 

5629 State Road 16 W., Starke 32091, 904-682-3196 

Clay County Historical and Railroad Museum 

915 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs 32043 

904-284-9644 

The Middleburg Historical Museum 

3912 Section St., Middleburg 32068, 904-282-5357 

Military Museum of North Florida 

1 Bunker Ave. and State Road 16 East,Green Cove 

Springs 32043, 904-410-0781 

DUVAL COUNTY 


Beaches Museum and History Center 

381 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach 32250 

904-241-5657, beachesmuseum.org 

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens 

829 Riverside Ave. 32204 

904-356-6857, cummer.org 

Hands on Children’s Museum 

8580 Beach Blvd. 32216 

904-642-2688, handsonchildrensmuseumjax.com 

Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville 

333 N. Laura St. 32202 

904-366-6911, mocajacksonville.org 

Mandarin Museum 

11964 Mandarin Road 32223 

904-268-0784, mandarinmuseum.net 

James E. Merrill House 

315 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. 32202, 904-665-0064 

Museum of Science and History 

1025 Museum Circle 32207 

904-396-6674, themosh.org 

Museum of Southern History 

4304 Herschel St. 32210, 904-388-3574, 

museumsouthernhistory.com 

Ritz Theatre & Museum 

829 N. Davis St. 32202, 904-632-5555 

ritzjacksonville.com 

Veterans Memorial Wall 

1145 E. Adams St. 32202, west side of EverBank Field 

NASSAU COUNTY 

Amelia Island Museum of History 

233 S. Third St. 32034, Fernandina Beach 32034 

904-261-7378, ameliamuseum.org 


Colonial Quarter 

33 St. George St., St. Augustine 32084 

904-342-2857, colonialquarter.com 

Government House, Museum of St. Augustine’s History 

48 King St., St. Augustine 32084 

Lightner Museum 

75 King St., St. Augustine 32084 

904-824-2874, lightnermuseum.org 

Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center 

102 Martin Luther King Ave. 


904-824-1191 


ENTERTAINMENT 

Old Florida Museum 

259 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine 

32084, 904-824-8874 or 800-813-3208 

oldfloridamuseum.com 

Oldest House Museum Complex 

14 St. Francis St., St. Augustine 32084 

904-824-2872 

saintaugustinehistoricalsociety.org 

Oldest Store Museum 

167 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine 

32084, 904-829-9729 or 904-829-3800 

St. Augustine Lighthouse & 

Maritime Museum 

81 Lighthouse Ave., St. Augustine 32080 

904-829-0745 

staugustinelighthouse.com 

Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum 

33 St. George St., St. Augustine 32084 

904-342-2857, colonialquarter.com 

World Golf Hall of Fame 

One World Golf Place, St. 

Augustine 32092, 904-940-4133 

worldgolfhalloffame.org 

Theaters/theater 

companies 

CLAY COUNTY 

Orange Park Community Theatre 

2900 Moody Ave., Orange Park 32073 

904-276-2599, opct.info 

DUVAL COUNTY 


Alhambra Dinner Theatre 

12000 Beach Blvd. 32246 

904-641-1212, alhambrajax.com 

Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater 

716 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach 32233 

904-249-7177, abettheatre.com 

Bold Theatre Group 

Various locations, boldtheatre.com 

FSCJ Artist Series 

Various locations, 904-442-2929 

fscjartistseries.org 

Mad Cowford Improv 

345 E. Bay St. 32202 

904-874-3995, madcowford.com 

Players-By-The-Sea 

106 Sixth St. N., Jacksonville Beach 

32250, 904-249-0289 

playersbythesea.org 

Stage Aurora 

Various locations 

904-765-7373, stageaurora.org 

Studio Theater 

Jacksonville University 

2800 University Blvd. N. 32211 

904-256-7345 

The 5 & Dime 

700 East Union St., Ste. 1-J 32206 

the5anddime.org 

Theatre Jacksonville 

2032 San Marco Blvd. 32207 

904-396-4425, theatrejax.com 

Theatreworks 

630 May St. 32204 

904-353-3500, theatreworksjax.com 

NASSAU COUNTY 

Amelia Community Theatre 

209 Cedar St., Fernandina Beach 32034 

904-261-6749 

ameliacommunitytheatre.org 


Apex Theatre Studio 

5150 Palm Valley Road, Ste. 205, Ponte 


apextheatrejax.com 

Limelight Theatre 

11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine 32084 

904-825-1164, limelight-theatre.org 

Performance centers 

CLAY COUNTY 

Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts 

283 College Drive Orange Park 32065 

904-276-6815, thcenter.org 

1,750-seat and 202-seat theaters 

DUVAL COUNTY 


Fine Arts Center of the University 

of North Florida 

One UNF Drive 32224 

904-620-1895, unf.edu/fineartscenter 

1,300-seat Lazzara Performance Hall; 

700-seat Robinson Theater, 

180-seat recital hall 


Florida Theatre 

128 E. Forsyth St. 32202 

904-355-2787, floridatheatre.com 

1,900 capacity 

Metropolitan Park 

1410 Gator Bowl Blvd. 32202 

904-630-3690, metropolitanpark.org 

10,000 seats (3,000 under canopy) 

Morocco Shrine Auditorium 

3800 Saint Johns Bluff Road S. 32224 

904-642-5200, moroccoshrine.org 

3,800-seat auditorium 

Ritz Theatre 

829 N. Davis St. 32202, 904-807-2010 

ritzjacksonville.com 

426-seat theater 

SeaWalk Pavilion 

75 North First St. 


904-247- 6100, jacksonvillebeach.org 

Oceanfront amphitheater 

Terry Concert Hall 

Jacksonville University, 2800 University Blvd. N. 32211 

904-256-8000 

400-seat hall 

Times-Union Center 

for the Performing Arts 

300 Water St. 32202, 904-633-6110 

1,800-seat Jacoby Symphony Hall; 

600-seat Terry Theater 

Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena 

300 A Philip Randolph Blvd. 32202 

904-630-3900, jacksonvilleveterans.memorialarena. 

com 

16,000-seat arena 

Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts 

Florida State College at Jacksonville South Campus 

11901 Beach Blvd. 32246 

904-646-2222, fscj.edu 

500-seat theater, 150-seat studio theater 


Lewis Auditorium 

14 Granada St., St. Augustine 32084 Flagler College 

904-819-6400, 800-seat theater 

Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach 

50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach 32082 

904-280-0614, ccpvb.org 

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall 

1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach 32082 

904-209-0399 

pvconcerthall.com 

Multipurpose performing arts facility 

St. Augustine Amphitheatre 

1340C A1A South, St. Augustine 32080 

904-209-0367, staugamphitheatre.com 

4,092-seat ampitheatre 

Music organizations 

CLAY COUNTY 

Orange Park Chorale 

904-264-0711, orangeparkchorale.com 

DUVAL COUNTY 


First Coast Wind Symphony 

3842 Musket Trail 32277 

904-256-7386, fcwe.org 

All-volunteer organization 

Jacksonville Children’s Chorus 

225 E. Duval St., 32207 

904-353-1636, jaxchildrenschorus.com. 

More than 130 singers in four choirs, ages 7-16 

Jacksonville Harmony Chorus 

904- 350-1609, jaxharmony.com 

Award-winning member of Sweet Adelines 

International 

Jacksonville Masterworks Chorale 

904-262-8444, jaxmasterworks.org 

Volunteer community chorus 

Jacksonville Symphony 

300 W. Water St., Suite 200, 32202 

Symphony: 904-354-5547 

Chorus, Youth Orchestra: 904-354-5479 

jaxsymphony.org 

Ritz Chamber Players 

904-472-4270, ritzchamberplayers.org 

Riverside Fine Arts Association 

1100 Stockton St. 32204 

904-389-6222, riversidefinearts.org 


First Coast Opera 

904-417-5555, firstcoastopera.com 

Regional repertory opera company 

ENTERTAINMENT 

Left: The Ritz Theatre and Museum was 

constructed in 1999 on the site of the 1929 

Ritz Theater movie house in Jacksonville’s 

historic African American community of La 

Villa. (Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union) 


DINING 

Left: Located in Unity Plaza, HOBNOB 

features a Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer 

topped with bacon and sweet onion jam. 

(Photo provided by HOBNOB) 

Feast on extraordinary fare 

By Dan Macdonald 

Jacksonville brings a lot to the table. 

A 

s one of the largest cities land-wise 

in the U.S. at 885 square miles, 

Jacksonville covers a lot of area. Add 

the neighboring tourist destinations of 

Amelia Island and St. Augustine, and it 

makes for plenty of territory to explore. 

The advantage of such massive 

acreage is that the greater Jacksonville 

area has an ample diversity of dining. 

The disadvantage is that it is spread 

all over God's green earth. To put it in 

perspective, from the Beach to Philips 

Highway, J. Turner Butler Boulevard 

is the same length of the island of 

Manhattan, what some consider the 

nation's dining Mecca. That's just a sliver 

of Jacksonville. 

Considering the state's strict DUI 

laws, taxis and ride-sharing services 

have become increasingly popular as 

Jacksonville has exploded with brew 

pubs, draft houses and distilleries. A 

beer drinker's paradise is found on King 

Street in Avondale. Early entrants in the 

craft brew craze, Intuition Ale Works and 

Bold City Brewing, have opened, or are 

planning to open, downtown locations. 

Manifest Distillery just opened near the 

Sports and Entertainment complex at the 

end of Bay Street and A. Phillip Randolph 

Boulevard. 

Jacksonville provides a dichotomy of 

cuisine. In its older sections of town, it 

remains true to the roots of barbecue, 

soul food and Southern-style cooking. In 

more upscale areas, trained chefs give a 

modern take on the traditional. 

Clark's and Whitey's fish camps serve 

catfish on the bone, the smaller the 

sweeter. At the same time, Palm Valley 

Fish Camp and North Beach Fish Camp 

provide upscale and inventive versions of 

this simple food. 

Traditional soul food is served 

cafeteria style at Potter's House Soul 

Food Bistro. Celebrity Chef Kenny Gilbert 

has opened his Gilbert's Underground 

Kitchen in Fernandina Beach and 

his new Gilbert's Social on Southside 

Boulevard, serving interesting takes on 

soul food and barbecue. 

Jacksonville has many large regional 

chain barbecue restaurants as well as 

locally owned Pig Barbecue, Jenkins 

Quality Barbecue, and Monroe's 

Smokehouse Bar-B-Q. These compete 

with the recently opened Bearded Pig 

Barbecue on Kings Street that serves 

quality meats and interesting sides, 

expertly paired with both wine and craft 

beers. 

Jacksonville has no Little Italy or 

Chinatown. Because of the city's size, 

instead, we have restaurant regions 

where nearly anything you want can 

be found. Look to Tinseltown, St. Johns 

Town Center, the Beaches or the city's 

newest dining destination, Riverside, 

to find a conglomeration of chain and 

locally owned restaurants. 

In 2017, downtown eagerly awaits a 

most ambitious restaurant project when 

the Cowford Chophouse opens on East 

Bay Street. Owners are assembling the 

steakhouse from the shell of the Bostwick 

Building, thus preserving one of the city's 

oldest structures. 

During the 1970s and 1980s, private 

dining clubs and country clubs offered 

"fine dining" but those days are coming 

to an end. Fewer country clubs can 

produce a menu to turn heads. The 

University Club announced its closing 

in 2016. It's an end of an era, but these 

days great food is available to the masses 

rather than the privileged few. 

The end of the recession and a new 

beginning in construction is bringing 

both new corporate restaurant chains 

to our area and opening new venues for 

sous chefs ready to branch out on their 

own. What was once a wasteland of 

drive-throughs and chains, Jacksonville 

now has a cuisine that offers appetizing 

food for every price point. From chicken 

wings to Coq a Vin, diners can find 

whatever they desire if they're willing to 

travel 10 to 20 miles in any direction. 

Dan Macdonald is The Florida Times-Union 

Dining Notes columnist. 


Local restaurants to taste: 

Bistro Aix 

1440 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville 

32207, 904-398-1949, bistrox.com 

Named after the French town Aix-En- 

Provence, Bistro AIX offers seasonally 

inspired French and Mediterranean 

cuisine. Located in Jacksonville’s historic 

San Marco district, the restaurant is a 

feast for the eyes as well, with exposed 

brick walls, a wood-fired oven, an open 

chef’s kitchen and a raw bar creating a 

warm and buzzing dining environment 

for any occasion. 

Black Sheep 

1534 Oak St., Jacksonville32204 

904-380-3091, blacksheep5points.com 

Black Sheep is a modern American 

restaurant located in the historic Five 

Points district of Jacksonville’s Riverside 

neighborhood. Lively bar crowd enjoys 

signature cocktails, craft beers and 

an excellent wine list — and a popular 

rooftop bar and lounge with views of 

Riverside, downtown and the St. Johns 

River. Local and regionally sourced 

ingredients are crafted into seasonal 

favorites like crispy duck confit and wild 

Georgia shrimp and grits. 

Blue Fish 

3551 St. Johns Ave., Jacksonville 32205 

904-387-0700 

bluefishjax.com 

Open seven days a week for lunch and 

dinner, Blue Fish in historic Avondale 

serves a wide array of seafood, steaks 

and delicious desserts. 

Collage 

60 Hypolita St., St. Augustine 32084 

904-829-0055, collagestaug.com 

Enjoy an intimate restaurant with an 

inviting atmosphere and a menu that 

celebrates the eclectic personalities of 

owners Mike and Cindy Stangby. You’ll 

find favorites such as a grilled rack of 

New Zealand lamb with a sherry green 

peppercorn sauce; shrimp and scallops 

All’ Imperiale, sautéed with artichokes, 

sun-dried tomatoes and peach brandy. 

Costa Brava 

Casa Monica Hotel, 95 Cordova St. 


904-810-6810, casamonica.com/dining 

Architecture isn't the only reason to 

visit the the Casa Monica, a Moorishrevival 

landmark. The hotel’s signature 

restaurant, Costa Brava, is capable 

of making an impression all on its 

own. The seasonally inspired, Spanish 

Mediterranean meze-style menu 

features fresh and flavorful coastal 

cuisine. 

Gilbert's Underground Kitchen 

510 South 8th St. 


904-310-6374, undergroundkitchen.co 

Celebrity Chef Kenny Gilbert’s 

eponymous Fernandina Beach 

restaurant focuses on seasonal 

southern neighborhood dining. Mullet, 

alligator ribs, pork, turkey and more are 

smoking on the patio. Brunswick stew 

is a savory masterpiece. Fernandina 

Beach hot chicken gets rave reviews. 

Dishes are served family style and 

sharing is encouraged. 

HOBNOB 

220 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville 32202 

904-220-5830 

unityplaza.org/hobnob 

Situated in the burgeoning Brooklyn 

neighborhood, HOBNOB features a 

scratch kitchen and hospitable service. 

It offers a seasonally-inspired menu and 

innovative cocktails. 

Marker 32 


904-223-1534, marker32.com 

This casual Intracoastal waterfront 

restaurant offers a nightly slate of 

specials almost entirely prepared from 

fresh, locally gathered seafood and 

produce. Excellent food and service in a 

casual, relaxed atmosphere makes this 

a local favorite for special occasions 

as well. 

Matthew's 

2107 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville 32207 

904-396-9922 

matthewsrestaurant.com 

Matthew Medure is the culinary 

giant behind this small, exquisitely 

appointed San Marco restaurant. The 

menu changes seasonally, but look for 

Matthew’s sophisticated flavor profiles 

in dishes like Hudson Valley foie gras 

with sweet onion confit and saffron 

onion marmalade. 

Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails 

4972 Big Island Drive 


904-998-9744, moxiefl.com 

Chef Tom Gray presides over this 

upscale casual restaurant at the St. 

Johns Town Center. Enjoy lunch, dinner, 

brunch, late night and cocktails, all 

within a stone’s through of some of the 

best shopping in town. Gray’s playful 

and nostalgic menu showcases his 

culinary journey and brings the diner 

along for the ride. 

Ocean 60 

60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach 32233 

904-247-0060 

ocean60.com 

Located on the northeast corner of the 

Atlantic Beach Town Center just steps 

from the beach, Ocean 60 is an upscale 

restaurant and cocktail lounge known 

for its continental cuisine with an island 

twist. It features local-caught seafood 

straight from the boats of Mayport, and 

craft martinis that are the talk of the 

town. 

Orsay 

3630 Park St., Jacksonville 32205 

904-381-0909, restaurantorsay.com 

This Avondale area favorite features 

French bistro classics alongside 

southern American cuisine prepared 

with French techniques. Responsibly 

produced local and regional ingredients 

are always in focus on the seasonal 

food, beer, wine and cocktail menus. 

Orsay is also a popular spot for Sunday 

brunch and weeknight happy hour 

cocktail noshing. 

Ovinte 

10208 Buckhead Branch Drive 


904-900-7730, ovinte.com 

One of a handful of locally owned and 

operated restaurants at the St. Johns 

Town Center, Ovinte’s bar selection 

includes more than 240 wines, and 

classic and craft cocktails. Deriving 

influences from the cooking styles 

of Italy and Spain, small plates and 

full-sized entrees are equally well 

represented. 

DINING 

Restaurant Medure 

818 N. A1A, Ponte Vedra Beach 32082 

904-543-3797, restaurantmedure.us 

Matthew’s sibling restaurant elevates 

the Beaches’ haute cuisine scene. David 

Medure (brother to Matthew), reigns 

over the kitchen of this cosmopolitanchic 

yet seductively comfortable eatery 

where dishes range from the classic 

(succulently tender escargot with garlic 

butter), to the trendy (bacon farms kale 

salad with apple, toasted pecans and 

smoky blue cheese dressing). A lively 

lounge crowd gathers on weekends, 

enjoying live music, stellar bar 

appetizers and signature cocktails. 

Ruth’s Chris Steak House 

1201 Riverplace Blvd. 


904-396-6200, ruthschris.com 

814 A1A N., Suite 103 


904-285-0014, ruthschris.com 

Top-grade steaks seared in 

1,800-degree ovens and served on 

500-degree plates are the mainstay at 

this local outpost of the famed steak 

house. The carnivore’s dilemma: filet, 

strip, prime rib, T-bone or porterhouse? 

Of course, one look at the restaurant’s 

5-pound Maine lobsters could sway 

even the most ardent steak fans. Try the 

extraordinary veal osso bucco ravioli 

starter, and white chocolate bread 

pudding to finish your meal. 

Salt 

The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island 

4750 Amelia Island Parkway 


904-277-1100, ritzcarlton.com 

Salt is the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island’s 

award-winning restaurant. The elegant 

dining room offers sweeping views of 

the Atlantic Ocean at twilight. Let the 

chef choose your culinary experience 

with the four-course Signature Tastings 

Menu, or try a private in-kitchen chef’s 

table dining experience. 

Taverna San Marco 

1986 San Marco Blvd. 


904-398-3005, taverna.restaurant 

Modern interpretations of classic 

fare, rustic-chic ambiance and warm 

hospitality are the hallmarks of this 

San Marco classic restaurant. Start with 

Chef Sam Effron’s house-made herbed 

ricotta with fig compote and warmgrilled 

ciabatta bread for slathering. 

Open for lunch, dinner and weekend 

brunch, there is also a takeaway quick 

lunch menu when you only have a short 

window between meetings. 


SPORTS 

Left: Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver 

Marqise Lee (11) high fives fans after the 

Jacksonville Jaguars played the Green 

Bay Packers at EverBank Field on Sunday, 

September 11, 2016. (Will Dickey/Florida 

Times-Union) 

Let the games begin 

With football, golf, soccer, basketball 

and more — there’s plenty to cheer for. 

At the heart of Jacksonville's sports 

atmosphere is the National 

Football League's Jacksonville 

Jaguars, the city's first franchise in 

one of the traditional major leagues of 

American sports. In their 22nd season 

of competition, the Jaguars were 

founded on Nov. 30, 1993, and play their 

games at EverBank Field in downtown 

Jacksonville. The team is part of the AFC 

South divison. 

The Jaguars' most success occurred 

the 1996 and 1999 seasons, when 

the franchise reached the AFC 

Championship game. Since then, they 

have also made playoff appearances in 

2007 and 2008, although the team has 

struggled since. In 2016, head coach 

Gus Bradley and general manager Dave 

Caldwell entered the fourth year of their 

plan to return the Jaguars to contention 

and end the team's playoff drought. 

The 2016 team started its preparation 

for the year by drafting former Florida 

State cornerback Jalen Ramsey with 

the fifth overall pick, followed by the 

selection of linebacker Myles Jack of 

UCLA. With 2015 first-rounder Dante 

Fowler also recovered from a knee injury 

that cost him the entire 2015 season, 

and free agent Malik Jackson arriving 

from the Super Bowl 50 champion 

Denver Broncos, the Jaguars expected to 

have the pieces in place for a defensive 

upgrade. 

The most widely attended sporting 

event in the Jacksonville area each year 

is THE PLAYERS Championship, held 

at the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in 

Ponte Vedra Beach. Often called golf's 

"fifth major" by fans, the tournament 

regularly attracts a field considered the 

deepest and strongest in professional 

golf, all gathering to negotiate challenges 

like the Island Green at the 17th hole on 

the Pete Dye-designed course in pursuit 

of the richest purse on the PGA Tour. 

THE PLAYERS also draws enormous 

crowds. In recent years, that has meant 

a combined attendance of more than 

180,000 during the course of the four-day 

competition. 

The 2016 tournament featured a 

wire-to-wire victory by defending PGA 

Championship-winner Jason Day of 

Australia. Day, who held first place in 

the World Golf Ranking at the time, led 

all four rounds to finish at 15-under, 

four strokes ahead of American Kevin 

Chappell. He joined a list of winners at 

THE PLAYERS that also includes golf 

legends Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Phil 

Mickelson and Tiger Woods. 

The city's oldest professional team 

is the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, 

founded in 1962 as the Jacksonville Suns. 

The club competes in the Double-A 

Southern League, two steps below Major 

League Baseball, and is affiliated with 

the Miami Marlins. Its home has been 

the Baseball Grounds in downtown 

Jacksonville, one block west of EverBank 

Field, since the ballpark's completion 

for the 2003 season. Over the years, the 

team has fielded hundreds of future 

MLB players, including Hall of Fame 

pitcher Randy Johnson, 14-time All-Star 

infielder Alex Rodriguez and current 

Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton. 

Following a 2016 campaign in which the 

team missed out on the postseason, the 

franchise launched a major rebranding 

to the Jumbo Shrimp in November. The 

team said the new name is designed to 

celebrate Jacksonville amid the water 

that is the natural geography of the River 

City. 

The Jaguars aren't the only football 

team in town. In the indoor game, the 

Jacksonville Sharks compete in arena 

football, playing their games at the 

Veterans Memorial Arena. Founded 


SPORTS 

in 2010, the Sharks previously won the 

sport's championship by capturing the 

ArenaBowl in 2011. In 2016, the team 

reached the Arena Football League's 

semifinals, losing to the eventual 

champion Philadelphia Soul. The Sharks 

will compete in a new indoor league for 

the 2017 season. 

The city's professional soccer 

franchise, the Jacksonville Armada, 

competes in the North American Soccer 

League, which is designated as a Division 

2 league by the United States Soccer 

Federation. The Armada began play 

in 2015, setting a league attendance 

record and scoring a league-record 12 

seconds into its inaugural game. The 

team plays at the Baseball Grounds. The 

Armada finished out of the playoffs for 

the second consecutive year, though a 

young attack showed improvement in 

the final two months. Mark Lowry, the 

NASL's youngest coach, was appointed in 

October 2016. 

Jacksonville has a long and 

prominent running tradition, 

highlighted by the Gate River Run, 

officially recognized by USA Track 

and Field as the nation's 15-kilometer 

championship. Each year, more than 

20,000 runners participate in events 

during the race weekend, which has 

attracted Olympic medalists, including 

Meb Keflezighi, Joan Benoit and Deena 

Kastor. The route winds through 

downtown Jacksonville, San Marco 

and St. Nicholas before crossing the 

Hart Bridge — the punishing "Green 

Monster" — and finishing next to 

EverBank Field. The 2016 races were won 

by Stanley Kebenei and Tara Welling, 

both of whom went on to compete 

at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Special 

preparations are in place for the 2017 

race, the 40th in Gate River Run history. 

In February, thousands of runners 

take to the streets for the 26.2 With 

Donna, the nation's largest marathon 

created specifically to raise funds for the 

fight against breast cancer. First held in 

2008, the race has raised more than $4 

million for breast cancer research and 

support. The 2017 event, which takes 

runners across Ponte Vedra Beach, 

Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach, 

will be the 10th in the event's history. 

The city also holds another 

competition at the longest of the 

standard running distances, the 

annual Jacksonville Marathon. The 

winter event takes runners on a 26.2- 

mile run through the Mandarin and 

Beauclerc areas, just a short distance 

east of the St. Johns River. The January 

2016 competition, the 33rd edition, 

included the race's strongest field to date, 

Top Women’s runner and equalizer bonus winner Tara Welling crosses the finish line at the 2016 Gate River Run. 

(Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) 


SPORTS 

including 41 runners who qualified for 

the U.S. Olympic Trials. 

Jacksonville's sports activity 

isn't confined to land. The Greater 

Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, held 

annually in July, ranks among the biggest 

kingfish tournaments in the United States. 

Based at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp 

along Sisters Creek on the north side of the 

St. Johns River, the tournament includes 

not only king mackerel that sometimes 

tip the scales at 40 pounds or more, but 

also food, music and boat exhibitions. The 

2017 tournament, set for July 17-22, will be 

the 37th. 

In addition to the city's professional 

franchises, Jacksonville has two Division 

I sports programs within the city and 

two major programs a relatively short 

distance away. Jacksonville University, 

located in Arlington on the east side of 

the St. Johns River, competes in several 

Division I sports as part of the Atlantic 

Sun Conference. The school's biggest 

athletic moment occurred in 1970, when 

the men's basketball team, led by center 

Artis Gilmore, advanced to the NCAA 

championship game. Today's JU team 

has also shown signs of improvement 

under third-year coach Tony Jasick. The 

Dolphins also compete in the Pioneer 

Football League, playing their home 

games at D.B. Milne Field on the JU 

campus. The Dolphins started the 2016 

season above .500 under coach Ian 

Shields. 

The University of North Florida, on 

the city’s Southside, also participates 

in athletics as part of the Atlantic 

Sun Conference. The Ospreys have 

enjoyed particular success of late in 

men's basketball, which qualified for 

its first-ever NCAA tournament in 2015. 

Under head coach Matthew Driscoll, the 

Ospreys' basketball program has become 

a perennial contender in the Atlantic 

Sun. UNF also has an elite facility for 

track and field in Hodges Stadium, which 

has served as the host for multiple NCAA 

and USA Track and Field events. 

In addition to the two Division I 

universities in town, both Florida State 

University in Tallahassee and the 

University of Florida in Gainesville are 

located within easy driving distance of 

Jacksonville, and both play occasional 

events in town. The two schools compete 

in an annual spring baseball series at the 

Weigh master Jeff Johnson holds up the biggest kingfish of the 2016 Greater Jacksonville 

Kingfish Tournament. The 45.15-pound fish was caught by Mike Kelly aboard the Time 

Served on the first day of the tournament. (Bob Mack/Florida Times-Union) 

Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The 

Seminoles and Gators have produced 

dozens of future major leaguers, 

including Buster Posey and J.D. Drew 

(Florida State) and David Eckstein and 

Darren O'Day (Florida). Florida State 

has also become a regular contender 

in football, building a championship 

tradition over the past three decades that 

began under Seminoles legend Bobby 

Bowden and has continued under his 

successor, Jimbo Fisher. Florida State's 

football program won the national 

championship in 2013. In 2016, the 

Seminoles' hopes of another title were 

dented early on by losses to Louisville, 

North Carolina and Clemson, but FSU 

remained on the hunt for a high finish in 

the Atlantic Coast Conference. 

Florida has also won national 

football championships in recent times, 

capturing the title in the 2006 and 2008 

seasons. The Gators also take part in a 

classic Jacksonville event, the Florida- 

Georgia (or, if one prefers, Georgia- 

Florida) game. Each year, the Gators meet 

the rival Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank 

Field in an annual tradition that dates 

back to 1933, attracting more than 80,000 

fans (tickets are equally divided) to the 

stadium for game day. Under second-year 

coach Jim McElwain, Florida's football 

program has built one of the strongest 

defensive units in the Southeastern 

Conference, and held strong chances 

of winning the SEC East in 2016 after 

defeating Georgia 24-10. The Florida 

basketball team, which won NCAA 

championships in 2006 and 2007, also 

plays occasional games in Jacksonville at 

the Veterans Memorial Arena downtown. 

Those include a season-opening October 

2016 exhibition and three early-season 

games in 2016. 

Jacksonville's sports year traditionally 

begins with the TaxSlayer Bowl, a 

college football bowl game held annually 

since 1946 and played at EverBank Field. 

Originally called the Gator Bowl, the 

game is the sixth-oldest continuously 

contested bowl. The current format 

matches a school from the Southeastern 

Conference against an opponent from 

the Big Ten or Atlantic Coast Conference. 

In 2016, the Georgia Bulldogs won the 

bowl for the third time, defeating the 

Penn State Nittany Lions, 24-17, on Jan. 2. 


PROGRESS 

PROGRESS 

Left: The Jacksonville Jaguars released 

Populous’ rendering for a brand new 

amphitheater and covered flex field adjacent 

to EverBank Field in 2016. (Photo provided 

by the Jacksonville Jaguars) 

planned a 105-acre project, but does plan 

to buy more property there. It’s been 

approved for a maximum of 350,000 

square feet of office space, 103,500 

square feet of commercial space, up to 

950 single homes and apartments, 180 

units of condos and townhomes, and up 

to 16 acres of neighborhood trails and 

park space. 

First Coast marches forward 

New retail and housing on the horizon. 

From high-tech entertainment 

complexes, such as Topgolf at the St. 

Johns Town Center, to a $90 million 

stadium makeover at EverBank Field, 

it seems as though Northeast Florida 

always has a new project to boast about. 

This year proves to be no exception. 

Take a look at some of the latest projects 

planned for the greater Jacksonville area. 

Downtown 

The District is a community concept 

designed to promote optimal health for 

its residents whether they walk, run, 

bicycle, kayak or do yoga. It is described 

as “a place where people can get the 

most out of life, mind, body and soul,” 

according to its website. 

The project, with a proposed location 

on the Southbank of the St. Johns River, 

includes up to 1,170 resident units, 

200 hotel rooms, 285,500 square feet 

of commercial/retail space, 200,000 

square feet of office space, and a 125- 

slip marina. It would be built over three 

phases. 

In October 2016, the plan received 

design approval from the Downtown 

Development Review Board. It still 

needs approval from the Downtown 

Investment Authority and City Council, 

but partner Michael Munz says the 

developers are shooting for an early 

spring groundbreaking. 

Also downtown, Everbank Field 

and the surrounding area continue 

its multi-million dollar makeover. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the city 

of Jacksonville broke ground in 2016 

on an amphitheater and covered flex 

field adjacent to EverBank Field. The 

venue will be called Daily’s Place; the 

Jacksonville-based convenience has 

purchased the naming rights. 

The amphitheater will seat 5,500 

people and face south. The flex field will 

be located behind the stage. The football 

field will run east-to-west. The south 

side of the flex field will have fabric 

suspended from a series of steel trusses 

that can be opened and closed. 


The company that developed Palencia 

and owns the Markets at Town Center 

has paid $20 million for about 70 acres 

on Gate Parkway for a new mixed-use 

development. The property is just a few 

hundred yards north of where IKEA is 

building its new store at the Gate exit on 

Interstate 295 East Beltway. 

The developer originally said it 

Northside 

On the Northside, a new apartment 

complex is being built next to River City 

Marketplace. Lakeview at River City is 

going in at 12900 Broxton Bay Drive, just 

past two other complexes. It’s a 324-unit, 

$40 million project with 14 three-story 

residential buildings. Developed by 

RCM Acquisitions and being built by 

LandSouth Construction, the project is 

expected to be completed by March 2018. 


Durbin Park, a 1,624-acre, mixed-use 

development near the Duval County line, 

is being called “the next Town Center” 

by media outlets. The property, located 

along Interstate 95 near the new Florida 

9B-County Road 2209 interchange, 

constitutes the largest contiguous area 

in St. Johns County planned for intensive 

commercial development. 

A development like Durbin Park had 

been sought after by the county because 

it’s largely a commercial endeavor 

that will expand the tax base without 

generating as much demand for services 

such as schools. 

The plan for Durbin Park includes 

an estimated 2.4 million square feet of 

retail, 2.8 million square feet of office 

space, 999 multifamily units and 350 

hotel rooms once completed. 

Phase 1A of the project is located 

on an undeveloped 247-acre parcel 

of land south of Race Track Road and 

west of I-95, along the future Florida 9B 

extension. It will connect to County Road 

2209, Race Track Road and the future 

West Peyton Parkway. 



2016 Winners 

In July 2016, the Bold City Best contest presented by The Florida Times- 

Union and Jacksonville.com let Jacksonville residents vote for their 

favorites in 167 categories. The below list of winners is your go-to guide 

for all the best Jacksonville has to offer. Each section gives insight into your 

neighbors’ favorite things to do and places to be in our Bold City, including 

auto services; cuisine and cocktails; homes and finance; health and wellbeing; 

home and professional services; shopping; and people, faces and 

places of Jacksonville. Don’t take our word for it; find out what the Bold City 

considers the best! 



Auto & more 

Best New Car Dealership & 

Best Used Car Dealership 

Tom Bush Family of 

Dealerships 

9850 Atlantic Blvd. 32225 

6914 Blanding Blvd. 32244 

tombush.com 

Best Boat Dealership 

North Florida Yacht Sales 


northfloridayachtsales.com 

Best RV Dealership 

Travelcamp RV Sales, 

Service, Parts & More 

3332 Southside Blvd. 32216 

travelcamp.com 


Jacksonville loves winners ... 

all 167 of them. 

Best Water Sports Store/ 

Rentals 

Beach Boulevard 

Motorsports 

10315 Beach Blvd. 32246 

beachblvdmotorsports.com 

Best Motorcycle Dealership 

Adamec Harley-Davidson 

Multiple locations 

adamecharley.com 

Things to do & places to be 

Best Art Gallery 

Through The Lens 

of Lee-Margaret 

4224 Herschel St. 32210 

throughthelens 

oflee-margaret.com 

Best Concert/Event of 2016 

St. Augustine Celtic 

Music & Heritage Festival 

celticstaugustine.com 

Best Farmers Market 

Town of Orange Park 

Farmer's & Arts Market 

2042 Park Ave., Orange 

Park 32073 

opmarket.weebly.com 

Best Golf Course 

THE PLAYERS Stadium 

Course at TPC Sawgrass 

110 Championship Way 


tpc.com/sawgrass 

Best Kid's Entertainment 

Town of Orange Park 

Kids Fest 

2042 Park Ave., Orange 

Park 32073 

opkidsfest.com 

Best Live Music Venue 

Florida Theatre Performing 

Left: Taverna, located in historic San Marco, creates 

modern interpretations of classic recipes both in 

the kitchen and behind the bar. (Photo provided by 

Taverna) 

Arts Center 

128 East Forsyth St. 32205 

floridatheatre.com 

Best Live Theater 

Alhambra Theatre & Dining 

12000 Beach Blvd. 32246 

alhambrajax.com 

Best Local Charity Event 

Jacksonville Dragon Boat & 

Paddlefest 

jacksonvilledragon 

boatfestival.com 

Best Marina 

The Marina at Ortega 

Landing 

4234 Lakeside Drive 32210 

ortegalanding.com 

Best Movie Theater 

AMC Regency 24 

9451 Regency Square Blvd. 

32225 

amctheatres.com/movietheatres/jacksonville/ 

amc-regency-24 

Best Summer Camp 

Gracie Barra of Jacksonville 

- KidsCampJax.com 

8570 Philips Highway, Ste. 

113, 32256 

gbjacksonville.com 

Best Flea Market 

Ramona Flea Market 

7059 Ramona Blvd. 32205 

Best Trivia Night – TIE 

Dick's Wings & Grill 


dickswingsandgrill.com 

Mellow Mushroom 


mellowmushroom.com 

Cuisine & cocktails 

Best All You Can Eat, 

Best Bang for the Buck 

Restaurant, Best Family 

Restaurant, Best Burger, 

Best Pancakes, Best 

Breakfast, Best Brunch & 

Best Diner 

Metro Diner 

Multiple Locations 

metrodiner.com 

Best American Restaurant & 

Best-kept Secret Restaurant 

Jaxon Social 

1161 Beach Blvd., 


jaxonsocial.com 

Best Farm to Table/Locally 

Supplied Restaurant 

Kitchen on San Marco 


kitchenonsanmarco.com 

Best Romantic Restaurant 

& Best Special Occasion 

Restaurant 

Restaurant Orsay 

3630 Park St. 32205 

restaurantorsay.com 

Best Outdoor Dining, Best 

Wine List, Best Sommelier, 

Best Chef, & Best Restaurant 

Overall 

Taverna 


taverna.restaurant 

Best Southern Cuisine 

The Potter’s House Soul 

Food Bistro 


thesoulfoodbistro.com 

Best Bar/Pub 

World Famous Lemon Bar 

120 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune 

Beach 32266 

lemonbarjax.com 

Best Happy Hour 

Blue Fish Oyster Bar & 

Restaurant 

3551 St. Johns Ave. 32205 

bluefishjax.com 

Best Local Brewery 

Bold City Brewery 

2670-7 Rosselle St., 32204 

boldcitybrewery.com 

Best Sports Bar 

The Mudville Grille 


themudvillegrill.com 

Best Beer Selection 

Brewz The Filling Station 

1011 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic 

Beach 32233 

brewz.beer 

Best Margarita 

La Napolera 


Best Martini 

Ocean 60 

60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic 

Beach 32233 

ocean60.com 

Best Barbecue 

Jenkins Quality Barbecue 


jenkinsqualitybarbecue.com

Best Burrito 

Burrito Gallery 


burritogallery.com 

Best Crab Cakes 

Barbara Jean’s Restaurant 


barbarajeans.com 

Best Pizza 

Gusto 



gustojax.com 

Best Salads 

Trasca & Co Eatery 

155 Tourside Drive, Ponte 


trascaandco.com 

Best Wings 

Dick’s Wings & Grill 


dickswingsandgrill.com 

Best Coffee Shop 

Bold Bean Coffee Roasters 


boldbeancoffee.com 

Best Dessert 

Biscottis Restaurant + 

Catering + Bar 

3556 St. Johns Ave. 32205 

biscottis.net 

Best Food Truck 

The Happy Grilled Cheese 

Follow @HappyGrilledChs 

on Twitter & Facebook for 

location updates 

thehappygrilledchees.wix. 

com/grilledcheese 

Best Healthy Eating 

Native Sun Natural Foods 

Market 


nativesunjax.com 

Best Bakery 

Knead: A Bakeshop 

boldbeancoffee.com 

Best Deli 

Pinegrove Market & Deli 

1511 Pinegrove Ave. 32205 

pinegrovemarket.com 

Best Sushi & Best Japanese 

Restaurant 

Kazu Japanese Restaurant 

9965 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 

35, 32257 

kazujapaneserestaurant. 

com 

Best Tacos 

TacoLu 

1712 Beach Blvd., 


tacolu.com 

Sweet Pete’s Candy is a confectionary emporium of roughly 23,000 square feet, 

making it one of the largest candy shops in the United States. (Photo provided by 

Sweet Pete’s Candy) 

Best Chinese Restaurant - TIE 

Chef Chan Asian Cuisine 


Ste. 3, 32256 

P.F. Chang's 

10281 Midtown Parkway 

Ste. 137, 32246 

pfchangs.com 

Best Indian Restaurant - TIE 

5th Element 


32256 

my5thelement.com 

India's Restaurant 


Ste. 8, 32256 

indiajax.com 

Best Italian Restaurant 

Enza’s Italian Restaurant 

10601 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 

109, 32257 

enzas.net 

Best Mexican Restaurant 

Si Senor Fresh Mex 

3546 St. Johns Bluff Road 

S. 32224 

sisenorfreshmex.com 

Best Seafood Restaurant 

Salt Life Food Shack 

1018 3rd Street N. 


saltlifefoodshack.com 

Best Thai Restaurant 

Indochine 


indochinejax.com 

Best Local Chocolatier 

Sweet Pete’s Candy 

400 N. Hogan St. 32202 

sweetpetescandy.com 

Best New Restaurant (open 

as of 8/1/15) 

HOBNOB 

220 Riverside Ave., Ste. 110, 

32202 

unityplaza.org/hobnob 

Homes & finance 

Best Homebuilder 

D.R. Horton 


32259 

drhorton.com/nfl 

Best Real Estate Broker/ 

Agency 

Exit Real Estate Gallery 


exitrealestategallery.com 

Best Real Estate Agent 

Anita G. Hiles 

Realty Executives 

3503 S. Kernan Blvd. 32224 

anitahiles.com 

Best Bank/Credit Union 

VyStar Credit Union 

4949 Blanding Blvd. 32210 

vystarcu.org 

Best Accountant/CPA 

Susan Carter CPA, P.A. 

590 Wells Road #4, Orange 

Park 32073 

susancartercpa.com 

Best Senior/Assisted Living 

Facility 

Taylor Residences 

6601 Chester Ave. 32217 

taylor-residences.org 

Best Home Community/ 

Development 

The Palms at Nocatee by 

Dream Finders Homes, LLC. 

Dream Finders Office: 360 

Corporate Way 


dreamfindershomes.com 

Best Mortgage Company 

Debbie Thomas at GSF 

Mortgage 

3503 S. Kernan Blvd., Ste. 

2, 32224 

debrathomas.gogsf.com 

Best Local Builder (builds 

only in these counties: Duval, 

St. Johns, Clay, Nassau, 

Flagler) 

SEDA New Homes 

SEDAnewhomes.com 

Health & well-being 

Best Chiropractic Practice 

Dynamic Health and 

Chiropractic 

4000 St. Johns Ave., #35, 

32205 

dynamichealth 

andchiropractic.com 

Best Doctor 

Dr. Oliver Perez - Advantage 

Dermatology 

1514 Nira St. 32207 

advantagederm.com 

Best Cosmetic Surgery 

Practice 

Dr. Clayman's Plastic 

Surgery Center 

2 Shircliff Way, Ste. 200, 

32204 

jacksonvilleplasticsurgeryc 

enter.com 

Best Foot Comfort Specialist 

Foot Solutions 

4126 3rd St. S. 32250 

footsolutions.com/ 

jacksonvillebeach 


Best Urgent Care 

St. Vincent's First Care 

Walk-In Express Clinic 


firstcareexpress.com 

Best Physical Therapy/ 

Rehabilitation Center 

Brooks Rehab 


brooksrehab.org 

Best Dental Practice 

Doctors Lake Family Dental 

1665 Eagle Harbor 

Parkway E. 


doctorslakefamilydental. 

com 

Best Dermatology Practice & 

Best Medical Spa 

Advantage Dermatology 

1514 Nira St. 32207 

advantagederm.com 

Best Eye Care Practice 

Florida Eye Specialists 


floridaeyespecialists.com 

Best Hearing Aid Professional 

Clear Ear Hearing Solutions 

4006 3rd St. S., Jacksonville 

Beach 32250 

clearearjax.com 

Best Weight Loss Center 

Metabolic Research Centers, 

Weight Loss Specialists 


emetabolic.com 

Best Orthodontic Practice 

Joy Orthodontics 


joyorthodontics.com 

Best Orthopedic Practice 

Jacksonville Orthopaedic 

Institute 

1325 San Marco Blvd., Ste. 

102, 32207 

joi.net 

Best Pediatric Practice 

Angel Kids Pediatrics 


myangelkids.com 

Best Veterinary Practice 

St. Bernard’s Animal 

Hospital 

11740-1 San Jose Blvd. 32223 

stbah.com 

Best Fitness Center/Gym 

Orangetheory Fitness 

13500 Beach Blvd. 32224 

orangetheoryfitness.com 

Best Yoga Studio 

Hot Spot Power Yoga 


hotspotpoweryoga.com 



Best Pilates Studio 

Everbalance Wellness 

Studio 


myeverbalance.com 

Best Dance Studio 

Indulgence Dance Studio 

121 E. 8th St., Ste. 14, 32206 

indulgencedancestudio.com 

Home & Professional 

Services 

Best Air Conditioning/ 

Heating Service 

Snyder Heating & Air 

Conditioning 


snyderac.com 

Best Auto Repair Shop 

RPM Automotive 


rpmautomotive.com 

Best Carpet Cleaning 

Company 

First Coast Home Pros 

8775 Arlington Expressway 

Ste. 101, 32211 

firstcoasthomepros.com 

Best Car Wash/Detail Service 

Charles and George’s Car 

Wash 


charlesandgeorgescarwash. 

com 

Best Caterer 

Chef’s Garden Catering & 

Events 

3732 Mente St. 32207 

chefsgardenjacksonville. 

com 

Best Dry Cleaners 

Oceanside Cleaners 


oceansidecleaners.com 

Best Flooring Store 

The Flooring Store 


6139 103rd St. 32210 

flooringstorejacksonville. 

com 

Best Florist 

Kuhn Flowers 

3802 Beach Blvd. 32207 

kuhnflowers.com 

Best Hair Salon 

Sutra Salon 

320 9th Ave. N., Jacksonville 

Beach 32250 

sutrasalon320.com 

Best Landscaping Company & 

Best Garden Shop/Nursery 

Earth Works Landscape and 

Garden Center 

12501 Beach Blvd. 32246 

earthworksjax.com 

Best Law Firm 

Tyson and Denson, PLLC 

3109 Spring Glen Road, Ste. 

303, 32207 

Best Lawn Service & Best 

Pest Control 

Peninsular Pest Control 

Service 

2609 Phyllis St., 32204 

904-389-3491 

Best Nail Salon 

Zimmiz Hair Designers, Inc. 

282 Solano Road, Ponte 


Best Painting Service 

The Painting Craftsmen 

8775 Arlington Expressway 

Ste. 103, 32211 

paintingcraftsmen.com 

Best Pet Groomer 

Fluffy Cuts 


Beach 32250 

fluffycuts.com 

Best Pet Sitting Service 

Bad to the Bone Pet Care 

6112 Maggie's Circle 32244 

badtothebonepetcare.com 

Best Pet Boarding 

Pet Paradise 

5140 University Blvd. W. 

32216 

petparadise.com 

Best Interior Designer 

C&K Design Partners 

11 East Forsyth St. 32202 

ckdesignpartners.com 

Best Photographer 

Jax Virtual Tours by David 

Youngblood 

jaxvirtualtours.com 

Best Plumber 

Rolland Reash Plumbing 

11606 Columbia Park Drive 

E. 32258 

rollandreashplumbing.com, 

plumberinjax.com 

Best Pool Service and Care 

Pinch A Penny 


pinchapenny.com 

Best Tattoo Shop - TIE 

Hold the Line Tattoo 

10230 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 

10 32225 

holdthelinetattoo.com 

Inksmith & Rogers 


inksmithtattoo.com 

Best Wedding Planner 

Coastal Coordinating 

100 Mission Woods Way St. 

Augustine 32084 

coastalcoordinating.com 

Best Child Care Facility 

Pampered Prodigy Early 

Learning Center 

521 West Ashley St. 32202 

pamperedprodigy.org 

Best Storage Facility 

Atlantic Self Storage 


atlanticselfstorage.com 

Best Transportation Service 

(Taxi/Car/Limo) 

SuperShuttle of Jacksonville 

Reservations: 800-BLUE 

VAN (258-3826) 

supershuttle.com/ 

locations/jacksonvillejax 

Best Roofer 

Quality Discount Roofing 

3481 St. Augustine Road 

32257 

qualitydiscountroofing.com 

Best Home Improvement/ 

Repair Service 

Mr. Handyman Serving 

Greater Jacksonville 

675 Kingsley Ave., Orange 

Park 32073 

mrhandyman.com/greaterjacksonville 

Best Mobile Device Repair 

Shop 

10,000 Cellphones 


10000cellphones.com 

Best Music School 

Great Scott Music Academy 

10915 Baymeadows Road, 

Ste. 107 32256 

greatscottmusicacademy. 

com 

Best Tutoring Service 

Tutoring Club of Jacksonville 


tutoringclub.com/ 

jacksonvillefl 

Best Home Organizer 

Tailored Living Featuring 

Premier Garage 

11651 Central Parkway, Ste. 

112 32224 

904-645-0885 

Shops of Jax 

Best Antique Shop, Best 

Vintage Shop & Most Unique 

Shop 

Eco Relics 

106 Stockton St. 32204 

ecorelics.com 

Best Boutique 

Love a Bridal Boutique 

434 3rd St. North 


lovebridalboutique.com 

Best Children’s Store 

Once Upon a Child 


onceuponachildjaxnorth. 

com 

Best Furniture Store 

Ashley HomeStore 


ashleyfurniture.com 

Best Grocery Store 

Publix 


publix.com 

Best Hardware Store 

Ace Hardware 


acehardware.com 

Best Health Food Store 

Grassroots Natural Market 

2007 Park St. 32204 

thegrassrootsmarket.com 

Best E-Cig/Vapor Store 

All Day Vape 

4195 Southside Blvd. #101 

32216 

facebook.com/ 

TheAllDayVape 

Best Jewelry Store 

Global Diamonds 

4870 Big Island Drive, Ste. 

1, 32246 

globaldiamondsusa.com 

Best Liquor Store 

Broudy’s Fine Wine and 

Spirits 


broudys.com 

Best Mall/Shopping Center 


4663 River City Drive 32246 

simon.com/mall/st-johnstown-center 

Best Pawn Shop 

Mayport Gun and Pawn 

2294 Mayport Road, Ste. 25 


904-853-5971 

Best Gun Shop 

Green Acres Sporting Goods 

8774 Normandy Blvd. 32221 

jaxgreenacres.com 

Best Gift Shop 

Avondale Gift Boutique 

3650 St. Johns Ave. 32205 

agbjax.com 

Best Shoe Store 

Foot Solutions 


Beach 32250 

footsolutions.com/ 

jacksonvillebeach 

Best Thrift Shop 

Divine Mercy House Thrift 

Store 

11018 Old St Augustine 

Road, Ste. 141, 32257 

divinemercyhouse.org 

People, faces & places of Jax 

Best TV Anchor 

Tom Wills, News4Jax 

Best Radio Personality/Host 

Melissa Ross, WJCT 

Best Newspaper Reporter/ 

Columnist 

Mark Woods, The Florida 

Times-Union 

Best Local Celebrity & Best 

Local Sports Hero 

Tim Tebow 

Best Visionary of Jacksonville 

Wayne Wood 

Best Person in Public Office 

Lenny Curry 

City of Jacksonville 

117 W. Duval St., Ste. 400, 

32202 

COJ.net 

Boldest Person of 

Jacksonville’s Past 

Jake Godbold 

Boldest Person of 

Jacksonville’s Present 

J.D. Blair – Mad Men 

Marketing 

301 E. Bay St., Ste. 3, 32202 

madmenmarketinginc.com 

Best Place to Work — Large 

(100+ employees) 

D.R. Horton 


32259 

drhorton.com/nfl 

Best Place to Work — Medium 

(25-99 employees) 

Corporate Traffic Logistics 


corporate-traffic.com 

Best Place to Work — Small 

(less than 25 employees) 

Orangetheory Fitness 


orangetheoryfitness.com 

Best New Business (as of 

Aug. 1, 2015) 

Orangetheory Fitness – 


Best Private School — 

Primary Education & Best 

Private School — Secondary 

Education 

Lighthouse Christian School 


lighthousechristianschool. 

net

Discover Jacksonville 2017

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