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Visit Jacksonville - Downtown Center - Jacksonville Beach is a hotspot for surfers year-round. The gnarliest swells come in the winter, when waves can reach up to 10 feet high! Note: This 43-mile-long tour covers the essentials of A1A in 2-3 hours.
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Mickler’s Landing Beach - It’s dotted with beautiful beaches. The first one we can visit isn’t far: Mickler’s Landing, coming up soon on the left. There’s surfing, seashells, and shark teeth!
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Old Jail Museum - Why is a former jail so pretty? Well, financier Henry Flagler didn’t want any ugly buildings in St. Augustine. So the old jail was built to look like a Victorian manor!
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Castillo de San Marcos National Monument - The Spanish Governor decided to do something about it. He ordered the construction of the fort, which began in 1672. It took a whopping 23 years to build!
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Mickler’s Landing - It’s dotted with beautiful beaches. The first one we can visit isn’t far: Mickler’s Landing, coming up soon on the left. There’s surfing, seashells, and shark teeth!
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Guana Reserve Middle Beach - Whew, that’s quite a mouthful! Let’s just call it the Guana Reserve, like the locals do. Scientists come from all over the world to study the animals and plants in this expansive estuary.
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Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve - The ocean flowed into other parts of the Timucua lives. They understood the moon to be a symbol of water. Since water was associated with life, the Timucua saw the moon as the goddess of all mothers. And because water held such an important place in Timucuan society, that meant mothers did too! Family lines were traced matrilineally through mothers rather than fathers.
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St. Augustine - We’re approaching the city of St. Augustine. Founded in 1565 by Spanish admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States. Yes, even older than Jamestown! But, arr me mateys, did ya know that St. Augustine was once where pirates hunted for gold?
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North Beach Park - When you see the big stone house on the right, look for the parking lot just beyond and turn in if you’d like to visit.
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Bluebird of Happiness Statue - We’re cruising through the community of Vilano Beach, home to a very peculiar landmark. Here, we’ll find the Bluebird of Happiness!
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Old Jail Museum - Unsurprisingly, locals say the Old Jail is haunted. Guests often feel a cold, clammy hand rest on their shoulders. Some have smelled the foul stench of sewage even though none was found on site. Creepy!
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Castillo de San Marcos National Monument - When engineers and stone masons arrived from Spain, they didn’t know how to build a fort out of the rocks found on this coast. The coquina stones were porous and the Spanish didn’t know how well they’d hold up against a cannonball. So just to be safe, they built the walls almost 20 feet thick!
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Bridge of Lions - Former St. Augustine mayor Andrew Anderson donated the lions, who are named Fiel and Firme, or Faithful and Firm. They’re an homage to the city’s founder, Pedro Menendez de Aviles. His coat of arms bore two lions!
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St. Augustine Lighthouse - The current one dates back to 1871, but earlier iterations have stood on this spot since 1589! Lighthouse keepers have kept watch here for hundreds of years… and in some cases, they never left.
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Anastasia State Park - Besides offering some splendid scenery, this park is also a positively fabulous place for birdwatching. It’s home to 195 different species of birds! For context, that’s almost a quarter of all bird species in the United States! While the park is home to some common bird species like robins and herons, it also sees a few found nowhere else in the country.
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Crescent Beach Park - Named for its sweeping coastline that forms the shape of a crescent moon, this beach is known for its “old Florida vibe.” And if you visit between May and October, you might see a few nesting sea turtles!
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Fort Matanzas National Monument - In 1740, the Governor of Georgia, a British colony, decided to make a play for St. Augustine, a Spanish one. Luckily, the St. Augustine mayor had a feeling that the Brits were up to no good. So he sent a courier to Havana to get some supplies.
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Matanzas River - Now, Matanzas is a Spanish word that translates to “killings” or “slaughter.” So why does such a beautiful river have such a violent name? It dates back to 1565, when this river ran red with blood. Here’s what happened:
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Embark on an unforgettable journey along Florida’s A1A Scenic Highway with this self-guided driving tour. You’ll start in Jacksonville Beach and end at Fort Matanzas, just south of Saint Augustine. Along the way, get ready for expansive white sand beaches, historic architecture, and so much more. As you drive, you’ll hear fascinating audio stories about flora, fauna, and Florida’s history, from its days as the Winter Film Capital to a devastating fire that nearly destroyed Saint Augustine. This driving tour of A1A is the best way to make the most of your scenic drive!
After booking, you can check your email by Action before downloading the Tour Guide App, entering your unique password, and accessing your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access.
New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!
This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
- How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action’s Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Amazing savings: • Driving Tours: Save money by purchasing a single tour for the entire vehicle, avoiding individual fees per person like on a bus tour. Connect your phone to the car speakers to share the audio.
- Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
- Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
- Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
- Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
- Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
- Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
