The Beach Drive You Should Make In 2013

January 5, 2013 | By Kate Phillips | Comments (0)

If you’re like us, you’re staring at your Christmas decorations wishing that they would put themselves away and dreaming of a beach getaway.

Our January issue brings you a road trip that’s not exactly tropical, but just as relaxing. This month’s ”Scenic Route” is about a road trip between Fernandina and Flagler Beaches (Historic A1A). 2013 marks the 500th anniversary since Ponce came upon these shores, and Florida is marking the occasion with a series of events throughout the year.

More reasons for you to make the drive:

Photo by Imke Lass

These beach shots are from Marineland, FL. Stunning. It’s one of the stops on our “Scenic Route” road trip in the January issue (full route here). “As a native Floridian and a travel editor, I’ve been to a lot of beaches,” says Travel Editor Erin Street. “This one is among the most beautiful in our region.”

Photo by Imke Lass

Erin says another surprise along the route is The Floridian in nearby St. Augustine, which answers the question: “Is Florida the South?” (We hear this all the time.) The answer is yes, evidenced by the Cornbread Stack: fresh fish, cornbread, and house-made pickled veggies. (If you’re really hungry, add an order of ”Company’s Coming,” bite-sized portions of those divine veggies, fried green tomatoes, and pimento cheese.)

Ask for Chef Genie Kepner (pictured below), and tell her we sent you.

Photo by Imke Lass

The best souvenir from this route (in addition to the obligatory bottle of water from The Fountain of Youth) has to be a bracelet from St. Augustine’s Anchor Boutique. Boutique owner Laurel Baker makes these out of Sunshine Stones, found only in the Sunshine State, of course ($68). ”Her father was a treasure hunter, and she uses objects he found in shipwrecks as inspiration for her designs,” Erin says. ”How cool is that?”

Photo by Imke Lass

Amelia Island’s Elizabeth Pointe Lodge is offering readers 20% off a stay Sunday-Thursday and 15% off Friday and Saturday the month of January. (Use code SLDEAL.)

Photo by Imke Lass

And you can’t miss a visit to the area without stopping by the Palace Saloon, the oldest continuously operating bar in Florida. Order its signature Pirates Punch. Pretend to be a captain of industry, like the ones who used to sit at this bar.