How To Spend A Day In Jacksonville's Beaches
Jacksonville, Florida, is the largest city in the lower 48 according to size. However, the vibrant beach community has a small-town and distinctively coastal feel and is a superb day trip destination.
What makes the area unique, much like other large metropolises, is that each location has a distinctive style. It is like seeing many different cities rolled into one. On the south end of Third Avenue is Jacksonville Beach, the largest at 22 miles long. The north end is home to the second largest, Atlantic Beach, with Neptune Beach in the middle. Here is how to spend a day visiting all three, collectively called "The Beaches."
Beach Life
My favorite thing about the Beaches is the small-town vibe and the beachy culture. Even though all three only make up under 50 miles along Third Street (A1A), each beach has a distinctive feel. Jacksonville Beach is a favorite surf spot with several hotels and a live music pavilion. Neptune is the smallest beach and is mainly residential, though it has the ever-popular Beaches Town Center with upscale shopping and dining.
Then there is Atlantic Beach, which I am partial to. Atlantic Beach has a small-town vibe with a twist of salt life that is hard to beat. Shopping and restaurants are all within a few minutes' drive from any location, and the town is loaded with parks and clean neighborhoods.
Even though I know the differences between the three beaches, I don't pay attention to them too much. I'm just going to the beach; it's all the same stretch of sand. But if you notice, each one has a different vibe, though all three are equally welcoming, with plenty to see and do.
Legendary Surf Shops
Surfing and skating have been significant at the beaches since the 1960s (have you ever heard of Rat Town?). There are two landmark surf shops here: Aqua East in Neptune Beach and Sunrise Surf Shop in Jax Beach. Either one is highly recommended, and each puts its flavor on Jacksonville's surfing scene. These shops are landmarks and should be visited by visitors to absorb the local culture and heritage.
Aqua East was established in 1973 by a 19-year-old local in a room about the size of a bedroom. The young entrepreneur had tremendous success building boards and 1988 opened his Neptune Beach superstore in 1988.
Sunrise Surf Shop opened its doors in 1976 and has been a cornerstone of North Florida's surf community ever since. The shop is still family-owned and operated, and grabbing one of their iconic shirts while visiting town leaves you with an authentic beach keepsake.
Live Events
One of the best times to visit is to schedule a beach trip during one of the many live events. The Seawalk Event hosts classic live events such as the Seawalk Music Festival in February and the Springing the Blues concert in April. The pavilion is used year-round for weekly events like yoga. Several restaurants and bars are nearby, and charming coffee shops are like a Cup of Job.
Cup of Job is my favorite coffee spot, and I make it a point to stop whenever I'm in town. The faith-based coffee shop serves the community by employing baristas from the Rescue Mission to help people experiencing homelessness. It is conveniently located by the pavilion, and the outside tables provide unparalleled views of the vibrant beach scene. The coffee tastes even better during Christmas while walking around the annual Deck the Chairs event.
The weeks-long Christmas event is in the park before the Seawalk Pavilion. Local businesses bring lifeguard chairs and other memorabilia and decorate them with Christmas lights. Over the years, I have seen replicated churches, a massive guitar, and an ocean conservancy pop-up, one of my favorite decorations.
Nightlife
Jacksonville Beach has its share of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. The most famous is Pete's Bar, which opened in 1933 in Neptune Beach. The renowned dive bar is the place to be on Thanksgiving morning for the "Petesgiving" tradition. Hundreds of locals and tourists descend on First Street. The surrounding roads are shut down to vehicle traffic, so the revelers can walk around, visit food and drink tents, and enjoy one of the most significant Thanksgiving events in the area.
Another landmark and one of my favorite places to visit is the Voo Swar Restaurant and Lounge. It has served the local area for over 60 years and was founded by Earnest Davis as an establishment for Black sailors from Mayport who would feel welcomed. It is now run by Mr. Davis's son, Lewis Washington. It is always a welcoming place for a good burger and a frosty mug. Mr. Davis's favorite chair is still there, as an homage, surrounded by photos of the restaurateur.
Beaches Towncenter
The Beaches Town Center is uniquely located at Neptune and Atlantic Beach. It has local shops like Jax Surf and Paddle and restaurants like Poe's and Le Petit Paris Cafe. There are several live events, such as the North Beaches Art Walk. Local artists and vendors set up pop-ups on the sidewalk with everything from paintings to sculptures, and the event provides an ideal way to immerse yourself in the local cultural scene.
The Beaches pack a lot of vibrant culture, nightlife, and festivals for a relatively small area. Each one offers a unique style, and there is always something to do. The Beaches should be on every Florida traveler's itinerary, from local haunts such as Pete's Bar and the Voo Swar Restaurant and Lounge to exciting live events like Springing the Blues.
