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Fernandina Beach Florida was on my bucket list to show the hubs and my teenage daughter the beaches I frequented when I was her age. Back in the day, my friends Christel, Patty, Barbara and I loved to jump in the car for day trips to Amelia Island. Recently my fam and I took off for a lovely weekend trip where we discovered a secluded beach spot that I didn’t know about and fabulous restaurants that made the trip extra special and fun.
When your teen can’t hush about a vacation destination, you know it was a success!
Fernandina Beach favorites
I knew Fernandina Beach Florida was the northernmost city on Florida’s coast but didn’t realize that there are over 50 blocks of Victorian-inspired downtown stores, restaurants, and boutiques. Since I was only interested in the most popular beach hangout during my teenage years, I also had no idea that there’s a lesser-known, secluded beach that’s perfect for families.
Woohoo!
Secluded Fernandina Beach
I remember visiting Fort Clinch State Park’s campground with my grandparents as a kid at Fernandina Beach, Florida. What I didn’t know is that there’s not only a campground in the forest and Civil War reenactments at the Fort, there’s also a wonderfully secluded beach just beyond the nature-lined boardwalk.
Fort Clinch State Park has a three-mile shoreline with lots of family-friendly recreational activities including swimming, fishing, sunbathing and wildlife viewing. Shelling and shark-tooth hunting are also popular activities near the jetty and along the St. Mary’s Inlet.
For directions, check out this Discovery Map of Amelia Island and find Fort Clinch State Park on the right side, just below Cumberland Island.
Favorite Fernandina Beach Restaurants
One of our favorite parts of any family vacation in a new location is eating our way through town to discover the best food. We ate at many good establishments on Amelia Island during our stay like 1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza and Pepper’s Mexican Grill and Cantina. Our favorites though were Tasty’s and Townies. Like I’ve mentioned before, one way to enjoy cool vacation spots every single time is to eat like a local. We just love supporting the little guys and they typically have the tastiest and freshest food anyway!
[clickToTweet tweet=”One of the best parts of our family vacation is eating our way through new towns to discover the best food. #fernandinabeach #loveflorida #floridarestaurants #secludedbeach” quote=”One of the best parts of our family vacation is eating our way through new towns to discover the best food. ” theme=”style1″]Tasty’s Fresh Burgers & Fries: Princess and I were won over because they lived up to their name. Homemade burgers with warm and crunchy buns? Freshly cut and fried french fries? Oh yeah, honey! Another thing that wins us over is yummy dipping sauce that’s made in-house and they had plenty to choose from. Of course, I ADORED the retro vibe.
Townies Pizzeria: This was Superman’s favorite place. The calzones served at this laidback pizza joint were fresh, huge and scrumptious. The hubs loved the atmosphere where we all felt like we were a part of the community while we were there.
There was so much that we saw and did, but that will be for another post. We were blessed to spend this weekend trip at a friend’s private condo this time. We’re definitely heading back for a longer visit to the Historic and Victorian seaport town of Fernandina Beach, Florida and I’ll share be sure to share the lodging choice that we choose and why.
Have you been to Fernandina Beach yet? Any beach or restaurant tips to add?
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I’ve never been to Florida but I’d love to check out some of these places if I ever go. I’m totally jealous of your beach pics right now since it’s covered in snow where I live!
Author
You MUST visit Florida! It is one of a kind for sure. Yes, beach images when it’s cold sure do help! 😉
shan
Looks like a great destination! That Tasty’s burger is making my mouth water.
http://www.amandasok.com
Author
They were SOOOO good! Now my mouth’s watering! 😉
shan
How beautiful! My grandparents don’t live too far from Amelia Island. I’m going to have to visit next time I’m down that way!
Author
Yes, you must visit Amelia Island. It is SO lovely!!!
shan
I love a secluded beach! We are heading to Daytona Beach for a month this summer, and I hope to explore more Florida beaches while we’re there.
Author
YES to secluded beaches. I can’t do crowded beaches anymore! You will have so much fun exploring!
shan
This looks like a great family vacay spot! I want to visit for that burger spot alone!
Mariah
http://www.likehoneyblog.com
Author
right?! GREAT burger joint – and we are funny about our burgers and fries! 😉
shan
What a great post! I’ve never been to Fernandina Beach but I’m putting this post on my Pinterest so I can find it if we end up there!
Author
Yay! Yes, put it on the bucket list. It’s a lovely, family-friendly spot!
shan
Surprisingly, after living in Florida all my life, I have still never been to Fernandina Beach. My best friends family loves it there. They go every Thanksgiving and apparently the whole town goes Black Friday shopping in their pajamas! How cute is that?! Saved this for when I make it back to Florida and can finally check this off my list!
Author
GREAT, Melanie! Your best friend’s family sound like a lot of fun – as does the whole town! Thanks for reading.
shan
I’ve never heard of Fernandina Beach, so I can say I’ve never been here! It looks lovely and very secluded! I’ll remember it now if I ever return to Florida.
Author
It’s very lovely. Thank you!
shan
Florida is for sure an amazinf place to visit- I’ve only been to Orlando and Miami, hoping to go back soon one day.
Author
You are right, Florida is amazing. There’s just so much to see and do!
shan
That’s so nice. I never heard about Fernandina Beach before. It made want to visit.
Great work!
Author
Thank you!
shan
Looks beautiful! The whole Florida is on my bucket list since I haven’t had a chance to visit yet. I will remember this place when I do.
Author
Thank you! Yes, Florida is a must see!
shan
Author
Thanks so much for being here, Farah!
shan
I live by the beach and love weekends spent there. Such gorgeous photos! This looks like a great spot.
Author
How blessed you are!!! Which beach? I may need to visit your area and write about it (if it isn’t too tourist-y, that is!). I’m too old for the crowds! 😉
shan
Author
Every Coast of Florida is SO unique! The Gulf Coast you speak of is gorgeous, but there’s something about the ‘Old Florida’ feel of the Atlantic Coast and Highway A1A. I’m obsessed! 😉
shan
I’ve never been here before, but it looks like such a great place! My husband and I are brainstorming where to go for February break; I’m excited to look through all of your different links 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion!
Author
WooHoo! February vacation planning sounds exciting. Let me know if you have any questions about specific spots in the South!
shan
This looks like a lovely place to visit. I’m not so much for the theme parked vacays so this sounds perfect!
Author
I LOVE mostly secluded vacays to unknown wonders too!
shan