Fernandina Beach Weekend: Our Favorite Secluded Beach & Restaurants

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Secluded Fernandina beach Florida spot

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.

Secluded Fernandina beach Florida boardwalk
Best of Amelia Island
watch Best Amelia Island Beach

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.  

Secluded Fernandina beach Florida spot & fabulous restaurants

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.

watch Best Amelia Island restaurants

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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a lovely weekend trip where we discovered a secluded Fernandina beach spot
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Shan

Published on HuffPost, Okefenokee Living Magazine, and more, Shan is a Family Travel Journalist with a passion for helping women lose the overwhelm of planning family-friendly trips in the south. She shares travel reviews & insider secrets that Women REALLY want to know about Georgia, Florida, & the Carolinas vacations.

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30 Comments

  1. nellwyn
    January 17, 2018 / 11:19 am

    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!

    • Shan
      Author
      January 18, 2018 / 3:10 pm

      You MUST visit Florida! It is one of a kind for sure. Yes, beach images when it’s cold sure do help! 😉

      shan

  2. Amanda Martin
    January 17, 2018 / 11:26 am

    Looks like a great destination! That Tasty’s burger is making my mouth water.
    http://www.amandasok.com

    • Shan
      Author
      January 18, 2018 / 3:11 pm

      They were SOOOO good! Now my mouth’s watering! 😉

      shan

  3. Logan Can
    January 17, 2018 / 1:24 pm

    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!

    • Shan
      Author
      January 18, 2018 / 3:11 pm

      Yes, you must visit Amelia Island. It is SO lovely!!!

      shan

  4. Nancy
    January 17, 2018 / 5:04 pm

    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.

    • Shan
      Author
      January 18, 2018 / 3:14 pm

      YES to secluded beaches. I can’t do crowded beaches anymore! You will have so much fun exploring!

      shan

  5. Mariah Klee
    January 18, 2018 / 12:22 am

    This looks like a great family vacay spot! I want to visit for that burger spot alone!

    Mariah
    http://www.likehoneyblog.com

    • Shan
      Author
      January 18, 2018 / 3:14 pm

      right?! GREAT burger joint – and we are funny about our burgers and fries! 😉

      shan

  6. Caitlin
    January 18, 2018 / 5:31 am

    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!

    • Shan
      Author
      January 18, 2018 / 3:15 pm

      Yay! Yes, put it on the bucket list. It’s a lovely, family-friendly spot!

      shan

  7. Melanie
    January 19, 2018 / 4:24 pm

    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!

    • Shan
      Author
      January 22, 2018 / 8:21 am

      GREAT, Melanie! Your best friend’s family sound like a lot of fun – as does the whole town! Thanks for reading.

      shan

  8. Followingtherivera
    January 21, 2018 / 5:20 am

    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.

    • Shan
      Author
      January 22, 2018 / 8:22 am

      It’s very lovely. Thank you!

      shan

  9. Adulting on Coffee
    January 21, 2018 / 2:01 pm

    Florida is for sure an amazinf place to visit- I’ve only been to Orlando and Miami, hoping to go back soon one day.

    • Shan
      Author
      January 22, 2018 / 8:23 am

      You are right, Florida is amazing. There’s just so much to see and do!

      shan

  10. Fernando
    January 21, 2018 / 3:04 pm

    That’s so nice. I never heard about Fernandina Beach before. It made want to visit.
    Great work!

    • Shan
      Author
      January 22, 2018 / 8:23 am

      Thank you!

      shan

  11. Paula - Gone with the Wine
    January 21, 2018 / 11:56 pm

    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.

    • Shan
      Author
      January 22, 2018 / 8:24 am

      Thank you! Yes, Florida is a must see!

      shan

  12. Shan
    Author
    January 22, 2018 / 8:22 am

    Thanks so much for being here, Farah!

    shan

  13. Krissy
    January 29, 2018 / 12:36 pm

    I live by the beach and love weekends spent there. Such gorgeous photos! This looks like a great spot.

    • Shan
      Author
      January 29, 2018 / 1:31 pm

      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

  14. Shan
    Author
    January 29, 2018 / 1:30 pm

    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

  15. Paula || I'm Busy Being Awesome
    January 29, 2018 / 7:41 pm

    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!

    • Shan
      Author
      January 29, 2018 / 8:44 pm

      WooHoo! February vacation planning sounds exciting. Let me know if you have any questions about specific spots in the South!

      shan

  16. Lindsey
    January 30, 2018 / 11:13 am

    This looks like a lovely place to visit. I’m not so much for the theme parked vacays so this sounds perfect!

    • Shan
      Author
      January 30, 2018 / 10:25 pm

      I LOVE mostly secluded vacays to unknown wonders too!

      shan

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