St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest permanently occupied settlement in the continental United States. Pedro Menendez de Aviles first stepped on the sandy beach here in on the feast day of St. Augustine, August 28, 1565.
He established a small settlement for the Spanish government. It was ruled for a very short time by the British in the 1700's and because a United States territory (with Florida) in 1821 and part of the state of Florida in 1845.
Henry Flagler began his hotel and railroad development projects in Saint Augustine around the turn of the century (1900) and much of the current architecture is a result of the Flagler era.
Today St. Augustine holds the charm of all of its history from the Indians preceding the Spanish settlement to the modern day shops and cuisines. One of the delights of this old city is its compact size, walk able from stem to stern in about 20 minutes. St. George Street is a pedestrian walkway lined with quaint shops. Narrow cobbled stone streets stand ready to be explored with their inviting art shops, fine restaurants and boutiques.
St. Augustine's population is about 32,000 now and the county is one of the fastest growing in the nation. The moderate climate, rivers and and ocean offer delightful living styles.
Whatever your definition of an ideal vacation is, you will expand your horizon when you stay in the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine Florida. Discover more about St. Augustine at augustine.com