Palm Coast Promises a Plethora of Pleasures

Palm Coast is resplendent with wildlife and nature, soul-soothing beaches, and world-class fishing and golf.

Between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach along Florida’s Atlantic Coastline, you’ll find Palm Coast, hugging the scenic Matanzas River and the River to Sea Preserve, and a host of other attractions and activities that await visitors to this off-the-beaten path destination.

19 Miles of Beach

Palm Coast and Flagler Beach boast 19 miles of uncrowded beaches, all with unique, orange-tinted sand, a phenomenon due to the area’s abundance of coquina shells. Surf, play in the waves, fish, or just kick off your sandals and soak up the Florida sunshine.

Naturally Wonderful

Dolphins! Manatees! Rare birds! Eco-tours! Palm Coast, designated as having the most productive ecosystem on the planet, boasts them all in spades. With offerings on Florida’s Great Birding Trail, miles of trails for bikers, hikers and horseback riders, fishing of all kinds, and eco-tours on both land and water, outdoor lovers will be in heaven.

Suitable to a Tee

Great year-round golfing weather, contrasting landscapes and premier Florida golf courses: what’s not to like? There’s good reason the area’s nicknamed “the Pebble Beach of Florida,” with golf courses designed by legends that include Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. Choose from oceanside links that directly border the Atlantic Coastline to those adorned with inland marshes, lakes and forests, with courses to suit all levels of players. You can book a Florida golf package vacation or a tee time here: florida-golf.org.

Paddling

Serene creeks, unspoiled estuaries and lakes and even the Atlantic Ocean make the area an outdoor playground for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding. Rentals, lessons, guided tours, and numerous launch sites ensure there’s something for everyone.

Fishing

Palm Coast beckons anglers with rivers, lakes and estuaries offering brackish and fresh water fishing, in addition to surf fishing and deep-sea fishing. When you dangle a line off of the Flagler Beach Municipal Pier you don’t even need to buy a license; admission to fish off the pier includes one.

Parks

Palm Coast and Flagler Beach encompass a number of parks, including the following standouts:

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park promises stunning gardens, 425 acres of coastal scenery, and a beach lush with cinnamon-colored sand. A staggering 20-acres of formal gardens anchor the park, glorious with azaleas, camellias and winding reflection ponds. This peaceful respite invites visitors to explore its trails on foot or via bicycle, or to enjoy fishing, picnicking and its visitors center. The park is also heralded for the striking coquina rock formations that highlight its Atlantic beach, the perfect spot for beachcombing, tidal pool exploring and photography.

Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park encompasses 150 acres that stand as a monument to the rise and fall of sugar plantations in East Florida. You can explore the ruins of the sugar cane plantation, a sugar mill and spring house, as well as enjoy picnic facilities, an interpretive center, and a boat ramp to scenic Bulow Creek, a designated state canoe trail.

Princess Place Preserve, a meticulously preserved 1888 hunting lodge, used to be home to an actual princess —and you can tour it. With its rich history and 1,500 pristine acres, the park provides a glimpse into what old Florida was like, luring visitors with hiking trails, fishing, camping and equestrian trails.