Sebastian Inlet State Park: Popular but Undiscovered?

Sebastian Inlet State Park is popular with locals, but not well-known outside of the Treasure Coast area of Florida. Except perhaps by surfers. But there's more than just surfing at Sebastian Inlet - lots more! Come and find out about this lovely Florida State Park, and all it has to offer.

First of All -- Surf's Up!

The surfing crowd in Florida pretty much knows about Sebastian Inlet -- it's famous for the "Monster Hole" where you can catch a wave and ride it a long time.

Sebastian Inlet State Park is unusual in that it hosts several surfing competitions during the early part of the year, especially in April.

Swimming and Watery Fun

Swimming is a great part of the appeal of this Florida State Park. There are shallower, calmer areas that are great for novices or children. Then there are the beach areas that get the same kinds of waves that the surfers crave.

For the scuba diving set, there are plenty of rocky reefs off the beach to explore. Be aware that the summer is the best time in general to dive -- the water is clearer, unless there is a storm out to sea. Remember your diver down flag!

Boating and Fishing

Boating and fishing are both great at Sebastian Inlet. You can do either or both in the Atlantic Ocean or the Indian River. The Atlantic involves navigating through the Sebastian Inlet, which isn't for the novice boater -- it can be a bit tricky. The Indian River, though, is calm water, suitable for motor boats, kayaks or canoes.

You can find all manner of fish, including jacks, redfish, snapper, grouper and more, in the river or the ocean.

What Else?

You can also camp in the park (both RVs and tents are welcome) -- there are 51 spots available, but you might want to call ahead in the summer months.

And if you like hiking, there are two different trails you can follow and enjoy -- Hammock for shorter walks and Volksport for longer (up to 10k) walks.

Sebastian Inlet State Park is located on the Atlantic, just north of Vero Beach and south of Melbourne, Florida. Come on down and enjoy!

Sanibel Island: State of Florida or State of Mind?

Do you dream about white sandy beaches and warm, clear waters? Do glorious sunsets bring out the romance in you? Do your eyes sparkle when you look at bright tropical flowers on a sunny day? Do you adore shelling by the seashore?

Have you considered a Sanibel Island resort on your next Florida vacation?

Sanibel Island resorts have a lush tropical beauty and offer plenty to see and do. And with plenty of wonderful restaurants and activities for all the family to enjoy, you really will find everything you need in and around the resorts.

Consider Your Stay

The Best Western Sanibel Sunset Beach Resort is situated on one of Florida's most beautiful barrier islands, where you can relax and forget about the rest of the world. One of the best things about this resort is that it offers great value for money (Sanibel isn't cheap). You can also enjoy daily bicycle rides with 25 miles of biking paths around the island.

If you want 85 acres of pure bliss, try the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa. With spectacular views over the island and a wide range of local amenities, you'll never be stuck for something to do. It's a resort which offers elegance and relaxation - exactly what you need on your vacation!

Want to really get away from it all? Sanibel's Seaside Inn Resort might be just what you are looking for. Ideal for both families and those who are looking for a little adventure, Sanibel's Seaside Inn offers a number of amenities including golf and bicycle riding. Not to mention some gorgeous views!

Hungry Yet?

Sanibel has some wonderful places to eat - breakfast, lunch and dinner!

If you'd like to try one of the best restaurants in the area then Ellington's Jazz Bar and Restaurant is definitely worth checking out. With fine cuisine to suit every palate, you'll love the exotic tastes and the value that the restaurant offers.

Oh, you just have to try this next one, just once. The Sanibel Harbour Princess is a fantastic private yacht owned by the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa. Experience true luxury, eating some of the finest food all the while sailing on a romantic cruise. Look for the magnificent sunset over the ocean!

If you're looking for something a little more low-key, think about the Hungry Heron Eatery. Friendly staff and a nice relaxed atmosphere provide a great setting for families. The prices are also extremely reasonable (a good thing on your Sanibel Island vacation).

Sanibel - a State of Mind

There's so much to Sanibel Island, with all kinds of things to see and do. Here's more information on Sanibel Island vacation rental options.

See you in Sanibel!

St. Augustine, Florida - Where History Meets Attractions

St. Augustine, Florida is America's oldest city. It is also one of the nation's most charming cities, for a variety of reasons.

Its cobblestone streets. The history that peeks out from every turn and corner.

The quaint inns and bed and breakfasts that rest under ancient oak trees.

The ghosts, too, make things interesting in St. Augustine, Florida!

The Oldest City

Known as the "Ancient City," St. Augustine was founded forty-two years before the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts - making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent.

St. Augustine is in North Florida, located between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, on the Atlantic Ocean. While Orlando is a bit of a jaunt, it's not too terribly far away either.

What's the Weather Like?

North Florida has mostly mild temperatures in Fall and Spring. Winters can get a bit on the nippy side, with temperatures at the freezing mark can certainly happen. But usually the days are sunny and on the cool side in Winter.

Summers are something else -- hot and very humid. So arrange your vacation, if you can, in such a manner that you can avoid the hottest and most humid times (July and August). However, October, November, March and April are wonderful times for a visit.

Things to do in St. Augustine, Florida

There are a lot of things you can do here in St. Augustine, like visiting the Fountain of Youth, the Alligator Farm Zoological Park or Potter's Wax Museum. There is Ripley's Believe it or Not where you can spend an hour or two.

If you like the beach, you'll love St. Augustine's beautiful, wide, sandy beaches, just made for basking in the sun or playing in the waves.

There is a very special event in October of every year called the St.Augustine Art Walk. October is considered the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the people participating in this walk raise money to help research and fight breast cancer. The event has become known for its art raffle. Around 10 paintings are raffled each year, with the proceeds going to various breast cancer foundations. After the walk many other raffles and fund-raisers takes place.

The Ghostly Side of Life

Then there are the St. Augustine ghost tours. These tours take a look into the city's sometimes spooky past, as it is said that there are restless spirits which haunt certain locations in town.

Another interesting aspect of ghost walks is that your guide dresses up in a period costume, to get in the "spirit" of things, so to speak. The walks are held in the evenings, when the weather is cooler and the atmosphere more eerie. Who knows what you'll see around the next corner?

More Information

If all this sounds intriguing, you can find more facts at the St. Augustine Florida vacation guide.

Florida Camping: Walk on the Wild Side

Florida is known for its sunshine, beautiful beaches and ever-present theme parks. What many people don't realize is that Florida has some of the most awesome camping spots you can find in the United States. Swimming, boating, hiking, biking and more define our Florida camping locations. Let's take a look at just a few that offer a place to pitch your tent or park your RV.

• Anastasia State Recreation Facility is located on Anastasia Island in northeastern Florida. You can walk or drive to the nearby four and one-half miles of beaches, for your sunning, swimming and fishing pleasure. Hike the Ancient Sand Dunes Nature Trail and see what Florida was like before the Spaniards arrived. Just a hop, skip and jump away is the tourist city of St. Augustine, where you can visit many attractions like Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum or the Alligator Farm Zoological Park.
• St. Andrews State Recreation Area is located in the Florida Panhandle. Sugar-white sands cover the beaches and meet the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Swimming, boating, fishing and biking are popular here. Take a hike on one (or both) of the trails -- Heron Pond Pine and Gator Lake. Shell Island is nearby and in the warmer months, you can take a glass-bottom ferry to the island. Not too far away is Panama City Beach, where you can walk the boardwalk and see the sights.
• Oscar Scherer State Park is located in the south-central part of the state. Some of Florida's most beautiful Gulf Coast beaches are a short drive away. For you hikers and bikers, there are more than 15 miles of trails to explore. Why not rent a canoe and see the park by water? If you are hankering to catch some dinner, both freshwater and saltwater fishing are great. Relax and stay awhile.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a mecca for all those who like to get wet. Located in the Florida Keys, Pennekamp is known world-wide for its fantabulous snorkeling and diving. Not exactly looking to get wet? Try the glass-bottom boat tours out to the coral reef -- the only living one in the continental United States. Hiking and biking are also popular. Fishing, canoeing and kayaking are other ways to while away the hours.

There are over 160 State Parks, and numerous National Parks in Florida. Over 60 offer some sort of camping -- sometimes full-service, sometimes primitive (and sometimes both). Oh, and there are several parks that even offer cabins, complete with linens and a view (and sometimes even air conditioning)! There are also about a gazillion private parks, although none offer the beauty of the great Florida outdoors or variety of services as do the Florida State Parks.

Why not walk on the wild side and do some camping on your next Florida vacation? Here's more information about Florida camping and campgrounds.

Florida Ghost Walks: A Hauntingly Good Time!

Florida is usually associated with sun and fun. Beaches, theme parks, beautiful weather. You know - Paradise.

What many people don't realize is that Florida, or at least parts of it, have a reputation for being a little on the ghostly side. Where are these spirited (so to speak) places? Let's take a look at where you can have a spook-tacular time.

Key West

Most people don't realize that the city immortalized as "Margaritaville" has its roots in salvage and even (dare I say it) piracy. Some residents swear that spirits are indeed restless in certain parts of the city. After dark, you can take a walking tour of Key West and hear tales such as a German count who dug up the body of his one true love. If that wasn't bad enough, he is said to have serenaded her for seven years! And let's not forget the haunted doll (no, his name is not Chucky) who is said to be possessed by an evil spirit. What other stories await? You'll just have to take the ghost tour and find out.

Grayton Beach

There is a little place called Camp Helen near Florida's Grayton Beach State Park that is said to have a spirit named Rachel wandering about. Rachel was the young daughter of the camp caretakers, and Rachel loved swimming in the nearby lake. Unfortunately, one day she drowned, and is now said to be wandering around, looking for her long-dead parents.

St. Augustine

Ghost walks also abound in Florida's (and indeed, the nation's) oldest city. Tales of slaves, murder and restless spirits haunt this city, making it the number one ghostly attraction (so to speak) in Florida. Take a walking tour after dark and visit places like the old City Jail, where the activity is most apparent, so I am told. Many say the hairs on the back of their neck rose while on the ghost walk.

Do You Believe?

I believe that the ghost tours are a good time, and a chance to stretch your legs. Visit parts of the cities you might not have ventured into. Enjoy the stories and legends from the past. Do I believe in the ghosts? Let's just say that I've heard at least one ghostly tale that I laughed so hard at that I cried. Why? Because I know some of the people (as in elderly family members) who would have had to have been involved if there were any apparitions. (Whoever came up with the tale probably figured that people who would have been involved were already ghosts.)

So while I don't believe in the ghosts themselves, I do believe that a hauntingly good time can be had by all.

Wekiwa Springs: Orlando's Secret State Park

What piece of natural Florida is within shouting distance of Disney World, yet worlds away from the ordinary? Where you can travel back in time to the Florida that once was?

Welcome to Wekiwa Springs State Park, near Orlando, Florida.

Springs of Delight

Wekiwa Springs State Park is well-known by the Orlando residents, but it's a secret to most visitors. Hidden away in Apopka, the Springs are a wilderness wonderland.

The most obvious thing about the park is its main spring and swimming area. The water is crystal clear and makes for some great snorkeling! But it's a bit on the chilly side, at a cool 70 degrees Fahrenheit year around.

Back in Time

If you want to see what Florida used to look like, before houses and stores and theme parks took over, take a walk on the trails at Wekiwa Springs State Park. There are about 17 miles of trails in the park, so there is plenty of room to roam. You'll share many of the trails with people on bicycles and horses, but you may find yourself alone much of the time because...

...of the canoes!

Winding Rivers

Canoeing is the biggest draw at Wekiwa Springs State Park. There are miles of river to paddle or to simply float down. The water is clear, the trees make a cool canopy and the sky is blue. You can start at the head of the springs, paddle down the river and then take a shuttle back up to "Canoe Beach" - your starting point.

Campground Tales

There is also camping at Wekiwa Springs State Park, and it's one of the few Florida State Parks that actually allows pet camping! Not to worry, there is a campground for people without pets, too.

Want to Know More?

If you're planning a Central Florida vacation, consider a side trip to Wekiwa Springs State Park. Get to know the park the locals talk about!

Great Florida Vacation Spots

You need a Florida vacation guide if you want to get the absolute most out of your great Florida vacation.

Do you like the outdoors? Theme parks and attractions? Tropical sandy beaches?

Florida is all this and so much more! Here are just a few of the wonderful Florida vacation spots that await you in the Sunshine State.

Florida Vacation Guide: The Call of the Wild

So many overlook Florida's greatest resource -- its beautiful outdoors. Not to mention the wealth of outdoor activities!

Florida's State and National Parks are some one the very best in the nation. If you want a step back in time, visit the Florida Everglades -- where reptiles (in the form of alligators and crocodiles) rule!

What about the Devil's Millhopper? Just the name alone is intriguing -- but wait until you see this fantastic Florida wonder.

On a hot summer day, visit Ichetucknee Springs for a three-hour float down a crystal-clear spring river.

Your Florida Vacation -- Disney and Other Attractions

Sure, Walt Disney World is "the" theme park in Florida. But did you know there are all kinds of smaller attractions where you can have fun?

For a far-out trip, try the Kennedy Space Center. Not only can you see the workings of our space program, but you can see all kinds of special exhibits -- including the very first space shuttle -- appropriately named "Enterprise".

St. Augustine, in North Florida has a town full of attractions. From the fabled Fountain of Youth through to Potter's Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe it or Not, there are loads of smaller attractions in St. Augustine.

f you're down in the Florida Keys, you have to visit Theater of the Sea, near Islamorada. You'll see the secret as to why they have bottomless boats (yes, you read that right -- bottomless).

A Guide to Florida Beaches

Florida beaches are what made the Sunshine State famous, and no Florida vacation guide would be complete without mentioning at least a few.

If you want a quiet and secluded beach, there's one in the middle of South Florida where you go and not see more than a handful of people -- MacArthur Beach State Park.

Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys has arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida -- maybe in all of the United States!

Daytona Beach is wide and sandy. If you like beach toys, boardwalks and just plain people watching, you can't go wrong here.

More About Florida

There's so much to see and so in Florida, that it would be a shame to spend your whole vacation at one of the theme parks. Use this Florida vacation guide as a jumping off place to discover more about this wonderful state!

Have fun planning your great Florida vacation!

Planning Your Orlando Florida Vacation

Going on a great Orlando, Florida vacation sure can be fun, but it takes at least a little planning to get the most fun out of your trip.

Just what kind of planning should you consider, when considering an Orlando, Florida vacation?

What should you know before you go?

Is There Room at the Inn?

For one you want to make sure that you don't spend more than you have. The most expensive single item you'll pay for while in Orlando is your hotel room. But you're in luck if you can book a room at one of the Disney World value resorts, All-Star or Pop Century -- they can be surprisingly affordable! And if you want to go the lavish route, check out the Disney Deluxe resorts.

If Disney isn't your thing, no problem -- you can always stay at one of the major hotel chains on International Drive or Highway 192.

If you're traveling with a large group you might want to look into a timeshare, condo or a vacation home that you can rent for your Orlando, Florida vacation. This can be a tremendous savings for your wallet!

Just keep in mind that the further away from the theme parks you are, the less you will pay. Also keep in mind that if you find a deal that's too good to be true, especially close to any of the major attractions, it probably is. (I speak from the Voice of Experience...and what an experience!)

There are a lot of people on the internet looking to cater to tourists coming to Florida. The good news is that in Orlando, just about anywhere you stay, you'll be just steps or a short shuttle ride away from a multitude of things to do. From shopping expeditions to dining spots after your long day at the theme parks, there's a way to get there.

Playing Around Town -- the Attractions

If you're going to stick around for a couple of days you may want to go and get a GO Card. A GO Card is your one ticket to many discount Orlando attractions. You pay for "days" on the card and go from place to place, only flashing the card to get in. Why wait in line paying for each individual attraction -- you have more important things to do! (Like have fun.)

Out and About in Central Florida

You may eventually want to go outside of Orlando and see what the rest of Central Florida has to offer. Cocoa Beach is the closest beach to Orlando, But Daytona Beach isn't all that far away. Cape Kennedy is also a great place to take families to see all of the exciting things NASA is doing. And to the west, you're just an hour or so away from Clearwater Beach and the Tampa Bay area attractions.

Always Remember (and Never Forget)

While you're having fun anticipating your Orlando, Florida vacation, remember to pack and dress accordingly. The summers in Florida are super hot and muggy -- think temperature and humidity in the upper 90's. The winters can be surprisingly chilly at times, so don't get caught off guard without a sweater or jacket between December and February.

Here are some more ideas about planning and anticipating an Orlando Florida vacation!

South Florida's Hidden Gem: MacArthur Beach State Park

Want to know a secret? There's a State Park and beach in South Florida that no one seems to know about.

Beautiful surroundings, a gorgeous sun-splashed beach...that you might just have all to yourself.

Where is this secluded Florida park and beach? It's actually within easy reach!

Introducing...

...John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. It's a little-known gem north of Singer Island and south of Jupiter Beach on the Atlantic ocean.

This totally amazing Florida state park boasts a tropical dune trail and a beautiful beach. Urban sprawl hasn't reached here so the beach and the park is quiet most of the year. You might not even see anyone else!

The Park's Interesting Past

The beach has some interesting history, dating back when it was called Air Force Beach during World War II. What is now Palm Beach International airport was an Air Force base back then. Apparently servicemen threw some pretty wild beach parties, so it was (unofficially) named Air Force Beach!

Some time later, John D. MacArthur bought the land, wanting to keep a pristine part of southern Florida safe. He donated the land in the 1970's and the park (named after him) publicly opened in 1989.

Barrier? What Barrier?

MacArthur Beach State Park is located on a barrier island, which is long and narrow, separating the mainland from the sea. Although condominiums and hotels have taken over many of Florida's beautiful barrier islands, not this one - it's still "au naturale"!

Be on the Lookout For...

...Sea turtles! Rare species of sea turtles are known to nest here, including the endangered loggerhead and the much rarer leatherback. You probably won't see the turtles themselves but you might see evidence that they have been around. If you'd really like to see the turtles, there are ranger-led walks in May and June. Make advanced reservations through the office -- these tours are popular.

You might see some roseate spoonbills at the park. Huh? Roseate spoonbills are fascinating birds; their feathers are rose tinted ("flamingo pink") and the end of their bills are spoon shaped.

Birding tours are also occasionally available, for the ornithologically inclined.

Beaching It!

The most amazing single thing about this glorious Florida state park is that very few people come here. Possibly because there are loads of public beaches just to the north and the south, MacArthur Beach State Park is quiet. Serene. And you are likely to have the two miles of sandy beach all to yourself!

Swim the waters, snorkel the reef or even try one of the park's surfing clinics -- the beach holds all kinds of possibilities!

Want to find out more about this surprising gem (and see photos)? Check out MacArthur Beach State Park