Best Northern Florida Beach Towns To Buy a Vacation Home

If you’ve been considering buying a vacation property in a beachfront community, North Florida offers a wealth of beach towns that may be the perfect destination to call your second home. The beauty of living by the beach– in addition to endless days spent on warm, sandy shores– is the laid-back atmosphere and tranquil, slow way of life. What makes living in a beach town in North Florida particularly special is easy access to nearby cities like Jacksonville and St. Augustine, which gives residents access to all that the area’s urban epicenters have to offer without compromising on the serenity of beachside living.

Fernandina Beach

The northernmost city on Florida’s Atlantic coast, Fernandina Beach is situated on Amelia Island which is known for its crystal clear waters, stunningly beautiful beaches and abundance of natural wildlife. What sets Fernandina Beach apart from other beach towns in North Florida is that its location on the border of Georgia means that the seaside city is infused with Southern charm as well as rich history. Visitors and residents of Fernandina Beach can enjoy taking a walk down picturesque Centre Street, which serves as the center of the city’s downtown scene with a number of eateries, art galleries, boutiques, and other attractions. Unlike other parts of Florida, Fernandina Beach experiences noticeable seasonal changes meaning that visiting during different parts of the year will provide different weather and access to different local events and attractions.

Jacksonville Beach

Jacksonville Beach is a city that has earned an excellent reputation for its sprawling beaches, pristine golf course, and top-notch finishing pier, making it a one-stop-shop for those in search of the quintessential Florida beach vacation. Visitors and residents can take advantage of a wide assortment of outdoor activities like surfing and beach volleyball and might even catch a glimpse of a dolphin swimming along the coast. Jacksonville Beach is home to plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes where you can cool off after a long day at the beach. Even in the off-season there are plenty of ways to enjoy your vacation.

Vilano Beach

Beloved by locals, Vilano Beach lies north of St. Augustine and offers residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy beachfront living against a quiet, ambient, and casual backdrop. Vilano Beach is one of the easiest beach towns to access from downtown historic St. Augustine thanks to a shuttle that runs daily, originating by the St. Augustine Municipal Marina and ending at the public pier on Vilano Beach, which doubles as the perfect location to view the sunset. Vilano Beach is dog-friendly, ensuring your vacation home is welcoming to the entire family. The beachside town is an excellent place to enjoy surf fishing and boating, and there are even a number of leisurely boat tours that deliver incredible views of the area’s natural wildlife. Residents can enjoy a sense of community through all of the local events hosted in Vilano Beach, including the annual Vilano Bridge Run, Lullaby of the Rivers Music Fest, and Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am Tournament.

Looking for the perfect ideal setting for a second home or vacation property? Start browsing homes & condos in the Jacksonville area's best beach towns now, or contact Brad Officer, the area's top local home & lifestyle expert, for help with all your home buying & selling needs!

St. Augustine Beach

A small beachside town situated on Anastasia Island, St. Augustine Beach is best known for its expansive beaches that line the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The city is home to a stunning beachfront park that contains a highly sought-after fishing pier as well as a beachside pavilion, sand volleyball court, and splash park for children. St. Augustine Beach features countless waterfront eateries and cafes, offering a laid-back, charming atmosphere. Perhaps most importantly, St. Augustine Beach is a nesting site for endangered species of sea turtles and the community goes to great lengths to preserve and protect them throughout the year.

Flagler Beach

With a reputation for a funky, cool style and a bustling surf scene, Flagler Beach is as laid-back as it is hip. Flagler Beach offers a six-mile stretch of unparalleled ocean views all along the town’s free beaches. A visit to Flagler Beach means endless opportunities for fishing, surfing, and swimming are all easily within reach, and at the end of a long in the water visitors can grab a meal at one of the area’s open-air restaurants or have a drink at one of many breezy bars.

Jacksonville Airbnb Investment Related Content

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