Mission Nombre de Dios

Origins go back to the founding of our city

Mission Nombre de Dios traces its origins to the founding of the City of St. Augustine, America’s oldest city, in 1565. On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed and proclaimed this site for Spain and the Church. It was here that Menéndez knelt to kiss a wooden cross presented to him by Father Francisco López de Mendoza Grajales, chaplain of his expedition. It was on these grounds that Fr. López would celebrate the first parish Mass and begin the work at America’s first mission. It was at this sacred spot that the Spanish settlers would begin the devotion to Our Lady of La Leche that continues into the present.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park began in the late nineteenth century as a small exhibition of Florida reptiles and soon became a quintessential Florida attraction. Today it functions as a modern zoo serving the public and the scientific community with educational shows and exhibits, important research, and worldwide conservation efforts. The Alligator Farm’s history as an attraction and an accredited zoo is nearly as exciting as zipping across the Alligator Lagoon on Crocodile Crossing, the park’s thrilling zip-line attraction.

 

Learn more here.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is dedicated to discovering, preserving, presenting and keeping alive the story of the Nation's Oldest Port.

• We do this in many ways:
• Educational opportunities
• Local and national preservation efforts
• Maritime archaeological research

Hands-On History

Each year, our museum introduces over 43,000 school age students to marine sciences and maritime history throughcamp programs, home-school days, hands-on tours, and program scholarships.

Our camps reach out to underserved and at-risk populations through scholarships and donations. This allows students to attend our camps who have high academic achievement and potential but do not have the economic means to attend camp.

Additionally, undergraduate and graduate students from around the world visit the museum every summer for one of the nation’s only underwater archaeology field schools. These students have the rare chance to experience excavation and artifact recovery from a unique 18th century shipwreck, combining scientific diving, archaeological science, and history to make for a well-rounded field school experience.

Fort Matanzas

Throughout its history, the stories of Fort Matanzas and the Matanzas area have been closely intertwined with that of the city of St. Augustine.

Located fifteen miles north of Fort Matanzas, St. Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos serve as outstanding reminders of the might of the early Spanish empire and as reflections of European conflicts as countries battled for land and power in the New World.

Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as European nations fought for control in the New World. As part of this struggle, Fort Matanzas guarded St. Augustine’s southern river approach. The colonial wars are over, but the monument is still protecting—not just the historic fort, but also the wild barrier island and the plants and animals who survive there amidst a sea of modern development. Read More

 

Historic Tours of Flagler College

Historic Tours of Flagler College highlight the architectural heritage of the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, listed as a National Historic Landmark. Built by railroad magnate, Henry M. Flagler in 1888, the Ponce is considered one of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture and was one of the most exclusive resorts of its day.

Guests will begin their tour by exploring the courtyard while learning of the hotel's Spanish Renaissance architecture and of the techniques and innovations used to construct Henry Flagler's vision. Next is the grand lobby where they will stare up into an 68-foot domed ceiling supported by eight ornate oak caryatids hand carved with robed women, each slightly different from the next. 

The guest will move on to the dining room where 79 Louis Comfort Tiffany Stained Glass windows stream light onto the beautifully hand painted murals on the walls and ceiling. Finally, they will visit the Flagler Room, formerly the Women's Grand Parlor, where they will gaze upon hand crafted Austrian crystal chandeliers, a clock containing the largest piece of intact white onyx in the western hemisphere, original hotel furniture and art, as well as personal photos and mementos from Henry Flagler and his family.

St. Augustine Wild Reserve

The St. Augustine Wild Reserve is a non-profit corporation created as a rescue center for unwanted exotic animals. Many individuals obtain an exotic pet, only to realize that the animal's wild nature doesn't fit into their life (or their household) as they expected. This is where we come in. The Reserve will take in unwanted exotic animals as an alternative to euthanasia. Some of the Reserve’s animals came from abusive homes. Two wolves were rescued when their owner was involved in a fatal auto accident. Many of our animals were confiscated by wildlife agencies from individuals who held these animals without proper state permits, or who starved their animals, maintaining them in inferior conditions. 

Five Arctic wolves and an African lion were received from Michael Jackson, who no longer wanted them at his ranch near Santa Barbara. The Founder of the Reserve, Deborah Warrick, has worked with exotic animals all of her life, having received extensive training at the Los Angeles Zoo. She has received her AA Degree, and B.S. Degree in Holistic Nutrition to better care for the animals’ nutritional needs. She earned her B.S. degree in Biology in 2011, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

St. Augustine Distillery Company

"We are a brand new business collaborative; a group of locals that share a dream. We wanted to bring the national movement of distilling super premium, small batch spirits to our community. And we want to do it better than anyone in the world. We knew that if we could bring some of the world’s best distilling experts here — the oldest and coolest small city in America — with access to locally grown sugar cane, wheat, corn, and citrus, we could develop a finer quality spirit than just about any other place in the world. When we engage our farming partners to help preserve our heritage by growing crops unique to our region, we challenge the status quo of commercially produced spirits. In turn, we will provide greater choices to our friends and customers. And as we explore and develop new products, we will share them with everyone who wants to learn with us."

Learn more at: www.staugustinedistillery.com

The Castillo de San Marcos

The Castillo de San Marcos is unique in North American architecture. As the only extant 17th century military construction in the country and the oldest masonry fortress in the United States it is a prime example of the "bastion system" of fortification, the culmination of hundreds of years of military defense engineering.

It is also unique for the material used in its construction. The Castillo is one of only two fortifications in the world built out of a semi-rare form of limestone called coquina (The other is Fort Matanzas National Monument 14 miles south)

The fortress itself is both a product of and evidence to the multitude of forces both political and technological that created the competition for empire during the colonial era. But above all the Castillo is an enduring legacy of the craftsmanship and skill of the engineers, artisans and labourers who built it.

Plan your visit to the Castillo de San Marcos here.

Travel Insurance Advice

 

Many travel vendors (tour companies and cruise lines) offer their own protection plans and these plans may provide very different coverage than offered through third party insurance companies. In most cases, supplier-provided coverage won’t cover you in the event they go bankrupt. When considering a supplier protection plan, you should carefully compare the coverage with third-party travel insurance products.

Who should buy travel insurance?
Travelers who want to protect their travel investment should consider purchasing travel insurance. If an illness, accident or sudden change in plans forces you to cancel or interrupt travel plans, you face two major financial losses – money you’ve invested in nonrefundable prepayments, and medical expenses that aren’t covered by your health insurance.

How does trip cancellation coverage work?
It is designed to reimburse you for forfeited, nonrefundable, unused payments or deposits if you have to cancel your interrupt your trip due to a variety of situations, including but not limited to inclement weather, illness or another unforeseen event.

Depending on your policy, it may also cover:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Transportation ordered by a doctor to the nearest adequate
• medical facility
• Reasonable accommodations and travel expenses for travel delays
• Essential items you purchase if your baggage is delayed
• Lost or stolen luggage
• How much does travel insurance cost?
• The cost of travel insurance varies from company and policy to policy. The more you have invested in your trip, the more you need to protect it. Travel insurance covers you for losses caused by trip cancellation and interruption, medical expenses, baggage, trip and baggage delay. When you consider all the protection you get, travel insurance is actually a great value.

Where do you buy travel insurance?
Most travel agents offer travel insurance and many may even require customers that decline insurance to sign a waiver form.

Packing List

Make a plan and stick to it!

Like an architect planning a building, so must you plan the contents of your suitcase by creating a packing list. A packing list eliminates the panic of last-second packing, serves as a handy guide for repacking at the end of the trip, and can be beneficial in the unfortunate event of lost or stolen luggage.

When planning your wardrobe, consider the events you will participate in both day and night and write down a possible outfit for each activity. Crosscheck this packing list to determine if one piece can cover multiple occasions. Pick clothes that coordinate well together, based around complimentary colors.

Check the weather forecast of the destination and plan accordingly. Also, be sure to know the local traditions, where a t-shirt for dinner could be a serious blunder, or bare shoulders may bar your entrance into such places as St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. For almost all outdoor activities, take pieces that can be layered.

Forget dress clothes for every occasion. The world at large has relaxed its dress code, showing almost universal leniency to tourists. Dark colors - a black dress or blue jacket - will get you through most dinners and plays.

Top 10 Travel Therapy Tips To Beat Epic Airport Security Lines

1) Get Thru Lines Faster: Avoid the epic lines all together by signing up for TSA PreCheck ($85 for 5 years) or Global Entry ($100 for 5 years), NEXUS ($50 for 5 years) that fast tracks you through security. I’ve gotten through security lines in five minutes that took other people two hours! Sure, there are some steps you have to take and the cost, but isn’t it worth $17 a year for five years ( TSA Pre-Check) to avoid those huge lines?

2) Get to the Airport 2 to 3 Hours Before Flight.

3) Research Before You Fly: A quick Google search or social media search ( #IHateTheWait) will let you now what airports are seeing the longest security lines so you can plan accordingly. It’s no surprise you’re often seeing the longest lines in the largest airports like Los Angeles International Airport, Chicago’s Midway, New York’s JFK and La Guardia, New Jersey’s Newark, and Seattle’s Sea-Tac, but smaller airports are also feeling the crunch, so don’t let the size of an airport fool you.

4) Look for Shorter Lines: Don’t just go to the first security line you see if that line is long. As a TSA agent if there’s a shorter line somewhere else.

Tips For Stress-Free Summer Travel - Road Trip

Tips for travel by car include:

• Plan itineraries and arrange accommodations well in advance. Reservations for hotels, restaurants and rental cars get booked quickly during peak travel times. Your travel agent can help you get the lowest rate and make sure your rental car has room for your family, luggage and whatever souvenirs you bring home.
• Get a tune up. Before any long-distance drive, make sure to have your oil changed and your brakes, fluids and tire pressure checked. The slightest deficiency in air pressure significantly reduces your car's gas mileage. On the flip side, too much air can result in a flat.
• Get an early start to avoid holiday weekend gridlock. Traveling during late night/early morning hours helps. The worst times to travel are after meals since most travelers postpone leaving until they've eaten with their families. Make sure that all drivers are thoroughly rested.

Tips For Stress-Free Summer Travel - Traveling by airplane

Tips for air travel include:

• Book your ticket ASAP. If you must book last minute, remember, you have options. The key to securing the best deal is flexibility in travel dates--ask your ASTA travel agent to check into special fares or consider flying into an alternate airport and renting a car. If your vacation includes international travel, make sure you have a valid passport. Your travel agent can advise you on the new rules and how to apply.
• Arrive early. Difficult airport parking, long lines at security checkpoints and the possibility of the airline overselling the flight and bumping passengers, should all be considered when deciding what time to arrive at the airport. Give yourself plenty of extra time. Need some incentive? Keep in mind that those who arrive earliest for an overbooked flight stand the greatest chance of staying onboard.
• Keep a close eye on all your belongings. Just as flights are becoming extremely crowded, airports can also be fraught with thieves. Be aware of your surroundings and maintain a close watch over tickets, wallets, purses, and other belongings at all times.
• Avoid getting bumped. 1) Get an advance seat assignment. Passengers with seat assignments are typically only bumped if they arrive late and their seat assignment is released. 2) Check-in online. Most airlines allow you to do so within 24 hours of departure. Seat assignments that were not available at the time of ticketing may be available when checking in online. 3) Don't be late. If all else fails, get to the airport early. Some airlines reserve a portion of their seat assignment inventory for airport check-in. If you are denied a seat assignment at check-in, put your name on the "standby" seat assignment list.
• Remember 3-1-1. New regulations limit the amount of gels and liquids passengers can take through security in their carry-on luggage to travel-size toiletries of three (3) ounces or less that fit comfortably in one (1) quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag and the one (1) bag per passenger must be placed in the screening bin.
• Know your limits. Pack light and know baggage limits. Some airlines now charge for a second piece of checked luggage.

Impressions of Provence

“Impressions of Provence” by Sally Paulson is the newest Art in Public Places Exhibit that will be on display June 21 – July 21, 2016.  Featuring 38 photographic works taken in many of the beautiful small villages and surrounding areas in the South of France, they show everyday life such as the vegetable markets, the cafes, and the lavender and sunflower fields – all seen in Summer.  The photos have been slightly manipulated digitally, adding layers and texture to create a “painterly” look.

The exhibit can be viewed Monday through Friday from 8am until 5pm.

Venue

St. Johns County Administration Building

500 San Sebastian View Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084

Between Here and There Exhibition

The Crisp-Ellert Art Museum and Flagler College present “Between Here and There”, an exhibition by Jacksonville native Shannon Estlund that includes a selection of recent paintings alongside a new series of sculpture.  The exhibition runs from May 13 – June 24, 2016 with the artist giving a walkthrough on May 13 at 4pm, followed by an opening reception from 5 to 7pm.

Estlund’s paintings pay particular attention to un-idealized natural places that are “readily accessible but often overlooked — perfectly formed sticks found beside the path; unkempt areas at the edges of suburbs or beside isolated stretches of highway.” The paintings reference these spaces through a combination of lushly saturated color often juxtaposed with works that have a muted, more somber palate. The artist pays equal homage to both the lush growth and decay of the Floridian landscape and to the harsh, winter environment of the Midwest.

Her sculptures bring the world of her paintings into the viewer’s space. The works combine natural with synthetic materials, often with dense, velvety surfaces. As with Estlund’s paintings, the sculptures are referential — objects that exist both within and outside of our awareness; uncanny and yet familiar.

Admission is free.  The museum is open Monday through Friday, 10am – 4pm.

Venue: Crisp-Ellert Art Museum at Flagler College  48 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 United States.

Birds and Bees Exhibition

The Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra is proud to present the “Birds and Bees” Exhibition featuring the imaginative sculptural work of Donald Martin and the abstract encaustic work of Jo Sinclair.Their artwork, which will be in the Main Gallery, uniquely explores themes of nature in unexpected ways.

Martin’s sculptural work is devoted toward the natural world and the representation of animal and plant forms.  His personal experience informs Martin’s use of color and texture and shapes the content of his sculptural work.

Sinclair finds inspiration for her work in the interaction between beeswax and pigment on the surface of a canvas. The transformational qualities of the medium inspire her to experiment and explore, challenging her both technically and creatively.

This vibrant and imaginative work will be on display June 3 – July 16, 2016. 

50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.

Gallery Hours
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm
After Hour Appointments Available. Don't miss it!

Jacksonville Suns vs Montgomery Biscuits

Don't miss Jacksonville Suns vs Montgomery Biscuits.
6/3/16Friday @ 7:05 PM

ABOUT THE JACKSONVILLE SUNS
The Jacksonville Suns are the minor league Class AA affiliate of the Florida Marlins. The Suns are proud members and five-time champions of the 10-team Southern League of Professional Baseball.
To learn more about the Jacksonville Suns:
Online: www.jaxsuns.com
Phone: (904) 358-2846
E-mail: info@jaxsuns.com

Music by the Sea 2016

The Music by the Sea series presents its 14th season in 2016, with concerts beginning on May 11, 2016, and continuing each Wednesday evening through October 12, 2016. This annual summer music and food celebration features local bands and performers paired with local restaurants to entertain visitors and promote St. Augustine Beach.

This exciting concert series will feature a different delicious restaurant at each concert event along with a different local performer. Music by the Sea concert series is a family-friendly event and a favorite thing to do among locals during the summer in St. Augustine. Guests can purchase a dinner plate from the sponsoring restaurant and kick back and relax while enjoying some great tunes.

Music by the Sea concert series takes place every Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at the St. Johns County Pier on St. Augustine Beach. The live music schedule and restaurant roster for 2016 is below. 

Admission: Free entrance to the event and ticket price for meals is $10 or less per person.

Where: St. Augustine Beach Pier located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd. St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080

When: Every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. from May 11 through October 12, 2016. Food is served at 6 pm and the music starts at 7 pm.

When you visit us don't miss the Villa Zorayda museum!

The Villa Zorayda Museum is an architectural masterpiece built by Franklin Smith in 1883. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this grand Gilded Age home is built 1/10th the scale of a portion of the Moorish castle, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.

In addition to the magnificent architecture of the building is the collection of antiques and fine art, featuring paintings, seventeenth-century furniture, beautiful hanging brass lamps, oriental rugs, and an Egyptian rug over 2,400 years old that was originally taken from one of the pyramids in Egypt.

King Room

Our king room is perfect for those who want some extra sleeping space. You get the same spacious room with all the same amenities, but with that over sized bed.