Ponte Vedra Focus Blog - Family Friendly Activities

Best Fall Farms & Pumpkin Patches Near Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Ten local farms and pumpkin patches worth the drive this fall, from corn mazes to church patch traditions.

There is a particular kind of fall magic that only shows up once the Florida heat finally lets go: kids racing between rows of pumpkins, a hayride bumping along a dirt path, cider in hand while the light turns gold by 5pm. It does not last long here, so when it arrives, families make the most of it. Whether you are looking for a full farm day with a corn maze or a quick, photogenic pumpkin pick after school, this list covers ten of our favorite spots within a short drive of Ponte Vedra Beach.

We grouped them two ways: full farm experiences with mazes and hayrides, and community pumpkin patches that are perfect for a fast, festive stop. A…

235 Views, 0 Comments

A Local's Guide to the Guana Preserve in Ponte Vedra Beach

By Collette Strickland

Trails, tides, and the best fishing hiding twenty minutes from A1A.

A friend invited me to walk the trails at the Guana Preserve, and I couldn't believe I'd lived here for over a decade and never known they existed. If you've lived in Ponte Vedra Beach for any length of time, you've probably driven past the brown "GTM Research Reserve" signs on A1A a hundred times without ever pulling in. You're not alone. Once you actually turn down Guana River Road, you realize we have something genuinely special sitting in our backyard: nearly 10 miles of hiking trails, a shallow tidal lake full of redfish and trout, and enough marsh, oak hammock, and open sky to make you forget you're twenty minutes from the Publix on A1A.  Here's what to…

245 Views, 0 Comments

5 NE Florida Boating Spots That Aren't Really a Secret

by Jennifer Heller

Every local boater has a favorite sandbar they swear nobody else knows about, and these five prove that theory wrong every single weekend.

The engine cuts, the anchor drops, and for a second the only sound left is water lapping against the hull. Someone's already wading toward the shallows with a cooler over one shoulder. A paddleboard drifts past, untethered, while its owner swims after it laughing. This is a Saturday on the water in Northeast Florida, and it plays out the same way at five spots that locals still, somehow, call hidden gems.

They aren't hidden. They're just worth the trip, every time, which is a different thing entirely. Here's where the boats are actually going.

Sisters Creek / Shark Tooth Island,…

253 Views, 0 Comments

World's Biggest Beach Bike Ride Hits Jax Beach Aug 14

One Thousand Riders, One Beach, One Shot At A Guinness World Record Title, Right Here In Jacksonville Beach.

The sun is dropping low over Seawalk Pavilion, string lights are glowing against the dunes, and somewhere in the crowd someone is checking their tires one more time before the ride of a lifetime. On Friday, August 14, Jacksonville Beach becomes the site of a Guinness World Records attempt: the Largest E-Bike Party, with 1,000 riders lined up on the sand and ready to make history together.

This isn't a race and it isn't a workout. It's a community showing up, wheels and all, to be part of something Jacksonville has never done before.

The Evening, Mile by Mile

Doors open, so to speak, at 5:00 p.m. with beachside festivities at Seawalk…

304 Views, 0 Comments

A Summer Road Trip Worth Taking: Kennedy Space Center's 60th Anniversary Is Happening Now

by Collette Strickland

As a little girl, one of my favorite summer memories was our family's trip to the Kennedy Space Center a few years after it opened.  We rode the bus for a tour, posed for pictures in front of rocket ships, and got so excited to see a “pretend” launch countdown.  We still talk about it.

If you've lived in the Jacksonville area for any amount of time and haven't made the drive down to Kennedy Space Center yourself, this summer is the nudge you've been waiting for. It's just about two hours south — an easy morning departure, a full day of something genuinely extraordinary, and home in time for dinner. And this July, there's a reason to go that won't come around again for another sixty years.

Sixty Years of Looking Up

On…

557 Views, 0 Comments

The Wild Beauty of Little and Big Talbot Islands

by Jennifer Heller

Just about 20 minutes north of the city, the tall buildings of downtown Jacksonville give way to the A1A Ocean Islands Trail. This is where you’ll find the Talbot Islands. While most of Florida’s coastline has been built up with condos and hotels, Little and Big Talbot have remained almost entirely untouched. They are sister islands, but they couldn’t be more different.

Little vs Big:  Which One Should You Visit?

Think of Little Talbot as your classic, sprawling beach off the Atlantic. It’s got five miles of wide, white sand perfect for those long walks or a day of surfing and sun. If you want to camp, use a real restroom (always my preference), or let the kids run wild in the waves, this is sure to be your spot.

Big…

1036 Views, 0 Comments

THE PLAYERS Championship Info and FAQ

Every March, Ponte Vedra Beach becomes center stage in the golfing realm as THE PLAYERS Championship brings golfers, fans, and media to our coastal town.  Welcoming this annual tradition is nothing new to residents of Ponte Vedra Beach, as the PGA Tour has called Ponte Vedra Beach home to this tournament since 1974.  This event brings hundreds of thousands of fans to our community annually for this world-class golf event. If you haven't purchased tickets yet, it's not too late! We've got you covered with ticket information, newer fan experiences, and some important Frequently Asked Questions, so you know before you go.

TICKETS

Stadium Pass - A Stadium Pass ticket is for general grounds access and all public areas of the Tournament.  Tuesday’s…

6808 Views, 3 Comments

Tackling Disney: 5 Tips to Make The Most of Your Trip!

by Jenn Heller

Let's be honest, getting through the crowds during Spring Break at Disney World can feel like navigating a maze in the Enchanted Forest. But fear not, fellow adventurers! I've enlisted the help of a true Disney expert, to make your Spring Break plans a success.  Say hello to my friend Stephanie Baez.

Stephanie, a loving mom to the adorable Ayden, not only navigates motherhood with grace but also conquers Disney World like a seasoned pro. She knows every nook and cranny of the parks and possesses a magical ability to find hidden gems while navigating the crowds with ease. So, get ready to sprinkle some pixie dust on your own Spring Break experience with Stephanie's insider tips to unlock the magic of your trip.

1. Start Early at…

1495 Views, 0 Comments

Discover the Capybara Café: St. Augustine’s Newest Attraction for Animal Enthusiasts

by Jenn Heller

Rediscovering My Inner Child (and a Love for Wildlife!)

Growing up on Long Island, my exposure to wildlife was...limited, to say the least. Aside from the occasional backyard squirrel or a rogue snake slithering onto the patio—let’s just say my daddy handled that situation in a way snake enthusiasts wouldn’t approve of—our “wildlife” was mostly our family dogs. No cats, no hamsters, no guinea pigs. Just loyal, four-legged friends.

Fast forward to raising my own kids, and history repeated itself. Except for a brief two-hour stint with a turtle (which quickly found its way back to the pond), we kept it simple: two dogs.

Now, at the youthful yet ornery age of 56, I seem to be channeling my inner Benjamin Button and revisiting the…

4813 Views, 0 Comments

8 Best Ways to Experience St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights

by Jenn Heller

Having a late November birthday always felt like I got cheated when I was growing up. Without fail, my “special day” ended up doubling as a joint celebration with either my cousin or my dad for their birthdays.  On top of that, it also falls on Thanksgiving every couple of years.  It was like a two-for-one deal I didn’t sign up for. Yes, I know—what a selfish brat. Feel free to roll your eyes; I’ve come to terms with it.

me and Dad celebrating our birthdays in 1990.
Don't I look thrilled?

This year, though? My birthday, my rules. I declared it a "me" day, and my better half (bless his soul) was game for the ride. He survived a marathon of not one but TWO local artisan shops (Atlantic Beach Art Market and Seaside Shoppes), dinner…

1681 Views, 0 Comments