St. Augustine, located on Florida's northeast coast just south of Jacksonville, offers a great deal of history as it is the oldest city in America. With this rich history comes a quaint downtown area with a small-town feel. Founded by Spanish explorers, the city features distinct Spanish architecture. The city thrives on its culture, offering trolley tours of its "old town" downtown area. St. Augustine residents can also hit the beach, go on boat tours or participate in the city's First Friday Art Walk, held every month.
Not every Florida town is along the coast, including Ocala, located in north-central Florida. Though it is in the heart of a state that thrives on beaches and watersports, Ocala focuses on the equestrian lifestyle, featuring horse farms throughout the area. Ocala is also home to the nearly 400,000-acre Ocala National Forest, making the area a destination for campers and nature enthusiasts. Thus, Ocala has the charm of a small southern town.
Located in the densely populated Palm Beach County, Jupiter provides a relaxed respite from the more hectic areas like West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. An oceanside location with a small-town feel, Jupiter has plenty of activities for its residents, including annual Spring Training for the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. Residents can get their shopping fix at Aboca Town Center, where they can stroll from boutique to boutique while taking in the warm tropical temperatures.
Located on the west coast of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico is Sanibel. This island just off the coast of Fort Myers is a truly tropical paradise that offers quaint amenities for its residents. Relaxing activities like watching the sunset and trolling the white-sand beaches for shells are a part of everyday life in quiet Sanibel. In fact, the town even hosts an annual shell fair to celebrate those treasures scattered all over the area beaches.
