A day trip to St. Augustine from Jacksonville: a practical itinerary

Set aside the day for St. Augustine’s historic district, the Castillo and time by the water. If you’re planning another city outing, a one-day Jacksonville downtown itinerary focuses on a different part of the area.

St. Augustine’s historic district is a practical starting point because the major parking facility is within walking distance of several central sights. The Historic Downtown Parking Facility sits next to the Visitor Information Center and has 1,200 spaces, with parking available 24/7.

From there, you can walk to St. George Street, San Marco Avenue, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Francis Field. The Visitor Information Center is beside the facility if you need local assistance before setting out on foot.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is at 11 S. Castillo Drive, and a typical visit takes about one hour for a self-guided tour and exhibits. Arrive early or choose a weekday for a more relaxed visit; the Castillo is busiest on weekends, holidays and during spring school visitation months.

The Castillo admits visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; visitors must leave by 5:15 p.m. The park grounds stay open from 6:00 a.m. until midnight.

Admission is $15 per visitor age 16 or older and remains valid for seven consecutive days. Children age 15 and under enter free with an accompanying adult. Entrance-fee payments are accepted by credit or debit card only.

The site is a walk-in park. Most pedestrian walkways are paved, though the moat and covered way have sand and crushed shell stone.

The parking area, lower level, restrooms, fort rooms, theater and bookstore are wheelchair accessible; access to the gun deck requires stairs. During thunderstorms, the gun deck closes because of lightning danger, while the lower interior rooms remain open in inclement weather.

You can download the free National Park Service app for audio-described entrances and exhibits, captioned videos and offline content. Cellular service may be poor inside the coquina walls, so download content ahead of time. Pets are not allowed inside the fort, but they are allowed on the grounds outside.

After the Castillo, leave part of the day for St. Augustine’s waterfront and bayfront walkway. The fort grounds remain open until midnight, giving you time outdoors after the last admission, though the monument itself closes to visitors earlier.

Choose parking based on vehicle size and how long you plan to stay. The Castillo’s city-maintained lot costs $2.50 per hour, with payment at automated stations that accept most U.S. coins and bills, credit cards and debit cards.

It accommodates vehicles up to 21 feet long, including trailers. Larger vehicles can use free city parking at West Castillo Drive and Riberia Street, about three blocks away.

The Historic Downtown Parking Facility charges $20 per vehicle per entry during peak hours, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and $5 per vehicle per entry during off-peak hours, 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Peak hours may change for holidays and special events. St. Johns County residents can receive a $3-per-entry discounted rate.

Before you go: Hours, admission and parking terms can change, so check the official site before you go. The National Park Service operates Castillo de San Marcos; the City of St. Augustine manages the downtown parking facility.

How much does Castillo de San Marcos cost?

Admission is $15 for each visitor age 16 or older. Children age 15 and under enter free with an accompanying adult.

Can you visit Castillo de San Marcos with a wheelchair?

The parking area, lower level, restrooms, fort rooms, theater and bookstore are wheelchair accessible. The gun deck is accessible only by stairs.

Where can you park in St. Augustine’s historic district?

The Castillo lot is charged by the hour, while the Historic Downtown Parking Facility has per-entry rates and stays open for parking 24/7.