Looks like I will be in Jacksonville for a couple of weeks....

Not too much goes on there. 2 weeks can be a long time in Jax.

 

Some cool places there, but it is very "city-like". The zoo is very good, there is a good microbrewery on the river, Jax Beach has some cool little places to eat, if you like shopping the St. John's Town Center is great and huge, and Tinseltown is nice too. If you wanna take a nice drive, hit Ponte Verdra Blvd, east of A1A. Some beautiful houses there.

 

When I head up there, I usually drive up and down Beach Blvd checking out some of the eateries and shops. Or, parking, (I forgot which road???) next to the Maxwell House Factory. And WOW. The smell!

 

The Landings downtown is a tourist spot.....

Ponte Vedra (sp?) beach is nice.....

If you have time, take the drive to Amelia Island.......

 

Drop to see Stellios at Omega Motor Sports on St. Johns Bluff he always has some cool cars and a good guy to chat with.

 

I use to live in Ponte Vedra if you go over there DON'T SPEED and definatlly don't speed if you go down A1A to St. Augistine, the police hide along the road in the tall saw grass. There is a lot of great "fish camps" to eat at. Really not much going on in Jax. For such a big city it's pretty boring. I spent most of my time out on the jet ski.

 

The issue is Jax is 800 sq/mi of spread out city. So depending on what you're looking for you have to drive. In general I think you would like San Marco, Riverside, Baymeadows, and the beaches (Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and technically not Jaxonte Vedra Beach). The biggest mistake you can make in Jacksonville is staying put where you are staying. You have to drive around (GPS helpful). This is certainly not all inclusive but my favorites:

Cigar Bar - Aromas (in Baymeadows near Tinsletown) and Edwards (San Marco)

Wine Bar - The Grotto (in San Marco), there is a good selection of Cigars next door at Edwards

Good Eats:
Bistro Aix www.bistrox.com (Good wine selection and cool Martini bar)
Matthews www.matthewsrestaurant.com
Taverna www.tavernasanmarco.com
Blue Bamboo www.bluebamboojacksonville.com (Ask to eat in the small wine room in the back)
13 Gypsies www.13gypsies.com (Rustic European)
Orsay www.restaurantorsay.com (French)
The Brick www.thebrickrestaurant.com (Nice Kobi burger or Crab Cakes)
Biscottis www.biscottis.net
Ocean 60 www.oceansixty.com
Azurea at One Ocean www.oneoceanresort.com
Andiamos www.andiamotrattoria.com (Best Italian)
Resturant Medure www.restaurantmedure.us
619 (Best View, Food OK) www.sawgrassmarriott.com/dining/619_Oceanview.asp
Barbara Jeans Seafood www.barbarajeans.com
III Forks (Steak) www.3forks.com

Nite club: http://www.teranovalounge.com/

If you have the time take A1A up to Amelia Island.

 

Can you postpone this trip to coincide with the Amelia Concourse? That event is a mini Pebble Beach, with much more variety and not so formal.

 

heads up
http://www.wftv.com/weather/22304617/detail.html

 

At 300 cars plus with a great emphisis on racing, its not so mini! This is a great event. To me, its the premier concours for size and quality on the east coast. I just started a thread with some photos to give you a flavor.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271298

regards

 

+1! I used to live there and moved back to Orlando b/c there wasn't anything to do in Jax other than lay out all day at the beach.

Visit Ponte Vedra beach, St. John's Bluff Town Center, Morton's steakhouse, and historic St. Augustine for a day trip. Try to enjoy yourself. All the suggestions in this thread should help.

 

Stephanie has a good suggestion about driving down to St Augustine and walk around...nation's oldest town and less than an one-hour drive each way. On the other hand, for about a 90 minute drive north, I recommend Savannah. Allow enough time to enjoy both lunch and dinner before heading back to Jax. Wonderful history, architecture, urban parks, waterfront area. Atmosphere or character that Jax & St Augustine can't match. Maybe you can meet-up with CarReaper for a bite.

KevFla

 

Savannah would be great for sure. There used to be a really good Scotch bar there, Dr. S would appreciate that!

 

Been there, done that.

Pebble Beach is still considered #1 in the world, but in reality it is not just a Sunday event. You have The Quail, Concorso Italiano, numerous auctions, etc. I agree with you, Amelia is terrific, actually rated #2 in the world, but not being a monster like PB, makes Amelia attractive.