St. Augustine is a popular spot for tourists coming to Florida and also for folks who are tired of freezing up north during the winter. St. Augustine's beaches are some of the nicest in the state. Before heading downtown, make a stop at the St. Augustine Lighthouse.  It's only 219 steps to the top of the light where, if it isn't too foggy, you can get a great view of the surrounding area. Here's another view of the lighthouse  that was taken by a photographer who was flying a little lower than the minimum required altitude over a congested area :-( You certainly want to visit the downtown area. From the beach, you drive over the Bridge of Lions heading west and make a right-hand turn. The bridge got its name from a pair of Lions that stand guard at the west end of the span. After you make your turn, you'll pass a row of horse carriages and just beyond them you encounter the Castillo de San Marcos. Try to find a parking place in the area so that you can do some exploring on foot. If you stand along the sea wall, you are sure to see the lift span raised on the Bridge of Lions to allow ships to pass through. If you happen to have a kayak along with you, the downtown waterfront offers some great views like one from sea level as seen from the south side of the bridge. Head back to the beach.