A Floridian Hidden Treasure

My first trip to Flagler Beach was a great surprise. I can't even remember how we decided on the destination, but I remember thinking that I was going to be underwhelmed for some reason. Instead, I found it to be just what the doctor ordered. It's small and quaint, with a great farmer's market on Saturday and mom and pop restaurants up and down the stretch of town along the beach.

Located along Florida’s Atlantic Coast between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine, cozy Flagler Beach offers miles of sparkling beaches, bountiful fishing, beachside shops, waterfront restaurants, and natural parks and other wonders.

We are booked to be there December 8-11, and I can't freaking wait. I'm still not sure what it is about the place. It's so unlike 100 other tourist destinations I've visited in Florida. It has a small town feel, but it's also beachy. Perfect combo. There are no hotel or restaurant chains.

It is actually the only beach in Florida where the A1A runs right alongside the ocean, with no buildings east of the highway, except for one restaurant and one B&B, and no obstruction of the ocean view. You can pull off of A1A, park at the top of the dunes, and walk down any number of dune walks right onto the beach.

We are staying at an RV Park called Flagler By The Sea. Ocean front campsites. Guacawhaaat?!? It's hard to find something like that on either coast, sonI was giddy with glee when I found it. Imagine my dismay when I emailed my reservation request and they wrote back that they only book six month out. Grrrr....now I get to sit and wait until July 8th so I can get my spot. Here are a few photos of the RV park...

And that gorgeous east coast sunrise...

Did I mention? I can't wait. I lived in Florida for seven years, and while I traveled pretty extensively, I never really appreciated the beauty of it all. Honestly, I never dug it. I also never really fit in there, so I always viewed it as sort of a layover for me. Somehow it's different now, going back as a tourist. And a place like Flagler Beach, with it's quirky little shops and restaurants, quieter than it's counterparts overrun with tourists, is a great place tonappreciate all that Florida has to offer.