Beach Hotels in Fernandina Beach, FL

Established as Florida’s first city in 1811, Fernandina Beach sits north of Jacksonville and south of St. Mary’s, Georgia. The 13-mile long Amelia Island, on which Fernandina Beach sits, is known for its secluded beaches, abundant wildlife, historic sites, great food and seafood. The city's current population is a tiny 10,000 people. During the Great Depression, Fernandina Beach experienced a period of rebuilding after a fire destroyed nearly all its commercial buildings and homes in 1923. However, despite the economic downturn, Fernandina Beach quickly reconstructed itself and returned to prosperity.

A popular place to visit is the Palace Saloon, which was built in 1903 as Pablo Baquero's grocery store. It later became a bar and has been operational ever since. The building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974 and has also featured in several films such as Lonesome Dove (1989) and The Alamo (2004). The historic district of Fernandina Beach is compact enough that you can walk from one end to the other in just over an hour. If you're visiting during spring or summer, be sure to time your visit so that you can take advantage of some outdoor seating at one of the many restaurants along Centre Street (the main road through town). Regardless of where you stay, Southern comfort food is within reach from many Fernandina Beach Hotels.

Given its secluded location on the border of Florida and Georgia, it comes as no surprise that the tiny island became a refuge for slaves seeking asylum. Make sure to see the Williams House, an 1847 Antebellum Victorian mansion which was a stop for many seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad. The Amelia Island lighthouse is a lighthouse located in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It was built in 1823 and is the oldest working lighthouse in Florida, and third oldest in the country. But make sure you bring some comfortable walking shoes; the climb up is a steep one.

A must see for military buffs is Fort Clinch State Park. Built by the United States federal government in 1847 to protect the mainland from Seminole Indians and Mexican pirates, the fort is named after Colonel William Patten Clinch who was killed in action during the Second Seminole War. Today it's one of only two remaining forts built during this period (the other is Fort Marion) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park contains campgrounds for tents or recreational vehicles, picnic areas and plenty of room to explore, all within arm’s reach from beach hotels in Fernandina.

Easily accessible from Fernandina Beach Hotels, Little Talbot Island State Park is known as Florida's first state park because it was established in 1923 before any other state parks were established within Florida's borders. It’s also one of the best places to decompress due to its remote location. Miles of driftwood trees dot the beach, washed up from tropical storms and other natural disasters Traveling a little further south toward St. Augustine is Fort Clinch State Historic Site. This particular site features three miles worth of trails that lead hikers through forests with pine trees higher than 50 feet tall along with smaller ones such as oaks whose trunks measure 15 feet wide.

Don't forget to check out our beach hotels nearby in Jekyll Island, Jacksonville and St. Augustine