There’s a special kind of magic in an East Coast road trip that unfolds at its own pace. No airports, no rush — just open highway, salt air rolling in through the windows, and a string of unforgettable destinations waiting just ahead. At Bayfront Marin House, we’ve put together this itinerary to guide you through three of the Southeast’s most charming historic towns.
The Route at a Glance: Savannah, GA → St. Augustine, FL → Melbourne Beach, FL
Total drive: under 400 miles, best spread across three to five nights. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a romantic escape, or simply overdue for a real getaway, this corridor delivers history, beauty, and excellent hospitality.
Photo courtesy of the Inn on West Liberty
Stop 1: Savannah, Georgia
From the moment you cross into the historic district and catch your first glimpse of a moss-draped square framed by antebellum architecture, you’ll understand why this city consistently tops lists of America’s most beautiful places.
Innkeeper Tips: How to Experience Savannah
Take a Trolley Tour First. Before you wander on your own, hop on one of Savannah’s famous trolley tours. The city’s layout — 22 garden squares arranged in a precise grid — was designed by founder James Oglethorpe and is best understood from a moving vantage point. You’ll get the lay of the land, learn the stories behind the squares, and come away with a mental map that makes your independent exploring far richer.
Stroll Forsyth Park. This 30-acre park at the south end of the historic district is the city’s living room. Its iconic white fountain, draped in the dappled light filtering through centuries-old live oaks hung with Spanish moss, is one of the most photographed spots in the South for good reason. Morning is magical; golden hour is even better.
Explore the Restaurant Scene. Savannah’s food culture has exploded over the past decade. The walkable historic district offers everything from refined Southern cuisine at celebrated spots like The Public Kitchen & Bar to legendary institutions like Mrs. Wilkes’ Luncheon, where strangers share big communal tables loaded with classic Southern dishes. Don’t leave without trying the shrimp and grits.
Photo courtesy of the Inn on West Liberty
Where to Stay: The Inn on West Liberty
Getting There: From I-16 east, stay on the highway as it merges into Montgomery Street heading toward downtown Savannah. Take the first set of lights and turn right onto West Liberty Street. The Inn is just past Barnard Street on your right, about 0.17 miles ahead. Complimentary parking is available on-site — a genuine luxury in the historic district.
Think of the Inn on West Liberty as your “base camp” at the beginning of your trip. Built in 1871 and designed by architect John B. Hogg, this beautiful nine-bedroom Italianate home has presided over Savannah’s Historic Landmark District for more than 150 years. Today, it holds the distinction of being an AAA Four Diamond property — one of the only bed and breakfasts in Savannah with that designation.
Each of the eight guest rooms and private cottage is distinct, showcasing original wide molding, hardwood floors, exposed brick, and working fireplaces. No two are alike. Mornings begin with a full gourmet breakfast, and evenings wind down with a wine and cheese hour hosted in the parlor or the charming courtyard garden — the perfect setting to talk through tomorrow’s drive south. The Inn’s location is quietly unbeatable. You’re steps from Savannah’s best restaurants, boutique shops, and historic sites, yet the inn itself feels like a private retreat tucked away from the bustle.
Stop 2: St. Augustine, Florida
Distance from Savannah: Approximately 175 miles, about 2.5 hours south on I-95.
As you cross the Florida state line and continue down I-95, take Exit 318 toward Historic St. Augustine. Follow US-1 south through the city and turn left on King Street into the heart of the historic district, following it east all the way to the water. You’ll know you’ve arrived when Matanzas Bay opens up before you, the Bridge of Lions stretching gracefully across to Anastasia Island. Welcome to the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States — a city that was already 55 years old when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
Innkeeper Tips: How to Experience St. Augustine
Walk St. George Street. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is the spine of the old city, lined with Spanish colonial architecture, artisan shops, and historic sites stretching back over 450 years. Allow at least a half day to wander without a plan — the side streets are full of surprises.
Visit the Lightner Museum. Housed in the former Alcazar Hotel, built by Henry Flagler in 1888, the Lightner is a treasure trove of Gilded Age antiques, art glass, and curiosities. Its grand ballroom (now home to a casual café) is one of the most beautiful interiors in Florida.
Soak Up the Bayfront. St. Augustine’s seawall along Avenida Menendez is one of the great understated pleasures of the Florida coast. Sit on the wall as the sun drops over the bay, watch the dolphins play in the inlet, and take in the Bridge of Lions lit up against the evening sky. It costs nothing and leaves a permanent impression.
Watch for the Bridge of Lions. This 1927 drawbridge — flanked by its namesake marble lion sculptures — is one of the most photogenic landmarks in all of Florida. It connects the historic mainland to Anastasia Island and opens regularly for passing sailboats. If you catch it in the act, stop and watch.
Where to Stay: Bayfront Marin House
GPS Address: 142 Avenida Menendez St Augustine, FL
Getting There: From I-95, take Exit 318 and head east on SR-16. Turn right (south) onto US-1 (Ponce de Leon Blvd.) and travel to the intersection with King Street — look for the ABC Liquor on the left corner. Turn left (east) onto King Street and follow it all the way to the water. Turn right (south) onto Avenida Menendez and travel one and a half blocks. The Bayfront Marin House is the large yellow building on your right. A complimentary parking pass is provided for the inn’s private lot, with additional street parking along the seawall. If there is one place on this entire route that defines what a perfect inn stay should feel like, it is Bayfront Marin House.
Sitting directly across from the Matanzas Bay, in the very heart of St. Augustine’s historic district, this elegant waterfront property is the #1-rated bed and breakfast on the bay — recognized by TripAdvisor as one of the Top 25 Small & Boutique Hotels in the entire United States. That distinction is earned every single day by a team that takes hospitality personally.
The inn’s 17 luxurious guest rooms are full of thoughtful amenities: oversized soaking tubs, body jet showers, fireplaces, and private decks with unobstructed water views. Wake to the sight of dolphins in the Intracoastal Waterway and the Bridge of Lions reflecting on a calm morning bay. The Spanish colonial architecture of the building blends seamlessly with the city’s centuries-old streetscape outside your window.
Breakfast is delivered right to your room — order by text at your convenience. Happy hour runs daily from 5:00 to 6:00 PM with homemade sangria, wine, imported beers, and rotating appetizers that range from house-made bean dip to cheesy toasts, sausage rolls, and decadent desserts. It’s communal and unhurried, exactly as it should be.
Top Amenities:
- Waterfront rooms with private decks and Matanzas Bay views
- Full breakfast delivered to your room (order by text)
- Daily happy hour with homemade sangria and rotating bites
- Electronic check-in and in-room concierge system
- Oversized tubs, body jet showers, and fireplaces in select rooms
- Pet-friendly accommodations available
- Walking distance to the city’s top historic sites, restaurants, and shops
Photo courtesy of Port d’Hiver
Stop 3: Melbourne Beach, Florida
Distance from St. Augustine: Approximately 145 miles, about 2 hours south.
The Scenic Route — Take A1A. Rather than heading inland to I-95, consider driving the A1A south along the coast from St. Augustine. The road hugs the Atlantic through small beach towns, dunes, and stretches of wild coastline that remind you what Florida looked like before the condos arrived. It adds some time, but it’s worth every mile.
Innkeeper Tips: How to Experience Melbourne Beach
Find Your Secluded Stretch of Sand. Melbourne Beach’s shorelines are uncrowded, often wide, and backed by dunes rather than hotels. Sea oats sway in the breeze. Pelicans glide in formation. You can walk for 30 minutes without passing another person. After the historical richness of the first two stops, this is the exhale you’ve been earning.
Sea Turtle Nesting Season. From May through October, Melbourne Beach is among Florida’s most important sea turtle nesting grounds. Loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles haul ashore after dark to lay their eggs in the sand. Many local organizations offer guided night walks during the season — an unforgettable experience.
Explore the Barrier Island Ecology. The Sebastian Inlet State Park, a short drive south, offers snorkeling, fishing, and some of the best surfing on the East Coast. The Indian River Lagoon, on the western side of the island, is one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America — kayaking through its calm waters at sunrise is a trip highlight for many visitors.
Pure Downtime. Leave one full day completely unscheduled. Sleep in. Read on your private porch. Walk to the beach after breakfast. Let the road trip fully decompress. This is what the third stop is for.
Photo courtesy of Port d’Hiver
Where to Stay: Port d’Hiver
Getting There: From I-95, take Exit 183 onto US-192 east toward Melbourne Beach. Follow US-192 to A1A south, then continue into Melbourne Beach. Port d’Hiver is on Ocean Avenue, less than a two-minute walk from the Atlantic — directly across from the beach. Free on-site covered parking is available, along with electric vehicle charging.
Port d’Hiver is the finale of your road trip — a romantic retreat that earns every superlative it’s collected. Named one of the Top Small Hotels and Most Romantic Hotels in the U.S. by TripAdvisor, this boutique inn is nestled among swaying palms and flowering bougainvillea in a private compound of four island-style buildings. It’s been recognized as the Space Coast’s only AAA Four Diamond property.
Its 12 exquisitely designed guest rooms and suites feature luxury amenities throughout — private balconies and ocean views in select rooms, whirlpool and spa tubs, smart TVs, and private pantries stocked with a Bose speaker, mini-fridge, and Keurig. A gourmet breakfast is delivered to your private porch each morning or enjoyed in the charming dining room. Afternoon happy hour, concierge services, a heated pool and hot tub, an outdoor fire pit, bicycles, and full beach gear round out the experience.
