St. Augustine is beautiful 12 months out of the year—there is a reason that people have been coming here to escape the cold for centuries! There are festivals and special events throughout the year, but here is an overview of the various seasons in the Oldest City:
March-May Our busiest time of year, spring in St. Augustine is gorgeous. You’ll enjoy moderate temperatures, typically the mid to upper 70s, with slightly cooler evenings; a profusion of blooming flowers, including those in our award-winning gardens; and water temperatures around 76 degrees by the end of May.
June – September Summer is the best time to hit the beach—and with over 40 miles of scenic coastlines in St. John’s county, St. Augustine offers some of the best stretches of sand in Florida. Splash in the waves at St. Augustine beach, look for shark’s teeth on Vilano—St. Augustine offers easy access to a wide variety of beaches. We’ll be happy to loan you beach umbrellas, chairs, and towels—just pick them up at the front desk!
October-December Fall is definitely our second season, with the cooler temperatures ushering in such popular events as the city’s Founder’s Day (September 8), headliner acts at the St. Augustine Ampitheatre, and the internationally recognized Nights of Lights (the end of November through January).
January – February The first months of the year can be cool in St. Augustine—it’s perfect walking weather, but pack a sweater! We host many guests from southern Florida in January and February, as they come north to enjoy our seasons. If you travel from the second week of January til Valentine’s Day in February, you will enjoy a slower side of St. Augustine—it’s a great time to visit the most popular restaurants and attractions! Many area businesses also offer discounts during this time frame—ask us if any are available during your stay.
Our busiest month: March. If you’re coming in March, we recommend that you make reservations at any restaurants that are on your ‘must eat’ list. If you prefer to vacation with spontaneity, let us know, and we will be happy to recommend our favorite lesser-known restaurants. Also, book your room early, as we fill up months in advance.
Our quietest month: September. The kids are back in school and the water is the warmest it gets—September is a great time to visit our town! Ask about special events, including Founder’s Day on September 8. St. Augustine celebrated its 450th birthday in 2015, and the town still dresses in its Spanish finery for the anniversary of our founding.
Our most popular special event: All of our holidays are bustling, from fireworks at the Fourth of July to beach events over Memorial Day weekend. Our most popular holiday festival is the internationally-recognized Nights of Lights celebration. Starting the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Nights of Lights runs through the end of January (the busiest time is between Christmas and New Year’s Day). The town is lit with millions of tiny white lights and brightly decorated Christmas trees (including the annual tree in our own front lawn). Trolleys and tours criss-cross the city when the sun goes down—it’s a great way to get in the holiday spirit, or to do your holiday shopping. We recommend booking your room early if you want to experience this magical time of year.