Crescent Beach

This might be your new happy place.

This crescent-shaped shoreline surrounds beachgoers with a beautiful stretch of quiet and a family-friendly shoreline.

With its sweeping coastline carving out a huge “C” where it meets the Atlantic Ocean (the crescent shape, of course, giving the area its name), Crescent Beach is tucked between the traditional tourist attractions of St. Augustine and Matanzas Inlet to the south. But for visiting beachgoers, Crescent Beach is slightly off the proverbial beaten path.

Why Locals Love Crescent Beach

Locals love Crescent Beach because it is wide, has convenient parking, and isn’t as congested as many beaches tend to be. Because it is in the southern end of Florida’s Historic Coast, it maintains an “old Florida” vibe as a quieter beach with white sand and located in a mostly residential area. The few restaurants and taverns seem to pop out of the horizon at Cubbedge Road intersecting with Florida State Road A1A. The uninitiated could easily drive through Crescent Beach without knowing it. It’s absolutely a “family-friendly” beach.

Amenities

The center of Crescent Beach is the beachfront park with picnic gazebos, dune crossovers, restrooms, and convenient parking. Several incredible shops and restaurants also exist in the area.

The main public beach access runs to the ocean and, in a throwback to Florida’s age gone by, there is vehicle-driving permitted on the beach (although there are fees and passes required between March 1 and September 30).

Dining on Crescent Beach

Where do the locals eat? Try Tony’s Pizza for authentic New York-style pizza, calzones and all kinds of traditional Italian pasta meals, sandwiches, salads and appetizers made fresh. After 31 years in the area, the folks at Tony’s know what they’re doing. 904 Fuzion Eatery offers tapas-style appetizers, grilled sandwiches, smash burgers, seafood and pasta dishes you crave. Stop in for a cool cocktail and some live music at sunset and you’ll understand why this is a local fave.

Finally, top off a day at the best beach with the best ice cream around at Island Ice Cream Café. With more than 30 flavors, there’s something for every taste—the scoops are huge—and the coffee is always freshly ground. Like both? Be sure to try their famous Affogato—ice cream drowned in a hot espresso. To. Die. For.

When you stay in Crescent Beach your vacation will combine the quiet crescent-shaped white sand beaches, great local restaurants, Old Florida ambiance, and family-friendly accommodations.