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Southeast Appalachian
Road Trips
Jacksonville Sports & RecreationiStockphoto.com/MargaretW
Swimming is fantastic at the more than 22 miles of white sandy beaches on the intricate chain of barrier islands off the coast adjacent to Jacksonville. Just 20 miles northeast of the destination are the pristine beaches and wild natural beauty of Little Talbot Island State Park and Fort George Island Cultural State Park. The beach communities of the area—Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and, to the south, Ponte Vedra Beach—combine surf and sand with the amenities of hotels and local restaurants.
Boating is a popular pastime in the area due to Jacksonville's access to water and things to see. The city operates more than 50 public docks, the most popular ones are at the following locations: Huguenot Memorial Park, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Metropolitan Park, NorthBank and SouthBank Riverwalk.
Kayaking services offer trips through the coastal salt marshes and on quiet waterways; contact Kayak Amelia/Long Island Outfitters, (904) 251-0016, or Black Creek Guides, (904) 645-7003.
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Fishing can be enjoyed along the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway and in the Atlantic Ocean. Speckled trout, striped bass, bluefish, redfish, flounder and whiting are a few of the fish frequently caught at Little Talbot Island State Park. Saltwater fishing and more than 60 acres of freshwater fishing lakes are available at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park.
Golf and Florida's balmy climate go together perfectly, and Jacksonville offers more than 50 area golf courses. Courses include Bent Creek Golf Course at 10440 Tournament Ln., (904) 779-0800; Deerfield Lakes Golf Club at 54002 Deerfield Country Club Rd. in Callahan, (904) 879-1210; Fernandina Beach Golf Club at 2800 Bill Melton Rd., (904) 310-3175; Jacksonville Beach Golf Club at 605 S. Penman Rd., (904) 247-6184; and Windsor Parke Golf Club at 13823 Sutton Park Dr. N., phone (904) 223-4653.
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Tennis courts can be found throughout the Jacksonville area.
Hiking Numerous hiking trails and one biking path through several distinct ecological communities are at the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, 12713 Fort Caroline Rd.; phone (904) 641-7155. Three self-guiding nature trails are at the University of North Florida Wildlife Sanctuary; phone (904) 620-2998. Bird-watching is a popular pastime along the hiking trails of both Big and Little Talbot islands.
Football The Jacksonville Jaguars began their first National Football League season in 1995 and came within one game of going to the Super Bowl in their second season. The team's TIAA Bank Field is at 1 Everbank Field Dr.; phone (904) 633-2000 for ticket information.
Baseball The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, play AA Southern League baseball at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd., in the sports complex; phone (904) 358-2846.
Jacksonville, FL
AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.
Members save up to 10% and earn Honors points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
Embassy Suites by Hilton Jacksonville Baymeadows9300 Baymeadows Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32256
Book NowMembers save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
Residence Inn by Marriott Jacksonville South / Bartram Park13942 Village Lake Cir. Jacksonville, FL 32258
Book NowMembers save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront11 1st St N. Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Book NowMembers save up to 10% and earn World of Hyatt points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront225 E Coast Line Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32202
Book NowCity Population
842,583
Elevation
20 ft.
Sales Tax
The sales tax is 7 percent in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties and 6.5 percent in St. Johns County. The bed tax is 4 to 6 percent in St. Johns County and 6 percent in Duval County; the tourist development tax is 5 percent in Clay County and 4 percent in Nassau and St. Johns counties.
Emergency
911
Police (non-emergency)
(904) 630-0500
Fire (non-emergency)
(904) 630-0434
Temperature
(904) 741-4311
Hospitals
Baptist Medical Center, (904) 202-2000; Mayo Clinic, (904) 953-2000; Memorial Hospital of Jacksonville, (904) 399-6111; St. Vincent's Medical Center Southside, (904) 296-3700; UF Health Jacksonville, (904) 244-0411.
Visitor Information
208 N. Laura St. Suite 102 Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone:(904)798-9111 or (800)733-2668
Air Travel
More than a dozen major and regional carriers serve
Rental Cars
Hertz, at the airport, offers discounts to AAA members; phone (904) 741-2151.
Rail Service
The Amtrak station is at 3570 Clifford Ln., 5 miles northwest of downtown. For arrival information phone (904) 766-5110; for reservations and information phone (800) 872-7245.
Buses
The main Greyhound Lines Inc. bus terminal is at 10 N. Pearl St.; phone (904) 356-9976.
Taxis
Major cab companies are Checker Yellow Cab Co., (904) 345-3333 or (904) 765-9999; Coastal Cab, (904) 246-9999; and Gator City Taxi, (904) 999-9999. Base fare is $2 with a rate of $2 per mile.
Public Transportation
Jacksonville Transportation Authority operates a system of buses, trolleys and shuttles that serves Jacksonville and the beaches. A Baldwin Wildcat Commuter Shuttle offers weekday service to Baldwin and Macclenny. The Skyway, an automated monorail system, provides downtown transportation between the Prime Osborn Convention Center, Hemming Plaza and Rosa L. Parks Transit Station on the Northbank and San Marco and Kings Avenue Station across the river.
Boats
River taxi service between points along the St. Johns River is available from Jacksonville Water Taxi, departing every half-hour Tues.-Thurs. and Sun. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. (also holidays) 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; phone (904) 630-2489. A daily pass is $10; $8 (ages 3-12 and 65+). Fare to the stadium or Downtown Loop during football games and special events is $10 (round-trip); $20 (unlimited all day); cash only.
As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.
