Historic Travel Routes
Visitors have traveled to the Ponte Vedra area for generations using many modes of transportation. Some arrived by water, others by rail, and today most enjoy the views along the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway.
Waterways: The Intracoastal Life
The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) stretches from Boston, Massachusetts, down Florida’s coast and into the Gulf, ending in Brownsville, Texas.
Florida’s section began as a private tollway in the late 1800s and became a toll-free public waterway managed by the federal government in the early 1900s. By 1912, the Palm Valley section near Ponte Vedra was complete, reshaping the landscape by draining marshlands and enabling boat travel.
Railway Heritage
Railroads once brought many of Ponte Vedra’s earliest visitors. Industrialist Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway (FEC), located just outside Ponte Vedra, connected Jacksonville to destinations south.
The FEC carried both goods and passengers, helping transform Ponte Vedra into a resort destination for northern visitors seeking sunshine, beaches, and recreation.
A1A: An “All-American Road”
A1A began as a narrow brick-paved road carrying citrus and other exports north. Over time, it evolved into a route that drew visitors to northeast Florida’s beaches and coastal communities.
In 2021, the Federal Highway Commission awarded the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway its highest honor — designation as an “All-American Road.”
In central Ponte Vedra, A1A winds through lively areas filled with shops, hotels, and restaurants. Beyond Mickler’s Road, the landscape opens up — with the Guana River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other — offering scenic stretches of beach and plenty of spots to stop and explore.
Expert Tips
Pull off near Mickler’s Landing for convenient beach entry and stunning ocean views.
Stop for lunch or dinner at a waterfront restaurant and enjoy watching the boats go by.
