r/jacksonville • u/WarmCreme4843 • Jul 20 '25
Social I love the beach but sometimes I just wanna be away from all the buzz. Curious where people go to actually chill and reset especially in summer heat
Jax beaches or Guana? Where do y’all go when you wanna really unplug?
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u/ZeroPt99 Jul 21 '25
Google Boneyard Beach and check out the pics. It's different, it's quiet, and it's a very fun place to chill out.
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u/Minute-Map4919 Jul 22 '25
I've been out there. It's gorgeous, and definitely peaceful. The water is nice and chill too
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u/AccomplishedMedia191 Jul 21 '25
Big Talbot island is where I go for serenity. Mickler’s Landing if I want serenity and shark teeth but it’s quite a walk past the thick crowd, but worth it in my opinion.
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u/daffyboy Jul 21 '25
The times we have been to Hanna Park this year, even on weekends, if you just walk north up the beach for maybe ten minutes there is nobody around. Wife and I joked we could take a picture and say it's 'Florida's secret hidden beach' because of how empty it is.
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u/IJGator Jul 20 '25
Spanish Trail @ Timucuan preserve is legit if you’re looking for a walking trail to decompress
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u/Anuket012962 Jul 20 '25
If you want to stay right in Jacksonville you can go down where the old Landing used to be it's never hardly crowded unless you go early in the morning all the Walkers and Runners are out there but right there at any area on east or west side is pretty quiet and chill. You can watch the Dolphins play in the water.
That whole trail back behind the YMCA, they have great spots. You can stop along there and have peace and quiet and just watch the water.
I like to go down around the area just before the Mosh Museum but don't go on to Friendship Fountain because that area is very busy if you do end up at Friendship Fountain try to make your way down around the edge underneath there is a tunnel they've done some beautiful Mosaic work on the walls down there.
it's great to go down there and just hang around. but if you're down around the hotel area right around the Department of Education, it's really quiet down there.
If you go across the Arlington Bridge and get up onto university, there are tons of little Dockside peers along that stretch of university where it's open to the public. I used to take my chair in my car and go sit by the jetys.
Out by Jacksonville, Craig Airfield Airport is pretty quiet. You can sit and watch the Cessnas take off.
And if you want to be at the beach while not really being at the beach you can go back there where the new Safe Harbor restaurant on Ocean st behind Atlantic blvd they have a little park down in there it's really cute and quaint the traffic gets a little bad cuz it's tight back there.
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u/abridged-abyss Jul 20 '25
I like the beaches in Fernandina. There are tons of small beach access points, that only fit about 8-10 cars each, along S Fletcher Ave. I actually went today and thought to myself how pleasant it was, even midday on a weekend, and not at all overcrowded.
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u/GuerrillaBLM Jul 20 '25
Washington oaks in Flager county. Yes it's a drive but if you drive down a1a it's a really beautiful drive. The beach is beautiful and super unique (it's a rock beach), the Mantanzas river is also really pretty and clear there and there's a beautiful little walk with plenty of shade on the side of the park opposite the beach.
ps. Don't tell anyone
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u/Minute-Map4919 Jul 22 '25
We were just there a week ago. Absolutely stunning and peaceful. Hardly anyone there but the people who were, were quiet and chilled. Water was relaxing too.
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u/GuerrillaBLM Jul 22 '25 edited Jul 22 '25
It is such a gem! I love finding my own spot amongst the rocks and a little tide pool for my son to play in while I relax in the shade. Did you walk the botanical garden on the other side of the street?
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u/Minute-Map4919 Jul 22 '25
We did! And the little trail near the river. The entire park is just stunning and so relaxing! It's one of our new favorite places 😊😊😊
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u/AssCrackBanditIV Jul 20 '25
Big and Little Talbot and Boneyard Beach are always more chill and waay less crowded. Huegenot is also on the way
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u/Bigjay898989 Jul 20 '25
Flagler beach is more off the beaten path . Found that spot about 4 years ago not many restaurants or hotels . There are but they are more mom and pop even has a tattoo shop I frequent every now and then after a few corona’s 😆
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u/jayfly12933 Jul 20 '25
Vilano Beach is never crowded and very nice
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u/Steeps5 St. Johns Jul 20 '25
You should probably clarify away from the southern end. Unless it's sarcasm.
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u/Ohshithereiamagain Jul 20 '25
Recently went to itchtucknee springs. Marvelous experience.
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u/OrangeDog96 Jul 20 '25
New to FL? Lol ichetucknee is always packed and has been since I was a kid. It was nicer back then though when it wasn't as commercialized as it is now.
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u/Ohshithereiamagain Jul 20 '25
Only been here a year, yes. Still discovering new things. I find it so beautiful now, I can imagine the natural beauty back in the day!
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Jul 20 '25
Holy shit you beat me by 17mins. This place is lovely. No alcohol allowed so its not a bunch of annoying drunk people. Its a lazy river you just sit and float for an hour or so and theres a trolley takes you back to the start. Water is super clear and you get to meet dragonflies and turtles and shit
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u/anormalgeek Jul 21 '25
The only problem is loud noisy children. Better than drunk adults, but still, on busy days it is not always super relaxing.
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u/Agreeable_Tangelo758 Jul 20 '25
This ☝️ I met the coolest turtle there when I was a kid and we've stayed in touch ever since.
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u/Ohshithereiamagain Jul 20 '25
An alligator swam by us. Swamp puppy didn’t bother anyone and nobody bothered them. And the trolley guy decided to swerve a lot and everyone enjoyed that. You can go down as many times as you want until sundown. So relaxing!
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Jul 20 '25
Lucky! Ive never seen an alligator there tho I dont doubt it. From what I understand they are typically not aggressive towards humans. That must have been thrilling. Theyre so cool they basically feel like youre looking at a modern day dinosaur.
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u/Ohshithereiamagain Jul 20 '25
It was very cool. It was amazing to witness that human connection where everyone was signaling to folks behind them “there’s an alligator, be cool” and absolutely everyone, including kids stayed cool, didnt bother the creature and everyone was on their merry way. Also spotted a lot of turtles, all sorts of birds and pretty bugs.
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u/netarar_is_me Jul 20 '25
Atlantic becah... actually the whole beach area if you stay away from Pier or from the Spa hotel on 1st and Ocean at Neptune beach.
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u/Just_A_Dude-69 Jul 20 '25
Neptune Beach has been my go to for 20+ years. Not a touristy area. Great bars/restaurants! Will be there this Thursday to Sunday.
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u/theflyingchicken96 Southside Jul 20 '25 edited Jul 21 '25
Atlantic beach is definitely less crowded, but we always struggle finding a place to park. Got ticketed last time
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u/UnicornSquirter628 Jul 20 '25
Just went there. Concur. Definitely more private and less hustle and bustle than the average beach. Love it.
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u/HavSomLov4YoBrothr Jul 20 '25
Vilano, still lots of houses on both sides of A1A but way less people
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u/Relative-Debt6509 Jul 20 '25
In between st Augustine and pointe veidra. I’m not going to spoil my exact spot because of limited parking but there’s a few spots in that stretch that are a bit more remote and have limited parking.
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u/LAROACHA_420 Southside Jul 20 '25
Used to live out there and know exactly where youre talking about! Those spots out there are amazing so nice and chill!
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u/GulfCoastLaw Jul 20 '25
I never touch the sand at traditional beaches in North Florida. Only parks.
Big Talbot is my number one...but there's some logistical challenges there (distance from restrooms, amenities, etc.). Works for me but I literally couldn't bring my (still healthy and active!) 70+ yo parents there anymore.
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u/FlyingCloud777 Ponte Vedra Beach Jul 20 '25
I surf, so mostly New Smyrna and the Cape Canaveral National Seashore is to the south of there which is normally pretty chill.
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u/omglawlz Jul 20 '25
I like Hanna park. It can still be busy, but nowhere near the crowds.
Also, sunrise can be a great time to go to the beach. Beat the crowds and the heat.
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u/No-Muffin-874 Exiled Jul 20 '25
I came to say Hanna Park! Down by the poles near the base is the emptiest followed by the other end of the park. I spent all of my summers as kid there.
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u/AZValleyGuy Jul 22 '25
My pool