Located in Flagler County between St. Augustine and Daytona, Palm Coast is one of Northeast Florida’s charming hidden gems. This coastal city provides a slower pace of life than its neighbors, offering the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.
Whether you’re seeking a peaceful beach day, a calming nature hike, or a family-friendly getaway, you’ll find much to love throughout this tranquil destination.
Palm Coast is home to beautiful beaches, vast parks, and exciting attractions, each promising visitors and residents the chance to create unforgettable memories. Keep reading to learn the top 10 activities you need to experience during your time in Palm Coast.
What is Special About Palm Coast, Florida?
Palm Coast, Florida, is one of the Sunshine State’s newest cities. It was incorporated in 1999 (just two years before Apple released its first iPod). While relatively new, the city still has a rich history and offers an exciting mix of outdoor activities, scenic views, and family-friendly fun.
In the late 1950s, most of Palm Coast was still undeveloped. The land mainly consisted of acres of pine forest and swamp, which made development challenging. Only a few businesses and houses made up the area, including a large turpentine factory. However, in 1969, the ITT Community Development Corporation proposed a development plan that consisted of 48,000 home sites and an extensive water management system. Founder’s Day is celebrated every year in Palm Coast on October 28, honoring the construction of the city’s welcome center on this day in 1970.
Situated on 70 miles of freshwater and saltwater canals and close to more than 130 miles of trails and biking pathways, Palm Coast is every outdoor recreator’s dream. Fishing, swimming, kayaking, golfing, beachcombing, and wildlife viewing are all popular activities practiced throughout the city.
Top 10 Things to Do in Palm Coast
1. Soak up the sun at Jungle Hut Park
Visit Palm Coast, and you’ll find more than 19 miles of beautiful Florida beaches. Flagler Beach is the most popular beach in the area, with its own fishing pier, surf rentals, delicious restaurants, the Flagler Beach Historical Museum, miles of soft sand, and clear waters. However, several other beaches offer a quiet alternative if you’re looking for a secret spot to soak up some sun (not that the crowds ever get too large in Palm Coast).
Jungle Hut Park is a local Palm Coast favorite. The sand in the park is incredibly soft, making it the perfect place to lounge the day away or explore on foot. Just be careful if you intend to swim, as large rocks and strong undercurrents are common in the surf just offshore. Jungle Hut Park has paved parking, public restrooms, and a dune walkover where visitors can spot various species of shorebirds.
2. Take a hike in Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Famous for its formal gardens and coquina rock formations, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is one of the best places to spend the day in Florida. This state park, which covers more than 425 acres, offers visitors a variety of adventures.
Start your Washington Oaks Gardens adventure by taking a stroll around the park’s reflection ponds, where you’ll be sheltered from the heat by a natural, old-growth oak hammock. Next, explore tidal pools along the Atlantic Ocean, keeping your eyes peeled for striped shore crabs, starfish, and other colorful and exotic marine life. For lunch, enjoy a scenic picnic along the Matanzas River seawall or at one of the many picnic tables located throughout the park. Finally, end your day by trying your luck at fishing or trekking throughout the park via an interconnected trail system.
3. Horseback ride on the beach with Equestrian Adventures of Florida
Imagine this: the wind’s in your hair, and you're in the saddle of a beautiful quarterhorse trotting alongside the blue-green waters of Northeast Florida. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Well, in Palm Coast, this can be your everyday reality.
Equestrian Adventures of Florida offers guided horseback tours of all kinds. You can take the reins and ride along the surf, trot on a nature trail, or create an exclusive package based on your specific needs or desires. No matter where you ride, you’re sure to get a unique view of Palm Coast’s geography and environment (and maybe even make a new equestrian friend).
4. Visit the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
Located in nearby St. Augustine, the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience is well worth the 20-minute car ride. The center is a full-time biomedical and biotechnology research laboratory that studies marine mammals to understand critical problems in biology, human health, and the environment.
One of the most intriguing portions of the Whitney Laboratory is the sea turtle hospital, where visitors can book a private, 90-minute tour for $200. The tour can accommodate up to five people and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the projects biologists are working on, their day-to-day activities, and the animals they are currently taking care of.
5. Book a tee time at Palm Harbor Golf Club
Palm Coast is home to several championship-caliber golf courses. Redesigned and renovated in 2009, Palm Harbor Golf Club is a golfer’s paradise. The club includes all of the amenities and features you’d expect from a top-tier establishment.
The course at Palm Harbor meanders through palm trees and massive oaks supporting a canopy of Spanish moss. Known for its diverse topography and stunning natural features, the Palm Harbor golf course will have every golfer savoring each swing they take, even if they’re a few strokes over par.
6. Watch for birds and wildlife on the St. Joe Walkway
Birding and wildlife viewing are two of the most popular activities in Palm Coast, Florida. The Great Florida Birding Trail runs across the St. Joe Walkway and five other of the area’s famous hiking trails. Hikers can scan the skies with binoculars and hunt for more than 200 bird species year-round, including bald eagles, American coots, brown pelicans, and laughing gulls.
The St. Joe Walkway is located within the Palm Coast Linear Park and connects to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Intracoastal Waterway trail system. By hiking the St. Joe Walkway, you’ll have the chance to spot endless wildlife and explore old-growth habitats.
7. Spend the morning beachcombing
Palm Coast’s beaches are a treasure trove for beachcombing. Flagler Beach, MalaCompra Park, and Jungle Hut Park each allow beachcombers to find seashells, shark teeth, and other saltwater gems. Cinnamon Beach is one of the best places to go beachcombing around Palm Coast. Here, treasure hunters can find rare sea glass while enjoying a relaxing walk amid breathtaking scenery.
8. Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Tropical Kayaks
For those who want to gain a new perspective and explore Florida’s waterways from the surface, renting a kayak or paddleboard from Tropical Kayaks or another local outfitter is a must. Palm Coast and its networks of canals, marshes, and waterways provide the perfect conditions for beginner and experienced paddlers.
Glide through Palm Coast’s tranquil waters, and immerse yourself among dense mangroves, tropical wetlands, and abundant wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might see manatees, dolphins, and rare bird species like ospreys. Kayaking and paddleboarding in Palm Coast offers a unique way to experience the nature of Florida.
9. Camp under the stars at Princess Place Preserve
Princess Place Preserve spans over 1,500 acres and combines natural beauty with the opportunity to learn more about Florida’s history. During the day, campers can explore the park via numerous hiking, walking, and equestrian trails. You can also go fishing in the Matanzas River or visit the park’s historic lodge. Campers can set up their tent among towering oak trees at night and enjoy a quiet night under the stars.
10. Tour the Florida Agricultural Museum
The Florida Agricultural Museum allows visitors to step back in time and learn more about Florida’s rural roots. It’s located within the Florida Agricultural Legacy Learning Center and features historic buildings, livestock, guided tours, and exhibits on farming practices. Great for families and history buffs alike, the museum gives visitors a taste of what life was like throughout parts of Florida years ago.
The learning center also organizes a country market throughout the year where visitors can purchase local produce and baked goods based on the market’s monthly theme. Some past themes include Harvest Moon, Celebration of the Arts, and It’s Raining Cats and Dogs.
Moving to Palm Coast
With its mix of outdoor adventures and relaxing pace of life, Palm Coast is a beautiful vacation destination and the perfect place to call home. For travelers looking to settle down, Palm Coast is one of the best places to experience owning a home in Florida.
Century Communities offers a variety of beautiful, modern properties available near Palm Coast, Florida. If you’re considering making Palm Coast your new home, let us help you find the perfect property for you and your family. Use our Find Your Home feature to explore dream homes in Palm Coast and throughout the Sunshine State.
Palm Coast Florida FAQ
What is the cost of living in Palm Coast?
Compared to elsewhere throughout Florida, Palm Coast is relatively inexpensive. According to RentCafe, Palm Coast is 12% cheaper than the state average, housing costs are 29% lower, and transportation costs are 14% lower.
How far is Palm Coast from Jacksonville?
Palm Coast, Florida, is approximately 60 miles south of Jacksonville. The average car ride takes 51 minutes to travel from one to the other.
Is Palm Coast a nice area?
Palm Coast is a great place to live for many reasons, including warm weather, pristine beaches, a family-friendly atmosphere, outdoor recreation opportunities, and a low cost of living.