Shelling beaches near Jacksonville, FL?

[luvavacation]

Cruising out of Jacksonville, FL soon with my family and elderly mom. I was hoping to stay somewhere on the beach, hopefully no more than 45 minutes from the port.

My mom has never been to a shelling beach, but is not up for a long car ride, so Sanibel won't happen, though that is really a great beach. We only have the one afternoon/night in Jacksonville before the cruise anyway, so there isn't really much time to travel around.

I do not know anything really about Jacksonville, other than years ago I was told it was alot like Myrtle Beach (loud, crowded, great for college kids). My mom is 79 and has Alzheimer's, so a laid back, quiet beach would be desirable, as she will point and comment on people that she feels are behaving badly. That loss of filter is quite interesting at times!

Any ideas? Would Amelia Island be a good choice?

I welcome all suggestions of places to stay, too! I am not too worried about cost, as at this point, I just want to make some memories with my mom and my family before she is too far gone, and it is only for one night after all! But if I can fill the photo album with pictures of my mom smiling as she looks for the perfect shell, then it will be worth it!

 

[luvavacation]

Anyone? Or does the silence imply that there aren't any nice beaches near Jacksonville and I should go north instead?

 

[mhsjax]

Cruising out of Jacksonville, FL soon with my family and elderly mom. I was hoping to stay somewhere on the beach, hopefully no more than 45 minutes from the port.

My mom has never been to a shelling beach, but is not up for a long car ride, so Sanibel won't happen, though that is really a great beach. We only have the one afternoon/night in Jacksonville before the cruise anyway, so there isn't really much time to travel around.

I do not know anything really about Jacksonville, other than years ago I was told it was alot like Myrtle Beach (loud, crowded, great for college kids). My mom is 79 and has Alzheimer's, so a laid back, quiet beach would be desirable, as she will point and comment on people that she feels are behaving badly. That loss of filter is quite interesting at times!

Any ideas? Would Amelia Island be a good choice?

I welcome all suggestions of places to stay, too! I am not too worried about cost, as at this point, I just want to make some memories with my mom and my family before she is too far gone, and it is only for one night after all! But if I can fill the photo album with pictures of my mom smiling as she looks for the perfect shell, then it will be worth it!

I lived in Jacksonville while growing up, I now live just north of St Augustine. I haven't been to Jax beach in quite sometime. They dredge there and most shells are broken bits brought up from the ocean to fill in where the beach has eroded. I always go to St Augustine beach. A little more than 45 minute ride. They say Jax beach has cleaned up its act. I would never say it is a good beach for college kids, no one comes here for spring break. I think mostly families and people who live in the area go there, I just prefer south. I have actually never been to Amelia Island. I here it is very nice. Not sure about shells, growing up in Florida, the shell thing is something I outgrew very early. If you see it all the time, you lose interest. I hope someone else can be of more help to you, regarding the shells.

Also because I grew up here, staying in a hotel was never a concern for me. I will say that nothing stands out in my mind, I would think that Amelia Island would 100% be better for this than Jacksonville or St Augustine beach. Funny how I can live here all of my life and not have any more info than this. Sorry.

 

[padams]

Amelia doesn't have as many shells as Sanibel but it's a quiet and attractive area. I think it would be great for your mom.

Ihmo, Jax Beach is not as nice as Myrtle.

St. Augustine is a good alternative. Not as quite as quiet as Amelia but it may be more convenient for you than Amelia.

I have been to all of these beaches but I haven't cruised out of Jacksonville so don't know if you should head north or south for some beach time.

 

[JaxJags08]

I wouldn't recommend Jacksonville Beach. We're local and never go there, and I don't remember any shells either.

We really enjoy Little Talbot Island State Park. Each time we visit, it is very relaxing and quiet. There are lots of shells and I hear there are sharks' teeth, too. It's also only a 15-20 minute drive from the port.

I can't recommend a place to stay, but Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island are quite close to Little Talbot Island and the port.

 

[luvavacation]

Thanks for the information!

I would have liked Amelia Island, but was having trouble finding a hotel I liked that was on the ocean, not "within walking distance". My mom easily tires and walking to the beach was not what I had in mind.

Actually, the Ritz looked perfect, but I am not sure DH would be ok with paying over $2,000 for a room to hold all of us! Maybe someday, when money really is not object.

I did happen upon a resort called One Ocean in Atlantic Beach. It has rave reviews, but I don't know about the area it is in. Hopefully the choice was good. At least it isn't far to drive to Little Talbot Island State Park as per the recommendation from JaxJags08!

Thanks again for helping me with my planning!

 

[JaxJags08]

Thanks for the information!

I would have liked Amelia Island, but was having trouble finding a hotel I liked that was on the ocean, not "within walking distance". My mom easily tires and walking to the beach was not what I had in mind.

Actually, the Ritz looked perfect, but I am not sure DH would be ok with paying over $2,000 for a room to hold all of us! Maybe someday, when money really is not object.

I did happen upon a resort called One Ocean in Atlantic Beach. It has rave reviews, but I don't know about the area it is in. Hopefully the choice was good. At least it isn't far to drive to Little Talbot Island State Park as per the recommendation from JaxJags08!

Thanks again for helping me with my planning!

Atlantic Beach is a much better choice than Jacksonville Beach! The area is much quieter and has more of a beach neighborhood feel.

You can take the ferry to get from your hotel to the area around Little Talbot Island. Might be a fun, more scenic way to get to your destination.
http://www.stjohnsriverferry.com/index.html

Have a great trip!