Spend the Winter in St. Augustine: Florida’s Hidden Gem for Long Stays and Golf Lovers

Warmer days and cooler nights

Serenity by the Sea Vilano

Wintering in St. Augustine: Sunshine, History, and the Perfect Golf Getaway

Escape winter in St. Augustine, Florida — where sunshine, golf, beaches, and history create the perfect snowbird retreat for one to four months of easy living. When the rest of the country bundles up, St. Augustine unwraps its best season. From December through April, this coastal gem transforms into a haven for “snowbirds” escaping the frozen north —those lucky visitors who trade gray skies for sunshine, fairways, and the soft sound of waves.

Winter in St. Augustine, Florida, is less about hibernation and more about rejuvenation. Days are comfortably warm, evenings cool and breezy, and the city hums with easygoing energy. Whether you’re staying for a month or the entire season, St. Augustine offers the ideal blend of history, community, and coastal leisure.

A Season of Easy Living

The rhythm of winter here is slow and satisfying. Locals greet newcomers like old friends, and time seems to stretch in the best possible way. Mornings often start with a walk along Vilano Beach or Anastasia State Park, where the sunrise paints the Atlantic in shades of pink and gold. Then it’s off to a favorite café—The Blue Hen, Kookaburra Coffee, or Crucial Coffee Café—for a lazy breakfast before the day unfolds.

Those who stay for a few months quickly settle into a local groove: farmers’ markets on Saturdays, live music at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, sunset drinks at Cap’s on the Water, and evening strolls through the historic streets, where the glow of the Nights of Lights lingers well past the holidays.

Golfing in Paradise

For golf lovers, winter in St. Augustine is pure heaven. The mild weather means perfect playing conditions nearly every day, and the variety of courses keeps things fresh all season long.

Just up the road in Ponte Vedra Beach sits the legendary TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS Championship and one of the most famous holes in golf—the island green on No. 17. But you don’t have to be a pro to find your groove. The St. Johns Golf & Country Club, Royal St. Augustine Golf & Country Club, and World Golf Village (home to the World Golf Hall of Fame) all offer beautiful layouts, friendly atmospheres, and immaculate greens.

Many long-term visitors build their weeks around tee times and tournaments, forming lasting friendships over morning rounds and post-game lunches and dinners under the palms. It’s an easy way to blend recreation with connection—the true heart of a St. Augustine winter.

Comfortable Stays & Coastal Community

From cozy houses in town to homes near the beach and quiet neighborhoods near the Intracoastal, winter rentals in St. Augustine come in every style. Many “seasonal locals” return year after year, reuniting with friends and favorite spots like it’s a second home.

In the afternoons, you’ll find people exploring art galleries on Aviles Street, joining yoga classes by the beach, or visiting local farms for fresh produce and handmade goods. It’s an easy, fulfilling kind of living—simple pleasures done well.

Serenity by the Sea provides a quiet home base, convenient to dining, shopping, the beach and the many activities Saint Augustine has to offer.

August Breeze

Why Winter Belongs to St. Augustine

There’s a special peace that settles over St. Augustine in winter. The crowds thin, but the city’s charm shines even brighter. Golf courses are green, beaches uncrowded, and the air carries that unmistakable blend of salt, sunshine, and possibility.

For those seeking a season that feels like a gentle exhale—filled with history, community, fantastic food and endless fairways—St. Augustine is more than a destination. It’s a winter home with soul.