It’s the last of our Valentine’s Day date series and we saved the beaches for last…which is my neck of the woods! Here are a few great date spots at the beaches and a few date ideas for different budgets.
On a Budget:
An Evening Picnic on the Beach
If you’re on a budget an evening picnic on the beach is the perfect date.
A beach picnic is the ideal way to get creative and fill your basket with all sorts of goodies that are personalized to your taste. You can stop by Trader Joe’s or Fresh Market on your way to the beach and stock up. A moderately priced bottle of wine is a great addition to the meal. Two great less expensive white wines that I would recommend are the Domaine Vinet Domaine de la Quilla 2012, which sells for under 13 bucks or the Henri Perrusset 2012, which is only $18. The night will cost you about $35-40 dollars depending on your wine selection.
For Any Budget:
See a show at Players by the Sea
Players by the Sea in Jacksonville Beach is a wonderful community theater that puts on several shows a year. This is the perfect spot at the beach for a unique and exciting date. Here is a schedule of performances and you can get your tickets here.
Hit up the bars in downtown Jax Beach
The Jacksonville Beach downtown area has a vibrant nightlife. The bars that line the streets of downtown are sure to provide a lively time on any date. Make sure to check out Hoptinger and Surfer the Bar.
Going All Out:
A Spa Weekend at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
The AAA five diamond award winning Ponte Vedra Inn and Club in Ponte Vedra Beach has been listed as one of Travel and Leisure’s top 500 Hotels in the world and was called one of the “20 most romantic resorts in North America” by the Washington Post. A country club as well as a resort, they offer an array of luxury amenities which includes multiple pools, a private beach and a full service spa. It costs $840 for one of their weekend spa packages which includes a two nights stay in a suite with access to all of their spa amenities and a discount on all of their spa services.
Where to Eat:
Dinner:
Poppy’s Italiano
Poppy’s Italiano is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the Jacksonville area. Their garlic bread alone is worth the trip! They have classic Italian dishes like lasagna, chicken parmesan and fettuccine Alfredo. They also have an extensive list of specialty pastas and create your own pasta on the menu. They offer an extensive wine list and serve everything in a small, dimly lit, romantic atmosphere.
Dwight’s Bistro
Dwight’s Bistro is one of the best date spots at the beaches. Dwight’s is a small, intimate bistro with elegant décor. Their food is exceptional and they offer rich delicacies from start to finish. Try the crab cakes, pan cooked foie gras or chef’s cheese plate as an appetizer and finish with sea bass, filet mignon or a homemade pasta dish as an entrée. Dwight’s also has an extensive wine list to pair with your meal.
Dessert/Coffee:
Bold Bean at the Beaches
Bold Bean is the perfect place to go for coffee on a beaches date because of it’s sleek modern atmosphere, quality beverages and strong local ties. Bold Bean has a variety of hot beverages, coffee and espresso drinks as well as craft beer and baked goods. It’s a great place to relax and chat with your date.
Whit’s Frozen Custard
Whit’s is one of my favorite dessert spots at the beach. In fact, there are two Whit’s locations in the beaches area. One is located in downtown Atlantic Beach and they have another location in Jacksonville Beach. Their creamy, delicious homemade frozen custard comes in a variety of flavors. I recommend you try a Whitser, which is a mix of frozen custard and toppings of your choice.
Cinotti’s Bakery
Cinotti’s Bakery is a beaches bakery that never disappoints! Cinotti’s offers hand decorated cookies, cakes, cupcakes and donuts. The variety of flavors, colors and sizes of the goodies displayed in their bake cases when you walk into the shop is enough to send those with a sweet tooth into seventh heaven!
So now if you decide to head to the beaches for Valentine’s Day or for any date night you’re sure to do it right- on any budget! The beaches area has it all and the sweets are sure to satisfy as much as the sands and shore!
Featured Places:
Players By the Sea Theater
106 6th St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
(904) 249-0289
Ponte Vedra Inn and Club
200 Ponte Vedra Blvd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
(866) 748-8083
Hoptinger Jacksonville Beach
333 1st Street North
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
(904) 222-0796
Surfer the Bar
200 1st St. North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Phone: (904) 372-9756
Poppy’s Italiano
832-1 A1A N, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
(904) 273-7272
Dwight’s Bistro
1527 Penman Rd Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
904-241-4496
Bold Bean Coffee Roasters -Beaches
2400 3rd St S. Suite 201
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 (904) 853-6545
Whit’s Frozen Custard of Jax Beach
1232 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
(904) 595-5891
Whit’s Frozen Custard of Atlantic Beach
38 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
(904) 853-5384
Cinotti’s Bakery
1523 Penman Rd
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
904-246-1728