Juan Ponce de Leon set out to discover the Fountain of Youth in 1513. Of course he never did find it (at least not that we know of) but he did stumble upon Florida. Ponce de Leon named the land La Florida, which means land of flowers and claimed the land for Spain. However, 52 years passed before a lasting settlement was established. That settlement was called St. Augustine. St. Augustine was founded 42 years before Jamestown and 55 years before the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Therefore, St. Augustine is the oldest city founded by Europeans in North America.

Today tourism is St. Augustine’s primary industry. Though the city hasn’t been overrun with commercialization. St. Augustine remains a quaint town with charming restaurants, mom & pop shops and a history unlike any place else.