Florida Map

A1A River to Sea Trail

Basics
Length:
12 miles (19 km)
Time:
20 minutes

Description

The story of the A1A River & Sea Trail Scenic Highway is the story of man's existence with nature and the importance of the river and the sea.

Along this byway, evidence has been discovered of the earliest inhabitants of the corridor prehistoric animals such as the mastodon, camel, tapir and sloth. The native inhabitants of Central Florida migrated seasonally to enjoy this area's variety of resources, as evidenced by the shell middens and sand burial mounds (remnants remain in sites along the corridor). The Spanish (1565-1763) were interested in the area as a military outpost and a point of departure for missionaries to establish missions among the native inhabitants.

The English (1763-1783) were quick to recognize the importance of the area for its naval stores (tar, pitch, turpentine and resin used for caulking and rigging wooden ships), the availability of oak for ship building, and the transportation accessibility because of the river to sea link.

During the Second Spanish Period (1783-1821) there was a renewed interest in the corridor, with Spain seeking to turn the area into a profitable agricultural complex. Several Spanish plantations were built in the area and the archaeological remains of General Joseph Hernandez's MalaCompra Plantation is located at Bings Landing Park. In this area they grew sea island cotton, sugar, and oranges.

An oceanarium was constructed in 1938 as the world's first underwater motion picture studio. From its opening, the oceanarium drew interested visitors and became one of Florida's leading tourist attractions. Now known as Marineland, the oceanarium is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. After World War II, Marineland became a "watering hole" for literary icons such as Ernest Hemingway,Thornton Wilder and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, whose husband, Norton Baskin, operated the Dolphin Restaurant. Marineland is still being enjoyed by visitors today.

The A1A River & Sea Trail Scenic Highway still reflects many images of "Old Florida" which are rapidly becoming extinct and should be preserved.

Points of Interest

Points of Interest Along The Way

Bings Landing County Park (FL)

Bings Landing County Park is an eleven-acre park and historical site located on the west side of A1A. Bings Landing is located within a maritime oak hammock and is adjacent to the Matanzas River and included in the NERR. The park overlooks the marine estuary and provides important public access to the estuary. Bings Landing facilities include a free public boat launch, fishing docks, picnic pavilions, barbecue grills, gazebo, restrooms and play equipment.

Bings Landing is the site of the historical ruins of the MalaCompra Plantation, owned by General Joseph Hernandez. Also,pre-historic artifacts have been found on the site. The county is working with the state to build a museum/interpretive center around the ruins.

Directions

Near MalaCompra Plantation Site.

Marineland Oceanarium (FL)

Marine Studios, founded in the 1930s by Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, Douglas Burden, and Count Ilia Tolstoy, was the world's first oceanarium. The Oceanarium, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, became one of Florida's earliest tourist attractions. This historic site was used to make many early underwater movies, such as "Creature from the Black Lagoon" and"Return of the Creature," Clint Eastwood's first movie role. The Dolphin Restaurant next door was also known to be the "local hangout" of such notables as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and Ernest Hemingway.

Directions

On the northern end of the byway.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park (FL)

The gardens at Washington Oaks are a primary focal point of the park. However, it is the integrity of the surrounding area, the rocky shore, the barrier island setting, the vanishing coastal scrub, the dense hardwood hammock and the open expanse of its saltwater marshes that offers the visitors an exceptional river to sea experience. There are trails along the canopy road, which was once "Old A1A," a historic, scenic resource within the park. The park contains significant natural, recreational, historic/cultural, educational, and scenic resources.

Directions

Approximately one mile south of Marineland.

Details

Length:
12 miles (19 km)
Time:
20 minutes
Main Roads:
Florida A1A S/N Ocean Shore Blvd

Map + Directions

Customizable Directions


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