When it comes time to hit the beach during your Jacksonville area vacation, heading over to Jacksonville Beach is always a good idea. There are miles of relatively uncrowded beaches to enjoy in Jacksonville Beach, which is a small coastal city that can be found due east of Jacksonville. A residential, business, and resort community, Jacksonville Beach has plenty to offer. You can do a lot more than just relax on the beach during a Jacksonville Beach vacation, and you're encouraged to explore other parts of the coast when looking for ways to stay busy.

During weekends in the summertime, the Beaches Trolley is always available if you want to move along the Jacksonville Beach coast, not to mention get to the nearby communities of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. The cost to ride the Beaches Trolley is more than fair, and it can be an excellent alternative to driving during the busy summer season. Should you be planning a Jacksonville Beach vacation in any other season, driving along the coast to get to places like Neptune Beach should be a breeze. In fact, you might also venture further north to explore destinations like Talbot Island and Amelia Island when looking for things to do in and around Jacksonville Beach.

While side trips are encouraged during your Jacksonville Beach vacation, you might find it hard to leave the city's borders. There is a lot to do in Jacksonville, and hanging out at the beach is one of the most popular pursuits. The beach in Jacksonville Beach extends for miles, and since it is wide, there is plenty of space for setting up camp. When you're not boogie boarding, surfing, or swimming at the beach here, languid strolls are always possible, or you might wander over to the pier. The Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier extends almost a quarter mile into the Atlantic Ocean, and in addition to a concession stand, it also features a bait shop. Open daily between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier is an excellent place to cast your lines if you want to fish for deep water species without arranging a relatively costly fishing charter.

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A Jacksonville Beach vacation can be ideal for families, couples, and anyone else who is interested in a fun beach getaway. Families with small kids are bound to appreciate the fact that there are lifeguards at the beach here, not to mention food concessions and restroom facilities. For those without beach gear, renting or buying some in town won't be hard. Anything from surfboards to chairs and a beach umbrella is easy to find. There are a lot of shops that you can check out on your Jacksonville Beach vacation, and finding beach related wares will be a breeze. In addition to an array of good shops, Jacksonville Beach also boasts a variety of inviting restaurants, and when the sun goes down, the bars and clubs heat up.

In addition to visiting the local bars and clubs, those who are interested in some entertainment during their Jacksonville Beach vacation can always hope to catch a live concert. Between the months of April and October, the Sea Walk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach is a premier venue for both concerts and festivals, so make sure to check the schedule when planning your visit. For Jazz fans, the Summer Jazz Concert Series at the Sea Walk Pavilion is bound to please. Don't forget about the Jacksonville Jazz Festival if you are a Jazz fan and are planning a Jacksonville area getaway. Held in May, it's one of the top festivals in the land.

There's something for everyone in Jacksonville Beach, or Jax Beach as it is also known, which is why it's one of the northeastern Florida hot spots. Should you be planning a Jacksonville golf vacation, then the 18-hole municipal course in Jacksonville Beach deserves some attention. Other things that you can do on a Jacksonville Beach vacation include kayaking, scuba diving, and horseback riding on the beach. Many hotels near Jacksonville Beach have you within walking distance of the sand, so you might look to stay at one if beach time is what you have in mind.

Most of the hotels near Jacksonville Beach are quite affordable, which lends to the city's popularity as a vacation destination. Some of the top hotels in the immediate area include the Fairfield Inn & Suites Jacksonville Beach, the Holiday Inn Express Jacksonville Beach, and the Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront. All of these hotels offer very comfortable rooms at a good price, not to mention excellent locations, which is why they are among the top hotels near Jacksonville Beach. If a good bed and breakfast in Jax Beach is what you are after, then you will do well to consider the Fig Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast or the Pelican Path Bed and Breakfast by the Sea. To the near north, Neptune Beach is home to some affordable hotels near Jacksonville Beach that you will also want to keep in mind when looking for your ideal lodging along the Jacksonville Beaches coast. Don't forget about the vacation rentals. An oceanfront condo or a charming beach house is bound to satisfy.