We’re from the First Coast, not just Jacksonville or St. Augustine

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Florida’s First Coast, running from Fernandina Beach to Jacksonville, then all the way down to St. Augustine and Palm Coast, is the region that makes up Northeast Florida.

Combining the cities of Jacksonville, Yulee, Fernandina Beach, Palatka, Palm Coast, Jacksonville Beach and St. Augustine, this area of Florida was the first to be colonized by Europeans.

The sun sets over the ocean on Vilano Beach in St. Augustine

Also dubbed “Florida’s Crown” and “South Georgia,” “First Coast” became a popular term in the 1980s as the result of an effort advertise the major metropolitan area encompassing five to seven counties, depending on who’s counting.

While some Floridians consider themselves solely residents of St. Augustine or Jacksonville, many people live in the awkward “in-between,” where one feels as if they have one foot in “The Nation’s Oldest City” and the other what used to be lovingly dubbed “Cowford,” for its … cows.

So, this one’s for the First Coast kids, the ones who grew up making memories all over the map.

Spending days at the beach

Digging for seashells at the Jetties in Jacksonville

Between the layers of sunscreen you applied, sandcastles you built and shark teeth you searched for, you have enough tales of time spent in the sun to write a novel – and enough freckles to prove it.

Stories of shark bites, drowned surfers and beached sea animals never discouraged you from throwing down a towel and getting your tan on.

Whether you were the type to dive straight into the ocean or veg out in a lounge chair, you were sure to never take a day with sunny skies and white, puffy clouds for granted.

Of course, no matter how much you planned, the rain would always make a guest appearance. But that’s okay, because the sand 20 feet away from you would stay dry, and the storm would pass within 10 minutes.

Plus, there’s nothing like people-watching on the beach. You get to see some interesting folks.

Two men walk their pet goats at Surfside Park in St. Augustine

Taking trips downtown

Lorna hangs out in Hemming Park in downtown Jacksonville

You spent your days sipping coffee while browsing for books at Chamblin’s Uptown, taking in art at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, and walking the strip at the Jacksonville Landing.

Martha bonds with a gargoyle at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

Just one day trip spent downtown wouldn’t cover everything. You’d come back time and time again for events like the Museum of Science and History’s laser light shows, called “Cosmic Concerts,” and the Riverside Arts Market on the weekends.

Friendship Fountain lights up at night, creating a peaceful scene in downtown Jacksonville

Depending on your age, you went to Metro Park to see Planetfest, the Big Ticket Fest or Throwback Fest. Sometimes you’d stop by just to look at the boats on the water and feed the seagulls that sit on the dock.

Other times, you’d stop by to see, uh, this guy.

Jacksonville Metropolitan Park’s giant gator statue stands proudly, a fitting symbol for Florida Gators fans

Exploring flora and fauna

Clark’s Fish Camp, decorated for the holiday season in this photo, is a local haunt that’s always packed

Whether dead or alive, the First Coast features plenty of wildlife. You’d either grab a bite to eat at Clark’s Fish Camp and sample some gator tail while peering out at the friendly taxidermy, or you’d head out to the Alligator Farm to admire the what was on the menu … pre-plating, of course.

My grandma and I sit on a gator at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, completely unaware of our questionable fashion choices

If the gators weren’t your speed, you’d head over to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to see jaguars, flamingos, elephants, gorillas and more.

Hanging out with a gorilla statue at the Jacksonville Zoo

Learning hundreds of years of history

The Lightner Museum is popular among both tourists and locals in St. Augustine

When you were craving culture, you’d head south to St. Augustine and poke around the gift shops and restaurants on St. George Street. During First Friday Art Walk, you’d hop from one gallery to the next, taking in more art than your eyes can feast on and more snacks and drinks than your belly could tolerate.

The Oldest Wooden School House in St. Augustine brings you back in time

Between class field trips and educational excursions, you spent plenty of time gazing at this particularly important hunk of wood: the Oldest Wooden School House, built during the Spanish Colonial times.

Lights hang from trees in the plaza in St. Augustine

After the hubbub of St. George Street had settled down for the day, you could sit in the Plaza de la Constitucion and admire the view. If you were feeling a bit more adventurous, you’d head over to the Castillo de San Marcos and sit on the edge, staring out at the Bridge of Lions.

No matter how far up or down the coast you went, there was always plenty to do. That’s why, while your house address may have only had one city on it, you felt like you were from two or three.

So keep one foot on each side of the border line – you grew up on the First Coast, after all.