Bucket-list golf, low-key luxury
Ponte Vedra Beach is the part of the First Coast that whispers instead of shouts. Drop south out of Jacksonville on A1A and the strip-mall sprawl falls away into manicured live oaks, sea-grape dunes and gated drives that quietly hide some of the most famous turf in golf. It is close enough to be an easy half-day — roughly 30 minutes from downtown — but it feels like a different, slower world from the surf scene up at the Jacksonville beaches.
This is where you come for three things, and they pair beautifully: world-class golf at TPC Sawgrass, the kind of resort spas and oceanfront dining you settle into rather than rush through, and stretches of Atlantic beach that stay calm and uncrowded because so much of the sand fronts private clubs and homes. You do not have to be a golfer to enjoy a day here — but if you are, this is the trip you brag about back home.
Play TPC Sawgrass
TPC Sawgrass is the home of THE PLAYERS Championship, the PGA TOUR’s flagship event held here each March on the Pete Dye–designed Stadium Course. Even casual fans know its closing stretch — and one hole in particular has become the most photographed par 3 in golf.
Quiet beaches & resort spas
Not everyone in your group golfs, and Ponte Vedra is generous to the rest of you. The Atlantic beaches here are noticeably quieter and more upscale than the busier sands to the north — long, flat, walkable shoreline backed by dunes and resort property rather than boardwalks and bars. It is the kind of beach where you bring a book and a beach chair, not a volleyball.
Then there are the resort spas. Ponte Vedra built its reputation on them, and a treatment-plus-lunch afternoon makes a perfect counterpart to a round of golf — one person plays Sawgrass, the other spends the day poolside or in a robe, and you meet for dinner. If you want more sand options around the city, the beaches & outdoors hub maps the whole coast, and the things to do guide rounds out a longer stay.
Make it an overnight
Ponte Vedra is built for the stay-and-play weekend — check into a resort, walk to the first tee or the spa, and never move your car. Two names anchor the area.
More of the First Coast
All First Coast day trips
Ponte Vedra is one stop on a coast full of them. Browse every escape within easy reach of Jacksonville.
St. Augustine
Just south of Ponte Vedra, the nation’s oldest city makes a natural pairing — cobblestone streets, a Spanish fort and history by the armload.
Where to stay in the Ponte Vedra zone
Compare resorts, inns and beach rentals across Ponte Vedra and the wider Jacksonville area to build your stay-and-play.
THE PLAYERS Championship
Coming for the tournament? Check dates and other First Coast happenings, and remember to book lodging months ahead.
Common questions
How far is Ponte Vedra Beach from Jacksonville?
It's about 30 minutes southeast of downtown Jacksonville. Take JTB (SR 202) east to A1A, then head south into Ponte Vedra Beach. It makes an easy half-day trip.
Can you play TPC Sawgrass without a membership?
Yes. Both the championship Stadium Course and Pete Dye's Valley Course are open to the public, so you don't need a membership. Just book a tee time well ahead, especially in the cooler months.
Can I play the famous island-green 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass?
You can. The par-3 17th is the signature hole of the Stadium Course, which is open to public play, and getting to hit that shot yourself is the whole reason a lot of people make this trip. A tee time is required.
When is THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass?
THE PLAYERS, the PGA TOUR's flagship event, is held at TPC Sawgrass each March on the Stadium Course. The whole Ponte Vedra area books up fast that week, so lock in lodging months ahead. Check our events calendar for exact dates.
Where should I stay in Ponte Vedra for a golf trip?
The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is the classic stay-and-play base right by TPC Sawgrass, with golf packages and easy access to both courses. The oceanfront Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is the more beach-and-spa choice, though it's under renovation through 2026, so confirm what's open when you book.