The beach side of the park is much less developed, and the only facility it offers is a (surprisingly well ventilated) porta potty. seawall as well as surf fishing is allowed at Washington Oaks. The calcium was being leeched out of the shells and cemented them together," said Joe Woodburry, a park services specialist. Oaks State Gardens contact the park at: Washington Oaks State Gardens fee is $3.25 per car or $1.00 per person if you are on foot or bicycle. The dining room is ready for you to have a nice candlelight dinner , family gathering or anything in between. His daughter married a relative of the first President of the United States, a surveyor also named George Washington. The ROCKS-Washington Oaks State Park 5 reviews Unclaimed Parks, Beaches See all 127 photos Write a review Add photo Location & Hours Suggest an edit 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd Palm Coast, FL 32137 Get directions You Might Also Consider Sponsored SAYC Sailing Center 18.1 miles away from The ROCKS-Washington Oaks State Park Coming up from the south, youd pass Bulow Creek State Park in Ormond Beach and Canaveral National Seashore. She specified that the gardens be "maintained in 2023 Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches. It's a promise that has been kept to this day. This 1.7 mile trail Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. An overview of Washington Oaks State Park can be seen below. Close up of swirling coquina rocks at Washington Oaks State Park beach. Part of a highway network meant to connect Miami to Montreal, this 10-mile stretch of road made from red bricks is still around 100 years later. $5 per vehicle (two to eight people). Dogs are not allowed in the gardens or on the beach. While the gardens were pretty, Im definitely more of an animal person than a plant person. What activities are at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park? On Highway A1A, about half-way between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. edge of a dense canopied coastal scrub. You can't even swim there. Owen D. Young and his wife, Louise, purchased the land in 1936 as a winter estate from Spanish general Joseph Marion Hernandez, whose daughter married a distant relative of George Washington, hence the name of Washington Oaks. The Matanzas River at Washington Oaks State Park. Or, if youre looking for more information about this state park, including current hours of operation and cost of admission, visit the Florida State Parks website. Know Before You Go. Since Bella Vista was not garrisoned, This beach isn't really a great place to swim because of all the submerged rocks, and there were rip current signs posted in the parking lot with red hazard . This holiday home features a private pool, a garden and free private parking. Data is based on the water sample taken on June 12th, 2023. The formal gardens are the centerpiece of Washington Oaks Gardens. is a one half (1/2 mile) loop that explores the ecotone between the coastal Enjoy a beautiful picnic facility beneath large majestic oaks. All rights reserved. this land fondly long after Luisa died. For your safety, do not feed any animals. There is barely a sign; the road to the beach references only the Florida scrub habitat adjoining the beach. This park is on theGreat Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. This single level floor plan is accessible by both elevator and stairs and provides 1910 square feet of exquisitely detailed and furnished living space that gives a home away from home feeling. for the 389 acres of coastal scenery that comprise Washington Oaks State Tidal pools fill crevasses and waves splash against the rocks' hard surfaces. Should you need assistance to enable your full participation, please contact the individual park office as soon as possible. . Coquina rocks in the sand at "The Rocks" beach in Florida, Coquina Rocks Sunrise at Washington Oaks State Park, Tide pools at sunrise at Washington Oaks State Park. Several trails wind through the hammock, giving a true glimpse of the old, mostly vanished Florida, the Florida Francis Parkman once described as vast wastes of forest verdure; mountains silent in primeval sleep; river, lake, and glimmering pool; wilderness oceans mingling with the sky. The contrast between the two sides of Washington Oaks Gardens recreates the long, low line where the wilderness of waves met the wilderness of woods.. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park | Florida Hikes Luisa married a lawyer from North Carolina named George Lawrence Washington. several French, Spanish, and English groups passed through the area. Across the street from the Washington Oaks State Garden, this unusual beach in Florida is a well-kept secret, hoarded by the locals who refer to it as The Rocks. The three bedrooms and two baths are a split plan for more privacy. parks nearly 400 acres exists in natural condition. These unique limestone features were created by years of rainwater dissolving and gluing sand and shells together. it includes a spectacular swimming pool, a viewing tower that overlooks the ocean, and chairs and umbrellas for use on the beach. Lovely beachside location. The beach extends three-quarters of a mile. Pets Restroom: at the visitor center. With as much as 60% of Washington's population living in the Seattle area, urban beaches are a way of life in this state. Admission to the park is $5 per car. Palm Coast, FL 32137 (386) 446-6780 E-mail Website 97 reviews Overview Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, Washington Oaks is also famous for the unique shoreline of coquina rock formations that line its Atlantic beach. In 1845, Hernandez' daughter The livelier lake . /* 728x90, created 9/11/10 */ it was not destroyed. It's actually two parks in one. ponds, to recite their wedding nuptials. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. That is why kayaks are able to float full of water and with paddlers sitting on them. google_ad_width = 728; All plant and animal life is protected in state parks. Explore Florida's beaches and backwaters, islands and prairies, campgrounds, trails and historic sites. by a midden -- the mound of oyster shells and other discards left by generations Wedding receptions may be held at the pavilion. Have you ever been to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park before? The pavilion is available for But the plantation economy in this part of the state Well over one hundred (100) At that time, sea level was about 25 to 30 feet NY, NJ and CT residents will have reporting requirements. PICNICKING The ruins of this antebellum sugar plantation are the end result of a Seminole attack during the Florida Wars of 1836. Hernandez' career as a planter And Washington Oaks beach has the largest of the Atlantic Ocean outcroppings. and roses. FISHING sea turtle is a frequent visitor to the beaches of the park. The picnic areas close proximity to Restroom facilities and a children's play area are also available in the picnic area. ADA restroom facilities are available at the visitor center, garden entranceand picnic area. colony, owning lands granted by Spain. Service animals are allowed in all areas of the park. This condo is located within just a short walk of the two Cinnamon Beach clubhouses. Upon stepping out of the rose garden The Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is located between the ocean and the Matanzas River midway between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. For more information on Washington Oaks State Gardens contact the park at: Washington Oaks State Gardens - funandsun.com Cinnamon Beach is the perfect gathering place. opportunities at Washington Oaks State Gardens. We like to go in the winter or early spring. It was to become a winter Length: 1.0 mi Est. What's unusual about this. Correct change is required. Hernandez made his name in Florida as a militia general led in the Second Seminole War from 1835 to 1842. territory. It's one of the few places you'll find rocks on the beach in Florida; one of the few places you'll find rocks anywhere in Florida, for that matter. The picnic area's close proximity to the parkhiking trail and the Matanzas Rivermakes it a popular meeting place for an after-lunch hike. Please use one of the designated bins throughout the park. I was married their over 30 years ago. Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown 365 days a year. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzes River, the property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington. House Description: Discover charming small towns and insider tips to hidden gems. It was a paradise for the hunter and the naturalist. Often overlooked, its rare to find more than a handful of other people there, so, at least for now, you can usually enjoy the hidden seascape in relative peace and quiet. shell material, forming a matrix or cement, binding the loose sediment At low tide at Washington Oakss beachside is the place to be for a relaxing wade through the water and around the coquina rock formations generally exposed at ebb tide. The Youngs were responsible take you on a journey down footpaths that lead you to enjoy the many varieties He became known as General Hernandez because, as While the hike and bike trails of the Bella Vista trails give you more of a glimpse of the dense canopied area and . Whether or not the rocks appear depends on the recent weather and tides. A visit to Washington Oaks State Park is a must, and there are lots of relaxing spots to breathe in the fresh air and take in flora and fauna of this area. However, we have a hidden gem state park that deserves exploration. It is believed that the offshore Rain water percolating There's a recently renovated greenhouse and grounds teeming with wildlife, a presence made obvious by gates that read "keep closed because of nearby deer." The holiday home features 5 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine and 4 bathrooms with a hairdryer. Washington apparently remembered The Rocks (sometimes) deliver a miniature Grand Canyon in the sanda mile of unusual geological formations, caves, nooks, and crannies in the water-worn coquina rock. Fees : $5 per vehicle with 2-8 people; $4 for a single person in a vehicle; $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: The rose garden features many different types including Don Juan, of the park provide nesting places for endangered sea turtles. There is a covered pavilion along with other tables and grills that are located throughout the picnic area. On the other hand, if the storms and the tides have deposited more sand than usual, youll walk out to the beach and see nothing but a few small bumps in the sand. Important to know: Entrance is usually on the honor system and exact change is required. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. gardens and the house. With a name like Washington Oaks Gardens, you expect formal gardens. Check out the Washington Post's interactive map . However avoid going on the canopy walk (Jungle Road Trail or Timucuan Trail) in the afternoon or later as you'll be eaten alive with mosquitos! Hernandez raised cotton, sugar, and crops to feed the family, workers, The gardens are well-known for their azaleas, camellias and roses. The park is open every day from 8:00 am until sundown and the admission fee is $3.25 per car or $1.00 per person if you are on foot or bicycle. But they can't swim at the beach due to the dangers posed by the rocks. The western side of the park is bordered by the Intracoastal Waterway and a popular place to cast a fishing line, launch a kayak or sit back and enjoy the wildlife and activity on the water. The beaches along Flagler County look like a giant container of cinnamon was sprinkled on them because of the orange specks of conquina that comprise the sand. Consumption of alcohol beverages is prohibited. Washington Oaks State Park is located two miles south of Marineland, off A1A. Florida at Florida's 145 state parks, ask a Park Ranger where you formId: "b1dbe41a-6ce6-4697-b2ca-d416cecd4364", The rocks extend some distance north beyond the parks borders and also crop up in the water. The ROCKS-Washington Oaks State Park - Yelp 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd. The park hosts many popular events throughout the year including Earth Day, Holiday in the Gardens, fishing clinics, a Citrus Festival and various musical events. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. google_ad_height = 90; google_ad_slot = "1646511036"; A number of different species are routinely caught, including whiting and blue fish in the surf, and several species of trout, redfish, drum and flounder along the seawall. The ocean front balcony is surely the true highlight for any guest, with comfortable chairs and a table that can easily accommodate 6 people. Copyright Law. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park: 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd. Young, Washington Oaks Gardens State Parkoffers aluminum, plasticand glass recycling for itsvisitors. Hours & Fees | Florida State Parks St. Augustine, known as the oldest city in . Where pets are allowed, they must be kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash and well-behaved at all times. Within the gardens you will find everything from So even if you don't know how to swim, trust your boat to float on water if it capsizes suddenly. All rights reserved. Sometimes as many as ten days may be needed to schedule a particular accommodation. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd. Address: 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd, Palm Coast FL 32137. Moultrie mined the heaps of oyster shells to produce lime in retirement home for herself and her third husband, Owen D. Young. move along the Atlantic Flyway. If you can donate more or become a monthly donor, even better.