Hitting the Beach

You can fish, swim, snorkel, sail, sunbathe, or stroll on the sand dunes -- at least from March to November, since winter can get downright chilly here. All of these activities are just a 20- to 30-minute drive east of downtown at Jacksonville's four beach communities.

Atlantic Boulevard (Fla. 10) will take you to Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. The boulevard divides the two towns, and where it meets the ocean, you'll come to Town Center, a quaint community with shops, restaurants, pubs, and a few inns.

Beach Boulevard (U.S. 90) dead-ends at Jacksonville Beach, where you'll find beach concessions, rental shops, and a fishing pier. This is also the most popular local surfing beach.

To the south, J. Turner Butler Boulevard (Fla. 202) leads from I-95 to the boundary between Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. A right turn there will take you to Ponte Vedra Beach (pronounced here as Ponti Vee-dra). This ritzy, golf-oriented enclave is actually in St. Johns County (St. Augustine), but it's so much closer to Jacksonville that it's included in this section.

Cruises

Jacksonville River Cruises (tel. 904/396-2333) operates sightseeing, dinner, and dancing cruises on the stern-wheel paddleboats, the Lady St. Johns and the Annabelle Lee. They usually dock at the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel on the Southbank Riverwalk. Cost is $45; schedules vary greatly by season, so call ahead or check the website.

Fishing

The least expensive way to fish for red snapper, grouper, sea bass, small sharks, amberjack, and more, 15 to 30 miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, is aboard the King Neptune, a 65-foot, air-conditioned deep-sea party boat. The full-day trips depart at 7:30am daily from Monty's Marina, 4378 Ocean St. (Fla. A1A), a half-mile south of the Mayport Ferry landing (tel. 904/246-7575); they return at 4:30pm. The price is $70 per person, including bait and tackle. You don't need a license, but reservations are required.

Golf

The Jacksonville area has a great variety of golf courses, some of which are ranked among the top in the country. In Ponte Vedra Beach, the Sawgrass Marriott Resort sits on the most famous course, the TPC at Sawgrass [STSTST], home of the Players Championship in March. Ranked among the nation's top courses, its island hole is one of the most photographed in the world. Nearby are the Ocean and Lagoon courses at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club.

Top courses open to the public include the Golf Club of Jacksonville, 10440 Tournament Lane (tel. 904/779-0800), which is managed by the PGA Tour. It's a great bargain, with greens fees between $30 and $45. The semiprivate Cimarrone, 2690 Cimarrone Blvd. (tel. 904/287-2000), is a fast and watery course with greens fees ranging from $30 to $65.

New in town is Inside Golf, Inc., 140 W. Monroe St. (tel. 904/358-3020), an indoor and outdoor golf playground with simulation equipment allowing swingers to practice on more than 45 different virtual courses. There are also two driving ranges, two putting areas, and, of course, a lounge serving beer, wine, and snacks.

Be on the lookout for the free Golfer's Guide in visitor centers and hotel lobbies.

For course information, go to Golf.com or the Florida Golfing website, or call the Florida Sports Foundation (tel. 850/488-8347) or Florida Golfing (tel. 866/833-2663).

Horseback Riding

For lessons or a scenic ride along the dunes, try Sawgrass Stables, 23900 Marsh Landing Pkwy., off Florida A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach (tel. 904/285-3791). Call for rates and reservations.