RESEARCHED PLANNING ADVICE · 2026-10-01
Accessible parking, a viewing platform and a route onto beach sand are different things. Choose the entrance around the person’s chair, transfer needs and remaining sand gap.
Our starting recommendation: For a mat, investigate Vilano’s northern entrance or A Street. For a ramped boardwalk and viewing area, consider Crescent’s northern route. Confirm the complete journey before setting off.
Entrance to investigate: Vilano northern Mobi-Mat route
Choose it for: A mat-focused entrance close to St. Augustine.
Tradeoff: Do not choose the stepped middle or southern boardwalk by mistake.
Evidence: St. Johns County · entrance routes ↗
Entrance to investigate: A Street · mat south of the restaurant
Choose it for: A named mat route in the beach-town district.
Tradeoff: Parking management differs; inspect the connection to the mat and sand.
Evidence: St. Johns County · entrance routes ↗
Entrance to investigate: Crescent northern boardwalk
Choose it for: A ramped viewing route farther south.
Tradeoff: Soft sand remains beyond the ramp; the southern boardwalk is stepped.
Evidence: St. Johns County · entrance routes ↗
Vilano’s northern route has a Mobi-Mat; its middle viewing-area route has 14 steps to sand. A Street has a mat south of the restaurant. Crescent’s north boardwalk is accessible but ends about 30 feet short of hard-packed sand; its south route has 26 stairs. These are planning details, not a current surface inspection.
Evidence: St. Johns County · entrance routes ↗
County beach wheelchairs are free, limited and require at least three days’ notice. Delivery must be to an eligible county-managed public access; do not assume a city or state-park entrance qualifies. Check availability and delivery arrangements directly. A chair reservation is not proof that a particular route is open.
Evidence: St. Johns County · beach wheelchairs ↗
The pier’s north route includes a step and its south route includes stairs. An ADA restroom does not prove step-free beach access. Ask about parking-to-boardwalk distance, width, gradient, sand gaps, assistance and equipment compatibility. Retain an alternative if tide, erosion or maintenance changes the route.
Evidence: St. Johns County · entrance routes ↗
Selections are editorial advice. Official rules and dated notices have the narrower scopes described above. Conditions, staffing and surfaces can change; these pages do not guarantee current opening or safety. Photographs show the named beach, not every entrance or today’s condition; credits are in each full guide.