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3 of the Best Beaches in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL

3 of the Best Beaches

Jacksonville, FL is known for many things, including near-perfect weather, great food, and of course, our spectacular beaches. Beaches abound in and around our city, and whether you want a quiet place to sunbathe or enjoy beach sports, we have something for you. These are some of the best beaches you should visit.

3 of the Best Beaches in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL

Neptune Beach

Named for the Roman god of the sea, Neptune is the place to visit when you want to relax and enjoy that perfect day on the sand. It's quiet and laid back, and the cares of the world seem a million miles away when you have the sand between your toes. You can surf the waves, bicycle, or join an impromptu volleyball game.

Neptune is a short 17 miles away from our city, and it has some of the most beautiful views of sunrise if you get there early. The city of Neptune Beach has all the amenities you could wish for, and you can indulge your retail therapy urges if you can tear yourself away from the sand and perfect views. This 1-mile long beach is easy to find by hard to leave.

Atlantic Beach

Closer to home, at only 16 miles from downtown Jacksonville, this beach is located in a quiet community. Unlike many other beaches, it's never packed to capacity, so you have plenty of space for you and the family to enjoy. Amenities are available within a short distance, depending on what you need. The long, flat beach surface makes it the best place in the area for surfing and kayaking.

There are also cute souvenir shops where you can pick mementos or even suntan lotion to replace the bottle someone forgot at home. The beach also provides natural souvenirs in the many incredible seashells that wash onshore.

Jacksonville Beach

This bustling beach lies just 30 minutes drive from the center of Jacksonville. Hotels line the beachfront, providing plenty of places to stay if you want to stay a few days. This beach features more people, but the range of amenities is greater too. You can rent umbrellas, deck chairs, and even surfboards.

Restaurants are available with a variety of choices to satisfy your food cravings. The magnificent fishing pier on the beach stretches 1/4 mile out to sea and provides a perfect platform for the avid angler.

Grab your shades and get the family into your 2022 BMW X3 for a beach trip. The whole family can easily fit in its spacious 5-person seating and still have almost 30 sq ft of space in the trunk for all your beach essentials. Come by and see us at Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville for all your service and repair needs.

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3 Favorite Weekend Activities You Can Drive to Near Jacksonville, FL

There is plenty of fun and relaxation to be had in Jacksonville, FL every day of the year. There are so many choices that it can be hard to decide how you want to spend your weekend. If you feel overwhelmed by all your options, we recommend hopping in your 2024 BMW X5, picking up your friends, and checking out one of the best weekend activities in the area. 3 Favorite Weekend Activities You Can Drive to Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Touring Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens We highly recommend spending a day at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens at 370 Zoo Pkwy if you are looking for something fun to do over the weekend. By visiting this zoo, you support dozens of animal and plant conservation programs globally. You also support one of seven zoos in the country with a dedicated animal wellness team to ensure that the animals are well cared for. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens features 14 exhibits, and you can see mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. We love the Emerald Forest Aviary and River Valley Aviary. If you prefer mammals over birds, you may be more interested in visiting the Africa Loop exhibit. It features such animals as the African elephant, African lion, and greater kudu. The Wild Florida exhibit is also popular, featuring such species as the: Alligator snapping turtle American alligator Bald eagle Burmese python more 2. Visiting Tree Hill Nature Center We also love spending the day at Tree Hill Nature Center at 7152 Lone Star Road. This nature preserve ensures the preservation of over 51 acres of land, and it features roughly 3.3 miles of trails. There is plenty to explore here, including hummingbird and butterfly gardens. This nature preserve is also home to a wide variety of fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, including: Barred owls Green tree frogs Pygmy goats Black rat snakes Bluegill sunfish 3. Exploring MOSH When you need a break from the heat, you should strongly consider going to MOSH (Museum of Science & History) at 1025 Museum Circle. Some of the most popular exhibits include HEALTH IN MOTION, ATLANTIC TAILS, and JEA POWERPLAY. You also don't want to miss checking out the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium. Unless you are a member, you will need to pay $5.95 per program, but it is well worth the price. There is no shortage of things you can do in Jacksonville over the weekend, and you can go at your leisure with reliable transportation. To maintain the reliability of your vehicle, you need to stick to the maintenance schedule laid out by BMW. Contact us today at Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville to schedule a service appointment if it is time for an oil change or tire rotation.

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The city of Jacksonville, FL is full of tourist attractions, historical buildings, excellent museums, and a world-class gastronomic scene. Besides its main landmarks, though, Jacksonville is also home to plenty of beautiful green areas and popular parks where locals and visitors can enjoy a picnic with friends and family. Here are three of the best picnic spots you can find within driving distance of downtown Jacksonville. Make the Drive: 3 Picnic Spots Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Riverside Park Established in the 1890s and covering an area of just over 11 acres, Riverside Park is the second oldest park in the city and a well-known gathering spot among residents of the Five Points and Brooklyn neighborhoods. This beautiful green area is located at 753 Park Street and can be reached in less than 10 minutes by car from downtown Jacksonville via Riverside Avenue. Open to the public every day between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, Riverside Park is a place where you can spend an entire day with your friends, have fun, and enjoy nature without leaving the city. Some of the amenities you can find in this popular recreation area include playgrounds, walking and biking trails, picnic tables, a fountain, a basketball court, and a duck pond. more 2. Memorial Park Located at 1620 Riverside Avenue and right along the banks of the St. Johns River, Memorial Park is another fantastic local landmark that can be reached in less than 10 minutes by car from the Jacksonville city center. Open to the public every day between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm, this public park opened its doors to the public in 1924 and quickly became the most popular attraction in the city's historic Riverside neighborhood. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, Memorial Park is a wonderful place to have a picnic with your friends or simply spend the day enjoying the outdoors. This beautiful park features a sprawling lawn where you can always find people sunbathing, reading, tossing Frisbees, and playing ball games. 3. Boone Park Open year-round from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Boone Park is another excellent spot for a picnic within driving distance of downtown Jacksonville. Located in the Avondale neighborhood at 3700 Park Street, this beautiful green area can be reached in just 10 minutes by car via Roosevelt Boulevard. Some of the amenities you can find here include picnic tables, public restrooms, multiple playgrounds, tennis courts, and nature trails. With the latest safety and driver assist technologies in the industry, as well as a spacious and comfortable cabin, the 2023 BMW iX xDrive 50 is a fantastic SUV to take your family on fun trips and memorable adventures all over Florida. Drop in by Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville and get to know the features of this and other wonderful models in our inventory.