Blog

Wind in your hair, the countryside rolling by, and your tunes playing on the radio. Nothing beats a scenic drive, no matter which time of the year it is. Read on as we discuss four spectacular routes you can take in and around Jacksonville, FL. Four Wonderful Scenic Drives in the Jacksonville, FL Area Cruise Down the A1A Ocean Islands Trail Looking for a beach-side drive that takes you along some of Florida's incredible eastern seaboard? Look no further than the famous A1A, an up-to-31-mile stretch that conducts you across some of the best beachfront spots like South Jacksonville Beach and Fernandina Beach. Along the way, this route treats you to marshes, woodlands, and all the wildlife within. There are plenty of pit stops along the way, too; you'll find no end to waterfront dining. And if you want a bit of history to top things off, consider taking the Saint Johns River Ferry--one of the oldest in Florida, and in continual operation since as far back as 1874. more State Road 116: Your Path to Fort Caroline and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park Fort Caroline is only one of Jacksonville's incredible national parks and is only one stop over on this brief 8-mile passage. It's home to a replica fort in honor of the French Huguenots refugees who fled there. Along the way, you will get a glimpse of the Ribault Monument and a very Instagrammable drive beneath the shade of canopy trees. You'll then end up in Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, one of Jacksonville's must-view city locations with plenty to explore for the whole family. It may be relatively short, but there is a ton to see here. Even if you do nothing other than roam around in your BMW XM, it's an excellent way to spend a Sunday or two. New Berlin Road up to Cedar Point Road Ever wanted to knock out a national, state, and city park all in the same day? This route will satisfy that itch. It's only 7 miles long, and takes you through more of the woods, marshes, and wetlands that Florida is so well known for. Birding enthusiasts, pay attention: Pumpkin Hill Preserve is part of this journey and gives you access to a pristine 4,000 acres replete with local species for your observation. Tree-Lined Neighborhoods along Riverside Avenue Florida is home to some of the oldest buildings in the United States, both from its French and Spanish colonizers and later settlers. Take this quaint neighborhood drive and enjoy some charming riverfront districts. Some of the architecture you'll spot has been there since the Great Fire that ravaged downtown Jacksonville in 1901. The city of Jacksonville even provides a self-guided tour so you can make a checklist of all the historic homes in the area. It's time to get yourself a BMW that lets you cruise these Sunday drives in style. Visit Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville in Jacksonville and take advantage of our latest offers.

Jacksonville, FL, has no shortage of picture-perfect photo spots; from beautiful natural areas to unique beaches, you are spoiled for choice. Gather your camera gear or your iPhone, hop behind the wheel of a sporty BMW 4 Series 430i Convertible,and explore some of the best places around the city to snap some fantastic photos. Drive on Over: 4 Great Photo Spots Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Big Talbot Island State Park It's impossible not to capture countless epic photos of the shimmering Atlantic Ocean, glorious golden beaches, and maritime forests in the magnificent Big Talbot Island State Park at State Road A1A North in Jacksonville. This beautiful sea island's pristine scenery offers perfect photo opportunities on Boneyard Beach, scattered with the skeletons of cedar trees and live oaks, and on Black Rock Beach, covered in rocks. Take pictures in the dappled light of the shady forests and in the maritime hammocks, where you can snap a few fantastic shots of the wildlife if you're lucky. more 2. Tree Hill Nature Center The breathtaking 51-acre Tree Hill Nature Center at 7152 Lone Star Road in Jacksonville is one of the best places in the city to take outdoor photos of natural scenery. Find ideal spots to capture the untouched wilderness on a stroll down one of the many picturesque paths and snap beautiful pictures along the way. Take large-scale landscape photographs from the raised wooden platform with an indigenous Florida floodplain backdrop, along the babbling spring-fed streams, and on a walk through the evergreen forests. 3. The St. Johns River Taxi Hop on the St. Johns River Taxi at the dock on 245 Riverside Avenue and cruise down the St. Johns River to take snapshots of the impressive Jacksonville skyline during the day and the twinkling lights on the water at night as you float by. While enjoying the taxi ride, you will have plenty of chances to snap amazing pictures at the various stops along both banks. Go on the taxi's special tours to grab the opportunity to take wonderful pics of Riverside Arts Market, dolphins frolicking in the water, and spectacular sunsets. 4. Jacksonville Farmers' Market The open-air Jacksonville Farmers' Market at 1810 West Beaver Street, about one mile west of historic Downtown Jacksonville, is great for photo sessions. It's also the ideal backdrop for fun family photos. This historic market has been open seven days a week since 1938 and is one of the biggest and oldest markets in North Florida. The market's colorful array of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, it's the perfect backdrop for some colorful photos. You can even get creative and snap some shots of your loved ones haggling with the vendors or browsing the arts and crafts booths. Jacksonville is the perfect place to take photographs, whether you want to take photos of the Jacksonville landscape, skyline, and wildlife or capture happy memories with your loved one. Before heading to capture beautiful photos, swing by Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville today for the best automotive services and excellent customer care.

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. more 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.