Art Deco beach town a few miles from downtown St. Augustine
The faded pastels and stylized motifs of Vilano Beach’s signature buildings are right out of Old Miami. The beach community’s iconic Art Deco details adorn local icons like the Magic Beach Hotel, set of the 1999 TV show Safe Harbor. "It's very community-oriented with a retro vibe," says local Realtor Katherine Shearer of Endless Summer Realty. She was born and raised in St. Augustine. "You have these older motels that still look like they're from the 1960s." Commercial hotels and stores, like the local Publix and Hyatt, have Art Deco facades, blending in with the town’s retro flair. “It’s an eclectic beach town with a small, old-timey feel,” says Luke Newcomer, local Realtor and owner of The Newcomer Group. Newcomer has sold homes in the area for nearly a decade. “But you still get great views of Historic Downtown right nearby.” Vilano Beach is about 5 miles from the heart of St. Augustine, on an island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Tolomato River. Its location along the water promotes frequent fishing tournaments, and its strong current is great for surfing and skimboarding.