Budget

Getting there

St. Augustine is 385 miles from Atlanta; round-trip driving costs (at 20 miles per gallon of $4.05 gas) would be about $160. The Jacksonville Airport is a 45-minute drive north (53 miles). AirTran and Delta offer $79 one-way rates with 14-day advance purchase.

Stay

It's all about the miles of Atlantic beach at Anastasia State Park, 10 minutes from St. Augustine. Day visitors ($5 per vehicle) can enjoy birdwatching, kayaking, fishing, wind and water surfing and biking. Shaded camping spots are $25 per night. An annual pass is $42.50 individuals, $84.80 for a family. Pets welcome. 904-461-2033, www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia

Eat

A favorite for two decades is the Gypsy Cab Co. restaurant. Seafood, pasta, a signature chicken dish and daily specials are $15.50. Brunch items, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, are under $10. 828 Anastasia Blvd. 904-824-8244, www.gypsycab.com

Experience

A three-day Old Town Trolley pass ($18.90, adults; $7.20, ages 6-12; under 6, free) includes admission to the Florida Heritage Museum and unlimited use of the trolley, which makes 20 stops, plus rides on the bus to the beach. 1-800-213-2474, www.trustedtours.com

Take a ferry to Fort Matanzas National Monument, built around 1740 by the Spanish to protect the city from the British. The 35-passenger ferry departs some 15 miles south of St. Augustine. Ferry and island admission is free; donations accepted. 904-829-6506, Ext. 227; www.nps.gov/foma

Moderate

Getting there

Another fly-in option is Daytona Beach, about 48 miles south of St. Augustine. Nonstop Delta flights start from $153 each way with a 14-day notice.

Stay

Have it all at the BayFront Inn. The room have been renovated, the hotel is on the edge of the historic neighborhood, it's easy walking distance to shops and restaurants on St. George Street and it offers views of the bay, historic Lions Bridge and the lighthouse. Double room rates from $89 include continental breakfast and newspaper. 904-824-1681, www.bayfrontinn.com

Eat

Purple Olive, a family-run bistro in Seaside Plaza (4255 A1A South ), serves internationally inspired entrees with fresh homemade ingredients. Entrees from $14 to $23. Early-bird entrees (smaller entree with soup or salad and homemade bread) are $10-$12. from 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; closed Sundays- Mondays. 904-461-1250, www.purple-olive.com

Experience

Head to the Colonial Spanish Quarter, where re-enactors portray the daily life of Spanish soldiers and their families in 1740. Adults, $6.95; ages 6-17, $4.25; seniors, $5.95; family (two parents and related children ages 6-17), $16.95. 904-825-1000, www.historicstaugustine.com

Walking tours to haunted places include two cemeteries and bed-and-breakfast inns. Daily, $12 per person. www.ghosttoursofstaugustine.com. Or take a ghost tour in a hearse: $20, adult; $12, ages 6-12. 1-866-266-6641, www.ghostaugustine.com

Splurge

Getting there

A first class round-trip seat to Jacksonville on Delta goes for $736.

Stay

Savor the European atmosphere of America's oldest city with a stay at Casa Monica, built in 1888. This boutique hotel has a prime location and elegant dining options. Although there's a heated pool on-site, guests enjoy privileges at the Serenata Beach Club (between Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine), a private playground with three pools , indoor and outdoor dining and beach equipment rentals. Georgians showing a valid ID are offered rates from $159 on Sunday-Thursday arrivals through Aug. 31 (promo code "Florida"). 1-800-648-1888, www.casamonica.com

Eat

Collage (60 Hypolita St.) is down a charming cobblestone side street in a colonial neighborhood. The menu features local seafood, hand-cut steaks and a vast wine selection. Entrees from $26. Open daily. Book early. 904-829-0055, www.collagestaug.com

Experience

Ride the S/V Freedom, a 72-foot, double-masted replica of a blockade runner, on a sunset sail. Two hours, from $90 a couple. 904-810-1010, www.schoonerfreedom.com

Carnival will offer cruises from Jacksonville aboard the Fascination in September. Three-night sailings call at Freeport and Nassau in the Bahamas; four-night sailings stop in Key West, Fla., or a private island and Nassau. Per-person rates at Thanksgiving in a balcony suite (departs Nov. 24), from $999. 1-888-227-6482, www.carnival.com

> Maerz is a retired travel consultant. Look for her daily deals on ajc.com/travel.

Have a city you want to read about? E-mail ajmiller@ajc.com, and put "weekend in" in the subject line.