We kicked off summer break with a stay-cation in Atlantic Beach. Yes, like 5 minutes from home! And it was perfect. We stayed at Hotel Palms and walked everywhere all weekend. Hotel Palms is a motor court style hotel that was built in 1947 and completely renovated a few years ago. Back in the 40’s and 50’s, motor court inns dotted the beach area, but now Hotel Palms is one of only two hotels that have maintained the historical integrity of the era. I love all things retro, so staying at this character-infused hotel is always a treat! (You can see pictures from our stay before the renovation here.) The hotel is located just a few blocks from the busy Beaches Town Center, so we opted to walk to everywhere – the beach, local shops, dinner, and even breakfast one morning.

Some of my favorite local restaurants are in the Atlantic Beach area, so we ate good all weekend! But my favorite meal was breakfast on Saturday morning at Southern Grounds & Co., a local coffee shop. Their coffee is just as delicious as I’d hoped it would be, but they don’t just stop at coffee; they also serve a full chef curated menu, and feature live music in their courtyard throughout the week. It’s obvious from the constant crowd of locals gathered in the courtyard that Southern Grounds isn’t just a coffee shop, it’s a neighborhood hub. They host “Yappy Hour” every week when they place doggie pools all over the courtyard and serve hand made dog treats. The event is always a hit, and the courtyard quickly fills up with beaches-area dogs and their owners! Southern Grounds also supports local charities like The Jay Fund, that helps families fight childhood cancer.

But let me tell you about the locally sourced food, because y’all know food is one of my favorite topics. 🙂 We enjoyed a Honey B Lavender Latte, a Nitro Cold Brew, Eggs Benedict, Avocado Toast, Goat Cheese, Pear & Honey Tartine, Heirloom Tomato Tartine, fresh fruit, pancakes, and Peaches & Cream. Does that sound like a lot of food? IT WAS! And we enjoyed each and every dish! My absolute favorite was the Peaches & Cream. I know you’re all planning a trek to the beach this weekend, because I’ve made you hungry! But guess what? Soon you’ll be able to check out the brand new Southern Grounds & Co. San Marco location! It’s set to open later this month, and we’re excited to see the new restaurant!

If you have family and friends visiting the area, this is THE place for them to stay and enjoy the local Jacksonville beaches vibe. Or if you’re like us and just want to enjoy a little stay-cation, we definitely recommend Atlantic Beach. It feels like a getaway even if you’re only a few miles from home!

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