Where to Stay in Jacksonville (Best Places, by a Local)

9 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Jacksonville

Jacksonville covers almost 850 square miles, with more than 500 neighborhoods. The Riverside Avondale neighborhood, San Marco, and Downtown Jacksonville are all within a short drive of one another. Most of the trendy bars and restaurants in the city can be found in those three areas. Jacksonville Beach and the surrounding neighborhoods are closer to St. Augustine. Areas like Fernandina Beach are a 40+ minute drive. 

Deciding where to stay will vary by person, of course. Below, I’ll share nine of Jacksonville’s most popular areas to stay.

Downtown Jacksonville

👉 Best Area For First Time Visitors | ✨ Best Downtown Jacksonville Hotels: Marriott Jacksonville Downtown • Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront • Homewood Suites by Hilton Jacksonville-Downtown/Southbank

Downtown Jacksonville is a centralized location that provides easy access to San Marco and the Riverside-Avondale neighborhoods. You can drive just twenty to thirty minutes to reach the Jacksonville Beaches. Plus, it’s minutes away from the St. John’s River and short drives from most areas of the city.

Adults looking for nightlife will find several bars and nightclubs in and around the downtown region. There are local parks for more family-friendly outings, and EverBank Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is here. I’m also a big fan of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimps games, held at VyStar Ballpark, which is a short walk or bike ride from EverBank Stadium.

Downtown is home to several top attractions. Staying here means you will be within walking distance of the Museum of Contemporary Art, the James Weldon Johnson Park, and the Florida Theatre.

The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront is a particularly well-located hotel along the St. John’s River.

Overall, Downtown Jacksonville is the best place to stay for first-time visitors.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Jacksonville:

• Central location
• Local businesses and restaurants
• Monthly events

Cons of Staying in Downtown Jacksonville:

• Difficult to find parking
• Business heavy
• Not as much nature as in other areas of Jacksonville

Jacksonville Beach

👉 Best Area Near the Beaches | ✨ Best Jacksonville Beach Hotels: Dune House Hotel and Spa • Margaritaville Beach Hotel • Hampton Inn Oceanfront Jacksonville Beach • Holiday Inn Express

Jacksonville Beach is perfect for adding that tropical touch to your trip. As you walk near the beach, you’ll pass colorful houses and local gems like the Caffeinated Cat cafe. This area is known for its lively bar scene and restaurants, and outdoor activities like surfing, fishing, and parasailing. 

Dune House Hotel and Spa is eleven minutes from Jacksonville Beach and right on the sands of Atlantic Beach. It’s more expensive than other options, but the view and amenities are top-notch. If that’s not in your budget, Margaritaville Beach Hotel is a great budget hotel.

The major downside to staying here is the 20+ minute drive to most of the city’s attractions. The Jacksonville Beaches are, especially during traffic, a decent-length drive from Jacksonville proper and what it has to offer.

Jacksonville Beach might be on the pricier side, but there are budget-friendly food options and activities. Walking the Jacksonville Beach Pier is an inexpensive activity, and Angie’s Subs is a budget-friendly place to eat. For families, Adventure Landing is a great place to bring kids. 

For more information on this area, see my full guide to where to stay at Jacksonville Beach.

Pros of Staying in Jacksonville Beach:

• Easy access to the water
• Lots of great restaurants and bars
• Lively nightlife

Cons of Staying in Jacksonville Beach:

• Expect busy nights and lots of traffic
• Hotels can be expensive
• A drive from most Jacksonville attractions

Jacksonville’s Southside

👉 Best Area For Shoppers | ✨ Best Southside Hotels: Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel • Hyatt Place Jacksonville St. Johns Town Center • Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville Deerwood Park

Jacksonville’s Southside is the home of the St. Johns Town Center, the most popular place to shop in the city. The Southside is the perfect place to stay if you’re a traveler looking to shop or traveling with a family.

Hotels like the Sheraton Jacksonville are fifteen minutes from Jacksonville Beach and just five minutes from the St. Johns Town Center. 

This area provides convenient access to cultural attractions, stores, and restaurants. The Jacksonville Arboretum and the Alhambra Theatre are both within ten minutes of the St. Johns Town Center.

The Southside is popular and crowded, and construction is commonly ongoing in the area. Like most of Jacksonville, you’ll need a car to get around. But, if you have access to a vehicle, Jacksonville’s Southside is within thirty minutes of the Jacksonville Zoo, the Jacksonville International Airport, and trendy areas like San Marco.

Pros of Staying in Jacksonville’s Southside:

• Family-friendly
• Over 180 retailers to shop from in the St. Johns Town Center
• Several fitness centers
• Near Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach

Cons of Staying in Jacksonville’s Southside:

• Other than the St. Johns Town Center, the Southside isn’t walkable
• There seems to always be construction in the area
• Crowded
• Lots of traffic

The Riverside Avondale Neighborhood

👉 Best Area For Art & Culture | ✨ Best Riverside Avondale Hotels: Residence Inn by Marriott Jacksonville Downtown • Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank • Southbank Hotel by Marriott Jacksonville Riverwalk

Riverside showcases the art and culture of the city better than anywhere else. If you’re looking to feel like a local, this is the neighborhood for you.

Check out historic Five Points, with its eclectic restaurants and vintage shops. Visit bakeries and comic book shops on King Street. Both Memorial Park and the St. Johns River are within a short walk or bike ride. 

The Riverside Avondale neighborhood is more walkable and bikeable than most areas. Park Street, King Street, and Herschel are all relatively easy to traverse without a vehicle. The area is also fairly central, ten minutes from San Marco and Downtown, and less than thirty to Jacksonville Beach.

One downside to Riverside is that most of the city’s hotels–particularly the high-rated ones–are closer to Downtown than the Riverside Avondale Neighborhood. Residence Inn by Marriott Jacksonville Downtown is the closest to the Cummer Museum of Art and Five Points. 

Southbank Hotel by Marriott Jacksonville Riverwalk is over the Fuller Warren Bridge and near San Marco. The hotel is also nicely situated right along the St. Johns River.

For shopping, I recommend Five Points Vintage and the Shoppes of Avondale. For food, Restaurant Orsay is a French bistro perfect for a date night. If you’re looking for a drink, both River & Post and Hoptinger have roof-top bars. Keg and Coin has darts and arcade machines for anyone interested in retro games.

Pros of Staying in The Riverside Avondale Neighborhood:

• Artsy
• LGBTQ+ Friendly
• Diverse
• Walkable
• Events and concerts
• Local food and trendy shops
• Vibrant nightlife
• Historic

Cons of Staying in The Riverside Avondale Neighborhood:

• Busy on weekends
• Hotels are closer to Downtown than in the heart of the neighborhood
• Loud
• Older buildings have poor ventilation
• Floods easily during rainy weather

San Marco

👉 Best Area For House Rentals | ✨ Best San Marco Hotels: Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank • Hampton Inn Jacksonville – I-95 Central

San Marco is a historic neighborhood only minutes from Downtown and Riverside-Avondale. There are fewer hotels in San Marco, but there are plenty of charming house rentals here, perfect for any traveler looking for local comfort.

San Marco Square has become one of the trendiest shopping and dining areas in Jacksonville. Restaurants like Taverna, Oceana, and the Town Hall Restaurant line one side of the square. Unique shops like The Write Touch, San Marco Bookstore, and The Spice & Tea Exchange line the other. In the middle of it all is the Three Lions Fountain.

San Marco is a great area to take pictures and see local art. You’ll also find the St. Johns River and multiple small parks within biking distance of San Marco Square. 

Pros of Staying in San Marco Neighborhood:

• Historic area
• Several restaurants and stores
• Views of St. Johns River
• Multiple nearby parks

Cons of Staying in San Marco Neighborhood:

• This area can be expensive
• Limited parking
• Fewer hotels
• Only a somewhat walkable area

Ponte Vedra Beach

👉 Best Area For Calmer Beaches | ✨ Best Ponte Vedra Beach Hotels: Ponte Vedra Inn and Club • The Lodge & Club at Ponte Vedra Beach • Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra

Ponte Vedra Beach is known for seashells, luxury, sunny Florida beaches, and local food. Ponte Vedra is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for fine dining before you go kayaking.

The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club is right on the coastline and highly rated by couples. Ponte Vedra Beach is close to Mickler’s Landing and Jacksonville Beach, but not quite as loud.

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve is also in this area and a great place to visit for animal lovers. 

Ponte Vedra Beach is expensive when compared to some other neighborhoods in Jacksonville. But, if amenities and beaches are priorities for you when looking for where to stay, you can’t go wrong staying in this neighborhood.

Pros of Staying in Ponte Vedra Beach:

• Stellar beach
• Luxury hotel options
• Near other Jacksonville beaches

Cons of Staying in Ponte Vedra Beach:

• Expensive
• A vehicle is needed to get around

Atlantic Beach

👉 Best Area For More Beach Access | ✨ Best Atlantic Beach Hotels: Hotel Palms • Best Western Mayport Inn and Suites • Atlantic Beach Resort, a Ramada by Wyndham

Atlantic Beach’s golden sands and quieter atmosphere make it a great place to stay. It’s only four miles north of Jacksonville Beach and makes for a short drive to the same attractions. It’s closer to the airport, at only a little over a thirty-minute drive. 

Hotel Palms is close to the waters of both Atlantic and Neptune Beach and offers 5-star accommodations. It’s also near the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club. 

Note that Atlantic, Neptune, and Jacksonville Beach are all situated one after the other. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish whether your favorite restaurant or shop is in one area or the other.

Visit Poe’s Tavern if you’re looking for a unique atmosphere to eat. The Local and Coop 303 are pricier, more date-oriented options for dinner.

Pros of Staying in Atlantic Beach:

• Quieter than Jacksonville Beach
• Short drive to Mickler’s Landing or Jacksonville Beach
• Good waves

Cons of Staying in Atlantic Beach:

• Not as many luxurious options as Fernandina Beach or Ponte Vedra Beach
• Difficult to find parking

Amelia Island

👉 Best Area For Luxury | ✨ Best Amelia Island Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton • Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island • Elizabeth Pointe Lodge

Amelia Island is a gorgeous place to stay if you’re looking for a luxurious vacation. Just note it is a forty-minute drive to Jacksonville. But there are many pristine beaches and opportunities for outdoor activities or fine dining around Amelia Island.

The Ritz-Carlton ocean resort is directly on Fernandina Beach. The Golf Club of Amelia Island is directly on-site. The luxury hotel offers a hot tub, an outdoor pool, and five restaurants. Some rooms have views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Elizabeth Pointe Lodge offers a private beach and rooms with a large marble soaking tub.  The Amelia Island Museum and the Fort Clinch State Park are both within three miles of the lodge, the park being only a five minute walk. 

For more options, see my guide to where to stay on Amelia Island.

Pros of Staying in Amelia Island:

• Beautiful beaches
• Opportunities for fishing and boating
• Golfing
• Quiet, local town

Cons of Staying in Amelia Island:

• If you’re visiting Jacksonville, it’s roughly an hour away with traffic
• Hotels are expensive
• Duller nightlife

St. Augustine

👉 Best Area For Tourism & History | ✨ Best St. Augustine Hotels: The Collector Inn • DoubleTree by Hilton St. Augustine Historic District • Casa Monica Resort & Spa

St. Augustine is a great place about an hour away from Jacksonville for tourists looking to take photographs or explore its buzzing downtown area. The Castillo de San Marcos and the Fountain of Youth offer interesting exhibits and programs. Vilano Beach, north of downtown, is an underrated and gorgeous beach to spend the day on.

The Collector Inn is a fantastic, adults-only hotel in St. Augustine. It offers historical tours provided throughout the week and a heated outdoor pool to relax in. 

Both The Collector Inn and the DoubleTree are within a couple of miles of Flagler College and the historic district.

Staying in the historic district means you’ll be within walking distance of many restaurants and shops. You can also easily walk from the historic distance and over the Bridge of Lions, sightseeing and shopping wherever your trip takes you.

I’ve written an entire guide to where to stay in St. Augustine to help you pick the perfect spot here.

Pros of Staying in St. Augustine:

• Great area for history lovers
• Several different museums and attractions
• Great food
• Walkable downtown

Cons of Staying in St. Augustine:

• Almost an hour from Jacksonville
• Tourist heavy
• Most restaurants and attractions will have lengthy wait times on the weekends

Tips for Staying in Jacksonville

Look Up Parking Before Visiting Somewhere New

Parking in Jacksonville can feel near-impossible, depending on where and the time of day. Sometimes events on the opposite end of the massive city will disrupt whatever’s happening where you are. 

Parking is especially an issue in Downtown or the Riverside Avondale Neighborhood. You can easily spend twenty minutes in some Jacksonville neighborhoods looking for a place to park that doesn’t block someone’s driveway. 

My best advice is to plan ahead. Google is helpful for checking restaurant or museum busyness/wait times. If you’re not shy, ask a local. We’re normally more than willing to point someone in the right direction of where to find parking.

Pack Sunscreen

If you’re looking to go to the beach, you’re probably leaving with a sunburn. That’s the way it is. Pack sandals, and always pack sunscreen. 

Jacksonville’s beautiful beaches are great fun, but the heat can be unbearable. If you aren’t prepared, the beach and sun will make sure they leave a lasting impression in more than one way.

Think About What Season You Want to Visit Jacksonville

Where you choose to stay is important, but don’t forget to think about when you want to visit. 

Summer can reach 100°F. The humidity can be particularly intense. If you’re a beach-goer, this shouldn’t be too big of a problem, but keep the heat in mind if traveling with children or pets.

Unfortunately, Autumn is very brief, and the temperature only starts to drop around mid-October.

Winter still has 80°F days, but can also get down into the 30°F region. I love going to the beach on the colder Florida days. The beaches in winter are a little more gray and a lot less swimmable, but they are still beautiful to look at. Taking long walks on the beach during the winter is one of my favorite activities.

Despite the brief winters, don’t make the mistake of thinking there aren’t things to do during the holidays. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the St. Augustine Night of Lights, and the Blackhawk Bluff Christmas Lights Display on Girvin are all fantastic winter attractions, especially for families.

For more, see my full guide to the best time of year to visit Jacksonville.

Avoid the Seagulls on the Beaches

I know this sounds silly, but seriously, the seagulls will try to get your food and attack you. They are not shy. I’ve tried every tip to get them to go away, and avoiding them entirely is the only thing that has worked!

Check the Weather

The weather in Jacksonville can be erratic. Some days will cycle through rain and sunshine multiple times before nightfall, and the temperature changes with it. Especially during the winter, you can go from a coat to a t-shirt and back to a coat before you settle in for the day. Pack accordingly.

Stay Sharp

Like anywhere in the world, be aware of your surroundings in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville has some wonderful places and I’ve only had a few concerns for my safety in the 20+ years I’ve lived here. But the crime rate is 65.8% higher than the Florida crime rate and 52.1% higher than in the rest of the United States. 

While Jacksonville is safe for travel overall, you need to use common sense. Especially in areas like Downtown or Jacksonville Beach, make sure you’re being careful and staying sharp.

It’s best to be with friends or family if walking around the city at night. Keep your wallet or purse near you and be aware of what’s around you.

FAQs

Where is the best place to stay for families?

Jacksonville’s Southside is the best place for families to stay. The St. Johns Town Center has plenty of shopping and dining, and the beaches are a short drive away.

What are the safest areas to stay in Jacksonville?

The Southside has newer suburbs than most of Jacksonville and is a relatively safe place to stay. 

What is the best area to stay in Jacksonville without a car?

The Riverside Avondale Neighborhood is the best area for those without a car because it offers a lot to do and frequent access to Uber drivers.

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Thank you for reading my guide! Keep planning with my 3-day preplanned Jacksonville itinerary.