Choose the water first. The Old City bayfront works with a walking night. Vilano, the ocean, and Salt Run make more sense when the view is the reason for the drive.
Matanzas Bay from the Old City
Tini Martini Bar spreads onto the Casablanca Inn's front verandah over Matanzas Bay. A block south of the fort, Meehan's Irish Pub has an upstairs oyster bar and deck. O.C. White's adds a bayfront courtyard and a sunset setting near the marina.
The Tolomato River at Vilano
Aunt Kate's, Beaches at Vilano, and Cap's on the Water all publish docks and sunset views. Beaches adds recurring live music. Cap's and Aunt Kate's lean more toward a full meal beside the river.
The ocean at St. Augustine Beach and North Beach
Beachcomber is directly behind the dune at A Street. The Reef faces the Atlantic from North Beach. These are ocean choices, not riverfront rooms pretending the water is the same thing.
Salt Run, the San Sebastian River, and Six Mile Creek
The Conch House has grass huts over Salt Run and a marina on the same property. The BoatHouse faces the San Sebastian River with sunset views. Outback Crab Shack sits farther west on Six Mile Creek and publishes dock access.