Jacksonville's Southside Info Blog

Archive for December, 2009

There are many great places to go on Jacksonville Florida’s Southside area. Here are a few that I have can recommend:

San Marco Theater
1996 San Marco Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 396-4845
http://sanmarcotheatre.com/
This is a lovely old theater that serves beer and wine as well as a food menu sandwiches and Quesadillas as well as the usual of hotdogs, chips, popcorn and more. The Theater has undergone a variety of changes over the years but it has maintained an intimate atmosphere and has very interesting architecture. The prices are fairly reasonable as far as going out goes and well worth the trip. The rent out the theater for group events during the say. The San Marco area is great little place to walk up and down the shops either before or after the show. During the holidays the lights and decorations look a little old-fashioned.

Another great place to go for an afternoon of fun for the family is MOSH. The Museum of Science and History is located on the Southbank next to Friendship Fountain. The Museum is still reasonably priced and fun with next exhibits every month. They, of course, have information available on the web:

MOSH
1025 Museum Circle
Jacksonville, Fl 32207
(904) 396-6674
http://www.themosh.org/home.html

We have updated the Retirement Community page with a listing of the Nursing Homes located on Jacksonville, Florida’s Southside Area.

Walking in a natural setting has been proven to reduce stress. And now-a-days we need all the stress reductions ideas that are FREE as we can get. One of those is walking in one of the many parks around town. I was just reading about one that I’m going to check out called the Castaway Island Preserve. It is located on San Pablo Road between Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard. That is on the eastern portion of the Jacksonville Southside Area but it looks to be worth the drive. Here are the particulars:

Castaway Island Preserve
2885 San Pablo Road South
Jacksonville, FL 32224

“The preserve is along the western shore of the Intracoastal Waterway and is adjacent to an intricate salt
marsh ecosystem. Visitors to the preserve will find themselves surrounded by the natural beauty of northeast
Florida. They may stroll along the park’s nature trails, enjoy a picnic with family and friends at one of several
picnic areas, get up close and personal with marshland wildlife from the wooden boardwalk or take in the breathtaking view from the park’s observation platform overlooking the waterway. Other amenities include a 3,000 square foot education center, floating canoe/kayak launch and information kiosk.”

Amenities offered at this park:
7 Benches
1 Canoe/Kayak Launch
50 Car Parking
4 Grills
10 Picnic Tables
1 Restrooms
0.3 Trails Paved (Miles)
1 Wildlife Observation Posts
Yes Drinking Fountain
Yes Perimeter Site Fencing
Yes Security Lighting
Yes Visitor/Interpretive Center

Another Place You might want to try would be the Forestry Tower Park. It is on the corner of Beach Boulevard and Forest Boulevards:

“Forestry Park offers six acres of fun for families and friends looking for a quiet place to picnic or bring the
children for playtime. Visitors to this neighborhood park may relax on one of its 18 benches or grill up some tasty treats on one of the two grills available for cooking out.

Forestry Tower Park Amenities:
18 benches
1 bike rack
2 grills
1 picnic shelter
7 picnic tables
14 parking spaces for automobiles
1 paved trail (0.5 miles)
3 playscape areas

5 trash receptacles