Discover everything Northeast Florida has to offer with this selection of motorcycle rides in Jacksonville, FL. Jacksonville is the largest city in Northern Florida, and it offers the perfect combination of river and coastal scenery. This makes it an epic setting for motorcycle rides along the beach and under old mossy oak trees. The REVER team has scouted mile after mile of the area to uncover the best rides in the area. All you need to do is download the REVER App, pick a route and fire up your bike.
Motorcycle routes in Jacksonville, FL are well-suited to riders of every skill level. The warm Florida climate makes this a year-round riding destination for vacationers and snow birds alike. We do advise riders pack rain gear for the frequent Florida rainstorms. In addition, breathable riding gear is a must for the common hot, muggy days. Once you're geared up, we've designed the perfect tool to pair with motorcycle rides in Jacksonville, Florida in the REVER App. It is free to sign up, and it only takes seconds to find the best roads in the region. Power up your experience by joining REVER Pro anytime. You'll need the advanced features like turn by turn navigation, weather alerts and mobile route planning to experience North Florida to the fullest. Best of all, it only costs the equivalent of pocket change each month!
Jacksonville, or Jax as the locals call it, offers plenty of attractions to pair with a motorcycle tour. Catch a Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp minor league game in the summer, or visit EverBank Field in the fall to see the Jaguars play. The city offers a wide selection of parks, zoos and museums as well. Jacksonville is also famous for its craft brewing scene. Stop by local breweries like Bold City, Intuition Ale Works, Aardwolf, Engine 15, Veterans United and Pinglehead to sample some of the local brews. Finally, no trip to Florida is complete without a ride to the beach and some fresh seafood to match. Don't worry, we've picked out plenty of both along each route below.
Explore the northern reaches of Florida including the unspoiled Timucuan wetlands on this hour ride from Jacksonville Beach to Fernandina Beach. The Florida A1A is a scenic coastal byway that runs almost the entire length of the Atlantic coast of Florida. It is also the main route through most beach towns, which makes it a must-ride road in any part of the state. This route tackles the northernmost section of the A1A, and there is plenty to see along the way. Before you head out, Jacksonville beach offers several great restaurants so you don't have to ride on an empty stomach. Grab some seafood at Salt Life Food Shack, or enjoy some BBQ and live music at MOJO Kitchen BBQ Pit & Blues Bar. When ready, begin at the intersection of Highway 90 and the A1A heading north towards Neptune Beach, FL. The nearby Jacksonville Beach Pier offers views of the ocean if you want to pull off and check it out. Otherwise head through Neptune Beach as the A1A ducks west away from the coast.
Stay on the A1A to ride by Chicopit Bay and the St. Johns River past the Mayport Airport. You'll cross over the St. Johns River west on the Mayport Ferry. Singleton's Seafood Shack is near the ferry if you want to eat before crossing over. Once on Fort George Island, continue north on the A1A past the marinas and surf shops. Huguenot Memorial Park on your right offers unique views of the coast, and there is a campground nearby. Soon you'll pass over the Fort George River into Little Talbot State Park. There is a scenic drive near the coast and bathrooms if you need a break. The entire area here is undeveloped, and it offers a great opportunity to bird watch and hike the wetland and coastal areas. The nearby Timucuan Ecological Preserve offers a unique glimpse into the once-untouched Atlantic coast of the past. Salt marshes and coastal dunes in this area make for an unforgettable ride. Learn more about the park at the NPS Timucuan Preserve website.
Soon the A1A will take you past Boneyard Beach. This unique stop gets its name from the large amount of driftwood washed up on the beach. Cross the bridge onto Amelia Island, and then park to check out the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier. This mile long walking bridge spans the Nassau River and is a worthy photo spot. Once in American Beach, pull off to see the Nana Dune, the largest sand dune in Florida. There are several more beach access areas to explore along the A1A as you ride into Fernandina Beach. Stop at Sliders Seaside Grill for views of the ocean and crispy fried shrimp. If you need a break from seafood, T-Rays Burger Station is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. When you're finished eating, make sure to visit Fort Clinch State Park to see a Civil War era fort along the Amelia River and Florida Georgia state line. Finally, finish off the day with a stop at Marlin & Barrel Distillery to taste some local spirits and learn about the distilling process.
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While the previous route took us to the Florida Georgia line on the A1A, this route to Ormond Beach heads south to one of the premier motorcycle destinations in America – Daytona Beach. Begin this route south of Highway 90 on the famous A1A. Before you head out, get ready for the day with a meal at Jax Beach Brunch Haus. In the southern part of town, the A1A becomes a four lane highway as you comfortably cruise past the Guana River canals. Once you cross the river, leave the city behind to see the rural seaside landscape. Enjoy the long ride through the Guana River Wildlife area. Uncrowded beaches abound in this area as you ride the strip of land between the river and the ocean. Take a left off the A1A to check out Cap's On The Water that features oysters and seafood by the side of the Tolomato River. Or Aunt Kate's in the area cooks up alligator tail if you want to try this local specialty. Don't miss the Otttis Castle on your right that was constructed to mirror the Irish castles of old. As you pass through Vilano Beach, bear west along the A1A back onto the mainland.
An intriguing dose of history awaits in St. Augustine, FL. This city is the site of the oldest European settlement in America, and you can see the Spanish influence of the city at Castillo de San Marcos. This fort was finished in 1695, and it's a worthwhile stop to see the old stone walls and ramparts. For visitor information, visit the NPS Castillo de San Marcos website. Several more museums are located in the city including the Lightner Museum and the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum. You'll also see plenty of references to the Fountain of Youth. Ponce de Leon is believed to have landed here while searching for the fabled fountain. Staying on the A1A out of St. Augustine, cross the unique Bridge Of Lions into Anastasia, FL. There are several more restaurant options here, and you can stretch your legs on the St. Johns Fishing Pier to see more of St. Augustine Beach.
Continue down along the A1A past another old Spanish fortification at Fort Matanzas. This fort built in 1740 protected the southern approach to St. Augustine. There are marshes and sand dunes to explore in the area as well. Visit the NPS Fort Matanzas website for more visitor information. Cross the Matanzas Inlet Bridge, and then ride along the Matanzas River south towards Palm Coast, FL. If you take a left, there is an old section of the A1A you can ride to see the original route before it was rebuilt. Next up, Washington Oaks Gardens is worth a stop before you get to Palm Coast. The park is famous for its Coquina rocks jutting out into the ocean. These rocks are made almost entirely of the remains of shellfish. Soon you'll arrive in Flagler Beach, and make sure to hit a waterfront restaurant while making a stop at one of the local beaches. The final stretch of this route takes you past the wetlands of Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve into Ormond Beach. Now you're just a few miles from Daytona Beach. Be sure to visit our guide to the area in the REVER Central Florida Rides section.
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Ride the banks of the St. Johns River in this hour-long ride named for America's first natural-born botanist. Florida has 26 scenic highways, and while routes along the coast often steal the show, the William Bartram Scenic Byway is a hidden gem. Bartram was an ornithologist and botanist that was one of the first to explore and record the natural beauty of Florida. So when you head out on this route, expect an escape from the crowded cities into the scenery of old Florida. Ancient oak trees covered with moss hang over much of the highway, and there is no other ride like it in the state. The scenic byway begins on Highway 13 in Mandarin, FL. Before you cross the Julington Creek Bridge, take a short detour east on Julington Creek Road to see Clark's Fish Camp. This unique lunch spot feels more like a museum with its detailed wood carvings and mounted animals. Plus you can see live gator feedings to animal residents like Lily the Gator.
Now let's get back to the Julington Creek Bridge and the route. Head south on Highway 13 to begin the William Bartram Scenic Byway. This area is dotted with towns like Fruit Cove that used to house large fruit plantations. Today most areas have reverted back to the natural landscape, but the agricultural heritage remains. Be sure to stop at Alpine Groves Park to see the mangrove trees and fishing pier along the St. Johns River. The town of Switzerland, FL offers some historic sites as well. There are several old mansions along the river and an old cemetery to explore as you ride through town. Shortly after Switzerland, there is another can't-miss destination at Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ. The place might not look like much, but it is one of the highest-rated BBQ joints in the entire state. More natural beauty awaits as you follow the banks of the St. Johns River down to Spuds, FL to finish up the route.
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Head southwest of Jacksonville to visit Gainesville and tour the nearby lakes and parks on this short hour ride. Gainesville, FL is the home to the University of Florida and the site of seven nearby state parks. There is plenty of natural beauty and museums to explore, and downtown Gainesville offers a famous live music scene with unique restaurants. Start or finish your ride with a slice at Satchel's Pizza or BBQ at Adam's Rib Company. Then gas up for the ride, and begin south of town on Highway 441. You'll ride alongside Paynes Prairie, one of the several unique landscapes in the area. Pass by Lake Wauburg to see the Paynes Park entrance. There is camping available here at the Puc Puggy Campground. For some home style goodies, pop into Mosswood Farm Store in Micanopy, FL. Next, take a left on Highway 346 to cross over Orange Lake into the Lochloosa Wildlife area. Hang a right onto Highway 325 to head southeast into Cross Creek, FL. The Yearling Restaurant here offers southern favorites like catfish and frog legs. The restaurant is named for the famous work of local writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings who wrote about rural Florida life. You can visit her rustic house in town as well.
Continue on through Micanopy and wind around the south edge of Lochloosa Lake. Next up, get on Highway 301 north towards Lochloosa, FL. There are several trailheads here if you want to explore the wetlands near the lake. Your next destination is Hawthorne, FL. Once there, take the exit left onto Highway 20. More lakeside BBQ awaits in town at Dianne's Old Time Barbeque. Exit south off Highway 20 onto 234 at Rochelle, FL to ride more lake country back to Micanopy. This will wrap the loop, and you can head back into Gainesville to catch some live music, or make the trek back on Highway 301 to Jacksonville.
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