Saturday--Play All Day
Eight flags have flown over the island,
starting with the French in 1562. Celebrate that heritage by ordering
French toast at Marina Seafood Restaurant, one of the few restaurants in
town that cooks up the first meal of the day. A full breakfast starts
around $3.
For golfers who want to squeeze in a round, The Ritz sports lush,
private fairways ($130 greens fee on weekends before 3 p.m.). Royal
Amelia ($60) and North Hampton ($65) are gorgeous semiprivate courses
that won't put your budget in a hole. The island also boasts a fantastic
public course, Fernandina Beach Golf Club ($40).
Plenty of activities remain other than chasing little white balls
through palmettos. If you're not ensconced at an oceanfront property,
make your way to one of Amelia's public areas, Main Beach or American
Beach. If you aim to pull your meal out of the water, you can catch
everything from Spanish mackerel to pompano right here. Bait & Tackle
gladly rents the equipment you need, all for $20. The shop's owner,
Capt. Jim Johnson, can take up to six people tarpon fishing (prices
range $275-$425).
To land a fish sandwich the easy way, eat lunch at The Surf. The
outside seating (often accompanied by live music) relaxes, as do the
drinks they serve, such as the Cookie Monster and Bahama Mama.
Sandwiches run about $7.50, but big eaters might want to order the
Seafood Platter ($20).
Use the afternoon to shop the charming stores of Palmetto Walk,
about 11 ½ miles west of The Ritz-Carlton. If you need another exciting
diversion, consider learning to sail. Windward Sailing School teaches
weekend courses in coastal navigation, basic seamanship, chartering, and
so forth.
For dinner, Baxter's elegant dining delights visitors. The refined
atmosphere doesn't negate its beach setting. People feel comfortable
milling about in Hawaiian shirts. The best part about this place is that
it's open till 11 p.m.