503 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

One of the most popular stretches of coastline in Northeast Florida, Jacksonville Beach offers wide sandy shores and a lively boardwalk lined with shops and eateries. Start your visit with a walk along the pier, then explore the surrounding streets for casual cafés and seafood restaurants. It's roughly a 25–30-minute drive from downtown Jacksonville with your Hertz car rental and parking is available throughout the area. Stay a little longer to catch some waves if you’re into surfing. Or gaze at the sunset over the Atlantic when the sky reflects off the water and the beachfront takes on a warm and unhurried glow.

3630 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205

Tucked into the Avondale Historic District on Park Street, Restaurant Orsay is widely regarded as Jacksonville's finest dining destination. It’s a French bistro rooted in Parisian tradition but shaped by the American South. The menu blends classic brasserie staples like oysters, moules frites and steak frites with locally sourced ingredients and Southern inflections. The venue itself is warm and pleasant with wooden floors, exposed beams and a lively bar. Ideal for a relaxed weeknight dinner or a special occasion, note that you may need to book in advance.

39 Beach Lagoon Road, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034

Omni Jacksonville Hotel is one of downtown's standout hotels in the city that puts you at the heart of the action. Set one block from the banks of the St. Johns River, the hotel combines spacious, well-appointed rooms with a heated rooftop pool offering panoramic views across the city skyline and waterfront. It sits within easy walking distance of the Florida Theatre and the Riverwalk, making it well-suited to both leisure stays and business travel. Having a Hertz rental on hand means you're just as well placed to reach the beaches, Riverside and beyond.

60 miles & 45 minutes

Heading south, this drive connects Jacksonville with St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States, founded in 1565. The journey can be taken directly via I-95 or stretched out along the scenic A1A coastal highway, passing through Ponte Vedra Beach and the Guana River State Park. Once there, explore the Spanish colonial architecture of the historic district, visit Castillo de San Marcos or simply wander the cobblestone streets at your own pace.

115 miles & 1.5 – 2 hours

Heading southwest, this drive brings you to one of Florida's most extraordinary natural landmarks, Silver Springs State Park near Ocala. The park is best known for its iconic glass-bottom boat tours which have been running since the 1870s. Beyond the boats, enjoy kayaking and canoeing activities along a crystal-clear river, and hiking trails through 5,000 acres of woodland. You could spot alligators, manatees and even a population of wild rhesus monkeys living along the riverbanks.

140 miles & 2 – 2.5 hours

Set out for Savannah on a drive that takes you north through Georgia's coastal lowlands, past marshes draped in Spanish moss and quiet historic towns. The route runs mostly along I-95, with optional stops at the Cumberland Island ferry in St. Mary's or the Golden Isles. Once you arrive in Savannah, take in the beautiful squares and antebellum architecture of one of the South's most cultural city centers.