Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions about both the rental process and St. Augustine in general. If you have a question we haven't covered, please get in touch — call 904-429-7373 or email info@firstchoiceflorida.com.
- How do we book a vacation rental?
- How about pet-friendly vacation rentals?
- What amenities does the rental home offer?
- Do you offer long-term beach rentals?
- Can you help us with St. Augustine real estate?
- Do you handle investment property management?
- What are the general rules for the beaches?
- Why should we visit St. Augustine?
- What are some of your favorite attractions or things to do?
- Coffee makers in our rentals
How do we book a vacation rental?
All of the properties shown on our website are available for booking. You can sort and filter them by location and by the area of St. Augustine you want to stay in. When you find a home you'd like to rent, you'll find a Reserve Now button on its page. Press that and you'll be presented with a calendar where you can choose your dates.
Online checkout is processed through a secure, PCI-compliant hosted payment page — we never store your card details on our own servers. Most major cards are accepted.
Prefer to book by phone? Call our booking line at 904-429-7373 and we'll be glad to help you reserve your rental. You can also find us on Facebook at facebook.com/firstchoiceflorida.
How about pet-friendly vacation rentals?
We know that sometimes bringing the whole family means bringing the dog. Many — though not all — of our homes are pet-friendly. You can browse the homes that accept pets on our Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals page.
Pet fees vary by home. Because each property is individually owned, the pet fee, deposit, and any size or breed limits are set per home and shown on that property's listing (or we'll confirm them when you book). The pet fee covers a thorough post-stay cleaning so the home is fresh for the next guests, including those with allergies.
Our basic pet guidelines apply at every pet-friendly home:
- Acceptance is based on size, breed, and age, and there's a limit on the number of pets — check the specific home's listing.
- Cleaning up after your pet is your responsibility, indoors and out.
- Dogs should be leashed whenever they're outside the rental unit.
- Pets should be kept off the furniture, including beds.
- Dogs prone to long periods of barking can't be accepted.
- If a complaint arises, the pet may need to be boarded for the remainder of the stay.
If those simple rules work for you and your pet, we'd love to host you both. Call us at 904-429-7373 with any questions about a specific home's pet policy.
What amenities does the rental home offer?
Each of our properties is unique in what it offers. We've tried to be thorough in the descriptions on each property's information page, with as many photos as we can provide — please review a home's listing carefully before booking so you know exactly what's included.
Every home comes with the basic essentials: bed and bath linens, working kitchen appliances, and everything you need for dining. Trash cans are provided, along with starter supplies such as trash bags, dish soap, bathroom tissue, and paper towels.
Because all of our homes are individually owned, anything beyond the essentials is provided at the owner's discretion. You may find beach chairs and umbrellas, bikes, fishing poles, boogie boards, extra small kitchen appliances, or DVD and Blu-ray players. Some homes keep a "visitor pantry" where you can take something or leave something. These extras vary from home to home, so check the listing or ask us if a particular item matters to your stay.
Do you offer long-term beach rentals?
Some of our homes are available for longer stays, though none offer year-round housing. Call the office at 904-429-7373 to check availability for an extended stay. For true long-term rentals, we work with Susan Binninger of Ocean Breeze Real Estate to find St. Augustine rentals that fit your needs.
Can you help us with St. Augustine real estate?
Yes. First Choice Florida Vacation Rentals works hand in hand with Susan Binninger of Ocean Breeze Real Estate, our partner for real estate sales and long-term rentals across St. Johns County. Susan and the Ocean Breeze team know the local market thoroughly and can guide you through buying, selling, or long-term leasing. You can arrange an appointment through our office at 904-429-7373 or info@firstchoiceflorida.com.
Once you've made your investment, we can help you turn it into a successful rental property. Ocean Breeze handles long-term rental homes and sales; First Choice manages short-term vacation rentals.
Do you handle investment property management?
We do. First Choice Florida has been involved in St. Augustine vacation rental management since 1998, and our partnership with Ocean Breeze Real Estate covers the sales and long-term side. That depth of local experience is a real advantage — we know the cleaning companies, the AC repair crews, the lawn services, and the vendors who actually show up, so we can resolve issues faster than a management team without those roots.
We give owners a hands-on, boutique level of attention and guests a seamless experience, from our extensive web presence to easy check-in. You can sit back and let us handle what your home needs. See our Property Management page for the full picture, or get in touch with any questions.
What are the general rules for the beaches?
All of our homes are in St. Johns County, Florida. The county's beaches are commonly divided into several areas — Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, and Summer Haven — plus the South Ponte Vedra stretch to the north. Rules and access can differ from one stretch to another. For example, some beaches allow vehicle access, but only weather permitting and seasonally, with restrictions during sea turtle nesting season.
All beaches share the same basic rules:
- No alcoholic beverages
- No glass containers
- Do not disturb the sand dunes
- No open fires
- No overnight camping
- Pets must be leashed
- No loud music
- No commercial activity
- Do not touch or disturb wildlife
- No littering
- No fireworks
Signs are posted at each public beach entry point. Please familiarize yourself with the rules for the particular stretch of beach nearest your rental.
Why should we visit St. Augustine?
St. Augustine has something for everyone. We're famous as the nation's oldest city, but we're much more than that. The area offers world-class golf, fresh and saltwater fishing, antique shopping, nationally touring concerts and shows, surfing, nature, serenity, and miles of white-sand beaches. We have museums, the Alligator Farm, and pirates walking the streets. Every day is an adventure here.
For a deeper guide to the area — attractions, dining, events, and seasonal happenings — visit our companion site, the St. Augustine Tourism Guide.
What are some of your favorite attractions or things to do?
Probably the most frequently asked question of all — and there are so many options.
Right in town, the Castillo de San Marcos is a must. This massive 17th-century coquina fortress has anchored St. Augustine for centuries, and no visit is complete without seeing it. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is remarkable — far more than alligators, with a zip line over the gators for the adventurous. Ripley's Believe It or Not!, housed in a striking old castle, is another favorite, and the Ripley's Red Train is a great way to tour the whole city.
And of course, the most important attraction of all — our beaches. They're an amazing place day or night. Take time to explore the dune walkovers, watch for nesting sea turtles in season, or catch a sunrise with the sea oats in the foreground.
St. Augustine is also an easy launch point for day trips: Orlando and the Kennedy Space Center, the Ocala National Forest, or a Florida Gators game in Gainesville are all within reach. For our full, regularly updated guide to things to do, see the St. Augustine Tourism Guide.
Coffee makers in our rentals
All of our rentals have a coffee maker of one type or another — some use K-Cups, some are drip machines, and some have both. It's such a common question that we have a dedicated page about it.
Even more
St. Augustine has something for everyone. Even for those of us who've lived here for decades, the magic never fades. Come spend some time in a nice oceanfront rental and take in views that are uniquely St. Augustine.
If you have any questions we haven't covered, email us at info@firstchoiceflorida.com or call 904-429-7373.