Duval County

Duval County is jam-packed with beach accesses with 22 miles of coastline. Jacksonville, Duval County's largest and most well-known city, is area wise the largest city in the United States. This county is predominantly urban with a metropolitan atmosphere.

The cities of Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach are the main coastal cities along the shoreline. These cities provide an abundance of public beach access along with a multitude of beach-related activities such as surfing, beachside bicycling, fishing, boating and seaside dining. The St. Johns River in the interior of Duval County provides ideal recreation opportunities for boaters and sailors.

Jacksonville's coastline is mainly coastal strands and sandy beaches. Wood storks, eastern indigo snakes, Macgillivray's seaside sparrows and gopher tortoises can be found in Duval County. Within interior portions of the county, along the St. Johns River, manatees can be seen during the winter months.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Duval County was inhabited by indigenous people dating back more than 2,500 years ago. These archaeological excavations can be viewed at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Duval County was established in 1822 and has many historic buildings.

Arts and culture are very important aspects of Jacksonville's character. The city has many galleries, museums and live concerts. Since 1979, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival has occurred annually and gathers crowds in the tens of thousands. Jacksonville is also an ideal getaway for travelers who enjoy fine dining.