St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier — Attraction in Saint Augustine Beach

Employee Anna- We had our son at the beach playing all morning. We walked over to the splash pad to let him play. We were getting pretty bored and figured we’d walk him down the pier and let him see. He has autism and has been into animals lately, so we were hoping to walk up and down really fast, maybe see a fish. We left our stuff at the splash pad and proceeded to the closest part of the dock where planks of wood were missing and you could easily just climb through and walk the pier. We get onto the pier and our son was so excited. Then I hear someone calling out so I turn and it’s a lady telling us we were trespassing and she could have us trespassed and we couldn’t be back for a year.

We never lost our temper. We never raised our voices. We started walking back a little blindsided this lady just came up as we’re with our son threatening to trespass us. We would have paid if we knew. When I said -oh I had no idea she mentioned how there’s signs all up and down the pier (we had literally just landed our feet on the pier before she shouted, ran up to us, and threatened to trespass us right off the rip).

Obviously we started walking back cause there’s a few. We would have paid gladly if she hadn’t approached us like that- immediately threatening us.

We mentioned how the way she approached us makes us not want to pay and walk the pier… after that warm welcoming we were just ready to leave and go somewhere else. we are casually walking back with her right next to us as she responded that she could have the sheriffs come and tell us if we wanted that.

What do you even say to that!?!? I rolled my eyes and replied “really?? Really? Who says that?!?” As I kept walking- it was a shock to hear someone in customer service seriously just say that! We get to the doors and in a condescending laughing voice told us that she hopes we have a happy Fourth of July. (Very noticeably sarcastic- that extremely fake customer service voice with giant smile)

We were immediately treated like criminals and threatened instead of being offered a ticket. She obviously didn’t like to hear that we didn’t appreciate the way she approached us so went on to threaten a little more.

The mocking, laughing comment of “I hope y’all have a happy Fourth of July” after threatening to trespass us and to call law enforcement on potential customers…we will Anna. And we enjoyed a different section of beach. We spent a few hundred dollars at places other than that establishment today.

There was no resistance, no raising of voices. We politely walked back and let you know in the nicest of ways- and I quote- “you could have approached us differently”

Hopefully from now on you don’t chase people away from the establishments you work at. Not everyone sees whatever signs you said were there and anyone could see that walkway from the splashpad with giant gaps in wood that look like a shorter walk. Not everyone...

Brought my kids here thinking it was free and we would take a quick jaunt out over the water, use the bathroom, and be on our way back out of town. Our previous plans got messed up after driving 2+ hours only to find no parking due to some event going on downtown. There is a charge of $2 per person for ages 7+ which we did not know until we walked up and there was a locked gate, so we did have to pay. It was okay, very windy out on the pier, and took about 10 minutes to walk out and back. The rest of the place is accessible for free - small playground for little kids, small splash pad, bathrooms, and a set of stairs (so, couldn’t get my stroller through) to access a concrete boardwalk. There is apparently food for sale, maybe inside the little gift shop but it wasn’t obvious where to go. Overall, it was not something we will do again when in town.

I should mention that it was high tide when we were there, so I was wondering if the stairs from the boardwalk led to a beach area we couldn’t see, and from the other reviews I can see that’s the case. It might be worthwhile in that case as there is lots of parking. But the crazy waves were crashing up against the rocks when we were there so it didn’t even cross my mind to go down the stairs...

Entrance fee for sightseeing on the pier is $2 per person. Friendly welcome center guy named Bill told me and my wife some of St. Augustine's scenic spots. We paid our admission at the welcome center counter with about 15 people crammed into a place that should probably only have 5 people but everyone was wearing masks and we didn't hear anyone coughing. The pier / boardwalk was smooth. No decaying wood, although lots of birds and bird poop near the rails (totally expected).

Some of the fishermen smoke so if you're allergic, mind your nose. Also, be careful of walking by them since if you don't pay complete attention when they're casting their lines, you might get caught by a hook (so watch your children too!). Plenty of parking spots and a large beach so there were fishermen, surfers, and families all over the location.

Seems like a nice place to take your kids, to fish, or to spend time with your significant other...if you don't mind paying an...