About Town: Ponte Vedra

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It's a homecoming this week as the PGA TOUR returns to the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. -- the home of THE PLAYERS. The 35th PLAYERS Championship welcomes the world's golfing elite at the headquarters of the PGA TOUR, which, incidentally, is a darn nice place to visit.

The Sawgrass Marriott Resort is handy to the course. (Mobley/PGATOUR.COM)

SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE

Floridian luxury: If you're coming to town for THE PLAYERS Championship, sample some of Ponte Vedra Beach's best hospitality at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa. Adjacent to TPC Sawgrass, you can't beat the convenience of this hotel, but there's more to it than that. A three-and-a-half-star hotel with a spa just as decadent, the Marriott will be your much-better-than home away from home. The hotel also is within walking distance of local restaurants and shops in Sawgrass Village. And don't forget, it's only a few minutes from the ocean. Rates start around $300 a night, but you might be a little too late for this one. Keep it in mind for next year if you are.

Other options:
• Hilton Garden Inn: Almost as convenient as the Marriott, this two-and-half-star hotel sits just outside the gates of TPC Sawgrass, giving you easy access to the course and the aforementioned Sawgrass Village. Rates start around $200 a night.
• Comfort Inn Oceanfront: The recently renovated Comfort Inn Oceanfront in Jacksonville Beach, which is just a short drive north of the course, is right on the water and has a fabulous pool with four waterfalls to play in. Rates start around $280 a night for this two-and-half-star hotel.

The Beach Diner is a local favorite and always packed for breakfast. (Mobley/PGATOUR.COM)

SOMETHING TO SNACK ON

Anytime you visit the beach, it's not too hard to find good food. After all, someone's got to feed the tourists. Ponte Vedra Beach is no different. Whether you want seafood, luxury cuisine or fun beach dining, you'll find it in the home of THE PLAYERS.
• Lulu's Waterfront Grille: On the Intracoastal Waterway, Lulu's is an unassuming local favorite with the menu of a classy uptown restaurant. If the view over the water doesn't do it for you here, the food will. Try the Intracoastal Scampi -- it's garlicky delicious. If the mood so takes you, head over to Aroma's Cigar Bar, just about 10 minutes away, for an after-dinner stogie and cocktail. They often have live music, and the white chocolate martini is to die for.
• Barbara Jean's: Lulu's neighbor, Barbara Jean's is another local favorite just up the road also on the Intracoastal with the best she-crab soup you've ever had. This restaurant shares the jungle-like view of the palm-tree-lined waterway but offers more down-home style cooking than Lulu's.
• Sneakers: Sometimes, it's just too hard to turn down good old American food. You know what I'm talking about: cheese fries, ranch dressing, burgers ... and, of course, wings. Sneakers wings come with a choice of a bajillion flavors; all of which are pretty tasty, but I recommend the blackened or the spicy Cajun ranch.
• Beach Diner: For a true taste of Ponte Vedra, grab a table at the Beach Diner for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This place is so popular that you sometimes can't see the beachy white-paneled walls for all the people in there. Dinner is a fairly new addition to the menu here, but breakfast has been established for a while -- my husband's grandfather eats here almost every morning. If you're in the mood for a big breakfast, go for the crab and shrimp omelet with hollandaise sauce, tomatoes and onions. Oh yeah, it's good.

Ponte Vedra Beach is Florida's best kept secret. (Mobley/PGATOUR.COM)

SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT

Beach it up: You're in Florida, what else could you possibly want to do when you're not walking the greens of the Stadium Course with a beady eye waiting to spot the golf superstars? One nice thing about this area is that you have a couple of choices when it comes to beach fun. If you're more of a lie-back-and-relax-in-the-peace-and-quiet sun worshipper, then Ponte Vedra Beach is for you. If you want to people watch, play some volleyball, listen to music, grab a bite and go home exhausted and red like a lobster, then head a few miles north up A1A to Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra's spunky, fun-loving cousin. Just make sure you slop on the sunscreen because the sun can be out for vengeance down here sometimes.

Other options:
• World Golf Village: Definitely make some time to drive out to the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., while you're here. It's only about 35 minutes away from the beaches, and if you're a golf fan, you shouldn't miss it. Besides the obvious attraction -- the World Golf Hall of Fame -- there's also an IMAX movie theater, the Murray Bros. Caddy Shack, the Spa La Terra and the TOUR Stop golf superstore (among many other shops and restaurants) as well as two world-class courses in the King and the Bear -- I don't have to tell you who designed that -- and the Slammer and the Squire; I think you know who this one's named after.
• Jacksonville Landing: You don't just have the ocean down here; you've also got the St. Johns River. One of only two rivers in the world that flow north -- quick trivia: do you know what the other river is? -- the St. Johns River runs straight through neighboring Jacksonville's downtown area, and the Jacksonville Landing is one hot spot on the river. Live music, a wealth of food choices and some really fun bars make the Landing a popular spot for both locals and visitors. It doesn't hurt that you can access the Landing from the water, if you're luck enough to own a boat that is.
• St. Augustine: The World Golf Village isn't the only reason to head out to St. Augustine while you're in town. This is the oldest city in America. Founded by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain in 1565, 42 years before the creation of the British colony of Jamestown, Va. St. Augustine remains a charming town with a European flair, and its historic district is perfect for an afternoon of exploration in the sunny Florida weather.

STICKING AROUND

• Casino Cruise: Take a Sun Cruz Casino ride, and you might come home with a lot more money. Of course, you also might come home with a lot less, but that's the gamble ... no pun intended. Either way, you're out on the water and entertained for a while.
• Amelia Island: Amelia Island Plantation is the perfect place in these parts for a quick, relaxing getaway. Golf, tennis, beach, spa, sun -- what more could you want for some pre-summer pampering?