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 36th 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 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.
• 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, and they recently started selling their cookbook -- she-crab soup recipe not included.
• 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. 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.

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.

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

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 golf courses.
• Jacksonville Landing: You don't just have the ocean down here; you've also got the St. Johns River. One of very few rivers (rivers -- not creeks, tributaries, etc.) in the world that flow north, 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 lucky 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 -- perfect pre-summer pampering.