The Complete St. Augustine Shores Guide. (2026)

Executive Summary

St. Augustine Shores is a large, established planned community in St. Johns County, about 4.5 miles south of downtown St. Augustine off US 1 and Shores Boulevard. Planned by the Deltona Corporation starting in the late 1960s, it has grown to more than 3,500 homes and 9,000 residents, which makes it one of the bigger established communities in the county and one of its better values.

The community wraps around a private 18-hole golf course and reaches the Matanzas River, where a 500-foot pier and gazebo draw anglers and sunset seekers. Residents have a Riverview Club, a pool, tennis and pickleball courts, 14 lakes and ponds, and miles of bike paths and sidewalks, all maintained through the homeowners association.

For pricing context, St. Augustine Shores carried a median sale price near 277,000 dollars in January 2026 according to Redfin, with homes ranging from condos and starter homes up to more upscale riverfront properties. That figure is third-party market context and is not a NEFAR statistic, so a specific home should be priced off recent comparable sales within the community.

Quick Facts

Community Overview & History

A planned community with deep roots

St. Augustine Shores was one of the large Deltona Corporation developments of the late 1960s and early 1970s, conceived as a full planned community with golf, water access, and amenities rather than a simple subdivision. The developers cleared roughly 2,000 acres while preserving native trees, and over the decades the Shores filled in to become a settled, leafy community south of the nation oldest city.

How it feels on the ground today

St. Augustine Shores reads as a mature, amenity-rich community where the golf course, the river pier, and the lakes anchor daily life. It draws families, retirees, and value-minded buyers who want St. Johns County schools and amenities without St. Johns County luxury prices. The range of housing, from condos to riverfront homes, keeps the buyer pool broad.

The Areas and What You Are Buying

St. Augustine Shores is large and varied, so the choices come down to the type of home and its position relative to the golf course, the lakes, and the river rather than separate named villages.

Condos and starter homes

The community includes condos and modest single-family homes that are among the most affordable ownership options in St. Johns County, popular with first-time buyers and retirees.

Golf-course and lake homes

Homes along the private course or one of the 14 lakes carry a premium for the view and the setting.

Riverfront and upscale homes

Properties oriented toward the Matanzas River and the upscale pockets of the Shores sit at the top of the local market.

Real Estate Market

St. Augustine Shores appeals to families and retirees who want St. Johns County schools, golf, and water access at a value price, plus investors drawn by the steady demand south of St. Augustine.

The median sale price was near 277,000 dollars in January 2026 according to Redfin, with homes averaging about 86 days on the market, an improvement over the prior year. Because the community spans condos to riverfront homes, a specific property should be priced from the closest comparable sales for its type rather than the community median.

Buyers should confirm the HOA dues and what they cover, and check whether a specific home carries any golf-club membership obligation separate from the HOA.

Who Lives Here

St. Augustine Shores draws value-minded families who want top-rated St. Johns County schools, retirees attracted by the golf and the river, and investors who like the steady demand. The mix of condos, starter homes, and riverfront properties means buyers across a wide range of budgets can find a fit.

Schools

St. Augustine Shores is served by the St. Johns County School District, which is consistently ranked among the highest-rated public school districts in Florida. Elementary, middle, and high attendance zones are assigned by home address, so the dependable way to confirm where a particular St. Augustine Shores address is zoned is the St. Johns County School District locator. If you are moving for a specific school, verify the assignment for the exact home before you write an offer, since boundaries can shift as the county adds capacity for its fast-growing population.

Amenities & Lifestyle

St. Augustine Shores offers a deep amenity package for the price, centered on its golf course and its river access.

Private golf course

The St. Augustine Shores Golf Club is a private 18-hole, par 70 course at the heart of the community.

Matanzas River pier

A 500-foot pier with a gazebo extends into the Intracoastal and Matanzas River for fishing, wildlife watching, and sunsets.

Riverview Club and pool

The Riverview Club hosts events and gatherings, and the community offers a pool, tennis and pickleball, basketball, and a sports field.

Lakes and trails

Fourteen lakes and ponds and miles of bike paths, sidewalks, and nature trails give residents room to walk, bike, and fish close to home.

HOA, CDD & Costs

St. Augustine Shores is managed by a homeowners association through the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation, which maintains common areas and amenities like the Riverview Club and the pier. The dues fund that upkeep and future projects.

The private golf club is a separate organization, so confirm whether golf membership is optional and what it costs apart from the HOA dues before assuming access.

Confirm any applicable CDD through the St. Johns County Property Appraiser, and factor the HOA dues into your monthly affordability math from the start.

Commute Analysis

St. Augustine Shores sits just south of downtown St. Augustine off US 1, with the historic district about twelve minutes away, the beach about fifteen, and Interstate 95 about ten, which keeps the community connected while preserving its quiet, established feel.

Shopping & Dining

Everyday shopping is close along US 1 and the southern St. Augustine corridor, with grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants minutes away. Historic downtown St. Augustine adds dining, culture, and the waterfront a short drive north, and Interstate 95 connects residents to the wider region. The location pairs a quiet, amenity-rich setting with convenient access to the oldest city.

Pros and Cons

St. Augustine Shores vs. Comparable Communities

Hidden Things Buyers Should Know

Golf membership is separate

The golf club is its own organization, so do not assume access comes with the home. Confirm membership cost and availability if golf is part of the appeal.

Condos versus homes are different markets

The Shores spans condos to riverfront homes, so price off comparable sales for the exact home type rather than the community-wide median.

Confirm the amenity dues

The pier, the Riverview Club, and the lakes are funded by the HOA, so understand the current dues and what they include before you buy.

Momentum Expert Insight

Selling a Home in St. Augustine Shores

Selling in St. Augustine Shores is about matching the home to the right buyer, whether that is a first-time buyer for a condo, a golfer for a course-side home, or a boater for a riverfront property, while being clear about the HOA dues and any golf membership.

We price from the closest comparable sales for the right home type and market the value, the schools, and the amenities to the families and retirees who shop south St. Augustine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

If you are weighing St. Augustine Shores against other St. Johns County communities, these guides are a good next step.