St. Simons To Brunswick: How Far?

St Simons Island is located approximately 12 miles (19 km) east of Brunswick, Georgia, and is part of the Brunswick metropolitan statistical area. The island is accessible by car via the F.J. Torras Causeway and Interstate 95 or U.S. Highways 341, 25, 82, and 520. The driving distance from Brunswick to St Simons Island is about 15-20 minutes.

St Simons Island is around 12 miles from Brunswick, Georgia

St Simons Island is a barrier island located in Glynn County, Georgia, around 12 miles from Brunswick, the county seat. It is the largest of Georgia's Golden Isles, a cluster of barrier islands and marsh hammocks. St Simons is known for its warm climate, beaches, outdoor activities, shops, restaurants, historical sites, and natural environment.

The island is situated between the Altamaha River delta and Little St. Simons Island to the north, St. Simons Sound to the south, Sea Island to the east, and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. It is accessible by car via the F.J. Torras Causeway and is a popular destination for visitors seeking a modern take on beach tradition with a touch of Southern charm.

St Simons offers a variety of attractions, including the Fort Frederica National Monument, Neptune Park, and Cannon's Point Preserve. The island's south end, known as Pier Village, is a bustling hub for shopping, dining, and socialising. East Beach spans the oceanside of the island, offering segmented beach access points, while the north end of the island remains largely undeveloped, with salt marshes and woodlands.

The nearest commercial airport to St Simons Island is Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, with other options including Jacksonville and Savannah. The island can also be reached by car or boat, making it a convenient destination for those seeking a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences.

It is a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, restaurants and golf courses

St. Simons Island is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, and golf courses.

Beaches

St. Simons Island is known for its magical beaches, perfect for both relaxation and adventure. East Beach is a popular spot with many access points and amenities like playgrounds, public restrooms, and shaded picnic areas. The high tides offer ample beach for body surfing, and the low tide expands the beach to a couple of hundred yards wide.

Restaurants

St. Simons Island offers a variety of dining options, from fine dining to casual outdoor fare. Some of the local favourites include Sal's Neighbourhood Pizzeria, ZuZu's in the Pier Village, Southern Soul BBQ, and Iguanas Seafood Restaurant. Fresh oysters, handmade pizza, award-winning barbecue, and locally-caught seafood are some of the island's specialties.

Golf Courses

If not for the beach, golf would be king on St. Simons Island. The island is home to three golf clubs and 234 holes of golf in the immediate area. The Retreat Golf Course and Seaside Golf Course are two popular choices, offering stunning views of the ocean and surrounding nature.

In addition to its beaches, restaurants, and golf courses, St. Simons Island also offers a range of other attractions, including historical sites, outdoor activities, unique shops, and entertainment options. The St. Simons Island Lighthouse, Fort Frederica National Monument, and Neptune Park are some of the island's most popular destinations.

The island is accessible by car via the F.J. Torras Causeway

St Simons Island is located off the coast of Georgia, around 12 miles from Brunswick. The island is accessible by car via the F.J. Torras Causeway, which opened in 1924. The causeway is a four-lane paved road that runs for 4.2 miles from Brunswick to Gascoigne Bluff on the western edge of St. Simons Island. It crosses a salt marsh and five tidal rivers: Terry Creek/Dupree Creek, the Back River, the Little River, the Mackay River, and the Frederica River.

The F.J. Torras Causeway is named after Fernando Joseph Torras (1885-1952), who served as Brunswick's city manager for over 30 years and was the main engineer on the project. Torras had previously built rail lines, bridges, and roads in the jungles of South America, and he used this experience to plan and construct the causeway. The project took 13 months to complete and cost more than $418,000 (approximately $7.14 million in today's money).

Prior to the construction of the causeway, the only way to reach St. Simons Island was by ferry, which took about an hour. The opening of the F.J. Torras Causeway was a significant event, with 5,500 cars crossing the causeway on the first day and a fish dinner held for 7,500 people under some live oak trees. The causeway has been widened and reconstructed over the years to accommodate increasing traffic, and it is now recognised as a state highway, although it is not signed as such.

St Simons Airport provides a private aircraft service

St Simons Airport, also known as McKinnon St Simons Island Airport, is located on St Simons Island, six miles east of Brunswick, Georgia. The airport is around 12 miles from the town of Brunswick, which is the closest municipality. The airport is a 45-minute drive from the Hampton River Marina on St Simons Island via the I-95.

The airport is named after Malcom B. McKinnon, who was the chairman of the County Commission when construction began in 1935. The airport opened on May 28, 1938, seven months after McKinnon's death. During World War II, the airport operated as a Naval Air Station and was home to the Navy Radar Training School. Today, St Simons Airport primarily serves general aviation, with an average of 118 aircraft operations per day.

The airport is surrounded by natural beauty, including sandy beaches, marshes, and maritime forests. St Simons Island itself offers a variety of attractions for visitors, including outdoor activities, historical sites, shops, and restaurants.

The island is part of Georgia's Golden Isles

St Simons Island is part of Georgia's Golden Isles, a cluster of barrier islands and marsh hammocks off the Georgia coast. The Golden Isles consist of St Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and privately owned Little St Simons Island. The islands are nestled midway between Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida, and lie across the immortalised Marshes of Glynn.

St Simons Island is the largest of the Golden Isles and is known for its warm climate, beaches, outdoor activities, shops, restaurants, historical sites, and natural environment. The island is accessible by car via the F.J. Torras Causeway and is served by the Malcolm McKinnon Airport.

The island boasts pristine beaches, with East Beach being one of the most popular spots for locals and visitors alike. The island also offers a variety of outdoor activities such as kayaking, canoeing, trolley tours, ghost tours, dolphin tours, and bicycling. St Simons Island is also a golfer's paradise, with three golf clubs and 234 holes in the immediate area.

In addition to its natural attractions, St Simons Island has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The island was originally inhabited by the Muscogee, and later contested by the Spanish, British, and French during the South Georgia colonial era. The island also played a significant role during the American Civil War, with Confederate troops occupying it to protect its strategic location before evacuating in 1862.

Today, St Simons Island is a popular tourist destination, known for its romantic charm and unspoiled beauty. It offers a variety of accommodations, from luxury resorts to bed and breakfast inns, and is renowned for its fabulous beaches, golfing, charter fishing, spas, and restaurants. The island's unique sense of time and place, created by its historic sites and Southern Oaks draped with Spanish moss, makes it a favourite among visitors.

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