Is it Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Valley, Sawgrass or Nocatee?
One source of confusion for some is that the name “Ponte Vedra Beach” or “Ponte Vedra” is generally applied to the whole unincorporated northeastern corner of St. Johns County. Ponte Vedra Beach is actually just one of a few unincorporated areas whose boundaries seem to blend ambiguously. While driving around or talking to locals you may also see or hear the names Palm Valley, Sawgrass and Nocatee. Palm Valley sits on the back side of Ponte Vedra Beach, straddling the Intracoastal Waterway. It is much less pretentious, a mish-mash of mansions, country cottages, upscale golf communities, horse ranches and smaller bungalows. It is also home to a few very casual waterfront restaurants along the Intracoastal. One of these restaurants, Barbara Jean’s, happens to be one of my favorite restaurants (try the salmon). At one time the residents of Palm Valley and Ponte Vedra Beach voted on whether to incorporate together as one city. The resolution failed. Palm Valley seems proud to not be Ponte
