Tucked into a quiet beach neighborhood that backs right up to Anastasia State Park, Serenity by the Sea is a roomy island home made for slow days: come back from the sand, slip into the pool, and unwind. It is a single-family house on the Anastasia Island side of St. Augustine Beach, close to the water, restaurants, and shops, with the natural stretch of the park almost at the doorstep.

With 2,641 square feet, there's plenty of room to spread out. Two bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms sleep up to eight. The primary bedroom has a king bed, the second bedroom has two queen beds, and the living room sofa bed adds flexibility for a larger group or family. The main living space is bright and easy to use, with a TV, a fireplace, and a desk for anyone who needs to work between beach trips. The kitchen is made for real cooking, with a refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher, ice maker, toaster, coffee maker, and all the cookware, dishes, and utensils you need. Open kitchen and dining areas keep everyone together.

The backyard is really the star. You get a private pool and hot tub in a fenced setting, plus a fenced yard, fire pit, gas grill, an outdoor kitchen area, a lanai, patio seating, and a garden. Pool and spa heating can be arranged for an additional charge, with advance notice, outside the warm-weather months. Guests bring their own propane for the grill, and a Ring doorbell is installed at the entry.

Everyday comforts are covered too: air conditioning, central heat, high-speed Wi-Fi, cable or satellite TV, linens and towels, a washer and dryer, an iron and board, parking, and contactless check-in. The home is pet-friendly for an additional pet fee, so the dog can come along.

St. Augustine Beach makes an easy base. Spend mornings in the surf or on the trails at Anastasia State Park, then cross the Bridge of Lions for the historic downtown, the lighthouse, and waterfront dining.