Washington Oaks State Gardens is a day use park located on Highway A-1-A about 16 miles south of St. Augustine. The park has two distinct areas. The area west of A-1-A and east of the intercoastal waterway is the garden portion of the park. This area has formal gardens and a shaded picnic area. The beach area is to the east of A-1-A and includes an unusually large outcropping of coquina rock. This beach, while not recommended for swimming, is a hit for people of all ages.