A beach day at St. Andrews State Park can easily include a packed cooler, picnic lunch or food purchased inside the park. The main details to know are where alcohol may be consumed, where grills are available, and which concession locations currently sell food, drinks and basic supplies.
Packing Your Own Food And Drinks
Visitors can plan around their own food, cooler and non-alcoholic drinks for an ordinary picnic or beach day. Keep food sealed when it is not being eaten, use park trash receptacles and avoid leaving scraps where birds or other wildlife can reach them.
Food And Coolers
A cooler is useful if you expect to stay through lunch or spend several hours around the beach. Water, sandwiches, fruit and other simple foods are easier to manage than meals requiring extensive preparation, especially if your day is centered on the Gulf or jetty areas.
If you prefer a table rather than eating on the sand, St. Andrews currently has four first-come, first-served picnic pavilions and three main picnic areas: the Jetties Use Area, Gulf Pier Use Area and Boat Basin.[a]
Glass Containers
The current St. Andrews visitor pages do not publish a park-specific statement saying that ordinary picnic glass is permitted everywhere. Beach and park restrictions can also be posted locally. For a beach picnic, non-glass bottles and reusable containers are the practical choice because broken glass creates a hazard on sand and around bare feet. Check entrance signage or ask park staff if you are carrying an item that may be restricted.
Alcohol Rules
Alcohol rules in Florida State Parks are narrower than simply allowing drinks in a general picnic area. Alcohol is not permitted on public beaches or in first-come, first-served picnic areas. Florida State Parks limits consumption to specified overnight accommodations, certain reserved facilities where alcohol is included in the rental agreement, licensed concession locations and approved special events.[b]
| Location | Alcohol Rule |
|---|---|
| Public Beach | Not permitted. |
| First-Come Picnic Area Or Pavilion | Not permitted. |
| Registered Campsite Or Other Approved Overnight Accommodation | Permitted for guests age 21 or older in the designated overnight accommodation, subject to park rules. |
| Reserved Pavilion, Dining Hall Or Recreation Hall | Only when the facility is reserved and alcohol service is specifically noted in the rental contract. |
| Licensed Concession Restaurant Or Approved Concession Area | Permitted within the area covered by the concession’s alcohol authorization. |
| Park-Sanctioned Special Event | Only in the approved event area under the event’s rules. |
🍺 Jetty Store note: The current park concession information lists bottled beer and cocktails among the drinks sold at the Land’s End Grill food truck at the Jetty Store.[c] Purchasing alcohol there does not make it permissible to carry or consume it on the public beach or in a first-come picnic area. Follow the concessionaire’s posted consumption-area rules.
Picnic Areas And Pavilions
If you want to move off the sand for lunch, the park currently lists four picnic pavilions, not eight. They are first-come, first-served and include picnic tables and concrete pads.[a]
The park has three main picnic areas at the Jetties Use Area, Gulf Pier Use Area and Boat Basin. The picnic area beside the boat ramp also has grills, restrooms, picnic tables and a playground.
🚧 Jetty construction: New picnic pavilions are being built in the Jetty area to replace pavilions lost during Hurricane Michael. Jetty parking may be reduced during construction, so the available space can differ from older maps or photos.[d]
Using Grills
The clearest day-use option for cooking is the picnic area by the boat ramp, where Florida State Parks specifically lists grills along with tables and restrooms. Standard campground sites also have their own grills for registered campers.
Do not assume a portable grill may be placed anywhere on the beach or in a day-use area. Florida State Parks’ statewide FAQ specifically allows portable grills at campsites, including charcoal or propane grills under the stated fire-safety rules.[e] For day use, use installed grills where provided or confirm with park staff before setting up your own cooking equipment.
Food And Drinks Available Inside The Park
You do not necessarily need to leave St. Andrews if you run out of ice, want a snack or decide to buy lunch. Current Florida State Parks information lists three concession stores along with a food truck at the Jetty Store. Hours can change, so check current park or concession information for the day of your visit.
Camp Store
The Camp Store is near the campground and marina parking area. Current listings include ice, snacks, bait and tackle, camping supplies, sundries and firewood. It is also a rental point for bicycles, golf carts, pontoon boats and kayaks.[f]
Jetty Store And Land’s End Grill
The Jetty Store serves the beach and inlet-lagoon side of the park. It carries snacks, drinks, ice cream, fishing supplies and beach equipment, including chair, umbrella, snorkeling-equipment and paddleboard rentals.
The Land’s End Grill food truck operates at the Jetty Store. Its current menu includes burgers, grilled chicken, pulled pork, wraps, sandwiches, children’s meals and cold drinks. Alcoholic options listed by the concessionaire include beer and frozen piña coladas, subject to the park’s alcohol-location rules.[g]
Pier Store
The Pier Store is another place to pick up sweets, treats, drinks and souvenirs. It also serves visitors using the park’s Shell Island transportation service and the Gulf Pier side of the park.
Planning Food For A Beach Day
- Bring enough water: Beach heat and sun can increase how much you drink during a long day.
- Keep food closed: Store unattended snacks in a cooler or sealed container rather than leaving them exposed to birds and other wildlife.
- Use non-glass containers: They are easier to handle around sand, picnic tables and crowded beach areas.
- Separate beach and alcohol plans: Alcohol purchased from a concession does not change the rule prohibiting consumption on public beaches and first-come picnic areas.
- Use established cooking areas: If you plan to grill, the boat-ramp picnic area has park-provided grills.
- Account for Jetty construction: If your food plan depends on the Jetty picnic area, remember that pavilion construction can temporarily reduce parking.
FAQ
Can I bring food and a cooler to St. Andrews State Park?
Visitors commonly bring their own picnic food, non-alcoholic drinks and coolers for day use. Keep food contained, dispose of waste properly and follow any item restrictions posted at the park entrance or use area.
Can I drink alcohol on the beach?
No. Florida State Parks prohibits alcohol consumption in public locations including beaches.
Can I drink alcohol in a first-come picnic pavilion?
No. First-come, first-served picnicking areas are public locations where alcohol consumption is not permitted.
Is alcohol allowed at a campsite?
Florida State Parks permits alcohol for guests age 21 and older within designated overnight accommodations such as registered campsites, subject to applicable park rules.
Can alcohol be served at a reserved pavilion?
Only when the covered pavilion or other facility is formally reserved and alcohol service is specifically allowed in the rental contract. This is different from a first-come picnic pavilion.
Can I buy food inside St. Andrews State Park?
Yes. The Jetty Store has the Land’s End Grill food truck, and the park’s concession operation also includes the Camp Store and Pier Store for snacks, drinks and other supplies.
Can I bring my own portable grill to a picnic area?
Do not assume a portable grill is allowed in every day-use area. The statewide park rules specifically address portable grills at campsites. For a day-use picnic, use the installed grills where provided or confirm current permission with park staff.
Sources
- [a] Florida State Parks — St. Andrews State Park Experiences & Amenities: Current four-pavilion count, three picnic areas, pavilion features, Boat Basin grills and food-and-beverage services. (Official Florida State Parks source.) Florida State Parks
- [b] Florida State Parks — Frequently Asked Questions: Current statewide alcohol rules covering beaches, first-come picnic areas, overnight accommodations, reserved facilities, licensed concessions and sanctioned events. (Official Florida State Parks policy source.) Alcohol Rules
- [c] Florida State Parks — Shell Island Adventures: Current park concession information for the Jetty Store food truck, including food, bottled beer and cocktails. (Official Florida State Parks source.) Shell Island Adventures
- [d] Florida State Parks — Construction Projects Underway at St. Andrews: Current Jetty pavilion construction and notice that parking may be reduced during the work. (Official Florida State Parks construction update.) Construction Update
- [e] Florida State Parks — Frequently Asked Questions: Current statewide guidance for portable grills and fire pits at campsites, including cooking during burn bans. (Official Florida State Parks policy source.) Florida State Parks FAQ
- [f] St. Andrews State Park & Shell Island — Retail: Current Camp Store, Jetty Store and Pier Store supplies and rental services. (Official park concession service.) Park Retail Locations
- [g] St. Andrews State Park & Shell Island — Dining: Current Land’s End Grill food-truck menu and beverage offerings. (Official park concession service.) Land’s End Grill
