Allow enough time to make the hour’s drive back to Costa d’Este and squeeze in an afternoon kayak trip or a Himalayan Salt Stone massage. End the day at the hotel’s Wave Kitchen & Bar, with a Cuban-inspired menu featuring ceviche, paella, and ropa vieja.
Escape The Crowds And Discover The Best Of
Florida's Treasure Coast
Florida’s central eastern coast has some of the state’s most beautiful nature preserves, as well as prime fishing, surfing, and boating. With long stretches of white sand beach and a scenic coastal highway, the more than 50 miles of Florida coastline between Sebastian and Stuart is perfect for a road trip. We teamed up with Ford to bring you this one-of-a-kind expedition.
Start in Sebastian and grab a board at the Wabasso Surf Shop for a morning of surfing or paddle boarding. Then pick up a cold-brew coffee at Riverview Coffee, Tea & Books. The Expedition’s fifteen cup holders and many storage bins make it easy to carry everything you need for your trip, from cold drinks to paddleboards.
Costa dʼEste Hotel
In between the two restaurants sits the Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa, which has sweeping views of the Atlantic it’s the ideal home base for exploring the region. Rent a beach cabana for some late-afternoon relaxing, or check out the beachfront pool. The hotel, owned by singer and dog lover Gloria Estefan, is pet-friendly. (Your furry companions will also love the Ford Expedition, with its roomy interior and three rows of seating.)
The McKee Botanical Garden
The McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach, a 30-minute drive away, encompasses 18 lush acres and includes thousands of native and tropical plants as well as art exhibits, such as jungle-inspired sculptures from Kenya. The garden’s walkways wind through palm groves, enormous Banyan trees and streams studded with colorful water lilies, providing a glimpse of old Florida.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The high tourist season starts around the holidays and lasts through Easter, so be sure to book ahead in those months.
Jensen Beach is a hot spot for surfers—join the crowd or just watch from the sand as local hotshots ride the swells.
If youʼre sensitive to mosquitos, bring along some insect repellent. It is especially essential at night.
Hutchinson Island House of Refuge
Travel back to the turn of the 20th century at Hutchinson Island House of Refuge in Stuart, about an hour south of Vero Beach. The oldest structure in the county, the house was one of 10 refuges for shipwrecked sailors along Florida’s eastern coast—and it’s the only one that remains, and has been restored to provide a snapshot of life in 1904. It sits on a picturesque section of beach called the St. Lucie Rocks, a cliff-like outcropping of limestone that draws crowds at sunrise.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the laid- back communities of Stuart and nearby Jensen Beach with a little help from the Expedition’s built-in navigation system. Stuart has a charming pedestrian-friendly downtown with shops like Signature Sweets, known for its delicious ice cream, and Gumbo Limbo, which carries chic gifts and housewares. Jensen Beach, a great place for spotting sea turtles, is also popular with diners.
Road trips have never been more comfortable thanks to the Expeditionʼs flexible seating and roomier cabin. Available tip-and-slide second row seating lets you easily access the third row, and added legroom in the last row makes even long trips relaxing for rear passengers.
Places to see
WABASSO SURF SHOP
4880 87th St, Sebastian, FL 32958
RIVERVIEW COFFEE, TEA & BOOKS
482 US Highway 1, Ste 3, Sebastian, FL 32958
MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN
350 U.S. Highway 1, Vero Beach, FL 32962
OCEAN GRILL
1050 Beachland Blvd, Vero Beach, FL 32963
CITRUS GRILLHOUSE
1050 Easter Lily Ln, Vero Beach, FL 32963
COSTA DʼESTE HOTEL
3244 Ocean Dr, Vero Beach, FL 32963
House of Refuge
301 SE MacArthur Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996
GUMBO LIMBO
37 SW Osceola St, Stuart, FL 34994
SAND DUNE CAFE
4191 S Ocean Dr, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
Conchy Joe's Seafood
3945 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
The WAVE KITCHEN & BAR
3244 Ocean Dr, Vero Beach, FL 32963