Georgia's 'golden' coast found south of Savannah

You'll find white sandy beaches, gorgeous live oak trees covered in Spanish moss, palm trees, interesting shorebirds and vast marshlands along the Golden Isles of Georgia.

Located an hour south of Savannah along I-95, this out-of-the-way trip is well worth taking.

My first stop was Jekyll Island - also known as Georgia's Jewel - with its 1,500 residents who enjoy a quiet laid back lifestyle. I was immediately struck by its charm and character.

For visitors, there is a one time fee of $3 which is paid at the greeting station before entering Jekyll Island. Stop by the visitors center for a map of places of interest and before leaving the parking area, enjoy the two-story viewing tower for photographing the marsh - home to many species of birds.

The state of Georgia has owned 65 percent of the island's undeveloped area since 1947. What I enjoyed most was seeing the abundance of tropical trees, ocean waves, golf courses, tennis courts, homes and a handful of hotels and restaurants delicately situated along the coastline.

After driving the entire island, I stopped to enjoy a picnic lunch at the northernmost tip of the island where a cool breeze blew as I sat on a bench resting on the pier.

Jekyll Island is also home to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center where they offer tours of the facility as well as evening loggerhead turtle walks. Jekyll Island has a small water park, a museum and also a historic area where you'll see ruins of buildings made of "tabby" - crushed oyster shell construction material used during the 1700s.

Over to St. Simons

Next up was the much larger island St. Simons to rent a bicycle for $10 which offered me up to four hours of enjoyment along the 20 miles of bike paths. The bike shop owner was kind enough to suggest a few places to visit, and I realized I would need a full day to cover everything.

For starters, I pedaled over to the St. Simons Island Lighthouse established in 1872. For $6 you can climb the 129-step iron staircase to the top of the 104 foot lighthouse, visit the museum and heritage center.

Legend has it that in 1880 the lighthouse keeper, Fred Osbourne lost his life after an altercation taking place in the tower. A large placard outside the lighthouse next to the gazebo contains many interesting facts. The lighthouse is one of five in the state of Georgia and still casts its light 23 miles to sea.

From the lighthouse I pedaled down Mallery Street to the Village; a cluster of small boutiques, shops and restaurants leading to the pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

I continued along the paved bike trails down the Avenue of the Oaks, formerly the entrance to the Retreat Plantation known for flower gardens and sea island cotton back in the day. It's an astoundingly serene and gorgeous view of the oak trees with large sprawling branches draped with Spanish moss. The island has a fair amount of shopping centers, eateries and gas stations all easily accessible from the main roads. You can also pick up a map and brochures at the visitors center.

A short distance to the northernmost tip of the island is Fort Frederica National Monument. You'll find ruins dated back more than 250 years where rivals from Spain and Great Britain fought over the land. Tribes of Indians were said to have battled alongside the British on this very land within the park.

Many more activities are available on both islands and I learned St. Simons will be home to a 20-acre public park including a two-mile botanical trail to open by Labor Day.

And finally

I suggest taking in a good fresh seafood meal along the waterway, and if you look closely you may see the Lady Jane, a shrimp boat sailing at 4 p.m. ready for your shrimping excursions.

Accommodations are a bit pricier on the islands, so consider staying in Brunswick, Ga., which is only 15 minutes away and easily accessible over the causeway. In fact, the city of Brunswick is rich in history and don't forget to have a bowl of the famous Brunswick stew known worldwide, yet created here.

I've enjoyed for many years the beaches of North and South Carolina, but this was a splendid opportunity to adventure along the Georgia coast for some fun and relaxation. As the sun set over the waters, I couldn't help but think I now know why they call this area the Golden Isles.

Want to go?

For more information on places of interest, visit www.coastalgeorgia.com, www.comecoastawhile.comor www.jekyllisland.com