Have Tennis, Will Travel: North Florida

Just as the game can provide a comforting escape, Florida is a perennially perfect spot for a winter getaway, especially for tennis lovers. Glorious weather and an abundance of facilities are a natural pair, and the state’s beaches, trails and national parks provide plenty of off-court adventure, too.

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra Beach

• The Racquet Club at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, a 30-minute drive from Jacksonville, has an extensive history of tennis excellence (along with a grand hotel). Some 80 years after its beginnings as a single clay court, it now boasts 15 Har-Tru Hydro-Grid courts in an enviable location between the ocean and undulating fairways. Another bragging right: it’s the official tennis club of the ATP tour. Tee Time: The resort’s golfing amenities are just as impressive and picturesque. Stroll the lush green fairways, wind your way around lagoons and take on steep bunkers and a sea breeze on the Ocean Course and Lagoon Course.

Omni Amelia Island Resort, Fernandina Beach

• To the north of Jacksonville, excellent instruction and an spectacular setting beneath majestic oak trees makes Omni Amelia Island Resort a favorite, including with some of the biggest names in the game. The Cliff Drysdale Tennis program offers programs for all skill levels year-round on 23 Har-Tru fast-dry clay courts, and each of the hotel’s 402 rooms have private balconies or patios facing the ocean. Bird-Watching Paradise: The Great Florida Birding Trail begins on Amelia Island, giving novice and experienced birders the chance to observe hundreds of species, from Florida natives to migratory birds taking a break before or after crossing the Gulf of Mexico.

Find more ways to enjoy safe, socially distanced activities in Florida at visitflorida.com. Also, visit the Apple Store or Google Play to download the new USTA Florida app.

Check out the other regions of Florida covered in the "Have Tennis, Will Travel" Series:

• South Florida
• The Gulf Coast
• Central Florida
• The Panhandle