Roughly 25 miles south of Jacksonville on the west bank of the St. Johns River, Green Cove Springs’ riverfront location draws families looking for a slower-paced, community-focused lifestyle, enjoying time with their neighbors outdoors on the water. “This is a wonderful small town with everything you could ever need, and a great place to raise kids,” says long-time resident Rosalind Arnold, a broker and owner of Exit Magnolia Point Realty. “With easy access to Florida’s Atlantic waterways, you can take a sailboat or a motorboat straight from here to the ocean.”
Green Cove Springs neighborhood sign will welcome you home every time you drive by.
Aerial view of the town center in Green Cove Springs neighborhood.
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Downtown dining and retail
Green Cove Springs’ downtown area has plenty of locally-owned shops and boutiques offering clothing, jewelry and home decor. The Treasure Box is an eclectic thrift store, and Cowabunga Comics offers both old and new titles, plus original art. Also downtown, local lunch staple Sweet Sensations offers daily specials on soups and sandwiches, and across the street, authentic Mexican eatery La Casita has its own Hispanic mini mart. Spring Park Coffee specializes in seasonal lattes, and Red’s Wine Bar often hosts live music, local comedians and trivia nights. For grocery shopping, residents can head to the local Winn-Dixie; big-box retailers like Kohl’s and Target are less than 10 miles north in Fleming Island.
Roger That Restaurant is offering American cuisine to its diners.
There is a shopping street in downtown Green Cove Springs neighborhood.
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Holiday festivities in Green Cove Springs
Green Cove Springs holds monthly events throughout the year, often with local vendors and live music. One of the most popular is Food Truck Friday, held at Spring Park the first Friday of each month from March to November. The Annual Christmas on Walnut Street Festival, held on the first Saturday of December, includes a 1-mile Jingle Bell Fun Run — though The Parade of Trees is the star of the show. “We have 225 Christmas trees set up outside, and residents can walk through and look at these trees all month long,” says Lisa Sweat, a Realtor with Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage, and a lifelong area resident. “On the night that they get lit up, there’s a huge parade with all kinds of floats. It’s one of the biggest parades in north Florida. I’ve been to a lot of places, and I’ve never seen a town do Christmas like we do.”
Residents hanging out at the town center of Green Cove Springs neighborhood.
Kids love the festive decoration in downtown Green Cove Springs neighborhood.
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Historic homes and newer construction
“At the turn of the century, steamboats came here to bring the northerners to bathe in the natural springs, which is why you can find a lot of historic homes downtown,” Arnold says. Homes in the Green Cove Springs Historical District date back as early as the late 1800s. “The Penney Family, who founded JCPenney, also started building traditional ranch-style homes here in the 1950s. Older homes in the downtown area start at around $300,000 and can range to over $1 million if they’re on the waterfront.” Single-family ranch-style and multi-level homes built in the 21st- century range from $300,000 to $500,000, and most have grassy, fenced-in yards.
Aerial view of the waterfront luxury homes in Green Cove Springs neighborhood.
Ranch style home with large front yard but no built in garage in Green Cove Springs neighborhood
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College credit programs at Clay High
Kids in Green Cove Springs can attend Clay County district schools, including Charles E. Bennett Elementary, which earns a B-minus from Niche, and Green Cove Springs Junior High, which earns an A-minus. Also earning an A-minus, Clay High offers the Advanced International Certificate of Education Program, with a curriculum designed by Cambridge University in England. Students who pass their AICE examinations are eligible to earn up to 45 college credits at public universities and colleges in Florida.
Clay High School is the largest school complex in Green Cove Springs neighborhood.
Charles E Benett Elementary is the first step in education for the kids in Green Cove Springs.
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Swimming in the namesake springs
At riverfront Spring Park, residents can cool off in a public swimming pool continuously fed by a natural spring; there’s also a playground, a splash pad and several picnic areas, with stunning views of sunrises on the water and boats passing by. Residents with boats of their own who don’t live directly on the waterfront can store their vessels at Green Cove Springs Marina or Reynolds Park Yacht Center, both a few miles downriver from Spring Park. Where Black Creek meets the St. Johns River, 150-acre Camp Chowenwaw Park offers winding nature trails, a fishing pier and canoe launch beneath shady, mature pines. A former Girl Scout camp for over 70 years, the park’s now open to the public, and has since added a nature center and small history museum.
Chowenwaw Park has a park community house with spacious terrace.
There is a large swimming pool for the community in downtown Green Cove Springs neighborhood.
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If you like boating, you will love Green Cove Springs neighborhood.
Easy access to waterways
Direct access to St. Johns River allows boaters quick and easy travel throughout intercoastal waterways to Jacksonville and surrounding ports, or even directly to the Atlantic. Residents can drive across the bridge over the river for easy access to St. Augustine.
Written By
Tina Davis
Photography Contributed By
Gabor Kovacs
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Aaron Pena,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Green Cove Springs, FL sell after 72 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Green Cove Springs, FL over the last 12 months is $359,985, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Amazing pool home in Cross Creek! Looking for five bedrooms with an additional office space and a pool? This is the one! Features added since the build in 2021 are: SALT POOL, patio cover, sealed pavers, widened drive, custom entry, wood pantry shelves with lighting, and overhead wood shelves in the garage. New interior paint October 2025.
Lot 131 - The elegant yet simple Farmhouse Glades floorplan features an open Great Room, dining area, and island kitchen—ideal for family meals and entertaining. A covered lanai brings in natural light for seamless indoor/outdoor living. Bedroom 4 with Bath 3 replaces the flex room, and the Owner's Suite, with a spacious shower, is privately tucked at the rear for comfort and convenience.
LOT 39 - The Gateway Southern Classic is an open layout great for entertaining. 8' tall front and rear doors. 42'' kitchen cabinets, quartz countertops, and upgraded flooring throughout. The owner's bath features an oversized shower with bench seat. Huge office with walk-in-closet. LAKES AT BELLA LAGO is beautifully intertwined w/nature. Bella Lago's namesake ''beautiful lake'' lends mirror-like
Beautiful 4-Bedroom, 3 Bathroom Pool Home with In-Law Suite. Across from Ronnie Van Zant Park. Former model home! Home offering 2,606 square feet of comfortable living space in one of the area's most desirable neighborhoods. Situated on a spacious corner lot, this property combines modern updates, versatile living options, and resort-style outdoor amenities.Step inside to discover new luxury
Welcome Home! This meticulously maintained 3 bedroom and 2 bath property is move-in ready and offers a perfect blend of comfort and style. You'll love the opportunity to personalize the space to your taste, or simply enjoy the beautifully decorated interiors. The home backs up to a tranquil preserve, providing privacy and a serene setting as you relax on your patio with a morning cup of coffee.
Freshly Painted & Move-In Ready!Welcome to this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home in the desirable Cross Creek community of Green Cove Springs. Built in 2023 and recently repainted exterior, this 2,181 sq ft home offers curb appeal, open-concept living with modern finishes, shaker cabinetry, quartz-style counters, and stainless appliances. Upstairs the spacious primary suite with dual walk-in closets
FANTASTIC opportunity to be in Magnolia Point Golf and Country Club! FRESHLY painted throughout this large home with space for the entire family plus home office. This well-maintained home is located on a cul-de-sac and comes with a new roof and AC! You will fall in love with this beautiful view of a serene pond surrounded by mature trees on a large lot. The kitchen includes new stainless steel
Situated on the majestic St. Johns River in Historic Green Cove Springs, St. Johns Landing Apartments offer high quality living at an affordable price. Come see our wonderful variety of spacious one, two and three bedroom floorplans featuring lofts, townhomes and houses. Amenities, location and award winning schools. St. Johns Landing creates the complete living experience different from anything
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