Palencia St. Augustine FL: Golf, Homes & CDD Guide
Jul 29, 2026
Last Updated: August 2026 - Includes 2026 Palencia Club membership tiers, CDD assessment details & school updates
Key Takeaways
- Championship Golf & Country Club: Features an Arthur Hills-designed 18-hole championship golf course, 33,000 sq. ft. Mediterranean clubhouse, and full-service dining.
- Tolomato River & Nature Immersion: Spanning ~2,300 acres with centuries-old canopy live oaks, tidal marshes, and a 3/4-mile boardwalk extending to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).
- In-Community 'A'-Rated School: Walk or golf cart to Palencia Elementary School, zoned for Allen D. Nease High School (prestigious IB program).
- Established European Elegance: Cobblestone roundabouts, barrel-tile roofs, garden villas from the mid-$400s, and multi-million-dollar custom island estates.
Situated along the US-1 North corridor bordering the pristine Tolomato River and the Guana River Estuarine Reserve, Palencia is one of the most prestigious master-planned golf and country club communities in Northeast Florida.
Located on the border of St. Augustine and northern St. Johns County, Palencia blends Spanish-Mediterranean architectural elegance with centuries-old live oak canopies and world-class athletic facilities.
The Palencia Club, Arthur Hills Golf & World-Class Racquet Sports
Palencia is celebrated for its championship golf pedigree and extensive private sports complex:
Palencia Master Amenity Highlights
| Amenity Hub | Key Facilities & Activities |
|---|---|
| Arthur Hills Golf & Clubhouse | 18-hole par-72 championship course, 33,000 sq. ft. clubhouse with private dining, and 400-yard practice range. |
| Racquet Club & Fitness | 10 lighted Har-Tru clay tennis courts, 8 pickleball courts, and an 18,000 sq. ft. Village Fitness Center. |
| Aquatics Complex | 4 swimming pools including an adult lap pool and a family resort pool with a 30-foot pirate tower slide. |
| Nature & ICW Boardwalk | 3/4-mile marsh boardwalk to a covered fishing pavilion on the Tolomato River, plus 8 miles of shaded trails. |
1. Arthur Hills Championship Golf Course
- 18-Hole Championship Layout: A 7,071-yard, par-72 course weaving through maritime hammocks, pine flatwoods, and sweeping tidal marsh vistas along the Tolomato River.
- The Palencia Clubhouse: A three-story, 33,000-square-foot Mediterranean clubhouse offering private members' dining, The Bistro, event banquet ballrooms, and a golf pro shop.
- Comprehensive Practice Complex: Includes a 400-yard multi-directional driving range, putting greens, chipping green, and practice bunkers.
2. Racquet Club & Village Fitness
- Tennis & Pickleball: 10 Har-Tru lighted clay tennis courts with full-time USPTA professionals, competitive USTA leagues, plus 8 dedicated lighted pickleball courts.
- 18,000 sq. ft. Village Fitness Center: Group exercise classes, personal training, strength machines, and cardio studios.
- 4 Community Pools: An adult lap pool, a family resort pool featuring a 30-foot pirate tower corkscrew water slide, and a heated recreation pool.
- 3/4-Mile Tidal Marsh Boardwalk: Stretches across pristine wetlands to a covered observation pavilion and fishing dock on the Intracoastal Waterway / Tolomato River.
Palencia Neighborhood Enclaves & Real Estate
Palencia offers diverse residential enclaves ranging from low-maintenance condominiums and garden villas to custom waterfront estates on private islands:
| Enclave | Property Style | Architectural Character | 2026 Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village Lofts & Avila | Luxury Condos & Attached Villas | Walkable Mediterranean Village Core | $450K - $650K |
| Promenade & Costa Brava | Single-Family Garden Homes | Coastal Mediterranean & Spanish Colonial | $650K - $950K |
| Costa del Sol & Reserve | Semi-Custom Executive Homes | Golf Course & Deep Preserve Homesites | $950K - $1.6M |
| Augustine Island & El Bosque | Custom Luxury Waterfront Estates | Private Island & Tolomato River Frontage | $1.6M - $2.8M+ |
CDD Fees, HOA Dues & Club Memberships
1. Community Development District (CDD) Assessments
Palencia infrastructure is managed under the Marshall Creek CDD and Sweetwater Creek CDD.
- Annual Cost: Typically $3,000 to $4,930/year (combining debt service and operations & maintenance).
Important Resale Nuance: Prepaid CDD Bonds
Because Palencia began construction in the early 2000s, some original owners have fully paid off the 20-year CDD bond debt service. When reviewing resale properties in Palencia, we always verify whether a parcel is bond-free (paying only the smaller O&M portion), which can save you $1,500 to $2,500+ every year in property taxes.
2. HOA Fees
- Master HOA Dues: Approximately $100 to $150/month ($1,200 - $1,800/year).
- Condo/Townhome Sub-HOA Dues: Range from $250 to $500+/month (includes building insurance, roof reserves, elevators, and exterior maintenance).
3. Optional Palencia Club Golf Memberships
Unlike mandatory club communities, golf and social club memberships at The Palencia Club (managed by Hampton Golf) are optional:
- Membership Tiers: Full Golf (Family/Individual), Sports/Tennis (Racquet & Dining), and Social/Dining Membership.
- Cost Structure: Initiation fees historically range from $5,000 (Social) to $25,000+ (Full Golf), with monthly golf dues starting around $450 - $650+/month.
Top-Tier School Zoning
Palencia is zoned for acclaimed institutions within the St. Johns County School District:
- Elementary: Palencia Elementary School: Located directly inside the community Village Center. Children can safely walk or take golf carts to school.
- Middle School: Pacetti Bay Middle School: An 'A'-rated middle school campus.
- High School: Allen D. Nease High School: Renowned for its top-ranked International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, Stellar Academy of Engineering, and Naval JROTC.
Palencia vs. Nearby Communities
| Feature / Metric | Palencia | RiverTown | Ponte Vedra Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Style | Spanish Mediterranean & Barrel Tiles | Coastal Craftsman & Farmhouse | Coastal Luxury & Modern Estuary |
| Anchor Lifestyle | Arthur Hills Championship Golf & Racquet | St. Johns River Boating & Lazy River | Atlantic Ocean Beaches & Private Clubs |
| On-Site School | Palencia Elementary | Hallowes Cove Academy (K-8) | Ponte Vedra High School Zone |
| High School | Nease High (IB Program) | Bartram Trail / Tocoi Creek | Ponte Vedra High School |
- vs. RiverTown: Choose Palencia for championship golf, competitive clay tennis, and classic Mediterranean architecture under ancient live oaks; choose RiverTown for deep-water St. Johns River boating, lazy river pools, and brand-new construction.
- vs. Ponte Vedra Beach: Palencia offers similar country club elegance and Nease High zoning at a fraction of the cost per square foot compared to oceanfront Ponte Vedra estates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tour Palencia with Local Realtor Inna Moskalyk
Considering buying or selling a home in Palencia? Partner with Inna Moskalyk for deep expertise in CDD bond verifications, country club memberships, and luxury golf course properties.
- Schedule a Buyer Consultation
- Request a Free Competitive Home Valuation
- Contact Inna Moskalyk or call (747) 344-7246 for a private tour.