Explore Tours and Pickups invites you to discover St. Augustine through the eyes of a passionate local historian. Owner-guide Karen has spent more than a decade weaving the nation’s oldest city’s stories into engaging, small-group...
Karen stands out as the star of this St. Augustine touring operation, mentioned by name repeatedly for her exceptional knowledge and storytelling abilities. Visitors rave about her depth of historical expertise, noting she's not only spent over a decade in the city but has even written a book on its history. The intimate small-group golf cart format gets consistent praise for being easy to navigate, quiet enough to hear everything clearly, and perfect for covering lots of ground without the hassle of walking or dealing with downtown parking nightmares. Multiple guests loved using this as their first activity to get oriented with the city, with tours spanning from the Fountain of Youth to significant civil rights sites. The electric carts accommodate various ages comfortably, making them accessible for older travelers and engaging enough for kids. A couple of hiccups do appear in the feedback. One family had an unfortunate pre-tour phone interaction where staff came across as impatient when they were running slightly late, though the actual tour guide salvaged the experience. More significantly, a Night of Lights tour disappointed guests when the driver prioritized speed over views, keeping them on the wrong side of the street where they couldn't properly see the displays. That particular guide also didn't provide any historical context or information, which felt like a missed opportunity given what seems to be the company's usual standard. Other guides like Matthew and Mark also earn shoutouts for their engaging, knowledgeable presentations, so your experience quality may vary depending on who's behind the wheel. Overall though, most visitors felt they got genuine value from these personalized tours.
Karen was prepared, knowing who her guest were. She knows her facts and is certain it’s true or will tell you otherwise. She told historical stories so you could get the big picture. She could answer any question and tell you more than what’s on the tour. If it be a restaurant, a different kind of tour she’ll know. She’s been in St. Augustine for over 10 years with vacations to St Augustine prior to their move. I know because I asked her. Also it’s important to know that she has spent time doing research on the historical locations she speaks of. She’s wrote a book and after briefly looking through it I’m positive she has more knowledge than what’s in this book. It’s probably time for her to write another. Anyway, if you are looking for HISTORY, this is the tour for you!! I found it fascinating and hope to return for another tour!! Thank you so much!!
BerresGirl
July 8, 2025
Karen was prepared, knowing who her guest were. She knows her facts and is certain it’s true or will tell you otherwise. She told historical stories so you could get the big picture. She could answer any question and tell you more than what’s on the tour. If it be a restaurant, a different kind of tour she’ll know. She’s been in St. Augustine for over 10 years with vacations to St Augustine prior to their move. I know because I asked her. Also it’s important to know that she has spent time doing research on the historical locations she speaks of. She’s wrote a book and after briefly looking through it I’m positive she has more knowledge than what’s in this book. It’s probably time for her to write another. Anyway, if you are looking for HISTORY, this is the tour for you!! I found it fascinating and hope to return for another tour!! Thank you so much!!
BerresGirl
July 8, 2025