One of Jacksonville’s oldest and most ethnically diverse and cosmopolitan communities, San Marco was developed in the 1920s. In recent years, San Marco has become one of Jacksonville’s trendiest destinations thanks to its collection of independent bookstores, upscale gift shops, and art galleries.

The residential areas in San Marco are similarly eclectic. You’ll see everything from moderate, low-cost, small homes to expansive riverside mansions. Situated in the 32207 zip code area, San Marco is framed by I-95 on the north and east sides, River Road on the west, and River Oaks Road on the south.

The heart and soul of the community is San Marco Square, an artsy, shopping, dining, and entertainment district, which drew inspiration from the famous square by the same name in Venice, Italy. Even though it has narrow sidewalks, it’s a pedestrian-friendly area with lush landscaping. Take a stroll through the area and you’ll see a large number of statues, monuments, and public art. A giant statue of three lions sits in the center of San Marco Square’s main intersection.

The antithesis of modern suburbia, San Marco Square is an authentic town square with restaurants and bars with outdoor courtyard seating and entertainment, such the San Marco Theater, a classic Art Deco American movie theater, and the Little Theater, which opened in 1937 and is the nation’s longest continuously operating community theater group. Free concerts on Saturday nights at the gazebo on San Marco Square are popular outings too.

San Marco has several superb restaurants where locals hang out and other Jacksonville citizens congregate for excellent ethnic cuisine. Heading the list is Bistro AIX, which offers French and Mediterranean-inspired fare, The Grotto, with an innovative tapas-style menu and Layla’s of San Marco, where traditional Middle Eastern cuisine is the draw.

The streets south of San Marco Square are lined with classy estates, impressive riverfront mansions and community parks.