Looking for a community where golf is only the beginning? At The King and The Bear in St. Johns, you get a lifestyle that blends recreation, dining, fitness, and everyday convenience in one well-known World Golf Village setting. If you are trying to understand what it actually feels like to live here, this guide will walk you through the amenities that shape daily life. Let’s dive in.
A Resort-Style Setting
The King and The Bear is part of the larger World Golf Village area in the St. Augustine region. According to community and destination information, World Golf Village spans a large preserve-oriented setting, with 2,700 of 6,300 acres described as protected nature preserve, which helps explain the community’s open and scenic feel.
The King & Bear HOA describes the community as home to 14 diverse neighborhoods and notes that it is located just a few miles from historic St. Augustine and North Florida beaches. That gives you a mix of residential privacy and convenient access to well-known local destinations.
One detail that matters if you are comparing communities is how access works. The HOA states that residential amenities are for owners and residents, while the golf course and restaurant across the street are open to the public. That creates a clear split between private neighborhood living and public-facing destination amenities.
Golf Leads the Lifestyle
Golf is the signature amenity at The King and The Bear. World Golf Village describes the King & Bear course as the only golf course in the world co-designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, which gives the community a distinct identity within Northeast Florida.
The course itself is designed to offer variety throughout the round. Its official description highlights open, links-style play on the front side, followed by a more traditional Florida back nine with pines, oaks, coquina rock, and water features.
If you are someone who wants more than occasional play, the broader golf experience here goes beyond one course. World Golf Village presents the destination as offering 36 holes of championship golf plus two clubhouse restaurants, which supports a true golf-centered lifestyle rather than a single amenity checkbox.
For residents or buyers thinking long term, membership perks add to that appeal. World Golf Village says members receive access to both championship courses, priority tee times, complimentary range balls, unlimited use of both practice facilities, and a social calendar that includes couples events, family golf days, instruction, and junior clinics.
Pools and Fitness for Daily Use
The amenity center supports everyday wellness in a very practical way. The King & Bear HOA highlights a 5,000-square-foot fitness center completed in fall 2018, with modern workout equipment, a dedicated weight area, and a separate studio for classes.
That setup can make it easier to stick to a routine close to home. Instead of driving across town for a workout or class, you have a substantial fitness option built into the community.
The pools also add flexibility for different ages and uses. The amenity center includes a zero-entry kiddie pool and an Olympic-sized lap pool that is heated in winter and lit at night.
Poolside details matter too, especially in Florida. The HOA notes a pavilion and outdoor grills, which helps turn the pool area into more than just a place to swim. It becomes a place where you can relax, gather, and spend real time outdoors.
Courts, Parks, and Active Recreation
If you want options beyond golf and the pool, The King and The Bear has them. The HOA lists three lighted tennis courts and four lighted pickleball courts, which gives residents multiple ways to stay active and social.
The community also includes Heritage Park, which adds broader recreational space. According to the HOA, the park features basketball, soccer goals, volleyball, swings, a small merry-go-round, and open space for outdoor play.
There is also a resident recreational park off International Golf Parkway. The HOA says this area includes grass fields, two pickleball courts, and a dog park, which expands the amenity footprint beyond the main center.
Taken together, these features make the community feel well-rounded. You are not limited to one main attraction. Instead, you have several ways to spend your time based on your routine, interests, and season of life.
Social Spaces That Feel Lived In
A lot of communities have amenities on paper. What makes The King and The Bear stand out is that the HOA also describes regular activity built around those spaces.
Recurring events and programs include fitness classes, water aerobics, tennis and pickleball groups, food truck Fridays, garage sales, and donation drives. That tells you the amenity package is designed for actual use, not just brochure appeal.
This can be especially helpful if you are relocating and want a smoother transition into a new area. Shared spaces and recurring events often make it easier to build routines and get comfortable in a new community.
Dining Without Leaving the Area
Convenience is a big part of lifestyle, and dining options matter more than many buyers expect. World Golf Village says AJ’s Kitchen & Cocktails is located at the King & Bear clubhouse and serves lunch daily plus dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.
The restaurant experience adds more than basic convenience. Its official description highlights coastal-inspired food, cocktails, live music, and special wine events, which gives residents and visitors an easy nearby option for casual meals or social evenings.
The broader World Golf Village area also includes additional dining choices. Official destination information lists Legends Grille & Spirits at the Slammer & Squire, along with nearby spots such as Murray Bros. Caddyshack and Villagio Bar and Grill.
For buyers evaluating day-to-day livability, this matters. Having food and gathering options nearby can make the community feel more self-contained and easier to enjoy without planning every outing around a drive.
Walking Paths and Scenic Outdoor Time
Not every valuable amenity has to be inside a building or tied to a court reservation. One of the strongest outdoor lifestyle features in the area is the World Golf Village Walk of Champions.
Florida’s First Coast of Golf describes it as a 1.2-mile brick path that circles a central lake and highlights golf history through commemorative stones honoring legends of the game. It adds a scenic and recognizable outdoor feature that fits the larger identity of the area.
Visit St. Augustine also notes that the village includes walking and nature trails along the preserve land. That combination supports simple daily activities like morning walks, casual exercise, and time outside close to home.
For many buyers, these are the amenities that get used most often. A well-placed walking path can become part of your routine in a way that feels easy and consistent.
What Stands Out Most
The biggest takeaway is that The King and The Bear offers more than a golf address. Yes, golf is the anchor, but the full amenity mix supports many different versions of daily life.
You have fitness, pools, courts, parks, dining, community events, and walkable outdoor spaces all tied into the larger World Golf Village setting. That makes the neighborhood appealing for buyers who want recreation close to home and a community that feels active throughout the week.
It is also helpful to understand the public-versus-resident distinction. The golf course and restaurant are open to the public, while the HOA amenities are designed for owners and residents, which gives the community both destination appeal and private neighborhood value.
If you are considering a move to The King and The Bear, it helps to look beyond the headline amenity and think about how you would use the whole environment day to day. That is often where the real value of a community becomes clear.
If you want local insight on homes and lifestyle at The King and The Bear, Tara Presser can help you explore what fits your goals.
FAQs
What amenities are available to residents at The King and The Bear?
- Residents and owners have access to the community amenity center, which includes a 5,000-square-foot fitness center, two pools, tennis courts, pickleball courts, parks, and recurring community activities listed by the HOA.
Is the King and Bear golf course private or public?
- The HOA states that the golf course and restaurant across the street are open to the public, while the residential amenities are for owners and residents.
What pools are at The King and The Bear?
- The amenity center includes a zero-entry kiddie pool and an Olympic-sized lap pool that is heated in winter and lit at night, along with a pavilion and outdoor grills.
Are there pickleball and tennis courts at The King and The Bear?
- Yes. The HOA lists three lighted tennis courts and four lighted pickleball courts, plus two additional pickleball courts at the resident recreational park off International Golf Parkway.
Are there dining options near The King and The Bear?
- Yes. World Golf Village says AJ’s Kitchen & Cocktails is located at the King & Bear clubhouse, and the broader area also includes other nearby dining options within World Golf Village.
Is The King and The Bear only for golf-focused buyers?
- No. In addition to golf, the community offers fitness facilities, pools, parks, courts, walking areas, and recurring social activities that support a broader lifestyle.
