Heckscher Drive: Jacksonville’s “North Florida Keys”

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Waterfront Living, Wild Beauty, and a Corridor on the Rise
If you’ve ever driven Heckscher Drive and thought, “How is this still Jacksonville?”—you’re not alone. This long, scenic stretch on the north side of town threads between marsh, river, creeks, and barrier-island beaches in a way that feels more like an Old Florida coastal byway than a typical city corridor. Locals have even leaned into a fitting nickname: “The North Florida Keys.” It’s not because you’ll find neon duval-dive tiki bars on every corner (though… give it time). It’s because water is everywhere, the landscape is unapologetically natural, and the lifestyle is equal parts laid-back and outdoorsy.
And right now? Heckscher Drive is quietly changing—drawing new attention for its waterfront homes, proximity to the beaches, and its strategic location near the port and major job centers. (The Jaxson)
Where is the Heckscher Drive area?
Heckscher Drive (FL-105) runs along the north bank of the St. Johns River and into Jacksonville’s network of coastal islands—connecting neighborhoods and communities like Oceanway and the Fort George area, with access to Little Talbot Island, Big Talbot Island, and the wider Amelia Island/Fernandina orbit. (Jacksonville)
One of the coolest parts of the drive is that it feels remote—yet you’re not far from key industrial and logistics hubs tied to JAXPORT activity (especially around Blount Island and nearby terminals), which has helped keep the corridor economically relevant even while much of it stays beautifully underdeveloped. (Jacksonville Record)
The natural beauty is the headline
Let’s start with what makes this area instantly memorable: the scenery.
Little Talbot Island State Park is often the exclamation point for the whole area, known for miles of sandy beach, dunes, and salt marsh—a rare “still wild” barrier island experience close to the city. (Jacksonville)
Typical homes: coastal character, space, and a mix of eras
Heckscher Drive real estate doesn’t fit neatly into one box—which is part of the appeal.
What you’ll commonly see:
In short: it’s not cookie-cutter suburbia. It’s an eclectic coastal corridor where the best houses embrace the water—whether that’s riverfront, creekfront, or marsh-view living.
Waterfront homes: the “North Florida Keys” vibe in real life
The waterfront inventory is what really earns the moniker.
Here, “waterfront” can mean:Ω
And because the area sits near some of Northeast Florida’s most photogenic coastal environments, a good waterfront home here can feel like a private lodge—five minutes from a beach trailhead.
Affordability: more accessible than the Beaches (with important caveats)
Compared to Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Ponte Vedra, the Heckscher Drive area has often been seen as a more attainable way to get “coastal-adjacent” living—especially if you’re willing to trade walkable coffee shops for space, water views, and nature.
That said, affordability here is not one-size-fits-all:
Bottom line: there’s still a range—making it one of the more interesting coastal markets in the Jacksonville area for buyers who want water access without paying peak-beach pricing. (And for investors who understand the nuance of the corridor.)
Proximity to the beaches (without living “at the beach”)
One of the underrated flexes of Heckscher Drive: you can be near the beaches without living in a tourist zone.
Instead of crowded beachfront streets, you’re close to:
So if your ideal weekend is more “sunrise paddle + beach walk + grill at home” than “parking wars + packed brunch waitlists,” this area hits different.
New growth and early-stage “re-gentrification”: what’s changing?
Heckscher Drive is still defined by natural land and long-established communities—but momentum is building in two ways:
1) Industrial and logistics investment tied to the port ecosystem
Recent headlines point to major distribution and facility proposals along the corridor, reflecting the strategic value of being near shipping and container routes tied to JAXPORT activity. (Jacksonville Record)
2) Residential reinvestment and “quiet upgrades”
You’ll notice more:
This is the early shape of re-gentrification here: less about high-rises, more about property-by-property reinvestment—especially where water access or views create lasting value.
Why people fall in love with Heckscher Drive
It’s unique Jacksonville.
It’s the kind of place where you can drive past marshes that look untouched, spot a waterfront dock tucked behind palms, and end up on an undeveloped barrier-island beach—all in the same afternoon.
If you want the short pitch:

Or, to say it the local way: welcome to the North Florida Keys