Local Beaches Around Lakewood Ranch, FL

10 Gulf beaches, 26 to 55 minutes from Lakewood Ranch without traffic. Parking, lifeguard and dog rules come from each park operator's own page.

Siesta Beach

Siesta Key · 948 Beach Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242

Sarasota County's largest beach park, with lifeguards, concessions, courts and the most free parking of any public beach in the county.

Parking: Free — Over 950 free spaces, including RV, motorcycle and ADA parking.

Lido Beach

Lido Key · 400 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

A lifeguarded beach park with a public pool and concession next to the sand.

Parking: Free lot; $1/hr street spaces — 368 free spaces in the Lido Beach Pavilion lot. 80 spaces along Benjamin Franklin Dr are metered at $1/hr (credit card or ParkMobile) since July 15, 2024. · Hours: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Coquina Beach

Anna Maria Island · 2650 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

One of three lifeguarded beaches in Manatee County, with sand volleyball courts and reservable pavilions.

Parking: On-site lots — The county does not list a parking fee. Beach lots flood after summer rains and are graded when dry. · Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Bean Point

Anna Maria Island · North Shore Dr & Fern St, Anna Maria, FL 34216

The undeveloped northern tip of Anna Maria Island, with no parking lot and no facilities.

Parking: No lot — No parking lot. The City of Anna Maria has removed street parking along North Shore Dr and tickets vehicles in no-parking zones.

Manatee Public Beach

Anna Maria Island · 4000 State Road 64 & Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217

Manatee County's year-round lifeguarded beach at the west end of SR 64, with a playground, volleyball and food concessions.

Parking: On-site lots — The county does not list a parking fee. Beach lots flood after summer rains and are graded when dry. · Hours: Sunrise – 10 p.m.

Whitney Beach & Beer Can Island

Longboat Key · 100 North Shore Rd, Longboat Key, FL 34228

The north end of Longboat Key at Longboat Pass, reached from small unpaved public beach-access lots.

Parking: Free — About 30 unpaved spaces at the 100 North Shore Rd access and about 31 at 100 Broadway St (the Town's approximate counts).

Caspersen Beach

Venice · 4100 Harbor Dr S, Venice, FL 34285

A natural beach park south of Venice known for fossilized shark teeth, currently open to walkers and cyclists only.

Parking: No vehicle parking — Closed to vehicles: the Harbor Drive access washed out in the 2024 storm season. Walk or bike in from South Brohard Park or the Venetian Waterway Park Trail at the Venice Festival Grounds. · Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Turtle Beach Park

Siesta Key · 8918 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242

A south Siesta Key beach park with a mangrove lagoon, boat and kayak launches, and a fishing pier.

Parking: On-site lot — The county does not list a parking fee. · Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Nokomis Beach & North Jetty Park

Casey Key · 100 Casey Key Rd, Nokomis, FL 34275

Two lifeguarded county beach parks on Casey Key: Nokomis Beach, and North Jetty Park about a mile south at the Venice Inlet.

Parking: On-site lots — The county does not list a parking fee. · Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Nokomis boat ramp open 24/7)

Brohard Paw Park

Venice · 1850 Harbor Dr S, Venice, FL 34285

A fenced dog park leading to the only beach in Sarasota County where dogs are allowed.

Parking: On-site lot — Parking on site and at South Brohard Park next door. · Hours: 7 a.m. – dusk