Bonita Beach

One of the best places in Southwest Florida to catch the sunset. The same shell bits that make barefoot stollers wish they had flip flops almost glow at sunset, mimicking the pastel pink and salmon hues cast upon the Gulf of Mexico nearly every evening. Doc’s Beach House is a popular eatery. The county-run park at the south end of the beach offers showers, picnic areas and grills.

Pros: Short walk from free public parking to the beach. Public parks at the south and north end of the beach run an affordable 75 cents per hour.
Cons: Narrow beach with lots of shell fragments. Parking can be a challenge during the tourism season.
Likely visitors: Bonita Beach is a nice all-around beach, offering watersports, scattered dining and nice public facilities.
Getting there: From the south, take Highway 41 north to Bonita Beach Road and make a left. The beach is at the end of Bonita Beach Road.
Parking: Metered parking at beach entrance.