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Lido Beach
is located on Lido Key, which is a barrier island located on the southwest coast of Florida, just west of Sarasota. There is bridge access to Lido Key from downtown Sarasota and also from the north by another barrier island, Longboat Key. Stretching between serene Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, these beautiful beaches attract thousands of visitors each year for the balmy year round temperatures, stunning white sand beaches and varied attractions. Lido Key is made up of several areas and has something for everyone. You’ll find secluded beaches to the north and south, and the central portion is known as St. Armands Circle, an upscale shopping “village” filled with boutiques, art galleries, souvenir shops and restaurants.
North Lido Beach is a pristine half-mile stretch of sand lined by towering Australian pines. Spanning an area behind a residential location, it is the least populated beach and has a wide sidewalk that runs along Benjamin Franklin Drive, which makes it very easy for a beachside stroll. Very private – North Lido Beach has swift currents and there are no lifeguards on duty. One half-mile southwest of St. Armands Circle on Ben Franklin Drive is Lido Public Beach (the middle portion of Lido Key.) This busy beach has free parking (for over 400 cars) and a concession building with covered tables, beach chairs and cabanas for rent, restrooms, playground equipment, and an observation deck and gift shop. Lido Public Beach has lifeguards on duty year round. South Lido Park is located at the southern tip of Lido Key and is bordered by four bodies of water – the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay and Brushy Bayou. There is a nature trail, which includes scenic overlooks and boardwalks, at the north end of this park. Amenities at South Lido Beach include picnic tables, restrooms, playground equipment, and a volleyball court and canoe trail. Lifeguards are on duty at South Lido Park during weekends only Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Siesta Key, Longboat Key and St. Armands Key are also part of the Lido Beach area. Siesta Key is largely residential with extraordinarily beautiful beaches. Popular with artists and writers, Siesta Key is home Crescent Beach, one of the finest white sand beaches in the state. Known for its eclectic, free-spirited lifestyle, Siesta Key is home to Siesta Village, which is a funky, laid back beach hangout, with a variety of shops and boutiques, quaint restaurants, outdoor pubs and cafes, and has an active nightlife. Longboat Key stretches narrowly for eleven miles between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. It is home to two championship golf courses and has a ten-mile bike path that winds along the Gulf of Mexico. Just off the south end of Longboat Key is the Mote Marine Aquarium, a marine research center and lab, with a 30-foot touch tank and a 135,000-gallon shark tank. You’ll find an abundance of outdoor activities in the Lido Beach area, with terrific shopping on Longboat Key and St. Armands Key. Just over the bridge in Sarasota you’ll find even more shopping, dining, theater and cultural experiences.
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