Anna Maria Island
The coast of West Central Florida has some of the world’s finest beaches, and that’s not just local pride talking. Our shores are regularly rated among the world’s finest by numerous travel authorities.

Here are our five favorite area beaches, all located within an hour-and-a-half drive of the Lazydays RV Campground in Tampa.

1. Siesta Key Beach (www.sarasotafl.org/siesta-key)

This Sarasota destination was named “America’s Best Beach” in 2011 by Dr. Stephen Leatherman — better known as “Dr. Beach” — a Florida International University coastal scientist who has published his annual rankings of the nation’s beaches for more than 20 years. Siesta stands out for its quartz-crystal sand, which stays cool even on the sunniest days. The clear, warm water is shallow near the shore and lifeguards are on duty year-round, making this an ideal, family-friendly beach. The website Family Vacation Critic concurs, ranking the beach among its top 10 for several reasons: “The Gulf’s calm waters won’t intimidate young children, and may even provide a glimpse at playful dolphins swimming just off the coast. Not only is the sand super soft, it borders the most gorgeous emerald green water you’ve ever seen.” It also happens to be one of the few no-smoking beaches around, so leave your smokes in the car. You’ll find top-notch dining and shopping opportunities at both ends of Siesta Key and in Sarasota. A few non-reserved RV parking spaces are available.

Getting There: From Lazydays, follow I-4 West to I-75 South. Take Exit 205 (FL-72 West) toward Siesta Key/Sarasota. Turn right on Midnight Pass Road/FL-758, which becomes Beach Road. Make a U-turn to
reach the beach.

2. St. Pete Beach (www.stpetebeach.org)
Honeymoon Island by 2009 Contest Winenr Christina Rueb "Ripple"


Travelers surveyed by TripAdvisor ranked St. Pete Beach No. 1 in the United States. The website’s write-up describes it as “a postcard-perfect seaside destination” with “sugary-white sand, dolphins frolicking just off shore and eight major barrier islands.” St. Pete Beach is home to the world-famous Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa, surely the country’s most famous pink hotel. It also boasts a number of classic Florida seafood restaurants such as Frenchy’s and The Hurricane, allowing you to conduct your own personal grouper-sandwich taste test. Drive or stroll through the picturesque village of Pass-a-Grille and you’ll soon be plotting a permanent beach residence. The main drag is crowded with hotels, restaurants (both chain and local) and gift shops, but all that seems a million miles away when your toes are in the sand, the sun is on your shoulders and your ears are filled with the sound of seagulls and softly lapping waves. RV parking, for vehicles 30 feet in length or less, is available in all metered public lots. Parking on residential streets is forbidden.

Getting There: Follow I-4 West to I-275 South. Take Exit 23B (FL-595 West) toward US-19 South/Treasure Island. Turn left onto 66th Street North/US-19A Alt. South and follow to Boca Ciega Drive. Take a right on Boca Ciega.

3. Fort De Soto Park (www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm)

Fort De Soto Park is another award-winner. Ranked No. 1 by Dr. Beach in 2005 and by TripAdvisor in 2009, it was recognized by PetVR.com as the nation’s top Dog-Friendly Beach in 2012. In addition to nearly three miles of soft white beaches, Fort De Soto offers a designated dog park where you and your canine pal can frolic in the sun and sand. Made up of five interconnected islands — Mullet Key, St. Christopher Key, St. Jean Key, Madelaine Key and Bonne Fortune Key — the park spans 1,136 acres. It’s popular among birdwatchers, with 290 species of birds documented here, as well as nature-lovers in general, with native plants, mangroves and a refuge for loggerhead turtles, which nest here between April and September.
Honeymoon Island by 2009 Contest Winner Christina Rueb "Blues Sky & White Sands"
History buffs will find much to interest them, as well. Originally called Fort Dade, the fort was built to protect Tampa Bay during the Spanish-American War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee (then a young Brevet Colonel) visited the island in 1848 as part of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers surveying team. During the Civil War, Fort De Soto was set up as a blockade by Union troops; it later served as a bombing range during World War II. Fort De Soto was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1977. RV parking is available for day-trippers, while the on-site campground offers water and electrical hook-ups.

Getting There: Follow I-4 West to I-275 South. Take Exit 17 (FL-682 West) toward Pinellas Bayway/St. Pete Beach, then turn left onto Pinellas Bayway South/FL-679 South to park entrance at 3500 Pinellas Bayway South.

4. Honeymoon Island (www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland)

Originally, and less appealingly, known as Hog Island, Honeymoon Island acquired its current moniker in 1939 when a developer built thatch-roofed bungalows to attract newlyweds. Honeymoon Island is a boon for nature-lovers, with one of the last virgin slash pine forests in South Florida as well as osprey nests, lots of shorebirds and mangrove swamps. A two-and-a-half mile nature trail winds through the island, giving hikers a sense of Florida in the days before humans set foot on its shores. Fishing and snorkeling are popular here, and the beach is especially rich in sea shells. Kayakers can paddle to Pelican Cove, and a playground offers fun for little ones who get tired of building sand castles. An elevated observation deck allows visitors the opportunity to watch wading birds around the St. Joseph Sound seagrass beds. RV parking is available at the north end of the beach.

Getting There: Follow I-4 West to I-275 South. Take Exit 39 (Memorial Highway/FL-60 West)toward Tampa Airport/Clearwater. Keep right and take Exit 3 (CR-576/Memorial Highway/Eisenhower Boulevard) toward Air Cargo. Turn left onto Memorial Highway, then left on Hillsborough Avenue/FL-580 West. Continue straight onto Tampa Road/FL-584 West. Turn left onto Curlew Road/FL-586 West, which becomes Causeway Boulevard. Park entrance is on the left.

5. Anna Maria Island (www.annamariaisland.com)
Anna Maria Island


This seven-mile stretch includes three small towns: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, north to south. Entering the island produces an undeniable sense of getting away from it all. Even though Tampa is just an hour away, Anna Maria Island feels like another Florida entirely — one that’s wonderfully devoid of hustle and bustle. The pace is slow, with plenty of shops and eateries in which to take a break from the sun. Several marinas accommodate boaters ready to spend the day fishing or scuba diving. There’s fine dining at Sign of the Mermaid, and great grub at Duffy’s Tavern, recognized by USA Today as one of the country’s top 10 “Hamburger Heavens.” (Bring cash, since Duffy’s doesn’t take credit cards. And don’t even think about asking for french fries; this is strictly a beer-and-burger joint.) The island’s narrow roads aren’t built to accommodate RVs, so bring your bicycles and park at one of two campgrounds along Cortez Road, which leads to Bradenton Beach.

Siesta Key





Getting There: Follow I-4 West to I-75 South. Take Exit 228 onto I-275 toward St. Petersburg. Take Exit 2 for US-41 South toward Palmetto/Bradenton. Turn right on Manatee Avenue West/FL-64 West. From Manatee, turn right onto Gulf Drive, then right onto Marina Drive. (If you’re driving your RV and need to park at one of the campgrounds along Cortez Road, follow the same directions to Manatee Avenue; from there, take a left onto 75th Street West and then a right onto Cortez.)

There are many more beautiful beaches to choose from throughout the Tampa Bay area, all within an easy drive from the Lazydays RV Campground. Area residents and return visitors likely have their own favorite beaches, so don’t hesitate to ask your campground neighbors or staff for their recommendations. You’re sure to find your own little slice of Gulf-side paradise.

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