Lido Key
Sarasota, FL
Lido Key's public beach has one of the bigger free lots on this stretch of coast, 368 spaces at the main pavilion, plus a 25-meter lap pool and full restaurant right at the sand. It's an upscale, more built-up alternative to Siesta Key, closer to downtown Sarasota than most of the area's barrier islands.
The large free lot and lap pool give it real practical advantages over pricier or more crowded neighbors, though it lacks the singular reputation of Siesta Key just to the south.
How we score beachesThe main pavilion lot fills up, but 80 metered spaces along Ben Franklin Drive at 1 dollar an hour are a solid backup if it's full. The lap pool next to the beach is a nice option for swimming laps without fighting Gulf currents.
The main pavilion lot has 368 free spaces; metered street parking along Ben Franklin Drive runs 1 dollar an hour.
The beach is a short, flat walk from the pavilion lot.
Dogs are not allowed on Lido Beach to protect nesting sea turtles and shorebirds.
Winter and spring bring the mildest weather and the biggest snowbird crowds to this stretch of the Gulf coast. Summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, bring the warmest water and afternoon storms.
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