Florida is known for its many beaches, from the Gulf Coast to the southeastern Atlantic coast. However, if you are taking your cat, dog or other pet on vacation with in Florida, make sure that both your lodgings and the accompanying beach are pet-friendly. Fortunately, there are many hotels, motels and cottages that permit pets, as well as beaches that allow you to bring your pet along for a swim.
Bird Key Park is located on Bird Key, Florida, at the foot of the Ringling Causeway Bridge, which leads to Sarasota. This small stretch of beach along Sarasota Bay is a well-known spot for dog lovers. You and your dog can swim together while enjoying stunning views of the blue-green water. The park is open from 6 a.m. until 12 a.m. year-round, and admission is free, as of February 2011. Keep your eyes peeled for the occasional dolphin sighting.
St. George Island is a barrier island near Panama City in the Florida panhandle that boasts over nine miles of uncrowded beach. It has a variety of activities, such as boating, biking, birdwatching and hiking with scenic views. Many of the lodgings here are quaint and pet-friendly. St. George also has plenty of restaurants and bars that light up after dark, so you can hit the town after a long day in the sun with your pet.
New Smyrna Beach is located along the Palm Coast of Florida, just south of Daytona in Volusia County. Along with the sand and surf is a two-mile boardwalk that you and your pet can stroll along together while enjoying the view of a lighthouse. New Smyrna Beach is well-known for being dog-friendly, and there are a variety of pet-friendly accommodations and activities to choose from. There is a $3.50 fee as of February 2011, and dogs must always be leashed.
Just north of Fort Myers, Florida, is Sanibel Island. The beaches of Sanibel Island allow pets, but they must be leashed at all times. You ca your pet can enjoy miles of this Gulf Coast beach known for its white sands and seashells. There is also a lighthouse nearby as well as a fishing pear. Note that nearby Captiva Island beaches do not allow pets, so exercise caution before venturing out to sea. Public parking costs $2.00 per hour,as of February 2011.
In the city of Venice, Florida, you will find the one-of-a-kind beach that is Paw Park. This is a beach designed especially for dogs, with a fenced-in play area that is one acre long. It is open daily from 7 a.m. until dusk. There are drinking fountains for your pet, as well as picnic tables, but bring lunch for both of you to enjoy while basking in the glow of the sun with other humans and dogs.
Ken Thompson Park, a small beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is a hidden treasure near the Mote Marine Aquarium on Sarasota Bay. Here you will also find the New Pass Fishing Pier, which winds through the mangroves. You and your pet can stroll along the pier or relax in the sun while watching the kayakers launch their boats. The beach is open from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m, and as of February 2011, admission is free.
