Questions about Nokomis Beach

[BP1968]

Originally Posted by graceC

Here's a picture of the beach near the North Jetty that I took a couple of days ago.

It looks nice. Thanks for sharing. We just need to make the drive down there sometime and try it out. All of the spots we found on Longboat Key have limited parking and no bathroom facilities. Lido Key and Siesta Key have been a little too crowded most of the time for our liking.

We will make the venture down soon and try out Nokomis.

[Avalon08]

Originally Posted by BP1968

It looks nice. Thanks for sharing. We just need to make the drive down there sometime and try it out. All of the spots we found on Longboat Key have limited parking and no bathroom facilities. Lido Key and Siesta Key have been a little too crowded most of the time for our liking.

We will make the venture down soon and try out Nokomis.

My first (and only) visit to Siesta Key was memorable. I had heard it was the #1 beach. Had already thought AMI had the most beautiful beaches I'd ever seen so I was anxious to see Siesta. Unfortunately, I picked Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, and there was also some college fiesta day going on. Also didn't get there til noon. I was at the main beach and trying to find a parking spot was like Christmas-time at the mall. Kept going in circles and nobody was leaving. Finally, I notice that a handicapped spot along the beach was being used to unload beer by the college kids. I asked them about it and they were all apologetic and said they'd move ASAP. Thank you, kids! Also, they were very friendly and asked me and my friend if we'd like to take a shot upside-down from the ice luge. We declined but it was pretty hilarious.

After all that, I didn't like Siesta Key all that much. The beach was super-wide and there were a lot of high-rises. Also wasn't curved like the coastline along AMI. But I have heard good things about Nokomis so please give a report if you go!

[BP1968]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

My first (and only) visit to Siesta Key was memorable. I had heard it was the #1 beach. Had already thought AMI had the most beautiful beaches I'd ever seen so I was anxious to see Siesta. Unfortunately, I picked Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, and there was also some college fiesta day going on. Also didn't get there til noon. I was at the main beach and trying to find a parking spot was like Christmas-time at the mall. Kept going in circles and nobody was leaving. Finally, I notice that a handicapped spot along the beach was being used to unload beer by the college kids. I asked them about it and they were all apologetic and said they'd move ASAP. Thank you, kids! Also, they were very friendly and asked me and my friend if we'd like to take a shot upside-down from the ice luge. We declined but it was pretty hilarious.

After all that, I didn't like Siesta Key all that much. The beach was super-wide and there were a lot of high-rises. Also wasn't curved like the coastline along AMI. But I have heard good things about Nokomis so please give a report if you go!

Will do. Will let you know what we think once we pay a visit to Nokomis.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

My first (and only) visit to Siesta Key was memorable. I had heard it was the #1 beach. Had already thought AMI had the most beautiful beaches I'd ever seen so I was anxious to see Siesta. Unfortunately, I picked Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, and there was also some college fiesta day going on. Also didn't get there til noon. I was at the main beach and trying to find a parking spot was like Christmas-time at the mall. Kept going in circles and nobody was leaving. Finally, I notice that a handicapped spot along the beach was being used to unload beer by the college kids. I asked them about it and they were all apologetic and said they'd move ASAP. Thank you, kids! Also, they were very friendly and asked me and my friend if we'd like to take a shot upside-down from the ice luge. We declined but it was pretty hilarious.

After all that, I didn't like Siesta Key all that much. The beach was super-wide and there were a lot of high-rises. Also wasn't curved like the coastline along AMI. But I have heard good things about Nokomis so please give a report if you go!

I’m not a huge fan of Siesta’s either due to how wide it is. Bean Point on AMI is #1 for me on the west coast, Nokomis is #2.

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

I’m not a huge fan of Siesta’s either due to how wide it is. Bean Point on AMI is #1 for me on the west coast, Nokomis is #2.

Did you know that Siesta Key wasn't always extra wide like that? It used to be much narrower and easier to walk to the waters edge. I used to go to Siesta Key beach almost every weekend back in the 80's, & it was ~1/2 as wide as it is now. Then, I moved away for 20 years, & returned to the extra wide beach we have today, with massive parking areas, & multiple raised concessions stands. I could hardly recognize it, when I returned. It looks too man-made now, & I hate having to walk that far carrying stuff.

I'll take Nokomis Beach & Venice Beach now, but if you are under 40 years of age, I dont think you can beat the overall Siesta scene. When my college-aged Son visits w/ his pals, they make a bee line to Siesta. I dont think its just the perfect White sand they are attracted to there

Bean Point on AMI has VERY limited parking, & its out of the way for so many of us. It would take me over an hour to drive there, & unless I arrive before 8:30 am, I might not find a parking spot. It is one of the prettiest beaches in this area no doubt. I like the Southern most tip of Lido Key just as well, & I can get there in 35 minutes and can get a spot if I arrive by 10. I like the Bay side because there's shade there, & I watching the boats come and go...but not the jet ski's too loud.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

Did you know that Siesta Key wasn't always extra wide like that? It used to be much narrower and easier to walk to the waters edge. I used to go to Siesta Key beach almost every weekend back in the 80's, & it was ~1/2 as wide as it is now. Then, I moved away for 20 years, & returned to the extra wide beach we have today, with massive parking areas, & multiple raised concessions stands. I could hardly recognize it, when I returned. It looks too man-made now, & I hate having to walk that far carrying stuff.

I'll take Nokomis Beach & Venice Beach now, but if you are under 40 years of age, I dont think you can beat the overall Siesta scene. When my college-aged Son visits w/ his pals, they make a bee line to Siesta. I dont think its just the perfect White sand they are attracted to there

Bean Point on AMI has VERY limited parking, & its out of the way for so many of us. It would take me over an hour to drive there, & unless I arrive before 8:30 am, I might not find a parking spot. It is one of the prettiest beaches in this area no doubt. I like the Southern most tip of Lido Key just as well, & I can get there in 35 minutes and can get a spot if I arrive by 10. I like the Bay side because there's shade there, & I watching the boats come and go...but not the jet ski's too loud.

I’m not surprised Siesta has changed a lot over the years. Like you said, it doesn’t really look natural and I’m not a fan. I agree it has a lot to offer younger people apart from the beach itself. Lido is one of my favorite spots all around between having the beach and St. Armands Circle nearby.

[Sunshine Rules]

Spring breaks will be coming up in mid March, bringing lots of students on vacation to Florida and Siesta Key is a popular spot on our coast. So visitors should keep that in mind.

Siesta Key Beach has the softest, quartz sand beaches that are unique to that beach in our area. The sand itself does not get hot like "normal" sand beaches, which is a big plus on hot, sunny days. The downside to SK beach is the parking, or lack of.

Nokomis Beach is one of my favorite area beaches for a number of reasons. Because it lacks high rise condos up and down the shore, it feels more like a local beach vs visitors haven. Shelling is often good there and we have found sharks teeth now and then. Nokomis Beach seems more laid back, quiet than some of the other public beaches.


I think this is one of the better Nokomis Beach info sites for those who haven't visited before:
https://ospreynokomisflorida.com/com...a-information/

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

I’m not surprised Siesta has changed a lot over the years. Like you said, it doesn’t really look natural and I’m not a fan. I agree it has a lot to offer younger people apart from the beach itself. Lido is one of my favorite spots all around between having the beach and St. Armands Circle nearby.

In 100% agreement. Siesta is mostly for the young/and or very rich. Artificial. Lido is also one of my favorites with it's proximity to St. Armand's, and I really like the park at the south end. It also (at least to me) has a sort of cosmopolitan vibe. When we lived in Sarasota, it was also the closest beach to drive to. I really also love the beaches on AMI, so much nicer than overbuilt and overrated Siesta, IMO.

[newtovenice]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

In 100% agreement. Siesta is mostly for the young/and or very rich. Artificial. Lido is also one of my favorites with it's proximity to St. Armand's, and I really like the park at the south end. It also (at least to me) has a sort of cosmopolitan vibe. When we lived in Sarasota, it was also the closest beach to drive to. I really also love the beaches on AMI, so much nicer than overbuilt and overrated Siesta, IMO.

Siesta is a tourist beach. Not good experiences there and stopped going. Just ick. Local beaches are so much better.

[beach43ofus]

Okay, so let's send all the tourists to Siesta Key beach, and keep the rest to ourselves...our little secret.