The True Florida on the Gulf Coast
Beautiful Views From A Semi-Secluded Park in Siesta Key
Bay Island Park is the perfect picnic spot in Siesta Key, FL.
There is beauty beyond the white-sand beach in Siesta Key, FL.
Keep going north past the Village and discover one of the great finds of the entire Sarasota area. Just before leaving Siesta Key is a bridge at Bay Island Park, and on either side are two small parks.
Not only are they gorgeous, but they are the Best Place on Siesta Key For A Picnic.
Headed north (off the key), just before the big bridge (and just past a smaller one over a canal), there are picnic tables, palm trees, a few fisherman and a view of the water that is spectacular. You want a "Florida experience," well this is it, folks.
This is a great place for not just a picnic but to hang out for the day.
Some people put a fishing pole in the water in this waterfront park.
It's definitely a dog's life at this picnic table in Bay Island Park.
Take a little walk under the bridge and enjoy the view from the other side, out the channel and over to Longboat Key and Lido Key.
Go over the bridge and just to the left is an even more beautfuil area. With flat, white seashells, palm trees and blue water as far as the eye can see, this is a photographer's paradise – as evidenced by all the photos in this article. Here, one can take the views, pull out a fishing pole or just sit in a chair and wave at people in the passing boats. Here, there are a few benches but no picnic tables.
Across the bridge is this beautiful spot of Bay Island Park.
Wouldn't you like to spend the day here!?
Bring a book – or read SurfsideSam.com on your iPad – on this bench.
Surround yourself with palm tress and water at Bay Island Park.
This sand bar provides an excellent view from Bay Island Park.
Ahh, the water looks inviting at the Bay Island bridge.
As Bay Island Park proves, there's beauty besides Siesta Key's beach.
Because there is a bike lane, even on the bridge, you can even ride bicycles to these spots. Read moe for other great bicycling adventures in Siesta Key.
Mean dog – and they mean it, at least judging by its ferocious bark.
Tip: Don't cross the highway on a bike; go under the bridge instead. On the north side, you even get a bonus, a sign on a fence by a house that says MEAN DOG. That's worth a laugh. And don't put it to the test; the barking dog sounds like the Tasmanian Devil, so respect the sign!
Facilities: There are no permanent facilities here, just a port-o-let at by the picnic tables.
Directions: Take Ocean Blvd., north past Siesta Key Village, turn left at the stop sign (Higel Ave.) and go through the light; this will again be Midnight Pass Road. (Note: You can also take Midnight Pass Road all the way to this point if you want to bypass the Village).
The road will curve to the right and shortly afterward will be a small bridge over a canal. The big bridge comes up in less than a mile and the picnic spot is on the right while the beautiful scenic vista is over the bridge to the left.
Don't be fooled by the Bay Island Park sign; it's on the left just before the bridge but the turnoff appears to go into a residential area. What you want is just past this point.
• SurfsideSam.com
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