5 Late-Summer Day Trips from Sarasota Worth the Drive

Five great late-summer day trips from Sarasota: Boca Grande (tarpon), Anna Maria Island (beach), Myakka River State Park (alligators), Bradenton Riverwalk, and Englewood Beach — all under 90 minutes.

TL;DR: All five trips are under 90 minutes from downtown Sarasota. None require a boat reservation or a big budget. August is actually a good time for all of them if you leave early and beat the afternoon heat.

August in Sarasota is hot, humid, and spectacular if you know where to go. The summer crowds thin out mid-month. Gas is cheaper than it was in June. And a lot of locals use these last few weeks before Labor Day to actually explore the region they live in. Here's where to go, what to do when you get there, and how long the drive actually takes.

Boca Grande: Go for the Tarpon, Stay for the Town

Drive time from Sarasota: About 75 minutes via US-41 South to FL-776 to Placida Road and the toll causeway ($7.00 each way for a car).

Boca Grande sits on the southern tip of Gasparilla Island and it has one thing that puts it on the map for anglers worldwide: Boca Grande Pass, the deepest natural pass on Florida's Gulf Coast and the unofficial tarpon capital of the world. From May through July the fish peak, but August still produces solid action, especially on early-morning tides.

You don't need to charter a boat to enjoy it. The public beach at Gasparilla Island State Park ($3/person, 880 Belcher Road) has calm, clear water and almost no seaweed this time of year. The old Boca Grande Lighthouse sits at the southern tip — worth the short walk.

In town, grab breakfast at the Temp Bar & Grill on Park Avenue before the heat kicks in. The downtown strip is small and walkable. Expect to spend $15–$25 per person on food. This is not a cheap island, but you don't have to spend a lot if you pack a cooler and buy coffee on the way.

Best for: Anglers, history people, anyone who wants a real Florida fishing village instead of a resort town.

Anna Maria Island: The Slow Afternoon You Actually Need

Drive time from Sarasota: About 45–55 minutes via US-41 North to Manatee Avenue West (FL-64) over the bridge.

Anna Maria Island is seven miles long, has three small cities (Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach), and moves at a pace that feels genuinely different from the rest of the coast. No chain hotels. No theme bars. The Bean Point area at the north tip of the island is one of the better-kept secrets on the Gulf — a wide, quiet beach where you can watch dolphins and still find a parking spot on a Tuesday.

Pine Avenue in the City of Anna Maria has good food within walking distance of each other. The Donut Experiment and The Ugly Grouper are both worth stopping at. Bring cash to some of the smaller spots.

August afternoons bring thunderstorms around 3 p.m. almost every day — plan to be back at the beach by noon and use the afternoon for food and the shops on Pine Avenue.

Parking is tight. Use the free trolley that runs the length of the island if you can park at one of the public lots near Coquina Beach at the south end.

Best for: Families, couples, anyone who wants a slower version of Siesta Key without the weekend crowds.

Myakka River State Park: Real Florida, Alligators Included

Drive time from Sarasota: About 30 minutes east on FL-72 (Clark Road extended). The park entrance is at 13208 State Road 72.

This is the closest true wilderness day trip on the list and the one most Sarasota visitors never make. At 58 square miles, Myakka River State Park is one of the largest state parks in Florida. Entry is $6 per vehicle.

The Upper Myakka Lake area is where you go for alligators. In August, the water levels are higher from summer rains, but the gators are still visible from the bridge and along the lake road. The airboat tours ($16/adult) run twice daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and book up — call ahead at (941) 365-0100 or show up by 9:30 a.m.

The 38-foot canopy walk (free with park admission) gives you a view over the river floodplain that you can't get from the ground. It's crowded on weekends but nearly empty on a Wednesday morning.

Pack your own water and food. The small concession stand near the boat basin has limited options.

Best for: Kids, wildlife photographers, anyone who wants to explain to out-of-town guests what "real Florida" actually looks like.

Bradenton Riverwalk: An Easy Urban Half-Day

Drive time from Sarasota: About 30 minutes north on US-41.

The Bradenton Riverwalk runs 1.5 miles along the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton. It's free, it's flat, and it's better than it sounds. There's a splash pad for kids, covered pavilions, a fishing pier, and a weekend farmers market (Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., near Old Main Street) that has some of the better local produce vendors on the Gulf Coast.

The Village of the Arts neighborhood is a short walk from the Riverwalk — roughly 10 square blocks of working artist studios, galleries, and small restaurants. It's walkable and interesting without being precious about it. Motorworks Brewing at 1014 9th Street West is a good stop for a late-morning beer or lunch.

This trip works best as a morning half-day — leave Sarasota by 8:30 a.m., walk the Riverwalk, eat in the Village of the Arts, and be home before the afternoon storm.

Best for: Locals who haven't been to Bradenton in a while, visitors who want something beyond the beach.

Englewood Beach: The Low-Key Version of the Gulf Coast

Drive time from Sarasota: About 50 minutes south via US-41 to Englewood Road (FL-776).

Englewood Beach sits on Manasota Key and it has the feel of a Gulf beach from 25 years ago. Fewer condos. Lower prices. The beach itself at Englewood Beach Park (1100 Beach Road) has paid parking ($2/hour), clean facilities, and water that stays calm most August mornings before the sea breeze kicks in.

Dearborn Street in downtown Englewood (about three miles from the beach) has a handful of good casual restaurants and a small Friday market. Farlow's on the Water at 2 South Indiana Avenue is the go-to for seafood — grouper sandwiches around $17–$19.

This is a good trip if you're tired of the Sarasota-to-Venice corridor and want something that doesn't feel like it's been renovated recently.

Best for: Anyone who wants an uncrowded Gulf beach without driving all the way to Fort Myers.

How to Pick the Right One

Trip	Drive Time	Best For	Cost (est.)
Boca Grande	75 min	Fishing, history	$30–$60/person
Anna Maria Island	50 min	Beach, food	$20–$40/person
Myakka River State Park	30 min	Wildlife, outdoors	$10–$25/person
Bradenton Riverwalk	30 min	Urban, families	$10–$20/person
Englewood Beach	50 min	Quiet beach day	$15–$30/person

Plan Your Base at a Beach Plus Property

All five of these trips are easy day trips from any of our Beach Plus managed rentals in Sarasota, Siesta Key, and the surrounding area. If you're staying with us and want specific directions, parking tips, or restaurant recommendations for any of these spots, text our local team — we're based here and we've done all of these drives recently.

Browse available properties at beachplus.com or call us directly. We'll point you in the right direction.