We love Nokomis Beach. Out the door, down 75 South, Exit 200 from our house in The Villages, about 2 hrs. We elect to go on Sundays for several reasons. One, less traffic going down Sunday, hotel prices are cheaper on Sunday-Thursday rather than the weekend. 3, Nokomis Beach does not charge for parking.4) The beach is 15 mins away once you make your exit off 75. When you exit 200 on 75, and after you get on 41 south aka as Tamani Trail, you turn right at the light on Albi Road heading west. When you cross over the cause way and come to the stop sign, the beach and parking area are right in front of you as well as very clean restrooms. OR, our preferred spot, you can take a left, go to the end of the road and park by the North jetty and walk out onto the beach….we can also watch the boats come in and out, clean restrooms, also a snack bar, etc. All free parking. Hotels/ As you come across the intercoastal, take a right and its the first place on you left, and it is right on the beach. Its a little motel with efficiency rooms, 2 bedrooms and they even have one 3 bedroom unit as well…called “ A Beach Retreat” and is very clean and nice and they also have a pool. or you can go to the Hampton Inn back out on 41, instead of turning to the beach ,head down the road another two minutes and on the left is the Hampton inn, on the Hilton site, its called Hampton Inn, Bayside, South Sarasota…but it is located in Nokomis. Again, SUnday through Thursday their rates are cheaper than the weekend and they also have a beautiful pool area and a nice breakfast that starts at 6 am. We like this area as the water is so pretty, they are shark teeth to look for as you walk up the beach, lots of shells by the jetty if go early….and usually its not as crowded if you go early day and leave around 230 or 3. When we drive on a Sunday, we leave at 6 am, and are on the beach around 8 or 830 depending on traffic. Coming home we leave the beach by 230 and head up 75 and miss most of later day work traffic. Good luck, we like it better than the east Coast…prettier, often see dolphins…and other sea creatures, but no sharks that I have ever heard off…Its a great time, lots of good restaurants in the area… downtown Venice is pretty and lots of shops etc… Enjoy.
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