Englewood, Florida Surprises You at Every Turn
Lush Foliage and White Sandy Beaches Make Englewood Your Next Stop
© Gia Gee
Jan 14, 2009
Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, Englewood is a pristine look into the past while careful preservation of the natural resources has made it possible for visitors to enjoy its current natural beauty. If you are flying into the Sarasota airport or the Tampa airport, take I-75 South to exit #193 (Jacaranda Blvd.). Go west on Jacaranda Blvd. until it dead ends into SR 776. Turn Left (south) on State Route 776 to Manasota Beach Rd. Turn Right (west), and go over the drawbridge. When crossing the drawbridge, the Gulf of Mexico and Manasota Key Beach will be directly in front of you. To get to Englewood Beach, travel south along the Key. If you are flying into the Fort Myers airport, take I-75 north to exit #191. Go west on River Rd., cross over US 41 to SR 776. Turn Left (south) on State Route 776 to Beach Rd. Turn Right (west) on Beach Rd., go over the Tom Adams drawbridge to an intersection. Englewood Beach is straight ahead. Stump Pass Beach is accessible by boat or stroll south from Englewood Beach. Turn right at the intersection, travel north along Manasota Key and at the northern end of the Key, is Manasota Key Beach.
Beaches
Englewood has four beaches stretching from the northern end of Manasota Key to the beach at Stump Pass. When crossing the intracoastal waterway at the northern end of Manasota Key, you immediately see the Gulf of Mexico, a spectacular view long remembered by first time visitors. These 14 acres of white beach front property offer sheltered picnic tables with cooking amenities, boardwalk and bathhouse. Private homes disappear behind the lush foliage on both sides of the Key as you begin to head south along the Gulf of Mexico.
Traveling South Along the Gulf of Mexico
Continuing south brings you to the next beach, referred to as Blind Pass Beach. Here, vacationers and locals fish, swim and enjoy acres of hiking trails to be explored and enjoyed. At the southern end of Manasota Key is Englewood Beach, where the vacationer will find picnic tables, boardwalk, food concession stands and recreation areas. Surrounding Englewood Beach are condominiums and apartments, unlike the most northern end of the Key, where private homes disappear behind lush foliage, occasionally providing the curious visitor a glimpse of someone’s personal paradise.
Riding Your Bike
Riding a bike south along the Key is relaxing especially if you time your ride in the early morning or evening hours. If you ride in the early morning hours, when the Gulf is free of wind and the water appearing like glazed ice, dolphins can be seen feeding close to shore just inside the sand barges, trapping small schools of fish. Pelicans make their presence known as well, drifting at times, motionless on the Gulf's calm waters. At the southern most tip of the Key is Stump Pass Beach. This small area of beach is a great place for the fishing minded vacationer.
Englewood’s Attractiveness
Englewood, like most communities, has its traditions, annual celebrations and will surprise you at every turn. Each Labor Day, residents celebrate the founding of Englewood in 1896, by sponsoring boat races, golf and fishing tournaments. At Oyster Creek, the J.M.Berlin/Rotary Skate Park was opened to the community in 2007. Vacationing families can dine on waterfront restaurants including Farlow’s on the Water, Lock-N-Key just across from Englewood Beach and of course the Stump Pass Grill and Tiki Bar. Annually, residents watch as protected sea turtles lay eggs and preservation becomes a focal point for the community. The beach bash is conducted in July to celebrate the 4th of July festivities, including a fireworks display that can be seen all along the coast. Other events include the art guild show and the annual seafood festival. Englewood with all of its natural beauty, lush foliage, white sandy beaches, free of high rises and traffic lights is a destination that awaits you and your family; a destination like no other and part of a journey that you will never forget.
 |
