The 10 Best West Coast Florida Beaches

The proximity to a large number of great Florida gulf coast beaches is one thing that makes living in the Villages of Citrus Hills so attractive.

Here are TEN of the most commonly referenced west coast beaches that you are definitely going to want to check out sooner, rather than later.

1. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach, Florida

After being named TripAdvisor’s #1 beach in the country back in 2018, the secret is officially out on one of our all-time favorite beach destinations. With a perfect combination of silky-smooth white sand and a small-town atmosphere, Clearwater should continue to be at the top of just about everyone’s list of favorite beach destinations for years to come.

2. Destin

Known as an ideal destination for families, Destin is one of our favorite options located up in the panhandle along Florida’s Emerald Coast. If renting a condo for a week and kicking back on the beach with just a bit of snorkeling mixed in is your idea of a good time, Destin is a perfect fit.

3. Honeymoon Island

Honeymoon Island, Florida

Located just north of Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island features the same stunning white sand beaches in a more remote setting. This option is known for being a place that locals prefer when Clearwater is a bit too busy, and it is also a fantastic place to explore by kayak.

4. Lido Key

Another popular island destination along the Gulf Coast of Florida is Lido Key, which sits just west of Sarasota. This spot has a reputation for ecotourism, deep-sea fishing, and sunset cruises, and it is also home to a first-class beach resort, as well as plenty of exciting street performers.

5. Marco Island

Marco Island, Florida

If we head all the way down to the southern end of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Marco Island is the place that stands out as a must-see destination for beach lovers. This island is located just off of Naples, and it is home to some fabulous beach resorts, as well as the Briggs Nature Center and its half-mile boardwalk.

6. Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach might have a reputation as a spring break destination for college students, but it is about as laid back as the rest of the Gulf Coast throughout the rest of the year. With more than 27 miles of white sand beaches, you can always find a little section to enjoy all by yourself here, and the artificial reefs located just offshore are perfect for snorkeling. 

7. Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach, Florida

Located just 45 minutes east of the iconic Flora-Bama beach bar, Pensacola is the farthest west of the panhandle beaches on our list. This destination offers a bit of everything, including shopping, restaurants, and a fishing pier.

8. Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Seashells are the primary attraction down on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, and the amount of them spread across these popular beaches just west of Fort Myers is astounding. True shell lovers will also want to check out the nearby Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum while they are in the area.

9. Siesta Key

Siesta Key, Florida

Just south of Sarasota is where you will find the romantic beach destination of Siesta Key. In addition to white sand beaches and calm blue water, this eight-mile-long island paradise is also known for its resorts, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.

10. St. Pete Beach

After kicking off our list with Clearwater Beach, it seems appropriate to close it out with St. Pete Beach, which is located just 30 minutes south. Just like Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach is one of the most gorgeous beach destinations in all of Florida, and it offers the added appeal of almost always having beautiful weather.

No matter which one of these beaches you choose to explore, it really is hard to find a bad option up and down Florida’s Gulf Coast.

In fact, we highly recommend that you make your way through all ten of these beaches and decide for yourself which ones are your favorites.

Weekend Trip to America's Best Beach

Everyone knows that Florida's Gulf Coast has some of the most spectacular beaches in the world, but Dr. Stephen Leatherman aka “Dr. Beach” drove that point home last month when he named Siesta Beach on Siesta Key just south of Sarasota as the top beach in America this year.

Residents of the Villages of Citrus Hills will be pleased to know that the best beach in the country is located just 2.5 hours south of their community, which makes for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway. If you are looking to check out the pristine white sand and clear blue water of Siesta Beach, we have all the information you need to plan an enjoyable trip.

Where to Stay Near Siesta Beach 

The Capri at Siesta

According to TripAdvisor, the number one hotel on Siesta Key is The Capri at Siesta, located right on the most beautiful beach in the country. This charming boutique hotel offers everything from simple studio rooms to suites and villas, and all of the prices are surprisingly reasonable considering the popularity of their location.  Staying at The Capri will get you right into the heart of the action without breaking the bank.

Another popular option located right on the beach is Tropical Beach Resorts, where you can park your car right in front of your room and then never bother to use it for the entire length of your stay. Much like The Capri, Tropical Beach Resorts gets high marks for service, friendliness, and cleanliness. It also won't cost you an arm and a leg to stay here for the weekend.

If you are thinking about spending more than a weekend in Siesta Key, you might also want to consider one of the many vacation rentals available all over the island. These often end up being a better deal if you are planning to stay for a week or more, and there are plenty of options to choose from.

What to Do Near Siesta Beach

As you might expect, just about everything revolves around the beautiful beaches in Siesta Key. In addition to the stunning Siesta Beach, you can also explore Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach, which are equally beautiful but often get less tourist traffic.

No matter which beach you prefer, you are never far from a parasailing adventure on Siesta Key, which is an excellent way to get a great view of the island.  Snorkeling, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, jet skis, boat tours, and deep-sea fishing are also popular in the area.

There are dozens of local tour companies that offer all kinds of water activities, so just ask your hotel concierge to recommend one, and you can get right down to business.

If you are looking for great shopping on Siesta Key, you are definitely going to want to stop at The Gallery. Here you will find all kinds of unique gifts, clothing, and hand-made jewelry.

Where to Eat Near Siesta Beach

When you are spending your time relaxing on Siesta Beach, you might be tempted to grab a bite from the Siesta Sun Deck right on the beach, but there are many more options located on the northern end of the island if you are willing to stroll up the beach to Ocean Boulevard.

3.14 Pi is a local favorite for anyone looking to grab some gourmet pizza, delicious wings, and a cold craft beer. All of their pizzas are fantastic, but you can never go wrong with the 3.14 Siesta Pi or the Beach Bum Pi.

Another casual option is the Siesta Key Oyster Bar, where you will find all of the shellfish and frozen cocktails you could ever desire. They have a great happy hour special from 3-6 pm every single day with half off oysters and crawfish boils.

One of our favorite spots for dinner on Siesta Key is The Cottage, where you will find a fantastic tapas menu featuring          excellent seafood items like Wonton Tuna Tacos, Black Mussels, and Peruvian Ceviche.

Not only is Siesta Beach the best beach in the country, but it is also located on a beautiful island, filled with great places to stay, and surrounded by excellent local restaurants. If you are looking for a reason to start planning your next getaway, this is it! See you at the beach!