How far Lakewood Ranch is from the beach totally depends on where you are in Lakewood Ranch.
Lakewood Ranch is a really big area spanning 33,000 acres and covering 50 square miles! The northwest and southeast areas will be closer to the beaches than the northeast and southeast corners.
But on average, Lakewood Ranch is about 40 – 60 minutes from the best beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast. (Don’t hate me for being realistic and overly cautious with the travel times…)
The best beaches for Lakewood Ranch residents are on the barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico, from Anna Maria to Siesta Key.
These beaches are known for their white sugar sand and crystal clear green-blue waters.
Some have won awards, and national attention, and all of them attract thousands of visitors every year.
Map of Beaches Close to Lakewood Ranch
Here’s a map of all the closest public beach accesses from Anna Maria Island to Siesta Key.
Estimated Beach Travel Times
Here are estimated times to these beach areas:
- Ana Maria Island – 55 to 60 mins
- Holmes Beach – 50 to 55 mins
- Bradenton Beach – 50 mins
- Coquina Beach – 50 mins
- Longboat Key – 50 to 55 mins
- Lido Key – 40 – 50 mins
- Siesta Key – 40 – 45 mins
ℹ️ Times are really approximate and will vary depending on traffic and where you are in Lakewood Ranch.
You may make it in less time, especially if you live on the east side of Lakewood Ranch near communities such as Summerfield and The Country Club.
(I intentionally chose late morning times and far corners of Lakewood Ranch not to sugarcoat it.)
Your traffic situation will totally depend on the time of day, the time of year (i.e., spring break and snowbird seasons equal more beach traffic!), and local driving conditions like unexpected accidents, roadwork, and frequent Lakewood Ranch events.
6 Best Beaches Near Lakewood Ranch
Ana Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is a really popular beach area on the Florida Gulf Coast. It’s known for its beautiful wide beaches like Bean Point, amazing sunsets, low-key island lifestyle, beach restaurants, and other hole in the walls with great food and eclectic shops.
(One of my all-time favorite beach places. I spent several Spring Breaks and thousands of dollars renting a pool home on Anna Maria Island before I moved to Florida…)
Estimated Beach Travel Times to Anna Maria Island:
- 55 minutes from Northeast Lakewood Ranch
- Near communities: Esplanade at Azario, Cresswind, Sweetwater, and Star Farms
- 60 minutes from Southeast Lakewood Ranch
- Near home communities: Shoreview, LakeHouse Cove, and Windward (aka Waterside Place)
ℹ️ Times are approximate and will vary depending on traffic and where you are in Lakewood Ranch. I intentionally chose the farthest northeast and southeast corners of Lakewood Ranch for these time estimates to be realistic with the time it will take you to get to the beach. If you live in the northwest or southwest corners, you are closer to the beaches and should make it in less time. Regardless of where you live in Lakewood Ranch, there will be traffic and others on the road doing what you’re doing. So just chill out…and enjoy the adventure. 😛
Best Ways to Get to Anna Maria Island:
The easiest route for Northeast Lakewood Ranch because it’s pretty much a straight shot:
- 64 W from Lakewood Ranch all the way to Holmes Beach, go north for Anna Maria Island
Alternative routes:
- 70 W to 301 N to 64 W
- 70 W to I-75 N to 64 W
Best Stops Along the Way
On 64 W:
- Publix at White Eagle – Grab some (surprisingly good tasting) sandwiches to go from the Deli, and enjoy on the beach
- Habanero’s Mexican Grill and Bar – Who doesn’t love a good margarita and Mexican food while you’re in flip-flops and a tank top?!
- ABC Fine Wine & Spirits – Alcohol is not allowed on most beaches, so be sure to conceal it in a yeti
- 3 Keys Brewing and Eatery – Because I’m a sucker for good food and locally brewed beer!
Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach is in the middle of the same island as Anna Maria Island. When you arrive on the island from 64 W, you are actually in Holmes Beach before you go north to get to Anna Maria.
Holmes Beach has multiple beach access points great spot for swimming, snorkeling, and just enjoying the warm gulf waters.
Estimated Beach Travel Times to Holmes Beach:
- 50 minutes from the Northeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near communities: Esplanade at Azario, Cresswind, Sweetwater, and Star Farms
- 55 minutes from the Southeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near home communities: Shoreview, LakeHouse Cove, and Windward (aka Waterside Place)
Info: Times are approximate and will vary depending on traffic and where you are in Lakewood Ranch.
Best Ways to Get to Holmes Beach:
- Same as Anna Maria Island travel routes
Best Stops Along the Way:
- Same as Anna Maria Island suggested stops
Bradenton Beach
Bradenton Beach is located on the southern end of the island. When you arrive on the island from 70 W, you are actually in Bradenton Beach. Simply go north for Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island.
This is another popular area with multiple beach spots perfect for swimming and suntanning.
Bradenton Beach is also where you will find Bridge Street, a great place to walk around. You’ll find cute shops to buy local finds, fun restaurants, and the historical Bridge Street Pier offering views of Cortez Bridge and Sarasota Bay.
Estimated Beach Travel Times to Bradenton Beach:
- 50 minutes from the Northeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near communities: Esplanade at Azario, Cresswind, Sweetwater, and Star Farms
- 50 minutes from the Southeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near home communities: Shoreview, LakeHouse Cove, and Windward (aka Waterside Place)
Best Ways to Get to Bradenton Beach:
The easiest route for Northeast Lakewood Ranch because it’s a straight shot:
- 70 W from Lakewood Ranch all the way to Bradenton Beach
The easiest route for Southeast Lakewood Ranch because it’s a minimal turns:
- I-75 N to 70 W
Best Stops Along the Way:
- Walmart Super Center – Grab must-have beach items like bagged snacks, sunscreen, beach towels, and beach chairs
- (Although I prefer my Tommy Bahama beach chair, which is a tad more expensive but perfect for the beach…)
- Speaks Clam Bar – A nice dine-in restaurant loved by locals for its classic Italian dishes and Seafood
- Swordfish Grill – They will fry your fresh caught fish, ours was delish!
- StarFish – Gets rave reviews and recommendations from the locals and tourists here
- Bridge Street – Because it’s a neat explorable part of this town for shopping, eating seafood and having good drinks
Coquina Beach
Coquina Beach is a big beach park located within Bradenton Beach. It’s located at the very bottom of the island before you cross over the bridge to head into Longboat Key.
Because Coquina Beach is a beach park, you’ll find park-like amenities such as: picnic tables, trees with shady spots to get out of the sun, clean on-site restrooms, a cafe for beverages and eats, and multiple beach access points with shallow waters, great for wading and kids.
Estimated Beach Travel Times to Coquina Beach:
- 50 minutes from the Northeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near communities: Esplanade at Azario, Cresswind, Sweetwater, and Star Farms
- 50 minutes from the Southeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near home communities: Shoreview, LakeHouse Cove, and Windward (aka Waterside Place)
Best Ways to Get to Coquina Beach:
- Same as Bradenton Beach travel routes
Best Stops Along the Way:
- Same as Bradenton Beach suggested stops
6 Best Beaches Near Lakewood Ranch
Longboat Key
Longboat Key has more of a low key laid-back beach vibe compared to Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island. But the water is just as clear and bright, and the beach sand is just as white and pristine.
You’ll find a lot of locals on Longboat Key along with lots of expensive homes and AirBnB’s.
Estimated Beach Travel Times to Longboat Key:
- 55 minutes from the Northeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near communities: Esplanade at Azario, Cresswind, Sweetwater, and Star Farms
- 50 minutes from the Southeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near home communities: Shoreview, LakeHouse Cove, and Windward (aka Waterside Place)
Best Ways to Get to Longboat Key:
The easiest route for Northeast Lakewood Ranch because it has fewer turns:
- 70 W from Lakewood Ranch all the way to Bradenton Beach, go south over the Longboat Pass Bridge for Longboat Key
The easiest route for Southeast Lakewood Ranch because it’s you are already more south closer to Longboat Key:
- Fruitville Road (780 W) from Lakewood Ranch to Tamiami Trail to Gulfstream Ave to John Ringling Causeway, go north for Longboat Key
Alternative routes:
- I-75 N to 70 W all the way to Bradenton Beach, go south over the Longboat Pass Bridge for Longboat Key
Best Stops Along the Way:
- Same as Bradenton Beach and Coquina suggested stops
Lido Key
Lido Key is yet, another popular beach area nearby. Located south of Longboat Key and north of Siesta Key, Lido Key offers 3 different beach areas to explore: North Lido, Lido Beach, and South Lido.
These beaches are popular for families with kids because of the extensive sandbars and of course, sparkling crystal clear water and spectactular views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Estimated Beach Travel Times to Lido Key:
- 50 minutes from the Northeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near communities: Esplanade at Azario, Cresswind, Sweetwater, and Star Farms
- 40 minutes from the Southeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near home communities: Shoreview, LakeHouse Cove, and Windward (aka Waterside Place)
Best Ways to Get to Lido Key:
- Fruitville Road (780 W) from Lakewood Ranch to Tamiami Trail to Gulfstream Ave to John Ringling Causeway
Alternative routes:
- 70 W to I-75 S to Fruitville Road (780 W) to Tamiami Trail to Gulfstream Ave to John Ringling Causeway
Best Stops Along the Way:
- Fruitville Grove – Local produce, fresh cheeses, snacks, and jams for fancy beach charcuterie
- Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse – Great place to hang out in their huge outdoor space and get full of BBQ and drinks before and after your beach tour
- Sam’s Club – Grab some of their ready-to-eat food in bulk (for big-size families and beach trips)
- Target – Place to grab last mnute beach stuff if you’re not a Sam’s Club member
- Kacey’s Seafood – Laid back local vibe for seafood and good cooking, totally okay to grab it to go as takeout!
- St. Armands – You’ll go right through St. Armands so you might as well stop to see what all the hype here is all about (Yes, it’s worth the stop if you’ve never been!)
Siesta Key
Siesta Key has multiple beaches, including one the most famous beaches. Siesta Key Beach is recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Home to soft sand and clear, turquoise water, this beach area is south of Lido Key great swimming, suntanning, and wildlife watching as well.
Estimated Beach Travel Times to Siesta Key:
- 45 minutes from the Northeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near communities: Esplanade at Azario, Cresswind, Sweetwater, and Star Farms
- 40 minutes from the Southeast corner of Lakewood Ranch
- Near home communities: Shoreview, LakeHouse Cove, and Windward (aka Waterside Place)
Best Ways to Get to Siesta Key:
The easiest route for Northeast Lakewood Ranch because it has fewer turns:
- 70 W to I-75 S to 72 W all the way to Siesta Key, go north for the beaches
The easiest route for Southeast Lakewood Ranch because it’s you are already more south closer to Siesta Key:
- Fruitville Road (780 W) from Lakewood Ranch to I-75 S to 72 W all the way to Siesta Key, go north for the beaches
Best Stops Along the Way:
- Calusa Brewing – Enjoy their beer and eat food from their food trucks on site
- Detwiler’s – Known for having surprisingly good lobster rolls at the deli!
- Publix – If you’re just a totally loyal Publix fan
- Muchies 420 Cafe – Well, the name says it all right here!
- Hooters – No captions needed here…
So, to summarize it for you…
How far the beaches are from Lakewood Ranch depends on what part of Lakewood Ranch you live. Some areas are closer to some beaches, and others are farther away.
(Anna Maria Island, Coquina Beach and Siesta Key are my favorite beach area go-to’s.)
You should plan for an hour or more so you can take your time and enjoy stops along the way!
As a recap, though, here are the closest beaches to Lakewood Ranch from the northeast and southeast areas.
Closest Beaches to Northeast Lakewood Ranch
- Ana Maria Island
- Holmes Beach
- Bradenton Beach
- Coquina Beach
Closest Beaches to Southeast Lakewood Ranch
- Bradenton Beach
- Coquina Beach
- Longboat Key
- Lido Key
- Siesta Key
