Table of Contents
Sometimes, a lake just doesn’t cut it. We asked our readers for locations they wanted to see featured in our road trip guides, and beaches were certainly a common theme. Here are a few beachy destinations within three hours of Swan City recommended to us by our readers and followers.
Sit in the shade and enjoy a refreshing drink before hitting the beach.
Photo by @discoverstaugustine
📍 St. Augustine | 2 hours 45 minutes from Lakeland
- Eat: Enjoy avocado toast for breakfast or a shrimp Cobb salad for lunch at Sunday.
- Explore: Hop on an Old Town Trolley for a historic look at the oldest continuously occupied city in America. It’s also a convenient way to travel between points of interest, such as Castillo de San Marcos and the Fountain of Youth.
- Stay: Funshine 2-bedroom yacht
- Pack: Beach cooler
📍 Clearwater Beach | 1.5 hours from Lakeland
- Eat: Check out the menu of the day at Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant, an upscale spot with a piano bar that opened in 1948.
- Explore: The whole family will love a visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of the late Winter the Dolphin.
- Stay: Lighthouse Towers condos
- Pack: Waterproof speaker
Could this be your next Instagram photo?
Photo by @magwhat
📍 Nokomis Beach | 1.5 hours from Lakeland
- Eat: Stop by The Breakfast Cottage daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for specialty coffees, smothered French toasts, and cinnamon swirl pancakes.
- Explore: Charter a fishing boat for a day of quality time with the family — everything you need is included.
- Stay: Cozy Old Florida beach cottage by the sea
- Pack: Seasickness wristbands (just in case)
📍 Cocoa Beach | 2 hours from Lakeland
- Eat: Locals recommend 4th Street Fillin Station, a gas station-turned-gastrobar, when you want a casual but delicious meal. Cool off indoors with one of 125 beers on tap, or head outside and chill among the lush tropical plants.
- Explore: You’re just a few miles away from Cape Canaveral, so nerd out at the Kennedy Space Center and keep an eye on the sky for rocket launches.
- Stay: Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort — there’s a lazy river, need we say more?
- Pack: Rocket launch schedule
Take some time from your beach trip to explore the city.
Photo by @onceuponabeachami
📍 Bradenton Beach + Anna Maria Island | 1.5 hours from Lakeland
- Eat: You can’t beat the sunset views from the rooftop bar at Oak & Stone. Feast on artisan pizza and craft beer from the self-pour wall while you reminisce on a perfect beach day as the sun goes down.
- Explore: Walk the iconic Bridge Street to visit the Historic Old Town District — did you know this area was first visited by Spanish explorers in 1530?
- Stay: The Pink House
- Shop: Beach tent
📍 Fort De Soto Park | 1.5 hours from Lakeland
- Eat: Hit The Island Grille on your way home from the beach + order oysters from the raw bar.
- Explore: Take a self-guided tour of Fort De Soto, which was completed in 1900, and the Quartermaster Museum.
- Stay: Oceanview Tierra Verde Escape
- Pack: Sunscreen applicator
Are your kiteboarding days ahead of you?
Photo by @tarponkiteboardingadventures
📍 Tarpon Springs | 1.5 hours from Lakeland
- Eat: Touted as one of Tarpon Springs’ premier dining establishments, Dimitri’s on the Water offers seafood, steak, and Greek cuisine.
- Explore: Learn how to kiteboard from an experienced instructor — multiple or single-day lessons are available.
- Stay: Innisbrook Golf Resort
- Pack: Personalized beach bag
📍 Siesta Key | 1 hour 45 minutes from Lakeland
- Eat: Plan a romantic post-beach date night at Ophelia’s on the Bay, where you’ll find fine dining with views of Little Sarasota Bay.
- Explore: Rent a boat or jet ski from CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, or take your vacation up a notch by going parasailing.
- Stay: Siesta Key Beach Condo
- Pack: Cornhole boards
A bottle of red on a sunset cruise is on our summer bucket list.
Photo by @captainskycruises
📍 Longboat Key | 1 hour 45 minutes from Lakeland
- Eat: Wine and dine at Euphemia Haye Restaurant, a fine dining establishment touted as the area’s “most extraordinary restaurant” by Frommer’s Travel Guides.
- Explore: Book a luxurious custom cocktail cruise with Captain Sky Cruises — boats accommodate up to six guests.
- Stay: Waterfront home with beautiful views
- Pack: Waterproof phone pouch
📍 Daytona Beach | 2 hours from Lakeland
- Eat: Dine and drink your way through the Ale Trail to taste the area’s best craft beer and spirits.
- Explore: Got a need for speed? Hop in a race car for the NASCAR Racing Experience at Daytona International Speedway.
- Stay: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
- Pack: Customizable cabana beach towel
Leashed dogs are welcome at Honeymoon Island State Park — they even have their own beach.
Photo by @oswaldandmortimer
📍 Honeymoon Island State Park | 1.5 hours from Lakeland
- Eat: Dine like a local at Hog Island Fish Camp. Pro tip: Check out the restaurant’s special dog-friendly menu.
- Explore: Bring your pup to the state park’s pet beach at the southern tip of the island. Leashed pets are also welcome on the nature trail.
- Stay: Dog-friendly Cook Cottage
- Pack: Dog leash beach stake
Catch a sunset at Treasure Island.
Photo by @ethans.pic.dump
📍 Treasure Island | 1.5 hours from Lakeland
- Eat: Find Key West-inspired bites, bevs, and live music at Sloppy Joe’s on the Beach — yes, it’s literally on the sand for easy access.
- Explore: Pedal your way through the island on a Treasure Island E-Bike Tour. You’ll traverse through neighborhoods, over drawbridges, and along four miles of the Gulf Coast.
- Stay: Waterfront Villa
- Pack: Clear sunscreen that can be applied under or over makeup
That’s not all — check out our favorite quiet beaches or tell us what beach should be added to this list.
