Getting Away from it All: Lido Beach Scenic Trail

If you drive to St Armands Circle (over the Ringling Causeway from downtown Sarasota), take your 2nd right off the Circle, and you'll find Lido Beach parking. (This is the St Armands Circle entrance to the beach, not the official beach pavillion entrance which is further down on Ben Franklin Drive.) 

After you park your car, head directly towards the wood entry ramp and deck that takes you onto the sands of Lido Beach. 

Lido Beach entrance pavilion at St Armands Circle, Sarasota

Walk about 20 feet onto the beach, and look to your right. You'll see a sandy path that parallels the beach (to the left) and the neighborhood (to the right). 

Lido Beach walking path at St Armands Circle, Sarasota FL

Start walking along the path.  

Sometimes when I'm here, it feels just like hiking in the Rockies high desert where I used to spend summers. The only thing that gives it away as being Sarasota is the sliver of blue-green Gulf at the horizon to the left. 

There's a bench for taking a pause, and the path is wide enough for bicycles. I also enjoy its gentle changes in elevation. A nice break from the flatness of most of Sarasota. 

If you walk the entire path, it eventually curves over (in less than a mile, I'd estimate) to reconnect with Lido Beach. You can then walk back to St Armands Circle along the beach. Or return via the footpath. Your choice.