Head Out on a 3-Night Van Adventure on Florida’s Gulf Coast

When was the last time you visited the Gulf Coast of Florida? It had been a while since we walked on the soft sand of Siesta Key, so I was excited for a 3-night van adventure exploring between Fort Myers and Tampa. We found gorgeous white sand beaches, artsy communities, a nature preserve, tons of bird-watching, and several picturesque state parks. Keep reading for more details and ideas for things to do on the west coast of Florida. 

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You may have read about our 2-day van adventure in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley last fall. It was the first time for me sleeping in our self-contained camper van, and this trip in Florida was my second adventure. This time, our long weekend van getaway had a mix of urban exploration, great meals, and beach time in Florida. We even threw in a night at a traditional campground near the water. While my husband still prefers the van in the wilderness type of travel, this kind of trip is more my type of van life! 

The adventure began in Fort Myers, with a stop for lunch at the Artisan Eatery, courtesy of my husband’s Yelp obsession. The restaurant is known for its burgers, but you can’t go wrong with any of Chef Yoa’s menu items. After lunch, we headed to Stump Pass Beach State Park, roughly 66 miles northwest of Fort Myers. One thing to know when traveling in this part of Florida is that there are often limited access points to the outlying keys, with Manasota Key being a good example. Allow time for traffic bottlenecks depending on the day of the week or time of day.

Stump Pass Beach State Park

Upon our Friday mid-afternoon arrival, we were excited to find a parking spot in the small lot. Stump Pass Beach State Park, on Manasota Key in Englewood, is home to a picturesque beach on the Gulf of Mexico, a nature trail a bit over a mile long, mangrove trees, and a launch for kayaks and paddleboards. Getting our toes in the white sand was a perfect start to our adventure. Bring a few dollars for the park fee, or use the online portal to purchase a pass in advance. Keep in mind that the pass doesn’t guarantee parking. 

Sarasota

The next stop was Boo’s Icehouse & Dog Bar, about 35 miles north of the park via the U.S. Highway Route 41 to North Sarasota. The fenced-in parking lot at Boo’s was our home for the night, courtesy of our membership with Harvest Hosts. Once you pay the yearly membership fee to join Harvest Hosts, you can reserve a spot for the night at wineries, breweries, farms, and other unique spots throughout the county. It’s a great way to support small businesses and have a place to sleep if you have a self-contained camping vehicle. The bar was lively, and we enjoyed watching dogs of all sizes socialize while we ate wood-fired pizza and tried a few tasty, local brews.  

You'll want to get up early to find a parking spot in the nearby public lot at Siesta Beach. The beaches on Siesta Key are stunning with their soft white sand. Siesta Beach has earned several top-rated beach awards over the years. Relaxing for a few hours on the beach brought back fond memories of experiencing the Siesta Key Drum Circle on our last trip to the area. This local tradition happens every Sunday night, starting about an hour before sunset. 

Read: Helpful Things to Know Before You Join Harvest Hosts

Pie and Preserve

It took about an hour from the beach at Siesta Key to our next stop, Robinson Preserve. But first, a short detour for pie! I had read something on social media about  Mermaid Pies & Sandwiches, and I knew we had to try it. Known for their award-winning pies, a slice of Key Lime Pie hit the spot for a mid-morning snack. It’s a great stop if you are going to Bradenton Beach or Anna Maria Island via the Cortez Bridge. 

Robinson Preserve, our next stop, was just under seven miles away. It’s home to over 600 acres along the coast and a popular spot for kayak tours through the mangroves. Explore the coastal wetlands, or take a short hike to the Observation Tower for far-reaching views. Don’t forget a hat, water, and sunscreen for the exposed trails! Some of the trails offer shade stations. A bike would be a good way to cover more ground in the preserve. 

Village of the Arts Bradenton

After exploring the preserve, it was time to eat. We caught up with extended family  who lived in the area and met at Pier 22 on the Manatee River for a late lunch. Options included a variety of seafood dishes plus flatbreads and burgers. Once sufficiently fueled up, we made the short drive to our next stop, Bradenton’s eclectic Village of the Arts. The community is a mix of colorful houses, some businesses, some residential, but all with an artsy flair. You can’t help but smile as you stroll past this collection of cheery homes, murals, and unique yard art. Sadly, even though it was a Saturday afternoon, most galleries and the Arte Caffe Italian Bakery were closed when we arrived just after 4 p.m. Check the website for the latest special events, outdoor markets, and First Friday dates. 

Murals in St. Petersburg

After a peaceful night of sleeping in a house and not in the van courtesy of our extended family, our next stop was downtown St. Petersburg. Originally we were scheduled for a clear kayak tour at Shell Key Preserve Sunday morning, but found out the day before that predicted windy conditions caused the tour to be canceled. The weather looked better for Monday, so we rescheduled, but once again, the high winds forced a cancellation. In hindsight, we should have braved the afternoon heat and sun and gone later in the day. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, especially since this particular tour with Get Up and Go Kayaking is listed as one of Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best Nature and Outdoor activities for 2023! 

We had heard that murals were a big thing in St. Pete's, especially in the Central Arts District. Park on the street on Central Avenue and wander behind the buildings roughly between the 300 and 700 blocks of the street. Along the way, there are plenty of spots for a bite to eat or a cup of coffee. Here’s one of the creative murals!

Next up, a stop in St. Pete’s Beach for lunch by the water! You can’t go wrong with seafood and the white sand beach views from Crabby Bill’s. Sit at the upstairs bar and deck area or enjoy the view from the large picture windows in the dining room. As a bonus, they have free parking just outside for restaurant customers. The menu includes options like seafood platters piled with crab, shrimp, potatoes, and corn, and tasty sandwiches like the Grouper Reuben.  

In just about 15 minutes from St. Pete’s Beach, we arrived at our destination for the afternoon/evening, Fort De Soto Park Campground. We were lucky to get a spot, with most camping reservations made well in advance at this popular waterfront spot located in Tierra Verde. The park is over 1,000 acres, including the campground, several miles of beach, nature trails, a dog beach, and a historic fort to explore. We had time to hang out on North Beach, check out Fort DeSoto, enjoy a beautiful sunset over Mullet Key Bayou from the campground, and drink our morning coffee with views of Tampa Bay!

With a few hours to spare on the last morning after our kayaking trip got canceled again, we made a pit stop in nearby Pass-A-Grille. The beach views were spectacular as we enjoyed our breakfast.  

A few things we learned while van camping in Florida:

• Book any campgrounds well in advance; consider other resources like Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp to find spots. 
• Download one of the parking apps like Park Mobile before you go to make it easy to pay for parking; or carry some dollar bills to cover state park fees. The same is true for toll roads; a SunPass or E-ZPass is an efficient way to get around.
• Most parks close at sunset and don’t allow overnight parking. 
• Take advantage of beach showers to rinse off sandy feet. A small broom is helpful to get rid of sand carried into the van.