  Bonita Springs
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 39 Bonita Springs Tips.57 Bonita Springs Photos.0 Bonita Springs Videos. Bonita Springs Pages by deecat
| Page Views: 4,365 Last Visit to Bonita Springs: January, 2004 | Bountiful Bonita Springs by deecat - last update: Jun 4, 2005 |
A Gracious Blend of Old and New Bonita Springs, Florida, located in the Southwestern part of the state between Naples and Ft. Myers, is known as "the Gateway to the Gulf". It combines pristine white beaches, championship golf courses, swaying palms, bustling shopping centers, marvelous restaurants with charming neighborhoods, gnarled oaks, natural preserves, performing arts centers, recreational parks, and a thriving business community.
It is easily accessible to Southwest Florida International Airport; it is linked to Interstate 75; it is only minutes away from Florida Gulf Coast University; it is near two performing arts centers with professional orchestras, Broadway shows, and popular celebrities; and it offers a fine array of restaurants and cafes which offer a multitude of cuisines from ultra-casual to upscale candlelight romance.
Even though it is one of the fastest growing areas in Florida, it still maintains an uncomplicated lifestyle for both its permanent residents as well as its many "snowbird" visitors & tourists.
This once-small farming and fishing town has evolved into a forward-thinking community, a fast-growing business attraction, & the hottest location for new residents. Regardless, this Lee County community is being carefully orchestrated by a management plan to preserve its rich past. |
| Ferns in dappled sunlight |
|  | The Wild Side of Bonita Springs The Bonita Springs area has an amazing array of wildlife and a diverse eco-system.
Because of its varied terrain, which stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to shady inland woods and encompasses scrub upland, lakes and streams, as well as freshwater wetlands, cameras are a "must" for visitors wishing to explore and capture this vast assortment of natural beauty. Manatees, dolphins, and loggerhead turtles reign supreme at Bonita's western boundary on the Gulf of Mexico.
Bobcats, black bears, red foxes, deer, and feral pigs roam in Bonita's inland woodlands.
Armadillos, gopher tortoises, and burrowing owls inhabit Bonita's sandy, open areas.
Alligators bask in the freshwater wetlands and along streams and rivers.
Cypress trees flourish in area freshwater wetlands also.
In the immediate area one can visit:
1.Big Cypress National Preserve
(located halfway between Naples and Miami on the Tamiami Trail {U.S. 41} 8:30-4:30 daily).
2. Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
(Located on Ortiz Avenue in Fort Myers. Take I-75 to Exit 136, west on Colonial Blvd. to traffic light. Take right on Ortiz and entrance is 100 yards on the left.)
3. Collier-Seminole State Park
(Located 17 miles south of Naples at 20200 East Tamiami Trail {U.S. 41} 8 a.m.-sunset daily).
4. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary & Blair Audubon Center
(375 Sanctuary Road, 15 miles east of I-75, Exit 111)
5. Koreshan State Historic Site
(At the Intersection of U.S. 41 and Corkscrew Road [two miles west of I-75 Exit 123] 8 a.m. to sundown daily). |
| | Activities Abound in Bonita Springs Area Water activities are everywhere and are not just limited to the Gulf. Canoes and kayaks are seen along freshwater creeks, which allow an intimate glimpse of nature.
Lagoons are tucked between the mainland and mangrove islands in the Gulf which create hideaways for fishing.
The many charming neighborhoods have finger canals threading through them for those who prefer gazing at natural wonders.
A really wonderful aspect of Bonita is the beach access points with free parking at regular intervals along Little Hickory Island [Bonita Beach] to Big Hickory Pass at its south end.
Bonita Beach is a public park with facilities at the bend on Bonita Beach Road.
Nearby Barefoot Beach State Recreation Area is delightful with its undisturbed beaches, rustic surroundings, and plentiful wildlife.
Rustic Lover's Key has two extraordinary beaches with "tons" of parking. There is a boardwalk to the beach at Carl E. Johnson Park, which winds through lush vegetation and wildlife habitat.
Whether you like to swim, sunbath, canoe, bike, walk, collect shells, or just observe, activities abound in Bonita. |
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| Pros: | "Diverse, beautiful, friendly, excellent climate, wonderful restaurants, and great golf courses" | | Cons: | "Congested traffic" | | In A Nutshell: | "A paradise for "Snowbirds" each winter" |
deecat's Bonita Springs Travel Tips
 deecat's Bonita Springs Travelogues | | | |
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 Comments for deecat about Bonita Springs | | | | |
scottishvisitor Tue Oct 30, 2007 21:58 UTC
Hi Dee Nice place to escape the winter!! I love book shops where you can browse & collecting shells on natural beaches = enjoyed all your foody tips too!! | RafaelTheSecond Sun Oct 14, 2007 00:45 UTC
Bonita Springs are really bonita!!! | ATXtraveler Tue May 8, 2007 14:29 UTC
Its clear to me that you and Allan know how to see an entire city! I was salivating at your restaurant tips! | Paul2001 Wed Apr 25, 2007 21:37 UTC
A usual your restaurant tips make me want to hop on a plane and fly to the restaurant that you reviewed. Superbly done. |
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