Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach

Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach
Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach

Sarasota Coast
2201 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota, Florida 34236

Description

Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach (2201 Benjamin Franklin Drive) is the south tip of Lido Key at Big Pass — Gulf swimming plus mangrove trails, picnic shelters, restrooms, and a calmer vibe than the main Lido Beach / St. Armands lot farther north. Kayakers use the bay and mangrove tunnels; swimmers stick to the Gulf side away from the pass current. Distinct from Lido Key Beach and North Lido Beach already listed on this site.

Amenities:
  • Restrooms
  • Picnic Areas
  • Picnic Areas
Activities:
  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking
  • Sunbathing
Crowd Levels:

Moderate — busier near peak season weekends, usually less packed than St. Armands / main Lido Beach.

Beach Access:

County parking at South Lido / Ted Sperling Park on Benjamin Franklin Drive; restrooms and picnic areas on site. Lot fills on nice weekends.

Sand Description:

Fine Gulf sand with shell near Big Pass; the park’s mangrove boardwalks and bay shoreline are as much the visit as the open beach.

Nearby Activities

Featured Nearby Activity

Your business could be here

We feature six local businesses on every beach in this coast — rentals, charters, restaurants, and water sports. One featured slot is $100/month.

Get featured on these beaches

Other Nearby Beaches

Lido Key Beach
Lido Key Beach

Lido Key Beach

1.54 miles
Sarasota Coast
Lido Key Beach is Sarasota’s main public Gulf beach on Benjamin Franklin Drive, a short hop from St. Armands Circle. Expect restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards, and paid or timed public parking that fills on peak days. It is the convenient “park and swim” Lido stop before or after St. Armands; North Lido is quieter and less built-up to the north. Bring cash/card for parking and come early in season. Read more...
Beaches
Placeholder image
Placeholder image

North Lido Beach

1.73 miles
Sarasota Coast
North Lido Beach is the quieter north end of Lido Key’s Gulf shore, with a smaller parking area and fewer amenities than the main Lido pavilion. Restrooms are limited; plan a simpler beach day than at Lido Key Beach or Siesta. Trails and dune scrub sit behind parts of the shore. Use it when you want less crowd than St. Armands-adjacent Lido; for South Lido / Big Pass park amenities, that is a separate county Read more...
Beaches
Placeholder image
Placeholder image

Siesta Key North

2.82 miles
Sarasota Coast
Siesta Key North covers the Gulf accesses and beach toward the north end of Siesta Key, closer to Siesta Village than the main Beach Road public park. Parking is tighter — street and small lots rather than the big county lot at Siesta Beach proper. Same soft quartz sand reputation, with a more village-adjacent feel. For the full pavilion / playground / volleyball setup, use Siesta Key Beach at 948 Beach Road. Read more...
Beaches
Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key Beach

Siesta Key Beach

2.89 miles
Sarasota Coast
Siesta Key Beach (Siesta Beach / Siesta Key Public Beach) is Sarasota County’s famous quartz-sand Gulf park at 948 Beach Road — wide beach, big lot, restrooms, showers, picnic shelters, volleyball, and seasonal lifeguards. The sand stays cooler underfoot than most Florida beaches because it is mostly quartz. Parking is free but the lot fills early on weekends and holidays; overflow and paid options nearby fill too. Siesta Village dining is a short drive or Read more...
Beaches Most Popular Beaches
Placeholder image
Placeholder image

Indian Beach Park

4.19 miles
Sarasota Coast
Indian Beach Park in Sarasota is a serene Gulf Coast gem with soft, white sands and calm, turquoise waters. Perfect for families, its gentle waves are ideal for swimming or paddleboarding, while kids enjoy building sandcastles. Couples can take romantic sunset strolls, with vibrant hues painting the sky. The beach’s quiet vibe and nearby dunes create a peaceful retreat, while nature lovers may spot dolphins or shorebirds. With amenities like restrooms, picnic areas, and parking, Read more...
Beaches
Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach

6.43 miles
Sarasota Coast
Turtle Beach is the county park at the south end of Siesta Key on Midnight Pass Road (8918), with parking, restrooms, picnic areas, and a quieter Gulf beach than the main Siesta Public Beach. A campground sits in the park; the beach is popular for a calmer day and night-sky views with less volleyball-court energy. No dogs on the beach per county rules. The nature trail listing next door covers the boardwalk/trail loop — this Read more...
Beaches