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🦈 Venice & Nokomis: Shark Tooth Beaches, Downtown Eats & Gulf Sunsets

29 items

Mikey Stark

My south-Sarasota County loop — shark-tooth hunting at Caspersen, sunsets off the rebuilt Venice Pier, Venice Avenue dinners and ice cream, and Nokomis tiki bars on the water.

Map

I start at the main Venice Beach pavilion off the Esplanade — free parking, lifeguards, and an easy stroll back up to downtown for lunch.

Google Maps

I come here for the best shark-tooth hunting on the Gulf — the road is still out after the 2024 storms, so I park at South Brohard and walk or bike in.

Google Maps

I walk all 700 feet out at sunset now that the rebuilt T-end is fully back open — no fishing license needed and dolphins are a regular bonus.

Google Maps

I grab grouper bites and a cold drink on the freshly rebuilt rooftop deck, timing it so the sun drops right behind the pier.

Sharky's On the Pier

I book Fins next door when I want the dressed-up version of the pier view — steaks, seafood, and a proper Gulf sunset dinner.

Fins At Sharky's

I bike this car-free trail along the Intracoastal, watching boats slide by on the way down toward Caspersen.

Google Maps

I pick up the Legacy Trail at the restored 1927 depot and ride north through the pines toward Osprey and Sarasota.

1927 Historic Venice Train Depot

I hit the Saturday morning market for local produce, kettle corn, and flowers before the downtown crowds fill in.

Venice Florida Farmers Market

I catch shows in the Pinkerton while the big Jervey mainstage finishes its rebuild — it's one of the busiest community theaters in the country.

Venice Theatre

I duck into this little museum on Nassau Street for the story of John Nolen's planned 1920s city and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Venice History Museum

I browse rotating local exhibits here and keep meaning to sign up for one of their pottery classes.

Venice Art Center Inc

I grab a sand-sifter here before a Caspersen morning — and browse the fossil megalodon teeth I'll never find myself.

Shark Frenzy, Inc

I finish every downtown evening with a waffle cone here — the line moves fast and it's open till 10.

Venice Avenue Creamery

I sit on the patio for wood-fired pizza and that tiramisu in a jar — and the vegan menu keeps my plant-based friends happy too.

Made in Italy

I come here for date nights — old-world pastas, a deep wine list, and a sleek room right on Venice Avenue.

Cassariano Italian Eatery

I grab a sidewalk table at this tiny trattoria for panini at lunch or a simple plate of pasta at night.

Trattoria Da Mino

I like the early happy hour here and an outdoor table along the artsy stretch of Venice Avenue.

SAN MARCO of Venice

I start downtown mornings here with a latte and quiche, and come back in the evening for a glass of wine.

Venice Wine & Coffee Co

I land here for frozen daiquiris and live music when I want the most lively spot on Venice Avenue.

Daiquiri Deck Island of Venice

I watch boats come through the South Jetty inlet from the upstairs tavern over a plate of fresh fish.

Crow's Nest Restaurant, Tavern & Marina

I bring my zoom lens to the rookery island at dusk for herons, egrets, and anhingas nesting just a few yards away.

Venice Rookery (bird viewing area)

I walk the paved loop through scrub habitat here looking for gopher tortoises and scrub jays.

Shamrock Park & Nature Center

I come for the Wednesday and Saturday sunset drum circle at Florida's oldest public beach on Casey Key.

Nokomis Public Beach

I watch anglers and pelicans work the Venice Inlet from the jetty rocks, then grab a snack at the beach grill.

North Jetty Park

I grab a tiki-bar table on the Intracoastal for grouper tacos and live music as the sun goes down over Casey Key.

Pop's Sunset Grill

I pull up to this Caribbean-style hut on Dona Bay for rum drinks, island bites, and nightly live music.

Nokomo's Sunset Hut

I come for the old-Florida vibe and fried shrimp on the water by the Blackburn Point swing bridge — it's been back since right after Milton.

Casey Key Fish House

I hike the scrub trails here hoping to spot Florida scrub-jays, then paddle South Creek when it's calm.

Oscar Scherer State Park

I wander the shell middens, pioneer homestead, and bayfront gardens here — now part of Selby Gardens, and a great half-day on Little Sarasota Bay.

Historic Spanish Point