We’re headed to Sanibel Island at some point, which in all the years we’ve been coming here, I’ve never visited it, but I’ve heard it’s primarily a shelling beach with restaurant/bars.. Actually, our time share is at the Pink Shell Resort, which Sanibel is only 20 minutes away (Highly recommend this place, super clean, adult pool/lounge area, multiple on site restaurants, excellent staff, tons of amenities).
Then it’s off to Florida Keys in August.
While at Ft Meyers/Sanibel, the town of Coral Gables is local. As a diversion from water and coastline, they are known for fields of burrowing owls. Also, just north of Ft Meyers is the town of Venice - "sharktooth capital of the world". Technically the other side of the northern inlet, but no bridge across along the shoreline, so have to take the highway. There is Caspersen Beach Park along that inlet where people sift for sharks teeth, and even sidewalks have teeth embedded in them. Since is an inlet may be able to from the Ft Meyers side, but never been there.
Enroute to Keys...Bahia Honda St Park is a nice picnic/restroom stop with nice beach and elevated photos from the remains of the original bridge...plus that pipe in the bridge sectional was the entire fresh water supply for the keys. RV or hotel? The campsites at that park are the most in demand in the entire State, reserved months in advance and have to hope for a cancellation.
Also on the way down (or return), forget which, but two island are the home for key deer - the smallest of the deer family. Hopefully won't see any dead along the highway, but will see caution signs. May see them along US1 but can explore a few blocks back.
Swinging by the Everglades National Park? Don't have to do the entire thing to the Gulf if pressed for time. The very first turn off inside the park is the short Anhinga Trail...a boardwalk over ponds with gators below you.
Key West is an adventure in and of itself. Driving (or rather parking) is difficult. While I have done both, prefer when I had a bicycle. Consider renting a scooter. For fun, take a photo at streetsign "Begin US1" then walk across the street "End US1". You can now tell people you did the entire length.
US1 stretched Florida to Maine!
