Dog Parks, Dog Beaches &
Dog-Friendly Restaurants
Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte Counties.
Overview
Your guide to pet-friendly Southwest Florida.
For clients relocating to the Gulf Coast with a dog in the family, knowing where to walk, swim, and dine together makes settling in easier. This guide covers the off-leash dog parks, dog-friendly beaches, and pet-friendly restaurant patios across Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties.
Pet policies and hours can change with the season or ownership, so it is recommended to call ahead before a first visit. Whether you are looking for a fenced park where your dog can run free, a beach where they can splash in the Gulf, or a patio where the whole family is welcome, this guide will help you find the right spot.
I have lived and worked across all three counties for more than 30 years, and I know how important it is to find a community where your dog is welcome too. If you are relocating with a pet and want to explore neighborhoods near these parks and beaches, let me know.
Sarasota County
Dog Parks & Pet-Friendly Spots in Sarasota County
Dog Parks
17th Street Paw Park
4570 17th St, Sarasota
The county's largest, at roughly two acres, with separate large- and small-dog areas.
Lakeview Paw Park
Sarasota
Two fenced acres with separate sections for large and small dogs.
Bay Street Park
Osprey
A 19-acre park with a one-acre off-leash dog area, trails, and picnic facilities.
Woodmere Park
Venice
Off-leash area with shade, benches, water stations, and separate large and small dog sections.
South Brohard Paw Park
Venice
Fenced play area that leads directly onto the county's only off-leash dog beach.
Dog Beach
Brohard Paw Park Beach
1850 Harbor Drive S, Venice
Open daily 7am to dusk. The only beach in Sarasota County where dogs may run off-leash in the water. Dogs are not permitted on Siesta, Lido, or Venice public beaches.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants
Owens Fish Camp
Downtown Sarasota
Outdoor tables and a screened porch welcome dogs.
Old Salty Dog
Sarasota
Deck seating with water views; a longtime pet-friendly favorite.
Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill
Little Sarasota Bay
Dockside seating on Little Sarasota Bay.
O'Leary's Tiki Bar and Grill
Sarasota Bay
Waterfront patio on Sarasota Bay.
Spearfish Grille
Siesta Key Marina
Covered outdoor patio.
Simon's Coffee House
Sarasota
Large outdoor patio, casual.
Selva Grill
Downtown Sarasota
Dogs welcome on the patio.
Seasons 52
UTC area
Roughly fifteen pet-friendly outdoor tables.
Manatee County
Dog Parks & Pet-Friendly Spots in Manatee County
Dog Parks
Laurie Crawford Dog Park
2811 51st St W, Bradenton
4.25 fenced, tree-shaded acres with separate large and small dog areas.
Holmes Beach Dog Park
62nd St & Flotilla Dr, Holmes Beach (Anna Maria Island)
Fully enclosed, open sunrise to sunset.
Riverview Pointe Preserve
8300 Desoto Memorial Hwy, Bradenton
An 11-acre natural area managed by the county.
Manatee Island Dog Park
Bradenton
Fully gated off-leash area.
Dog-Friendly Water Access
Manatee County beaches are not dog-friendly. Pets are prohibited at Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach, and the City of Anna Maria prohibits dogs on its beaches as well. The closest alternatives for water access are:
- Palma Sola Causeway Park — On Palma Sola Bay off Manatee Ave, about 10 minutes from Holmes Beach. Popular for a dog swim, kayaking, and fishing.
- De Soto National Memorial — Trails and shoreline along the Manatee River; dogs welcome on a 6-foot leash.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants
Pier 22
Downtown Bradenton
Waterfront dining on the Manatee River.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
Bradenton
Outdoor tables on a tropical patio.
The Waterfront Restaurant
Anna Maria
Pet-friendly patio with bay views.
The Ugly Grouper
Anna Maria
Large dog-friendly patio, fresh seafood.
The Sandbar Restaurant
Anna Maria Island
Beachfront patio, leashed dogs welcome.
Motorworks Brewing
Bradenton
Large beer garden with shaded outdoor space.
3 Keys Brewing and Eatery
Bradenton
Outdoor beer garden seating.
Inner Compass Brewing Company
Bradenton
Shaded back patio overlooking a lake.
Sage Biscuit Cafe
Bradenton
Dog-friendly patio, breakfast and brunch.
Charlotte County
Dog Parks & Pet-Friendly Spots in Charlotte County
Dog Parks
Katherine Ariens Dog Park
22410 Glass Lane, Charlotte Harbor
Fenced off-leash area over an acre, with a small-dog section.
Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Paw Park
6791 San Casa Drive, Englewood
Off-leash, with water and bag stations.
Hounds on Henry Street
Punta Gorda
Off-leash, with separate large and small dog areas.
Leashed dogs are also welcome in most Charlotte County parks, including Bayshore Live Oak Park, Cape Haze Pioneer Trail Park, Centennial Park, Harbour Heights Park, Ollie's Pond Park, Oyster Creek Environmental Park, and St. Paul Linear Park.
Dog Beach
Dogs are not permitted on Charlotte County beaches or fishing piers, including Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park and Port Charlotte Beach Park. The nearest off-leash dog beach is Brohard Paw Park Beach in Venice, about 25 minutes north.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants
TT's Tiki Bar
Punta Gorda
Outdoor seating around a fire pit, on the sand, overlooking Charlotte Harbor.
Village Brewhouse
Fishermen's Village, Punta Gorda
Waterfront outdoor tables.
Winesett House
Punta Gorda
Back patio seating.
F.M. Don's
Punta Gorda
Upscale dining with a leashed-dog-friendly side patio.
Tamiami Tavern
Punta Gorda
Covered, dog-friendly patio.
Bar 17
Punta Gorda
Outdoor patio, pub fare.
Celtic Ray
Punta Gorda
Outdoor tables at this Irish pub.
Leroy's Southern Kitchen and Bar
Punta Gorda
Pet-friendly outdoor dining.
The Lakehouse Kitchen & Bar
Punta Gorda
Covered deck with lake views.
Burg'r Bar
Punta Gorda
Two porches, plus a dog-walking area.
Gatorz Bar & Grill
Port Charlotte
Covered outdoor patio.
The Twisted Fork
Port Charlotte
Covered patio seating.
Wally's Southern Style BBQ
Port Charlotte
Dog-friendly patio.
Farlow's on the Water
Englewood
Heated, covered waterfront patio.
SandBar Tiki & Grille
Englewood
Patio overlooking the water.
Landy's Restaurant
Englewood
About 15 outdoor tables on a water-view patio.
Explore Further
Finding the right neighborhood with your dog in mind.
Proximity to dog parks, pet-friendly beaches, and walkable restaurant patios matters more than most buyers realize when relocating with a pet. The neighborhoods below are located near many of the parks and beaches listed in this guide.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog-Friendly Sarasota
Are dogs allowed on Sarasota beaches?
Dogs are not permitted on Siesta Key Beach, Lido Key Beach, or Venice Beach. The only off-leash dog beach in Sarasota County is Brohard Paw Park Beach in Venice, where dogs may run off-leash in the water daily from 7am to dusk. Leashed dogs are permitted on some county park beaches, but the major Gulf-front beaches are off-limits to pets. Always check current signage and county ordinances before visiting.
Where can my dog run off-leash near Sarasota?
Sarasota County has several excellent off-leash dog parks. The 17th Street Paw Park near downtown Sarasota is the county's largest at roughly two acres, with separate large- and small-dog areas. Lakeview Paw Park offers another two-acre fenced space. For a unique experience, Brohard Paw Park in Venice has a fenced play area that leads directly onto the county's only off-leash dog beach. In Manatee County, the Laurie Crawford Dog Park in Bradenton spans 4.25 fenced acres with shade trees.
What restaurants in Bradenton allow dogs on the patio?
Bradenton has several pet-friendly restaurant patios. Motorworks Brewing features a large beer garden with shaded outdoor space. 3 Keys Brewing and Eatery offers outdoor beer garden seating. Pier 22 provides waterfront dining on the Manatee River where dogs are welcome on the patio. Sage Biscuit Cafe has a dog-friendly patio for breakfast and brunch. Anna Maria Oyster Bar is another popular choice with outdoor tables on a tropical patio.
Is there a dog beach in Manatee County?
No. Manatee County beaches do not allow dogs. Pets are prohibited at Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach, and the City of Anna Maria also prohibits dogs on its beaches. The closest alternatives for water access are Palma Sola Causeway Park (about 10 minutes from Holmes Beach), which is popular for a dog swim, and De Soto National Memorial, where dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash along the trails and shoreline.
Where can I take my dog in Punta Gorda?
Punta Gorda and Charlotte County offer several pet-friendly options. The Katherine Ariens Dog Park on Glass Lane has a fenced off-leash area over an acre with a small-dog section. Leashed dogs are welcome at most county parks including Bayshore Live Oak Park, Centennial Park, and Harbour Heights Park. For dining, TT's Tiki Bar has outdoor seating on the sand overlooking Charlotte Harbor, and F.M. Don's offers upscale dining with a leashed-dog-friendly side patio. The nearest off-leash dog beach is Brohard Paw Park Beach in Venice, about 25 minutes north.
Relocating with a furry family member?
Let Kim help you find the perfect pet-friendly neighborhood. She knows which communities have nearby dog parks, which condos allow pets, and where the best dog-friendly patios and beaches are in every corner of Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties.
Get in Touch
Looking for a pet-friendly home in Southwest Florida?
Whether you are relocating with a dog, looking for a neighborhood near the best dog parks, or just want to know which condo buildings allow pets, I am happy to help.