Walk in the Park: Longboat Key beach access points

It's incredibly easy to zip past Longboat Key's beach access points while zipping along Gulf of Mexico Drive. 

The signs are small, many of the parking lots hold space for a few cars and the pathways to the beach are often tucked between resorts, condos or houses. Is that a beach access or a sign for a hotel parking lot? You might not know until you're past it, saying you'll catch the next one — but, whoops, that one's gone by too. 

However, it's always worth it to turn around and go back.

It's not Siesta Key, or even Lido Key. Longboat's beaches are often uncrowded. No alcohol or animals are allowed, and all of them operate from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. You'll see birds, plenty of turtle nests and of course, thousands of shells. 

Swing by your favorite one and tell us which one it is, and how you like to spend your time there.