Top Scenic Drives on Florida’s Paradise Coast for Car Lovers

Florida’s Paradise Coast is known for lovely weather year-round, pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, award-winning dining and exceptional shopping. But here’s something you may not know: An integral part of its shimmering lifestyle is a vibrant car culture.

The streets and driveways of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades are populated with cars that will make you turn your head. But the area isn’t just for viewing pieces of automotive art. Florida’s Paradise Coast is made for driving. So as a change of pace from hanging out on the beach or by the pool, here’s our guide to the best scenic drives on Florida’s Paradise Coast. They range from short routes close to the shore to long treks into the Everglades.

For good measure, we added a checklist of things to bring on your cruises, as well as a few recommendations of places to stay. Once you hit the road and start taking in the sights, you just might find that one day’s worth of scenic cruising just won’t be enough.

Gordon Drive

This grand avenue runs nearly four miles north and south through the heart of Naples, a couple of blocks east of the Gulf. A good place to start is on the very southern tip of the city. With a speed limit of just 30 miles an hour, you can expect a leisurely cruise. But that just makes it easier to take in the incredible views: Stately palms and foliage line both sides of the street, and you’ll see stately homes, magnificent mansions and vast estates behind ornate gates.

You’ll be close to the beach, too, so let us suggest you take a quick detour to one of several side streets that offer beach access and parking. From there, it’s only a short walk to gleaming white sand and calm Gulf waters. Gordon Drive dissects the 3rd Street South shopping district, and turns into 2nd Street South at Broad Avenue. But keep going. In a few blocks you’ll intersect with 5th Avenue South, downtown’s main thoroughfare. Turn east here and find a place to park. 5th Avenue is home to unique shops, galleries, and some of the Paradise Coast’s finest restaurants.

Gulf Shore Boulevard

This north-south stretch that runs parallel to the Naples coastline has two sections, south and north, split by the narrow Doctors Pass waterway. The four-mile south section is longer and more glamorous. Similar in tone to Gordon Drive, it’s bordered by elegant mansions but with the beach that much closer. Very little of the beach is visible from the street, although it features several access points. You’ll pass downtown to the east and the Naples Pier to the west.

A little farther north, an ideal stopping point is lovely Lowdermilk Beach Park on Naples Beach, which offers ample parking just a few feet from the sand. If you have folding chairs in the back, spend some time here. 

This road continues north, where it curves east and becomes Mooring Line Drive. 

The 2.3-mile northern part of Gulf Shore Drive, accessible by a few east-west streets, consists mostly of condo buildings. You’ll get water views of Inner Doctors Bay. Consider stopping in at The Village Shops at Venetian Bay, an assemblage of more than 40 exquisite boutiques and waterfront restaurants looking out on the water.

Relax and enjoy this peaceful cruise along Gulf Shore Boulevard. Open the windows and take in that invigorating saltwater fragrance.
 

Collier Boulevard

This road — nearly 26 miles long — is the perfect way to get the lay of the land on Florida’s Paradise Coast. It runs from North Naples all the way to the southern tip of Marco Island. Starting from the north, you’ll traverse commercial districts, lovely neighborhoods, golf courses, and protected wetlands, then cross over the S.S. Jolley Bridge into the upscale, palm-lined neighborhoods of Marco Island.

Collier Boulevard then curves south toward the beachfront and a strip of luxury resorts. You’ll come upon a handy beach stop at the popular Marco Island South Beach Public Access. If you want to dip your toes in the Gulf, park your car and follow the boardwalk to a vast expanse of white-sand beach. 

At Marco’s very southern tip, Collier Boulevard curls briefly northward, until it ends at Caxambas Pass Park, which is an excellent place to stop if you want to launch a kayak and explore a bit of Ten Thousand Islands.

S.S. Jolley Bridge

This connector between Naples and Marco Island deserves a mention of its own. As you probably know, nearly all of Florida’s Paradise Coast is flat. S.S. Jolley Bridge, the gateway to Marco Island, offers elevated panoramic views. As you cross over the glimmering waters of Marco Bay, look west and you’ll see a stretch of beautiful waterfront homes; look east and see open water and uninhabited Charity Island a ways off. Look south, and off in the distance you’ll glimpse the resorts and condos along the Marco Island shoreline.

San Marco Road and Barfield Drive

Another gateway to Marco Island is via San Marco Road, which takes you through six miles of lush, protected wetlands, then across the Goodland Bridge onto the island. Continuing on San Marco Road, you’ll be bordered by wetlands to the north and homes to the south. After a couple of miles you’ll reach a commercial district at Barfield Drive. This street runs north and south along the eastern side of the Island — five miles through quiet neighborhoods. The northern part of Barfield traverses a series of canal neighborhoods. Turn onto side streets and you’re apt to see some incredible homes. If you want to stretch your legs at any point, we recommend charming Leigh Plummer Park on North Barfield.

Tamiami Trail

Also known as U.S. 41, this is the main north-south artery through Florida’s Paradise Coast (not to be confused with I-75, which is several miles to the east). Tamiami Trail runs from North Naples all the way into the Everglades and beyond — about 80 miles in all. Heading southward, you’ll go through commercial districts, pass by the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens (definitely worth a stop), through downtown Naples, alongside neighborhoods, public parks and golf courses. 

When you hit the junction of San Marco Road, it all changes. You’ll have reached Collier-Seminole State Park on the western edge of the Everglades. This is where Tamiami Trail really opens up. Consider stopping at the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, where you can stroll through mangroves and probably spot alligators. You can cut south on Rt. 29 and visit the fishing village of Everglades City, then go a little farther to the tiny fishing village of Chokoloskee. Cruising through these towns, strolling along their quiet streets, perhaps sitting down to a sumptuous meal of gator tail or stone crab (when in season) will give you a real taste of Old Florida.

If you want to get out of the car for a while and onto the water, stop by one of the local outfits that provide airboat rides, like Jungle Erv’s and Wooten’s. They’re hair-raising thrill rides through winding waters and mangroves – and as “old Florida” as it gets. Airboat rides are just one of the many attractions available in The Everglades. 

Continue east on Tamiami Trail you’ll come upon Ochopee. Don’t blink. The only way to know it’s Ochopee is the post office — the smallest operating post office in the United States (61 square feet). People from all over the world stop here to take pictures and send postcards.

If you’re in for the whole stretch, reach Loop Road and turn south for a 25-mile adventure through Big Cypress National Preserve that links back up to Tamiami Trail, where you can backtrack to civilization. 

A checklist of things to bring for your scenic drives on Florida’s Paradise Coast:

• A cell phone — you’ll get good service in most areas of Florida’s Paradise Coast, but, just as important, you’ll need that phone for snapping photos.
• Car charger and dash-mounted phone holder
• Sunglasses and hat
• Beach chairs and towels 
• Water and snacks 
• Sunscreen and bug spray — the latter more so for the Everglades.
• Your best road-trip music playlist
• Credit cards for meals and shopping.
 

Where to Stay:

As one of Florida’s most visited destinations, the Paradise Coast is brimming with hotels and resorts. Here are a few for starters:
• Inn on Fifth — right in the heart of downtown Naples on restaurant-lined 5th Avenue South.

• LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort — located on the Gulf in North Naples.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Naples — overlooks beautiful Vanderbilt Beach.

• Cove Inn on Naples Bay — a more budget-friendly hotel downtown, with water views.

• JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort — a vast complex right on the shoreline of Marco Island.

• Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa — A little south of the J.W. Marriott, the resort is buffered from the beach by a mangrove forest, enriching the view. Boardwalks lead to the sand.

Wherever your travels take you on Florida’s Paradise Coast, you’re sure to have an unforgettable time. So hit the road, have fun, and most importantly — drive safely.