Laid back and scenic Anna Maria Island is certainly one of the most visited barrier islands in Florida, and thus Anna Maria Island beach parking can often be limited. While staying on the island during a family vacation, the last thing that you want to deal with is the headache of finding an appropriate parking spot.
Staying in one of our exclusive vacation rentals is one of the best ways to avoid the hassles of finding beach parking on Anna Maria Island, as many of our rentals are located within walking distance of most popular beaches on the island.
First check if the free trolley goes there
Anna Maria Island offers a free trolley that can take you throughout much of the island. The trolley runs from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every 20 minutes starting at the Anna Maria City Pier, and there are three main stops at Anna Maria City Pier, Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach along with plenty of shorter stops along the way. Open air and air conditioned seating is offered. This is truly one of the best ways to get around Anna Maria Island along with walking and biking to avoid parking troubles.
Beach parking is usually limited
If you are going to drive to any of the beaches on the island, it’s highly recommended to get there early in the morning to secure a spot, especially during the summer months or on warmer days. Plenty of locals travel to Anna Maria Island from the Bradenton area to enjoy the beaches here, and they’ll fill up the spots fairly quick. Below are some of the popular beachfront spots on the island and what you can expect in terms of parking:
- Anna Maria Bayfront Park – There is a free parking lot here but it tends to fill up very quickly during the weekend, as many visitors and locals park here to walk around the City of Anna Maria.
- Manatee Public Beach – This beach is in the Holmes Beach community and offers great facilities and a large free parking lot. Arrive early to secure a spot.
- Coquina Beach – Ample free public parking is available at Coquina Beach, but like Holmes Beach it can fill up quickly.
All three of the above mentioned beachfront parks are located directly at a trolley stop or within walking distance of one.
Plan Your Visit
Staying at one of our conveniently located vacation rental can make things a whole lot easier, as many of them are well within walking distance of the top beaches, restaurants, shops and attractions on Anna Maria Island. Give us a call at (941)-216-3793 for more information on our accommodations so that you won’t have to deal with Anna Maria Island beach parking annoyances.
Parking in the City of Anna Maria
The City of Anna Maria allows parking along the streets where signs allow it, however tires should be kept off sidewalks and roadways. Limited street parking is available at these locations in the City of Anna Maria:
- Bay Blvd.
- ern St. and Jacaranda Rd. Intersection
- North Shore Dr. between Pine Ave. and Coconut Ave.
- Magnolia Ave.
- Mangrove Ave.
- Palm Ave.
- Palmetto Ave.
- Park Ave.
- Peppertree Ln.
- Willow Ave.
The City of Anna Maria tightly enforces parking laws, and if you park in an unauthorized area you can trust that you will get a ticket very quickly.
