Visit Villa Rosa, Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental
| Hello... Welcome to Bradenton Beach, located on the South end of Anna Maria Island in the West Coast of Florida. Bradenton Beach offers many things to do, see and places to stay. We would like to take you on a tour of our little piece of Paradise. To arrive in Bradenton Beach you need to follow Rt684/Cortez Road West to the end, then go south or make a left! |
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| History: Bradenton Beach on the southern tip of Anna Maria Island was originally incorporated in 1923 when it was deemed to be the economic center of the island. It was connected to the mainland by a narrow wooden plank drawbridge that was so narrow it only allowed one vehicle to cross at a time. Large boats frequently got stuck when trying to get through the bridge, including the large yacht of local luminary John Ringling. A section of the subsequent 1953 drawbridge has been preserved as the Bradenton Beach Municipal Pier. In early days, ancient artifacts unearthed on the island indicated that local Indian tribes had a presence on Anna Maria as long as 2000 years before the island was 'discovered' by Spanish explorers. There is nothing however, to indicate a permanent settlement as the Calusa, Tocobagan, Ucita, Meceso and Pooy tribes of the Tampa Bay area probably found the barrier island soil unsuitable for their primitive agriculture. More likely they ventured to the island to fish and swim in the surf. Prior to the construction of the bridges, inhabitants and visitors arrived by boat. The Timucuan and Calusa American Indians were the first to arrive Anna Maria Island. Later, beachgoers arrived by steamer and fishermen came by boat and built cottages that still survive today, preserved as a record of that era. Prior to World War II, Ringling Brothers circus wintered in nearby Sarasota and their workers formed fishing camps on the island. Since that date, the city has gradually increased in population and popularity. Today there are more than 900 residents and 2,500 residential units. Eating, Places of Interest and having fun: When you turn on to Gulf Drive, you can immediately feel the tropical setting of the beach…. Oma Pizza, Bradenton Beach's only NY style pizza place that has been in business for 25 years by the same owners, is on the left and opens at 11am - 12am offering free delivery. Next door to Oma Pizza is Bradenton Beach City Hall, and Tingley Library. |
| City Hall provides visitors and potential visitors with an attractive overview of our city's amenities and secondly to provide residents and visitors alike with a comprehensive array of government services with virtually unlimited access to public records and documents. |  Bradenton Beach City Hall |
 Tingley Library |
Tingley Library is a community recreational reading facility open all year 'round. The library is a non-profit corporation, independent of the county library system. Funded by generous donations (including that of benefactor, Beulah Hooks Hannah Tingley) and operated by friendly volunteers. No tax dollars are used. A membership is $3.00 per year, and children 14 and under are free. |
| Bridge Street is the center of the Historic Old Town District and a great location for shopping, fishing, eating and drinking! The Pier at the end of Bridge Street has just been remodeled, and is equipped with a bait shop, a place to park your boat and an island favorite Rotten Ralph's Restaurant! Work your way up the street and you can do the Bridge Street Walk, that includes stopping at the Bridgetender, The Drift Inn, and The Sports Lounge for your favorite refreshment, stop at all the lovely shops in between. |  Looking up Bridge Street from Pier |
 Rotten Ralphs & Bait Shop on Pier |
Bridge Street Festival: This festival has proved to be an enormously popular event for all the family. Historic Bridge Street is closed to traffic and a pedestrian mall is created for artists, entertainers, merchants and artisans. First launched in 1991, the festival featured just a dozen or so participants. Since that date it has grown exponentially and the most recent festival featured scores of entertainers and participants. It proved to be hugely successful and was attended by thousands of visitors. |
| Sand Sculpting: Spectacular sand sculptures grace the area south of the Beach House in November every year. This popular event features a sculpting contest and local groups sponsor the youthful teams of participants and it benefits the Keep Manatee Beautiful campaign. Trophy's are given out to the best youth sculpture |
 Nautical Store on Bridge Street |
 A Shop on Bridge Street |
Celebrations: Bradenton Beach hosts numerous family reunions, weddings and other private and public events. Farmers markets, art shows, the kayak festival, Eco-expo, the Harley-Davidson Poker Run, beach sports events and a well-supported annual beach clean up. This year our Privateers hosted a garage sale at Coquina Beach, it is sure to be a yearly event. |
| Firework Displays: Every New Year’s Eve and July 3rd Bradenton Beach is dazzled by spectacularly magnificent displays presented from a barge that is moored in the Gulf just in front of the Beach House. It is sponsored by local entrepreneur Ed Chiles and is visible from anywhere in the city. The beach is filled with spectators with sparklers and chairs. Get there early for a good parking spot! |
 The Bridgetender |
 The dock at the end of Bridge Street |
Parades: Residents and visitors alike enjoy the Fourth of July and the Santa Clause parades. The evening annual parade of boats decorated with lights provides a stunning visual event that is almost surreal in nature. Every year the boat owners vie with each other to produce the most spectacular lighting spectacle drifting over the waters of the bay. There is also a parade that goes from Anna Maria to Bradento Beach, with the Privateers Pirate Ship, old style cars, and many floats that toss beads and candy to the crowd. |
| Prelude to the Holiday Season: In December the Annual Holiday Prelude is held out under the moon and the stars. Everyone gathers around the Clock Tower at the end of historic Bridge Street beside the pier. Some bring their own chairs, others are happy to stand and watch an evening of music and entertainment. The street is closed to vehicular traffic during this event but parking restrictions are lifted in nearby side streets. |
 The Pier on Bridge Street |
 Leffis Key Nature Park |
Nature Trails: Leffis Key Nature Park is a nationally recognized and awarded estuary. Boardwalks of the Coquina Bay Walk wend their way through the mangroves and educational signs explain the various plants and wildlife. Access to the park is near Trolley stop No. 2. Biking and Running: The island is entirely flat at no time being more than a few feet above sea level. Bradenton Beach has more than five miles of bike lanes and bike paths along Gulf Drive. The new multi-use path along Coquina Beach offers the opportunity to try a little off road cycling. The bike routes connect with the next island south named Longboat Key and also to the mainland. Motor scooter rental is available for use on the island’s roads. |
| Dolphin Sighting: Bottlenose dolphins can be observed both in the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf. These intelligent animals can e observed from bridges, piers or boats and also from just standing along the shore. An adult dolphin can typically weigh from 440 to 600 pounds and reach an average length of 10 feet. They are wild animals and have very sharp teeth and it is against the law to feed them. These friendly animals often live from 30 to 50 years. They often dive in and out of the wake from boats, leaping high into the air and thrilling their watching audience. Manatee Watching: The manatees found in this region are a subspecies of the West India manatee. Also known as sea cows, these large herbivores are often seen in shallow coastal waters including canals, rivers, springs and the bay. They are an endangered species that is fully protected by Florida law and should only be observed from a distance. Powerboats frequently fatally injure or damage manatees, scarring their backs with their propellers so if boaters are in a manatee zone they must slow down. These gentle creatures are a joy to watch as they meander through the water. |
 Boat Lauch, Nature Walk |
 Coquina Beach looking North at Life Guard Hut |
Beaches: Public beaches include Coquina Beach on the southern tip of Bradenton Beach and adjacent Cortez Beach. Coquina offers showers, rest rooms, lifeguard stations and other amenities run by the Manatee County Parks and Recreation Section. Plenty of free parking is available under shady pine trees that fringe the beach and a pavilion can be rented for extra shade. Manatee county Area Transit buses and the free Island Trolleys service provide public transport connecting the beaches to the rest of the island and to the mainland. Swimmers are reminded to pay attention to lifeguard flags and to swim when a lifeguard is on duty. June is the time to do the “stingray shuffle” by kicking up a little sand as you wade close to the shore. This alerts any small stray rays that you are in the vicinity and allows these shy creatures plenty of time to get out of the way. |
| Surfing: The Gulf of Mexico is not normally known as a top surfing destination. In the past, some of the area’s best surf broke at Cortez Beach’s 3 groins, locally known as the “tree piers”. These extended into the Gulf from 5th Street South to 11th Street South. However, since the beach renourishment projects that have greatly extended the length and depth of the sands these groins have been mostly covered. However, that said, occasionally there is some great surf and all the local surfing community take time off work and descend of the beach to have some fun with the waves. Children’s Playgrounds: The two playgrounds with equipment are located a the Herb Dolan Park on 25th Street North, bay side, and the Lou Barola Park at 400 Highland Avenue. Volleyball: Beach volleyball courts are located on Gulf Drive and also just south of Second Street North. |
 Park located on Coquina Beach |
 Looking out Longboat Pass, on Coquina Beach |
Protecting the Ecology: Bradenton Beach was the officially the first community to be awarded the prestigious “Waterfronts Florida” designation by the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs due to its great appreciation for its abundant waterfront resources. The designation gives an added layer of protection to the entire community and also assists with grants that help to retain the traditional economy and the historical and ecological heritage of Bradenton Beach. Fishing: Bradenton beach does offer some of the best locations in the world to fish. Anglers are asked to respect regulations regarding the size and quantity limits of their catch, as they are vital to the ecosystem. Children under 16 do not need a license, neither is one required for fishing from a pier with a saltwater license for recreational purposes, fishing with a licensed fishing guide, in saltwater from a private pier, from the shore or while wading. If in doubt ask at one of the local bait shops for the latest updates. |
| Snorkeling & Scuba: The Gulf and bay waters provide opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. Bradenton Beach is home to the Regina Shipwreck that is now an archeological preserve visible in 12 to 20 feet of water. This steel tanker barge sank in a storm during 1940 while carrying 350,000 gallons of molasses. One diver reported peering in through one of the ships portholes and seeing the very large eye of a Jewfish peering back out at her. Sea Trek Divers are the local experts to contact for official information and dive trips in the Gulf. |
 Looking to the Bay side of the Nature Walk |
 Gulf Side of The Nature Walk |
Kayaking: Coquina boat Ramp North is one of the best places to launch into the waters of Anna Maria Sound. From the ramp kayakers paddle through the calm waters along the shores of Leffis Key Nature Park looking out for its abundance of wildlife including pelicans, fiddler crabs, the prehistoric type horseshoe crabs and raccoons found in ad around the mangroves. Visitors to the waterways can contact Manatee County’s Blueway for sign guided tours by canoe and the locations of kayak trails. |
| Water sports: The Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico offer two varying experiences for boating and other water sports. The island lies within easy reach of Tampa Bay and the peaceful beaches of uninhabited Egmont Key. Launch the boat from Coquina Beach bayside or up at 13th Street South. Before venturing out, take advice on safe boating or attend a safe boating class before venturing out. Avoid running aground by paying close attention to channel markers when in the inland waters of the bay or the estuaries. Vessels can be rented from one of the local marinas or for the truly adventurous parasailing gives a thrilling birds-eye view of the island. |
 Coquina Beach |
Bay Side Walk, Coquina Beach
| Dog Parks and Facilities: Canine friends are not permitted on any of the Island’s pristine beaches, however they are permitted on the sandy Palma Sola Causeway just east of the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue. Many of the small streets on the island are quiet and peaceful back roads ideal for walking the dog. In all circumstances it is socially friendly and indeed the law to “pick up”. Manatee County operates a dog park in the GT Bray complex in Bradenton north of Cortez Road off 51st Street West. Bird Watching: Known as “twitching” to our British visitors, bird watching on the island is rewarding. Pelicans and other waterfowl are prevalent in the city. The brown pelican is the most common: in adulthood it reaches a length of about 4 feet and has a wingspan of 6.5 to 7.5 feet, weighing in at about 9 pounds. Its straight bill has an enormous pouch for catching fish to feed itself and its young. During the winter white pelicans arrive in quite large numbers. Other species include, ibis, egret, heron, gull, sandpiper, skimmer and spoonbill. Shelling and Beachcombing: Collecting shells is part of enjoyment of our beaches. However, starfish and sand dollars are living creatures, so please observe our regulations and pick no more than 2 of these species. Also help to protect the delicate dune system that edges the beaches by using marked pathways to access the sands and avoiding protected sea oats. |
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