cindyrob

Hello,

We're heading to Naples for the first time this weekend. We'll be there for work -- but want to take in at least one of these amazing sunsets we've heard about.

Where's the best place to go? Our first choice would be a restaurant with a view (casual, inexpensive seafood is our preference) -- but we could also view the sunset and then eat afterwards.

All suggestions are appreciated!!

Thanks,
Cindy

jimjim

On the beach. It's wonderful.

BetsyinKY

It's not a trip to Naples without viewing at least one sunset from the Naples pier.

jimjim

But watch out for "red tide."

Patrick

Haven't had red tide for quite a while now, certainly not right now.

The pier or near there is considered "the place" to watch the sunset from -- but there's no restaurant. Although you can park your car about two blocks from the pier in the big free lot behind Tommy Bahamas and go back and have dinner there (be prepared to wait) or across the street at Campiello.
The Turtle Club up at Vanderbilt is right on the beach just north of the Ritz. You can sit right out on the beach and have cocktails and dinner -- casual and good, not necessarily inexpensive -- more moderate.

Sunset is around 7 right now, so unless you're early diners, eating afterwards would be fine.

One slight warning though. The really spectacular sunsets tend to be after the big afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. This time of year sometimes they are only magnificent, not spectacular.

cindyrob

This probably sounds like a dumb question -- but never being there before, is "the pier" going to be obvious to us? In other words, where is it and how do we get there? We're staying at the Mariott Courtyard, if that makes a difference.

poss

The pier is in Olde Naples (hate that extra "e"!) It's around 12th St south. Campiellos and Tommy Bahamas right across the street from each other, a couple of blocks from the beach. Campiellos better than TB IMO. Another interesting place to watch sunset is Vanderbilt Beach. A very handsome Ritz Carlton is right there (nice place to have drinks), plus there's always a bocce game going on-- lots of Italian in the air. Lots of action at that beach anyway. If you go, try to make time to stroll south on Vanderbilt Beach and see some of the unbelievable mansions that are part of Pelican Bay. First there's a bunch of high rise condos, then farther along some gorgeous villas-- that look straight out of Italy (well not really, but they're pretty amazing). There's also a good Japanese restaurant at Vanderbilt Beach-- Da Ru Ma. By the way, try to take a drive around Port Royal-- very handsome in a super-luxurious way. (next to Olde Naples)

Patrick

From the Marriott Courtyard, which is several miles north of downtown Naples, go south on 41 (also called 9th Street) into Naples until you come to 5th Avenue South -- hard to miss, it's where US 41 turns left towards Miami. Instead, you turn right onto 5th Avenue South which is the "main" street of downtown Naples. Go west towards the beach to the last street --which is GulfShore Blvd. Turn left and follow it until you come to 12 Avenue South, which is where the pier is. You will see the busier area and drop off circle there right at the pier. There are several areas of parking nearby, plus meters.