Nokomis Public Beach

The sand runs latte-colored and thick with shells, the water stays clear enough to spot them before you reach down, and a 1950s plaza by Sarasota School architect Jack West anchors the whole scene. Twice a week a drum circle gathers near the lifeguard stand to play the sun down — and a few thousand reviewers back the ritual up.

Wednesday or Saturday, arriving about an hour before sunset for the drum circle.

Bring beach shoes for the shell wrack, and check the jetty end — yoga meets there at 9 a.m. year-round.

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