7th Avenue North Beach takes its name from Naples' grid system of numbered avenues established during the city's development as a resort destination beginning in the 1880s when Walter N. Haldeman and General John S. Williams founded Naples. The avenue system extends from 7th Avenue North southward to 21st Avenue South, with public beach access provided at the west end of each avenue along Gulf Shore Boulevard. The 7th Avenue North access point marks the northernmost extent of Naples' downtown avenue beach access system, situated near the boundary between the City of Naples and the Pelican Bay area. Beach showers are available at the 7th Avenue North access, making it one of the designated shower facilities among Naples' numerous beach access points. The systematic provision of public beach access along numbered avenues reflects Naples' long-standing commitment to ensuring residents and visitors can reach the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, a planning principle dating back to the city's founding era. The avenue beach access points were designed to provide convenient entry to Naples' beaches while maintaining the residential character of Gulf Shore Boulevard.
The beach offers pristine white sand and crystal-clear Gulf waters ideal for swimming in typically calm conditions. The access point is favored by locals who appreciate its less crowded atmosphere compared to larger beach parks, providing a quieter beach experience while remaining close to the heart of Naples. Sunbathing is popular along the wide beach, while beachcombing reveals shells and sand dollars washed ashore by Gulf tides. The west-facing orientation provides spectacular sunset views, a hallmark of Naples' Gulf Coast location. Visitors can observe bottlenose dolphins, brown pelicans, and various shorebirds along the coastline. Beach parking is available at the end of the avenue, with some visitors parking along the golf course across from the Naples Beach Hotel. The proximity to downtown Naples allows easy access to shopping and dining in Old Naples' historic district along Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South. The beach shower facilities make it convenient for beachgoers to rinse off after swimming in the Gulf.
Dining options near 7th Avenue North Beach reflect the area's position between Old Naples and the Venetian Village. The Turtle Club serves fresh seafood and steaks in an elegant beachfront setting with Gulf views. Sea Salt offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with octopus carpaccio and branzino in a sophisticated atmosphere. USS Nemo features pan-Asian fusion dishes including miso-glazed sea bass and Thai curry. The Bay House provides farm-to-table coastal cuisine with Gulf seafood and craft cocktails in a historic Naples setting. Campiello serves Northern Italian fare with house-made pasta and wood-fired pizzas on a garden patio. Café Lurcat offers French-American cuisine including bouillabaisse and duck confit with views of Third Street South's shopping district.
