Park Shore Beach takes its name from the Park Shore neighborhood, developed beginning in 1964 when Raymond L. Lutgert purchased 760 undeveloped acres bordered by a mile and a quarter of pristine Gulf beach on the west and U.S. Highway 41 on the east. Between 1964 and 1968, Lutgert led a team of architects, engineers, and land planners in creating one of the first planned unit developments in Collier County and among the first in Florida. The master plan created Venetian Bay, a navigable body of water separating the mainland portion of Park Shore from the Gulf-front community, with a serpentine design arranging 29 land parcels amidst five beachside parks, four open-space commons, and a meandering beach promenade with natural dune systems. Construction began from 1970 to 1983, with Colony Gardens as the first condominium development featuring mid-rise apartments and townhomes with private bay docks. By the mid-1990s, Park Shore gained recognition as one of Southwest Florida's premier addresses with additions including Park Tower, Venetian Tower, and Le Rivage. The opening of the Village on Venetian Bay created an upscale shopping and dining destination that attracted visitors from across the country and world, establishing Park Shore's identity as a sophisticated Gulf Coast community.
The beach features pristine white sand and crystal-clear Gulf waters ideal for swimming and sunbathing along the mile-and-a-quarter shoreline. Three public beach access points with parking lots serve residents and visitors, though spaces fill quickly during peak season. The meandering beach promenade allows walking along the shoreline with Gulf views, while the natural dune system preserves the coastal ecosystem. Beachcombing reveals shells deposited by Gulf currents, including sand dollars, fighting conchs, and various mollusks. The west-facing orientation provides spectacular sunset viewing opportunities over the Gulf horizon. The proximity to Venetian Village allows beachgoers to combine beach activities with upscale shopping at boutiques and galleries within walking distance. Dolphins frequently swim parallel to shore and are visible from the beach, while brown pelicans, royal terns, and shorebirds patrol the coastline. The beach's location between Pelican Bay's preserved mangrove systems and Old Naples' historic district creates a balance of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Stand-up paddleboards and kayaks can be launched to explore the calm Gulf waters, while the gentle beach slope makes it family-friendly.
Dining at Park Shore Beach centers on the Village on Venetian Bay's waterfront restaurant collection. M Waterfront Grille offers refined continental cuisine with fresh seafood, steaks, and organic ingredients, featuring award-winning Sunday brunch with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Venetian Bay. MiraMare Ristorante serves authentic Italian cuisine in an elegant waterfront setting with classic and contemporary dishes. The Village Pub, a Naples tradition since 1995, provides a cozy waterfront atmosphere with a whimsical nautical menu featuring soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees with Venetian Bay views. Fish presents an extensive seafood menu with tables overlooking the bay. Bayside Seafood Grille & Bar, established for nearly 20 years, offers dining from a private dining room to a covered upper deck with bay views. Barbatella serves wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and house-made pasta with rustic Italian flavors and extensive wine selections in the adjacent shopping district.
