Rebecca's Cove Landing takes its name from a small residential cove development in East Naples, Collier County, representing one of numerous beach access points along the county's extensive Gulf of Mexico and inland waterway shoreline. Collier County was created in 1923 from Lee County and named after Barron G. Collier, a New York advertising magnate who purchased vast land holdings in Southwest Florida. In 1962, the county seat moved to East Naples, making it the only county seat in an unincorporated area at the time—when the May 19, 1959 referendum determined East Naples would host the new courthouse with 859 votes, leading to the September 1962 opening of the government building at its present location. East Naples developed as a residential and commercial hub distinct from the incorporated City of Naples, with beach access points serving both residents and visitors along Collier County's extensive coastline stretching from Naples south to Marco Island and east into the Ten Thousand Islands region of the Everglades.
Beach and water activities in the East Naples area focus on both Gulf access and the extensive inland waterway system characteristic of Southwest Florida's coastal geography. Sugden Regional Park features 60-acre Lake Avalon with a freshwater swimming beach, paddleboating, canoeing, and kayaking with on-site rentals, plus a paved 1.5-mile fitness trail for walking and jogging. Gulf beach access provides swimming, jet skiing, shelling, and kayaking opportunities along white-sand beaches. Dolphin watching cruises depart from several Collier County park locations, offering guided boat trips through estuaries to observe wildlife. Water sports rentals including towels, chairs, beach umbrellas, windsurfers, canoes, Hobie Cats, and aqua bikes serve beachgoers. Collier County resident taxpayers receive free annual parking permits at all county beaches, while non-residents pay 0 daily parking fees.
Snook Inn has served the Marco community for over 35 years with waterfront dining on the Marco River, featuring delectable seafood, succulent steaks, blackened red snapper, mahi mahi, and famous grouper sandwiches with live music seven days weekly on the open-air deck. CJ's on the Bay at 740 North Collier Boulevard offers tropical seafood dining with spectacular Smokehouse Bay views, serving American classic burgers, fine local seafood including fresh stone crab, rum butter mahi mahi, and signature crab cakes with famous lobster fries, plus Thursday evening DJ dancing during happy hour from 4 PM to 7 PM. Both establishments exemplify Marco Island and East Naples' waterfront dining culture showcasing fresh Gulf seafood in scenic bayside settings characteristic of Southwest Florida's coastal restaurant scene.
