The city of Bonita Springs, known to many as The Gateway to the Gulf, is a growing beach community in the heart of Southwest Florida. The town's history dates back to the 1870s, when the Army Corps of Engineers explored the area and named it simply, "Survey." Deciding the monicker lacked marketing appeal, developers renamed the town Bonita Springs, which, along with the completion of the Southern Railroad, brought a land boom to the area in the early 1920s.
Today, the community has garnered a reputation for its white sand beaches, numerous golf courses and slower pace of life, reminiscent of Old Florida. Many people come to Bonita Springs for retirement and recreation, although growing industries in tourism and healthcare have brought in more full-time residents in recent years.
With a median age of 60, many people retire here, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Bonita Springs's population of almost 59,000 has grown more than 5% since 2020. "It's a growing beach town with a lot of new restaurants, and it's transforming into the next Naples," says Joe Janisch, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Naples who's lived in the area since 2005. "It doesn't have the historic allure of Naples. It's a smaller community with fewer high-end stores. There's a variety of golf courses, the beach, pickleball, and so much new growth."
Bonita Beach Park is a long white sand beach on the verdant waters of the Gulf.
There are several tennis courts at Bonita Springs Community Park near Arbel.
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Recreation on the gulf or the greens
Residents of Bonita Springs enjoy a recreation-oriented lifestyle by land and sea. "The golf and the access to the beach are wonderful," says Scott Riddle, Team Leader of Southwest Florida REGroup. "People like being on a boat and fishing. Bonita Springs was initially raised as a fishing and farming community, but there's still lots of backbay fishing.” Multiple charters are available to hook sought-after area game fish, including snook and redfish. Bonita Beach Park sits along the waterfront, offering visitors easy access to the white sand beaches and blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Lovers Key State Park and Barefoot Beach County Preserve are popular protected coastal areas with beachfronts free of commercial development and high-rise condos.
Bonita Bay Club is the world's first 36-hole Audubon Signature Sanctuary course and is one of the more than 20 golf courses in the city. Riverside Park in downtown hosts year-round events, while the Bonita Springs Recreation Center features numerous athletic amenities like baseball diamonds, basketball courts and a skatepark. And Wonder Gardens stands as a leader in environmental conservation and protection with multiple wildlife exhibits displaying native flora and fauna, including flamingos, alligators and gopher tortoises.
Bonita Beach sits directly on the Gulf and is a boater's paradise.
Highland Woods golfers can practice their swing with driving and putting greens.
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Mediterranean style homes in gated communities
Most homes in this city are three-bedroom contemporary ranch-style houses with Mediterranean influences, many of them built after 1980. In December 2024, the median price for a single-family home was $780,000, 46% higher than the national median and 6% lower than in nearby Naples. The average home sale price over the last 12 months is up 7% from 2023. Beachfront homes are the area's most expensive; a four-bedroom modern home can cost up to $12.9 million.
Homes farther from the beach can start at $325,000 for a two-bedroom, while a five-bedroom on a golf course can cost up to $7 million, plus homeowners association fees. There are also several 55-plus communities with manufactured homes; a two-bedroom here can start at $92,500. Condos are also available; prices range from $190,000 for an inland one-bedroom to nearly $7 million for a five-bedroom with water views. Standout neighborhoods include Bonita Bay and Pelican Landing.
Homes in Mediterra are built on private lots with ample space.
Most of the homes in Bonita National in Bonita Springs have private pools.
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Redeveloping downtown Bonita Springs
Most retail options are along South Tamiami Trail, including The Promenade at Bonita Bay, a popular shopping center featuring fine retail stores, high-end boutiques and an open-air design with lush foliage and flowing waterworks. Bonita Springs's downtown is along Old 41 Road near Riverside Park and the Imperial River in the city's center. This two-way road features mature palm trees and street parking and is dotted with walkable art galleries and local restaurants. The city is improving the downtown area by adding brick pavers to the roads, burying wires and adding roundabouts. New businesses have taken notice and are moving in, including a food truck park and Imperial Crossing, a new multi-use development.
Restaurants, shops, and events can be found in Downtown Bonita Springs near Spanish Wells.
The roundabouts are a signature feature of Downtown Bonita Springs.
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Lee County Schools receive high ratings
Students attend Lee County Public Schools, which earns an overall B rating from Niche and teaches almost 100,000 students. The district offers open choice enrollment based on proximity, similar to a school choice program that aims to keep kids close to home. Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts receives a B rating and offers elective courses ranging from dimensional studio art and TV production to Intro to Marketing. Bonita Springs High has career academies in health, aerospace and creative fields, and students can also enroll in dual enrollment courses at Florida Gulf Coast University, which is 13 miles north. Private schools in the area include the Community School of Naples and St. John Neumann Catholic High School.
Bonita Springs Middle Center For The Arts serves Grades 6-8.
Bonita Springs High School in Bonita Springs has extracurricular clubs & activities for students.
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Well-connected to Southwest Florida
Interstate 75 passes through the city's east side, connecting to Fort Myers 29 miles north; other major roads include U.S. Highway 41 and Bonita Beach Road. Downtown Naples is around 15 miles away. Residents can ride the LeeTran bus around the city, which also has a park-and-ride trolley to Fort Myers Beach. U.S. Highway 41 and Imperial Parkway have dedicated bike lanes, and golf carts and low-speed vehicles are allowed on most roads. "Bike riding is very easy down here with everything being so flat," Janisch says. The city is planning to add a 15-mile multi-use trail near Old 41 Road. Those traveling by boat can explore the inlets and estuaries or Estero Bay or access the Gulf of Mexico's deep blue waters via Hickory Pass or New Carlos Pass. Lee Health Coconut Point, the closest hospital, is in the city's north, and the Southwest Florida International Airport, which has domestic and international flights, is an 18-mile trip.
Year-round events in Riverside Park
Riverside Park sits in the heart of downtown and hosts popular annual events, including Holiday in the Park and Movie in the Park. The Bonita Springs Concert Band holds six shows throughout the year in the bandshell nearby, playing a mix of classical, pop, rock and Broadway music. The Bonita Springs National Art Festival occurs across three weekends in the winter, drawing thousands of visitors who flock to view the creative exhibits of more than 200 National and International Artists. Proceeds from the festival go to community art organizations. The Bonita Springs Performing Arts Center offers an indoor venue that hosts a calendar full of art displays, Broadway musicals and national touring acts.
Red, White & Rooftop in Central Bonita Springs features a variety of food and beverage trucks.
Star Spangled Bonita happens every year at Riverside Park in Central Bonita Springs.
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Crime and environmental factors
The city's location on the Gulf of Mexico puts it at risk for hurricanes, and many neighborhoods lie in FEMA Designated Special Flood Hazard Areas. Hurricane Milton hit the area in 2024 and brought widespread damage. Hurricane Ian was a Category 5 storm that struck the area in 2022, resulting in the deadliest storm in Florida's history. While rebuilding wasn't easy, the city responded to help aid in recovery. "It took a while for everything to rebuild, but pretty much everything is back open again," Janisch says. "It's definitely strengthened the community bond as far as people wanting to help each other out." Bonita Springs participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, and homeowners are encouraged to review available flood insurance policies.
Bonita Springs is policed by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, which employs over 1,700 officers and support staff. According to data provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Lee County’s violent crime rate in 2022 was significantly less than Florida’s average rate. Additionally, Lee County’s violent crime rate decreased by 12% from 2021 to 2022.
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