By Angela Langford, aklangford@naplesnews.com
EscapeToSWFlorida.com Staff Writer

Bonita Springs is tucked between Fort Myers and Naples and offers the unique and inviting charm of a small beach town. Delightful homes and cottages line the beach and new golf course communities cover the mainland. Enjoy fishing and boating on the backwaters or walk the miles of pristine beaches of Bonita Springs and surrounding barrier islands.

Sand dunes, beaches and the Gulf of Mexico hug Bonita Springs' western boundary. To the east, tidy neighborhoods and residential communities reach to the borders of lush groves and farmland. In between the east and west boundaries lies Bonita Springs, a growing center for commercial development. This community combines unparalleled natural amenities with a dynamic business environment.

The Calusa Indians originally populated much of Southwest Florida. The tribe lived nomadically off the lands, always staying close to a river known as Surveyor's Creek, which they believed had the power to heal the sick. The Calusa way of life was changed forever with the arrival of Ponce De Leon during the Spanish exploration, and by the 18th century, the tribe was gone altogether. Soon after, Bonita Springs developed as a small fishing village that survived on proceeds from selling salted fish to Cuban traders.

As the years passed the U.S. 41 Bypass and I-75 corridors opened up more access that brought shopping malls, modern office facilities, and outstanding golf courses into the area. Today, Bonita Springs continues to prosper as a community and attracts visitors who often fall in love with the unique little town that offers shopping malls, movie theatres and even a performing arts hall. Also conveniently located just minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport and Florida Gulf Coast University, many refer to Bonita Springs as the "Gateway to the Gulf." Downtown Bonita Springs has been restored with the assistance of local government and the Community Redevelopment Agency. In 1995, downtown Bonita Springs became the only Florida non-city to be named a Main Street community.

From a day at the beach to a sunset cruise on the Gulf of Mexico, Bonita Springs offers a wide variety of attractions and activities for visitors and residents. Despite its name, the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track is located in Bonita Springs. At the track, you can wager on the dog races, play cards in the poker room or even adopt a retired greyhound. One of the oldest Bonita Springs attractions is the Everglades Wonder Gardens, which opened in 1936 as a refuge for injured animals.

For those who enjoy an active lifestyle, boating, swimming, fishing, tennis and biking, as well as bingo, bridge and shuffleboard, are available. Like many southwest Florida communities, golf is a year round pastime in Bonita Springs. There are many public and private golf courses in the area to choose from, as well as miles of beautiful beaches, parks and water sports. Canals wind through neighborhoods, connecting to bays and the Gulf of Mexico, offering the fishing enthusiast a variety of backwater and offshore experiences. Nature lovers will find birds, turtles, manatee and various wildlife as well as a variety of tropical foliage during visits to the area's various nature preserves including the Carl E. Johnson Park, which winds through native yellow, black and red mangroves.

Bonita Springs offers a variety of accommodations to suit the tastes of any visitor, from hotels and resorts to inns and bed & breakfasts. It also has a wide selection of restaurants, whether you prefer quality fine dining, the relaxed atmosphere of a laid-back beachfront restaurant, or sampling a variety of national and international cuisines.

Bonita's drawing power will always be the same attractions that brought settlers originally: the sandy white beaches, awe-inspiring sunsets and laid-back atmosphere. Bonita Springs is an ideal year-round destination for the entire family with its welcoming environment and host of diversions. In Bonita Springs, visitors find small-town charm nestled amidst modern business facilities, all surrounded by beautiful beaches and waterways that provide the perfect setting for a vacation.