Gateway to the Gulf
Bonita Springs
Beaches, boating, golf and a revitalized Old 41 district create an easygoing city with deep local roots.
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Welcome to Southwest Florida
Find your place
on the coast.
Explore the communities, coastlines and everyday experiences that make Bonita Springs, Estero and the greater Southwest Florida region feel like home.
Your local guide to
Lee + Colliercounties · Florida
Live the Coconut Coast
Sunshine is only
the beginning.
Life here moves between Gulf beaches, winding waterways, village streets and vibrant downtowns.
Coconut Coast Lifestyles connects you with the places to live, shop, dine and explore—and with trusted REALTORS® who know the region.
Start exploring
Southwest Florida,
your way.
Go beyond a list of links. Choose the part of coastal life you want to discover first.
01 · FIND YOUR FIT
Communities
From waterfront enclaves to golf and village living.
02 · MAKE A MOVE
Homes
Search properties throughout the Coconut Coast.
03 · TASTE THE COAST
Dining
Local favorites, waterfront tables and new discoveries.
04 · MAKE A DAY OF IT
Shopping
Open-air centers, boutiques and familiar favorites.
Heart of the Coconut Coast
Two communities.
One coastal rhythm.
Village life, naturally
Estero
Preserve land, the Estero River, thriving neighborhoods and convenient access place the village at the center of the region.
Explore Estero communities →
A global gateway
Florida feels
closer from here.
International buyers can explore the market, travel connections, ownership questions, property styles and trusted resources in one guided experience.
Explore global buyers →Rooted here
A coast shaped
over time.
The story of Bonita Springs and Estero stretches from the Calusa and the Estero River to the connected communities of today.
First communities + Survey
People lived here thousands of years before European contact, and the Calusa built thriving communities around Southwest Florida's estuaries. In the 1870s, federal surveyors mapped the upper Imperial River area; the settlement that followed became known as Survey.
Life along the river
Early homesteaders farmed citrus along the Estero River and shipped harvests toward the Gulf. The Koreshan Unity began settling here in 1894, establishing homes, workshops, schools and cultural spaces along the river.
A town finds its name
Survey gained a post office in 1901 and was later renamed Bonita Springs. The railroad arrived in the early 1920s, the Tamiami Trail opened in 1928, and the Everglades Reptile Gardens—today's Wonder Gardens—welcomed visitors in 1936.
The Koreshan legacy
The Koreshans incorporated a large Town of Estero in 1904; it was abolished in 1907. Their community gradually declined, but surviving structures and riverside grounds remain preserved at Koreshan State Park.
A modern coastal city
Air conditioning, a nearby airport, I-75 and the U.S. 41 bypass helped turn a quiet town into a growing coastal community. After decades of expansion, residents voted to incorporate Bonita Springs again in 1999.
A village again
Local residents organized to guide Estero's rapid growth and protect its identity. In 2014, 86 percent of voters supported incorporation; the Village of Estero was established on December 31, with its first council seated in 2015.
Old Florida, renewed
Downtown revitalization around Old 41 and the Imperial River is bringing new energy to the city while landmarks such as the Liles Hotel, Shangri-La Springs and Wonder Gardens keep local history visible.
Growth with a sense of place
Estero continues to balance neighborhood growth, regional access and village-scale design with the Estero River, preserved open space and historic places at the center of its identity.
History references: City of Bonita Springs and Village of Estero.
Ready to find
your Florida?
Start with a local professional who knows the Coconut Coast.