We spent a blistering summer day at Mirada Lagoon in San Antonio, Florida, and it felt like stepping into a Caribbean resort. This massive 15-acre, man-made lagoon is the largest in the United States, and is just minutes away from its sister property, Epperson Lagoon. As I set foot on the soft white sand, I knew I was in for something special. The water sparkled in that perfect shade of turquoise, stretching out in every direction like a private slice of the Caribbean. Booking online ahead of time (metrolagoons.com/lagoon/mirada) made check-in quick and easy, and even saved us money on each ticket we purchased.
When we arrived, the first thing we had to do was go through security. Although extremely strict (thoroughly checking our bags), they were pleasant and expedited the process. No outside food or drinks are permitted, which we knew prior to coming from information found on the website. What we didn’t expect was that even our water bottles had to be emptied out. As we walked through the gates, calypso music played, and around us families and couples were soaking up the sun and enjoying the water, some floating around, others on kayaks and paddleboards, which are available with a splash pass. This “add on” to your admission includes use of the inflatable water course, giant water slide, floating pickleball, paddleboards and kayaks – all for the entire day, as opposed to paying hourly. With five teenagers in tow, it was worth every dime. We also opted to rent a cabana for the day, so we were lucky to be situated on an island with a thatched palm umbrella, table and several loungers for our group. If you choose not to rent, there are plenty of lounge chairs and tables that are free to use, and small shade umbrellas are permitted to be taken in. I highly recommend it, as there is not a ton of shade on the sand. We couldn’t resist heading straight for the inflatable obstacle course as soon as we put our belongings down, and it turned out to be even more fun than it looked. We climbed, slid, bounced and splashed until we were out of breath from laughing so hard. Then, in a twist I didn’t plan, I found myself on Florida’s first floating pickleball court, an experience I’ll never forget. There was also a splash zone/wet playground, filled with little ones enjoying their time.
After hours of soaking up the sun and the sights, our teenagers’ hunger kicked in. Luckily, there were plenty of food options just steps away, from burgers and chicken tenders to other casual bites that hit the spot. They finished with ice cream for dessert, one of several sweet options. The food cost was surprisingly reasonable, an unexpected bonus for a place that doesn’t allow you to bring anything in. The adults among our group paired our lunch with an ice-cold tropical drink from the lagoon’s bar, the kind of beverage that instantly makes you feel like you’re on vacation. It was the perfect “toes in the sand” atmosphere.
Although there were no special events while we were there, their calendar seems full, with live music, trivia, line dancing and special events, and even something called Friday foam parties. Everything feels designed to make you forget the outside world for a while, without the hassle of a resort stay and travel.
By the time the afternoon storms threatened to move in, I felt like I had been on a mini vacation, even though I was only a 50-minute drive from home. Mirada Lagoon offers a mix of beautiful water, fun activities, good food, great drinks and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little bit longer. Whether you’re looking for a family outing or just a chance to unwind with friends, it’s a place that delivers a day of sun, fun and memories. I left already planning my next visit back, knowing that the lagoon’s crystal-clear water would be waiting for us.