Sarasota Real Estate
This jewel on the Gulf of Mexico with its expansive dream beaches, the flair and charm of a grown community and its intoxicating variety of attractions has something for every taste. Sarasota is located on the west coast of Florida, about 100 km south of Tampa and a good 100 km north of Ft. myers Sarasota City has a population of approximately 60,000 and Sarasota County has a population of approximately 300,000.
If you are looking for proximity to the beach, you will feel at home on the offshore islands, which all have a different character. Given the diversity of this lively city, anyone who comes to Sarasota as a visitor today will find it difficult to imagine that Sarasota's history spans just 100 years. Located at the intersection of US 41 and University Parkway just south of the International Airport, Ca d'Zan (John Ringling's house in Venetian dialect) and its beautiful park, Ringling Museum of Art and Circus Museum are a must-see Sarasota visitor. The Ringlings' influence stretched far beyond the fine arts, however, as John Ringling was one of the first entrepreneurs and visionaries to shape what is now mainland Sarasota — most notably what is now St Armands Circle and the offshore islands of Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and Lido Beach — Developed as an economic and residential area.
In the side streets, the visitor is greeted by a completely different world. Art galleries, antique shops and junk shops along Palm Avenue and Pineapple Avenue draw visitors under their spell. Caribbean flair welcomes you in Towles Court and you can not only watch the artists at work but of course also buy real originals. Those who don't want to miss out on culinary discoveries can try Floridian specialties on Central Ave and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the artists' neighborhood. And anyway, downtown Sarasota is one big dining experience. A must is of course an extended stroll around St. Armands Circle, one of Sarasota's many landmarks with hundreds of funny shops, exclusive fashion and art boutiques, quaint pubs, street cafes, bars, nightclubs and sophisticated restaurants. And last but not least, don't miss Island Park along Sarasota Bay. Depending on the season, day and sunset tours are offered with the LeBarge. Or you can just relax with a stroll along the port facility. For the little ones there is a playground and a couple of idyllic swinging benches invite you to linger with a wonderful view over the bay and in the direction of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, another eventful destination for friends of tropical fauna and great photo motifs.
Of course, in a tourism metropolis like Sarasota, the range of accommodation and shopping options leaves nothing to be desired. From exclusive 5-star resorts and condominiums on Longboat Key, Key West-style bungalows, charming boutique hotels and superior small lodgings on Siesta Key, to private vacation homes and apartments in the quiet seclusion of Englewood and North Port is enough to choose from. In addition to the delights of sun, sand and water on Siesta and Longboat Key's stunning, powdered white beaches, consistently rated among America's best, there are countless recreational opportunities on, on and under the water — from jet ski and sailboat rentals to deep-sea fishing to diving at the offshore reefs. Discover the natural beauties of the area, e.g. For example, you can canoe down the mangrove tunnel on southern Lido Key or see the wild bromeliads along Myakka State Park's Canopy Walk, a 100-foot suspension bridge high above the treetops.
Of course, no vacation, however long, is enough to play the thirty or so golf courses in the greater Sarasota area, which cater to all skill levels and budgets and which, in different ways, reflect the beauties of the Florida landscape. Of the top 20 regional golf courses in Southwest Florida, nine are in the immediate vicinity of Sarasota; four of them even rank in the top 100 statewide.
Sarasota also offers a lot of sights and excursion destinations. Visit the Mote Marine Aquarium for an up-close encounter with sharks, manatees and tropical Florida marine life. A visit to "Save our Seabirds", a rescue and rearing center for injured seabirds right next to the Mote Marine Aquarium, is an experience especially for kids of all ages. A visit to the Sarasota Jungle Gardens with reptile and bird shows or a trip into history when visiting Historic Spanish Pointe round off an eventful vacation day. With so much flair and charm, the spacious dream beaches, the almost endless range of activities and the intoxicating variety of attractions, it is no wonder that the "Pearl of the Cultural Coast" is one of Florida's most attractive holiday destinations. The high quality of life in the greater Sarasota area also means that more and more people are finding their new home and settling here.
