Outdoor Recreation

Endless Beaches – And Adventure

Think the best beaches are on the east coast of Florida? Think again. Sarasota’s Siesta Key is America’s No. 2 rated beach, with 99% quartz sand that remains cool to the touch even on the hottest days. Venice, the shark tooth capital of the world is home to 14 miles of gulf coast shoreline with people-only and dog-friendly beach options.

But the Sarasota-Manatee FL region offers more to the outdoor enthusiast than supreme waterfront activity. Bike along 30 miles of scenic trails in Venice. Release your inhibitions and hold onto a zipline in Myakka City. Take an eco-tour and learn the natural diversity and cultural heritage of the Gold Coast. Fair warning, though — step outside on this sunny waterfront and you may never want to go inside again.

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Live on the Beach

From beachfront condos to master-planned communities, Sarasota-Manatee FL has numerous housing options, allowing you to stay engaged with the Sun Coast’s great outdoor culture.

Find Home on Florida’s West Coast

#2 Best beach in the United States (Siesta Key) Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, 2022

3,000 Acres of parks & trails in Sarasota county Visit Venice

51 Parks in the Bradenton Area Bradenton EDC

60 Square miles of Myakka State Park (one of Florida’s largest) Florida State Parks

Beaches
Parks
Athletics

Beaches

A Beach as Unique as You

Whether you desire a peaceful seaside setting, crave a good beach-front party, or want to observe sea turtles nesting their eggs, Sarasota-Manatee has a pristine sandy shore for you. Six unique islands line Sarasota’s coastline, including Longboat Key, Lido Key, Manasota Key, Casey Key, Siesta Key and Venice. Brohard Paw Park is Sarasota County’s dog-friendly beach, near Caspersen in Venice.

In Manatee County, Bradenton’s Coquina Beach has been hailed as one of the United States’ top beaches for stellar water quality results by the Natural Resources Defense Council. With waters this natural, it’s not unlikely to see manatees enjoying the coastline, too.

Parks

Hike Your Way to Happiness

Sarasota County offers more than 120 parks and trails stretching over 3,000 acres. The Legacy Trail stretches more than 10 miles from Sarasota all the way to Venice, making it a popular walk-and-bike route. Directly off the trail is Venice Area Beautification Inc.’s Urban Forest, a two-mile man-made forest housing thousands of unique trees and animal species. Other parks in Sarasota-Manatee FL include the 487-acre Robinson Preserve, the 556-acre Lake Manatee State Park and Myakka State Park — one of the largest parks in the state of Florida.

Athletics

Stay Fit Your Way

The counties of Sarasota-Manatee FL are synonymous with athletics and fitness, with everything from deep-sea fishing to skate parks. In Sarasota County, more than 60 unique golf courses offer beautiful backdrops for a day on the green. Kayaking, canoeing and biking also extend throughout Sarasota-Manatee FL, so whether you’re in Anna Maria looking for a bike route or in North Port seeking a freshwater canal, you’ll have access to stellar sports amenities to keep you in optimal shape.

What’s New in Sarasota-Manatee?

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Tops in Florida, Sarasota ranks #5 in nation for best places to live

The annual U.S. News and World Report for 2023-24 tabbed Sarasota as the top place to live in the Sunshine State and fifth overall for the United States. With a 6.8 score out of a possible 10, Sarasota trailed only top-ranked Green Bay, Wis. followed by Huntsville, Ala.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C. and Boulder, Colo. Factors added […]

entrepreneurs

Florida is the best place for entrepreneurs

With resources like the SBDC at USF, the Manasota SCORE chapter and CareerSource Suncoast’s CEO Program, the Suncoast is known for birthing new entrepreneurs. A recent survey confirmed that Florida is the best state for entrepreneurship. The Digital Project Manager looked at eight factors before awarding the state of Florida its highest score at 65.12. […]

Sarasota earns Neighborly accolades

Neighbor ranked Sarasota as the No. 4 most neighborly city of 2023. Sarasota was the lone Florida city recognized in the top 25 list, which was determined by factors such as planting roots and embracing community events. “Recognizing America’s ‘Most Neighborly Cities’ is not just a celebratory act, but a call for unity and hope,” […]

Ringling College among top film schools

Ringling College is ranked 20th among the top 25 institutions in the Hollywood Reporter’s rankings of top film schools. The ranking is up three places from last year. “The small class sizes are a draw for the program, which enrolls between 30 and 40 kids a semester,” wrote the Hollywood Reporter. “Even with its small […]

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