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Beaches & Parks
Sarasota County’s barrier islands offer a diverse landscape of beaches and experiences to try along the Gulf of Mexico
With nearly 40 miles of shoreline, Sarasota County is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, each with its own unique characteristics. Depending on what you want to do—from sandcastles to surfing to shopping and more—you will want to choose your beach wisely. Here’s a list of local beach “awards” to help give you an idea of which one is the right choice for your vacation.
Learn about Palmer's extraordinary agricultural innovations, her commitment to horticultural science and livestock-raising methods, and her savvy business acumen as foundational to the development of the Sarasota we know today
When the millionaire matron of Chicago high society, Bertha Palmer, arrived in Sarasota in 1910, she encountered a mosquito-infested, boggy marshland that most assumed was uninhabitable. What the savvy businesswoman saw, however, was a tropical paradise with potential to become lucrative land for farming, ranching and leisure.
When you need to be alone in Sarasota nature, here are parks and beaches where you are least likely to run into strangers and most likely to have some breathing room
A walk in the park can clear your head, get your heart pumping, and help connect you to your natural surroundings. It’s a peaceful and picturesque way to temporarily escape the real world, and there are lots of parks and preserves in Sarasota County where you can get away from it all (at least for a while).
Hunting for shells at Sarasota County beaches is among the unique pleasures visitors and locals alike enjoy year-round
If you’ve got a mini–Jacques Cousteau at home, Sarasota County is an ideal place for a family vacation with kiddos who are fascinated by sharks.
Whether you think sharks are misunderstood predators or total undersea villains thanks to movies like Jaws, there’s no denying that they’re fascinating aquatic creatures. In fact, you might have a son or daughter who’s totally obsessed with the toothy fish, in that classic way kids have of forming full-throttle passions.
Savor the fresh air – and get your steps in while you’re at it – at these top parks and trails.
Any time of year, it’s easy to escape the hustle and bustle in Sarasota County. Parks, preserves and trails invite you to explore gorgeous natural landscapes – and feel miles away from it all as you do. Here are some of our favorites.
Winter is now in the rearview mirror and a road trip is always a good idea
Defrost those winter muscles with a little vernal sunshine—springtime is approaching and the mile markers are calling. So mark some OOO on the calendar, jump in the car and hit the wide-open road.
Enjoy these relaxing locales—perfect to shut off and reset for a digital detox
More time spent outside equals more self-care, more quality conversations, more insightful thinking, more wildlife spotting, more quality hangs and laughs with loved ones—without distracting games or the urge to scroll on social media.
Whether flying solo, with your significant other or traveling with the whole family in tow, you may want to carve out precious time in the day to unplug, unwind and relax.