December

Shop and dine at the chic locations hidden in this quaint district along Hillview Street just south of downtown Sarasota

A mere mile south of downtown Sarasota, lies a sprawling neighborhood known as Southside teeming with families in both new and historic homes. This family friendly community has influenced the types of businesses that have settled in its commercial district, Southside Village. As a result, it’s an excellent part of town for the family to visit, offering a comfortable, walkable environment for all ages.

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.

Ring in the new year at one of these signature Sarasota County celebrations—including our trademark Pineapple Drop!

Send it off right on New Years Eve with some of the most beloved annual events and celebrations on Florida's Cultural Coast. Put on a sparkly getup and grab something bubbly to ring in the new year – Sarasota-style. 

Wherever you are in Sarasota County, you're bound to have excellent vegan food, from fully vegan cafes to restaurants with great meat- and dairy-free items.

Find no shortage of putting courses and driving ranges in and around Sarasota for golfers to perfect their game.

From seasoned players honing their power swing and chipping skills to families squeezing in a round of mini-golf or beginners looking to develop more consistency in their stroke and confidence on the putting green, the area has something for all levels and interests. Tee up at these more relaxed Sarasota golf experiences beyond the fairways and country clubs.

Spot native Florida birds year-round in Sarasota County—from Gulf beach shores to mangrove flatland and brackish estuaries.

Birdwatching is among the most peaceful, meditative and gratifying activities you can enjoy in Sarasota County. And while winter is largely birding "season" — as thousands of migratory birds make their way south to escape the northern chill — birdwatching is a fantastic year-round hobby to partake in thanks to our year-round sunshine, subtropical climate and ecological diversity.

Kick the new year off right, with a detox of health-giving drinks and dishes at these local eateries.

The beginning of the new year marks our hopeful fitness goals and declarations of healthier living, cleaner eating and maybe losing a few newly gained holiday pounds! 

A new year, a new chance to explore outdoor yoga and fitness opportunities around Sarasota County's parks and beaches. 

What's better than downward dogs in the warm sun with a cooling Gulf breeze? Taking your practice outdoors gives you access to environmental sensations that only enhance your alfresco flow. Whether you're mastering a one-foot balance in Eagle pose or gently stretching the spine in Child’s pose, there's something so gratifying about laying your mat on the grass or sand and giving your nervous system a mini-holiday.