From The Beautiful Beaches Of Siesta Key, To The Historic Ringling Museum, Residents and Tourists Love Sarasota.
Want To Know More About Sarasota County?
Sarasota County is located in Southwest Florida on the Gulf Coast. Its population was recorded as 427,766 in the 2020 Census Bureau estimates. With a 725.1 square miles area, is both the county seat and the principal city of the County. The city is a vacation destination for its tropical climate, beaches, cultural events, offshore natural habitats, and wildlife reserves. A list of Towns and Cities in this County includes:
- Englewood
- Laurel
- Nokomis
- North Port
- Osprey
- Sarasota
- Venice
History
The Calusa native Americans initially inhabited the region before the arrival of Europeans. The Spanish explorer Alonso Díaz de Solís founded the first permanent European settlement in 1559 and named it after his horse, Sarasota. The current City of Sarasota was founded in the mid-19th century, with development taking place over the following decades. This County is part of SW Florida, referred to as The Suncoast. It is located along and just south of the Gulf of Mexico and has a humid subtropical climate.
The area is known for its tropical climate, warm weather, and laid-back lifestyle. The beaches, mangrove forests, wetlands, and lagoon are home to many types of birds, reptiles, and various species of fish. Its location on the coast makes it a popular vacation spot.
Benefits of Visiting and Living in Sarasota County1. Warm and Sunny Weather All-Year-Round
The area's climate is tropical, with warm and sunny weather year-round. Its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico allows warm water temperatures never altogether drop below 60 degrees F, making it a popular vacation spot.
2. Tropical Beach Resorts
The County has several beaches and resorts along its coastline, including Peregrine Point State Preserve, Lido Beach, Siesta Key Beach, Bonita Beach, and Longboat Key Beach. These beaches offer a variety of activities and attractions for visitors, including fishing, swimming, boating, and camping.
3. Recreational Activities
Recreational opportunities like golfing and boating are also available for people seeking a more active vacation. The area is home to several golf courses, such as the Bayview Golf Course, Venice National, and Little Lake Nona. Boating activities are also popular in the area, with boat tours to tour the wildlife and other attractions.
4. Arts and Culture
The County has several arts and cultural institutions featuring a variety of art forms, events, and festivals for visitors to enjoy. The Ringling Museum of Art is a world-class museum that hosts several exhibitions each year, including Ringling Exhibition: Masterworks from the Collection, Koons Family Collection: Today, Tomorrow and Beyond, and Marvels in Miniature.
5. Sports and Recreation
Lakewood Ranch boasts several championship golf courses as well as world-class shopping centers. The area also includes natural preserves and wildlife reserves to enjoy. There are numerous sports facilities available for both amateurs and professionals, including the Lakewood Ranch Golf Village, which is home to three championship golf courses with 36 holes of total play including TPC Blue Monster at Champions Golf Club, TPC Eagle Pass, and TPC Tampa Bay.
6. Business Opportunities
The opportunity for businesses in Sarasota County is vast. With the growth in population and tourism, all kinds of businesses are needed to support the added demand. From plumbing services to food stores to large shopping areas like UTC Mall, it seems that new businesses are popping up everywhere. Sarasota FL is a great place to work or start a business.
7. Education and Training
Sarasota County is home to many colleges, including the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, the University of West Florida, and Lee University. There are also many private schools, including Sarasota-Christian School, St. Andrew School, and The Lyman School.
8. Healthcare and hospitals
The area is home to many healthcare facilities and hospitals, including Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bayfront Health-Sarasota; Sarasota-Memorial Hospital; and Sarasota-County Medical Center.
9. Utility Services
Several utility companies provide electricity, water, and wastewater services in the area, including Florida Power & Light, Sarasota-County Utilities Department, Sarasota-County Water System, and Gulf Power Company.
10. Transportation
The county has some airports available for use by visitors and residents, including Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, Venice Municipal Airport, and Charlotte County Airport.
a. Transportation: Major Roads
The County is served by several major roads, including US Hwy 41, which runs through the northeast portion of the county. This road connects Venice to Manatee County and connects with Interstate 75 in Bradenton. Other significant roads include US Hwy 27, which runs through Venice; US 17/SR 52, which runs along the west side of Sarasota; and SR 60, which connects SR 60 with Interstate 75 in Bradenton.
b. Transportation: Airports
Sarasota area has two main airports based in the region: Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and Venice Municipal Airport (VNC). SRQ is located in the northeast area of the county, while VNC is located in Venice. These airports connect to over 30 major cities nationwide, including Orlando International Airport, Tampa International Airport, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
c. Transportation: Rail Service
The area is also served by several freight railroads, including CSX, Southeastern Railway, and Sunrail. The CSX line runs north-south through the county and connects with CSX lines throughout the county and other states. The Southeastern Railway line runs east-west through the middle of Sarasota-County and connects with lines across Southeast Florida. The Sunrail line runs east-west along the county's middle, connecting with other major lines in the area. The tracks are owned by the Florida Department of Transportation and connect with local rail systems in Venice and other areas.
d. Transportation: Bus Service
Sarasota, FL, is highly served by public transportation, including numerous bus lines. The local bus system is run by Sarasota-Area Regional Transit, which has several routes covering most areas of the region, including South County, Downtown, and South Side; West County; and North County. A trolley system called The Trolley Line also runs in Downtown-Sarasota and connects with various bus lines along its route.Public transit is not a bad idea considering Florida's auto accident volumes are higher than average, with one of the highest amounts of fatal auto accidents in the Country.
Florida is one of the most popular states for tourists. With attractions and businesses to enjoy, including shopping, dining, and recreation, there are many reasons why you should consider living in this beautiful region of Southwest Florida. Visiting Sarasota County is fun, exciting, and attractive. If you are considering taking a vacation to Sarasota-Florida, or even relocating to the region, there are many things to discover and enjoy.