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SARASOTA VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA |
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Why Vacation in Sarasota |
| Sarasota, a diverse cosmopolitan community along Florida’s Gulf Coast, is often referred to as the Cultural Coast of Florida. Sarasota is not only home to some of the world’s finest museums and art galleries, but features fabulous beachfront and Gulf view vacation homes. |
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Sarasota Vacation Rental Information |
Sarasota vacation rentals include waterfront estates, golf course condominium complexes, townhomes and duplexes, as well as private homes designed to complement well-preserved historic districts. If you want a simple Sarasota beachfront condo or an elegant luxury home, Sarasota has it. General amenities include telephones, Internet connection, cable TV, stereo systems, garages, cart parking in golf |
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rentals, heated pools, lanai and barbecue grills. Resort vacation rentals may have cleaning and linen services additionally, with saunas, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, exercise rooms, waterside or shaded play areas and security. |
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Special Information for Booking Vacation Rentals in Sarasota |
| Sarasota rentals are subject to a 10% state tax. Many rentals require a minimum rental period of 1-2 months. If renting for less time, rates will be determined based on length of rental time. Security deposits are often required and not refundable if booking is cancelled. Discounts may be available for early booking and booking during the off-season. Cleaning fees may or may not be included in the rental price, so be sure to ask. Be sure to ask about pet friendliness. Also, ask if the owner allows smoking in the home. |
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Must See in Sarasota |
Sarasota supports a wide variety of museums, art galleries and antique galleries, as well as other cultural and recreational venues. Day trips can include attractions in Siesta Key, which is less than 10 miles away, St. Petersburg or Tampa. Or a day trip to Orlando, a 2-hour drive away, can be easily planned.
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Sights and Attractions in Sarasota |
| Sarasota is the cultural oasis of Florida’s west coast. Art museums are plentiful, but Sarasota has many other attractions that may interest you, from marine life laboratories to mineral springs, you will find so much to do in Sarasota that you won’t want to leave.
• The Museum of Asian Art
• Art Center Sarasota
• Towles Court
• The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
• Gamble Plantation and Mansion |
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Outdoor Recreation in Sarasota |
| Sarasota, with some of the best beaches in the world only a few miles away, offers the vacationer many opportunities to enjoy not only the beach, but also activities like fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding and much more.
• Beach Activities
• Fishing
• Sports
• Myakka River State Park
• Lake Manatee State Recreation Area | |
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Golfing in Sarasota |
Sarasota winters have temperatures in the 70º F range, making it the perfect time to play America’s most relaxing sport, golf. And why not? There are over 80 public and private golf courses in the Sarasota-Bradenton area to lure golf enthusiasts to the world’s best golf experience, from the beginner to the pro. You might try the Bobby Jones Golf Complex, a 45-hole municipal facility named for the legendary Robert Tyre Jones, Jr., who between 1923 and 1930 won 13 major championships, including the ‘Grand Slam’ of golf. |
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Sarasota Fairs and Festivals |
| Sarasota celebrates the joy of good music and food, as well as entertainment, with its festivals.
• Ringling Renaissance Festival
• Sarasota Music Festival
• Sarasota Jazz Festival
• A Taste of Sarasota Family Festival |
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Dining and Nightlife in Sarasota |
Sarasota's dining hot spots include Southside Village, where you will find Fred's, Pacific Rim and Morton's Gourmet Market. The Sarasota Quay is a complex that features several nightclubs and restaurants. While the locals are hanging out in Southside Village, visitors flock to St. Armands Circle. Check out Columbia, where the Spanish food and outdoor seating provide a gratifying experience. Try The Patio Lounge, with evening entertainment Thursday through Sunday. Or, stop by Tommy Bahama's Tropical Café and enjoy moderately priced seafood. If you want a livelier scene, try Ocean Boulevard, which runs through Siesta Key's laid-back Siesta Village. The area has plenty of restaurants and pubs with outdoor seating and bars. During the day, beachgoers are attracted to the area, but at night, the live bands draw teens and college students.
If you are up early or out late, whichever the case may be, one of Downtown Sarasota's nicest breakfast spots is the First Watch Restaurant. First Watch offers a variety of breakfast and lunch fare. It's open daily, from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Or, take a walk south along Central Avenue; there you will find coffeehouses and cafes with sidewalk seating.
In addition to the numerous nighttime performances in Sarasota’s lively art scene, one place offers a full evening of fun. The Golden Apple Dinner Theater offers a dinner buffet and entertainment in one package. Hours at the theater change seasonally, but evening, matinee and some twilight performances are offered. Weeknight fees are $37-$40 per person, with weekend rates increasing by $5 a person. Matinees range from $33-$35 per person. Some shows may cost more, though entry fees are lower for seniors at matinee times. All prices include tax.
Varieties of live performances are offered in Sarasota throughout the year. The Aslo Theatre Festival, the Banyan Theater Company, The Player’s Theatre and the Florida Studio Theater all offer a wide range of plays, from tragedy to comedy. You can also enjoy the Florida West Coast Symphony, the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida, the Sarasota Opera or the Sarasota Ballet of Florida. |
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Shopping in Sarasota |
| Main Plaza, at the intersection of Rt. 301 and Main Street, is an indoor mall with shops, offices, restaurants and a movie theater. Enjoy the Saturday Farmer’s Market in downtown Sarasota. St. Armand’s Circle fulfills shopping passions with fashion, fine collectibles, antiques, crystal, chinaware and precious gems. |
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Best Times to Visit Sarasota |
| The year round sunny days and tropical breezes are a welcome invitation to Sarasota and the Gulf Coast Islands. Temperate weather with an average air temperature of 77ºF, balmy breezes and warm water at an average 65º F make up the weather of this tropical haven. Rainfall is heaviest in June and July, which is also hurricane season. |
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Time Zone for Sarasota |
| Eastern Standard Time. |
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Getting To and Around Sarasota |
| The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is six miles north of the city. The Sarasota Trolley travels around downtown Sarasota and follows a scenic route to attractions such as St. Armand’s Circle, Lido Beach, Mote Marine and the Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary on City Island. Other transport rentals are available at the airport and in the city. |
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