Living in Sarasota
Way More than a Beach Town
Although we are home to America’s #1 beach, Siesta Key, Sarasota has so much more to offer for the aspiring artist and designer. Every night you’ll find plenty of options for live music, theater, gallery openings and more. Yes, we are a city of painters, dancers, singers, and filmmakers, but we are also a restless group of entrepreneurs, inventors, tech start-ups, and business owners. The energetic environment and incomparable quality of life in Sarasota create opportunities to join exciting new ventures all the time—or even start something of your own!
Live It Up
Living in Sarasota means never having to hide from the weather. Enjoy outdoor activities all year long! Meet friends at the local skatepark, bike the 10-mile Legacy Trail, go to spring training at the ballpark, or take a January run on the beach. Not only is the weather practically perfect, but the air is fresh and the sun stays out late – so you can too.
Culture
Live it, breathe it, eat it.
Not just for beach bums
Since its founding, Sarasota has been a cultural mecca, drawing the attention of the creative and free spirited, the inspired, and the wild. We are a town of art, history, food, and music from all across the globe. Explore the grounds of the 66-acre Ringling Estate through the Bayfront gardens, the historic Ca’ d’zan mansion, the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum and the Asolo Theater. Catch a play in the village of historic theaters in downtown Sarasota. Taste the produce and concoctions of local vendors at the weekly downtown farmer’s market, and kick up your feet at one of the many live music venues around town.
Where international cultures collide
Attracting people from all over the world, Sarasota is a foodie’s delight with Ethiopian coffee shops, Polish Pierogi delis, and Bavarian bakeries. In the mood for an international, indie, or foreign film? Our local cinemas are dedicated to finding first-run, hand-picked foreign language and art films. On top of that, every year we host the Sarasota Film Festival bringing international film and cinematic events to the community.
Beautiful Beaches + Beyond
A piece of paradise
The six islands lining the coast of Sarasota—Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, St. Armand’s Key and Casey Key—offer a varied array of beaches, each with its own distinct personality. Start a game of volleyball on the cool, white sands of Siesta, launch a canoe off of Turtle Beach, grill out on Coquina Beach, or head over to see some old-world Florida on Casey Key. If you’re feeling adventurous, grab a kayak and visit some beaches you just can’t access by land alone!
Sarasota’s hidden natural gems
Sarasota’s picturesque Myakka River State Park comprises 7,500 acres of Florida flatlands, home to alligators, bald eagles, ospreys, Sandhill cranes, and so much more. Hike through trails canopied by Spanish moss, palm trees, and oaks, and kayak around the twisting mangroves and boggy marshes to soak up sun and spot some manatees.
Nestled in the heart of Sarasota County is Oscar Scherer State Park, offering miles of hiking through Florida scrubby flatlands in addition to canoeing, fishing, picnicking, bicycling, and camping.
There is always something to discover in Sarasota, so go wild!