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White sugar-sand beaches, sophisticated arts, world-class shopping,
five star resorts, country clubs of distinction, legendary fine dining
and community events coupled with the areas natural beauty and year-
round good weather are just a few reasons that Sarasota ranks among
the nations 15 most livable communities, according to Money Magazine.
Located on Southwest Florida's Gulf coast, the Sarasota area is a
paradise unto its own. |
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| Pleasantly surprised visitors may take advantage of several of Sarasota area events. The counties high per capita income supports a wide variety of recreational activities and arts organizations. Among them are theater, ballet, opera and international film festivals usually found only in larger urban areas. In fact, Southern Living magazine recently named Sarasota County "the nation's per capita arts capital." If you are more the athletic type, outdoor activities are plentiful as well, from beach combing to rollerblading. |
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Every great city must plan for its future, Sarasota does so through the young. Sarasota County's public schools serve more than thirty-six thousand students. With twenty elementary, eight middle and nine high schools Sarasota provides educational opportunities for all -- from the physically challenged to the academically gifted. The area is also home to a wide variety of private schools of various affiliations. Teachers in Sarasota County are top-ranked; nearly eighty percent have post-bachelor degree training which reflects in our students. Every year, two-thirds of the county's high school graduates go on to college. In addition, Sarasota is proud to host six higher education institutions. University of South Florida at Sarasota, New College (USF's honors program), Ringling School of Art and Design, the University of Sarasota, Eckerd College and Manatee Community College. |
Every great city must plan for its future, Sarasota does so through the young. Sarasota County's public schools serve more than thirty-six thousand students. With twenty elementary, eight middle and nine high schools Sarasota provides educational opportunities for all -- from the physically challenged to the academically gifted. The area is also home to a wide variety of private schools of various affiliations. Teachers in Sarasota County are top-ranked; nearly eighty percent have post-bachelor degree training which reflects in our students. Every year, two-thirds of the county's high school graduates go on to college. In addition, Sarasota is proud to host six higher education institutions. University of South Florida at Sarasota, New College (USF's honors program), Ringling School of Art and Design, the University of Sarasota, Eckerd College and Manatee Community College.
A vital community, each facet of Sarasota is just as exciting as the next. Come experience the allure of our Sarasota paradise whether you choose to relax on our white sand beaches or become a resident.
Location
Florida's west coast between Tampa to the north and Ft. Myers to the south. Sarasota County is between Manatee County (north) and Charlotte County (south). Located on the Gulf of Mexico.
Areas of Interest
Casey Key, Englewood, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Manasota Key, Nokomis, North Port, Osprey, Siesta Key, St. Armand´s Key, Venice.
Geography
571.75 square miles of land area
35 miles of beachfront
Average Annual Air Temperature
72.6° F (22.6° C) average annual air temperature
82.8° F (28.2° C) average annual high temperature
61.9° F (16.6° C) average annual low temperature
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MONTH |
HIGH |
LOW |
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January |
72.3° F (22.4° C) |
50.0° F (10.0° C) |
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February |
73.5° F (23.1° C) |
51.1° F (10.6° C) |
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March |
77.7° F (25.4° C) |
55.7° F (13.2° C) |
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April |
82.3° F (27.9° C) |
59.3° F (15.2° C) |
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May |
87.1° F (30.6° C) |
64.8° F (18.2° C) |
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June |
90.1° F (32.3° C) |
70.5° F (21.4° C) |
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July |
91.2° F (32.9° C) |
72.2° F (22.3° C) |
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August |
91.2° F (32.9° C) |
72.6° F (22.6° C) |
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September |
89.7° F (32.1° C) |
71.6° F (22.0° C) |
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October |
85.1° F (29.5° C) |
64.9° F (18.3° C) |
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November |
79.2° F (26.2° C) |
57.7° F (14.3° C) |
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December |
74.3° F (23.5° C) |
52.0° F (11.1° C) |
Population
City of Sarasota: 52, 715 residents
City of Venice: 17,764 residents
City of North Port: 22,797 residents
Town of Longboat Key: 5,012 residents
Sarasota County: 228,348 residents
Total: 325,957 residents
Major Access Roads
Interstate 75 and US Highway 41 (North-South)
Airport
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is located at the intersection of US 41 and University Parkway.
Phone: (941) 359-5200
Mileage from FL Cities
Miami: 223 miles (4 hours drive time)
Orlando: 129 miles (2 hours drive time)
Tampa: 57 miles (1 hour drive time)
Peak Season
The area's peak season begins in February and continues until Easter, when accommodation reservations are necessary. The value season is June through September.
Accommodations
A wide variety of accommodations are available, from camp grounds to luxury resort hotels. Rentals of privately owned condominiums and cottages are popular with tourists. Meeting space and facilities are available for groups at hotels and other locations around the community.
Arts & Cultural Community
Sarasota is recognized as Florida's Cultural Coast and is home to a professional symphony, ballet and opera. In addition, more than 10 theaters and 30 art galleries are located in Sarasota. The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art is Florida's State Museum, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, known for its architecture and great acoustics, seats 1,700 people and features a dazzling season of music, shows and programs for all ages.
Attractions
From antique cars to a year-round spring with 87-degree waters, Sarasota has a variety of attractions appropriate for family enjoyment. Visitors to the area can visit Mote Marine Laboratory, G-WIZ (Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone), Historic Spanish Point, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Warm Mineral Springs, Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary, and more.
State Parks
Myakka River State Park, with 28,875 acres of land, and Oscar Scherer State Park are Sarasota's destinations for bird-watching, biking, walking, camping or just communing with Florida's natural setting of swamps, palmetto brush and towering pine trees. Myakka State Park offers guided boat and train tours that include informative narration of the area's wildlife and history.
Golf
Known as Florida's "Cradle of Golf," Sarasota was home to the first course in the state and one of America's first golf courses built in 1905 by Sir John Hamilton Gillespie, a Scottish colonist. The nine-hole course was located in the heart of today's downtown near today's Golf, Links and Gillespie Streets.
The community's early ties to golf can still be found today at Bobby Jones Golf Complex. Designed by famed architect Donald Ross, the course opened on Sunday, February 13, 1927, and was personally dedicated by Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. In 1930, Bobby Jones won the "Grand Slam of Golf" by sweeping the British Amateur, British Open, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open; he is the only golfer ever to accomplish this feat. Today, Sarasota offers more than 1,000 holes at public, semi-private and private courses.
Piers, Marinas & Boat Ramps
Fishing piers include the Englewood Public Fishing Pier, Ken Thompson Park Pier & New Pass Pier, Osprey Fishing Pier, Tony Saprito Pier, Turtle Beach Pier and Venice Fishing Pier. Choose from 15 area marinas and 12 public boat ramps.
Information sources include
Sarasota County Planning Department, Sarasota County Parks & Recreation, Sarasota County Department of Natural Resources, Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau, and WWSB News 40 Weather Center. "Sarasota Over My Shoulder" by Janet Snyder Matthews, Bobby Jones Golf Complex.
Information Courtesy of Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau
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