Known for tasteful luxury and manicured surroundings, Longboat Key is rich in gorgeous beaches, marine and bird life and upscale amenities. High-end boutiques and five-star restaurants make it an ideal destination for vacationers who like the more luxurious side of Florida living. Longboat Key is one of the quietest barrier islands on the Gulf Coast and all the more beloved for it. There are grand mansions and even grander yachts, plus some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets lining the tranquil Gulf of Mexico. Scores of retirees, young families and romantic couples visit each year to take advantage of this superb 12-mile stretch of shoreline. Just minutes from the cultural attractions of Sarasota and world-famous St Armand’s Circle, Longboat Key is a jewel of the Gulf coast.
Lido Key is the ultimate setting for a vacation in Florida, with boundless opportunities for activities. Whether you like to spend your time on the beach, fishing, biking, golfing, or shopping, the area has it all. Adjacent to St Armands Circle with terrific shopping and dining, Lido Key has a European ambiance along with a wonderful climate to rival any in the Med.
At the southern end of the Sarasota area is the island of Siesta Key. In 2011 Siesta Beach was named the number one Top 10 Beach by coastal expert Dr Stephen Leatherman aka "Dr Beach". With the finest and whitest sands, beautiful blue, clean and clear waters, Siesta Key’s beaches are so inviting to swimmers and beachcombers. To the visitors who flock here, the enchantment is many-fold: miles of wide white walking beach, elegant gourmet restaurants, a quaint village with resident artists and interesting shops, and an island ambience all of its own.
Easily accessible from the beaches of Sarasota are outlet malls, a cultural array of the performing arts, the world acclaimed Ringling Arts Museum, botanical gardens, fine museums and world class golf courses.