A MAP AND GUIDE OF SARASOTA’S NEIGHBORHOODS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

SIESTA KEY

In the 1880s, homesteaders began settling on what once was “Sarasota Key,” now Siesta Key. However, few remained long enough to take claim. Siesta Key was no more than a home for swarms of mosquitos, poisonous snakes, and other predators back then.

In 1906, Capt. Louis Roberts and his wife Ocean Hansen Roberts expanded their home in Sarasota Key and called it The Roberts Hotel. Mrs. Roberts’s seafood receipts drew the attention of northern visitors in the winter and the Hollywood elite, including Cecil B. DeMille, Bette Davis, Charlton Heston, and others.

Louis Roberts, along with Harry Higel and E.M Arbogast formed the Siesta land company in 1907. They spent several years working to make Siesta Key a modern tourist attraction.

On November 12, 1948, The Siesta Key Association was founded as a community group that was devoted to keeping Siesta Key an attractive residential area. This non-profit organization has been an advocate for Key residents since then.

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The Siesta Key Village is one of the island’s popular locations for residents and tourists alike. Siesta Key Village has over 100 shops, cafes/restaurants, and fun activities. You are guaranteed to find enjoyment in this down-home atmosphere.

Sunday evenings, Siesta Key beach has a public event called The Drum Circle. The Drum Circle is all-inclusive. When you go, what you’ll see are people of all ages dancing to music while sharing Hula hoops, costumes, and instruments. The purpose of The Drum Circle is to create an environment of togetherness through arts and creativity.

Crossings at Siesta Key has a mixture of retail shopping, entertainment, dining, fitness, and more. Crossings at Siesta Key has your favorite retail stores such as Macy’s, Talbots, Chico’s, LOFT, and Lenscrafters. While shopping, visit Connors Steak and Seafood or the CineBistro for food and more!

Last but not least, Siesta Key Beach is by far Siesta Key’s most notable to visit. Siesta Key Beach is recognized as one of the best beaches in Florida yearly. It sits on the West Coast of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors often mention the beautiful glittering white sand and clean turquoise-clear ocean waves.

Schools within the district

• Philippi Shore Elementary
• Brookside Middle school
• Sarasota High School

Siesta Key Median House Price: $889,000

CASEY KEY

Casey Key is enriched with history. History one wouldn’t think comes with this location of elegant homes and gorgeous beaches. Before Casey Key became the name of this area, it was no more than a wild region without human civilization called Chaise’s Key in the late 1840s.

A U.S. Army Captain by John Charles Casey, who also was a graduate of West Point, was sent by the U.S. Government in the mid-1800s to survey the area and remove the Seminole Indians from the region during his survey.

In 1849, when Captain Casey’s map of the area was published, his name was marking the area where he was surveying. People began calling the region Casey Key. The new name eventually because popular and remained over time.

The Seminole War and Civil War halted any development of the area until the 1920s. Today, Casey Key provides some of the most sought-after real estate in Florida and the United States.

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Casey Key is a Florida secret paradise. The privacy of Casey Beach is what visitors and residence adore. Older beach homes are for sale, but nothing like the commercial cities. Casey Key is favored because of its seclusion. The community is protected from any mass commercial development because of the area’s restrictive covenants.

Take a trip to the historic Blackburn Point Road Bridge that was built in 1926. Blackburn Point Road Bridge is one of a small number of surviving swing truss bridges in Florida. This historic treasure will take you to the Casey Key Tiki Bar and the Casey Key Fish House

Schools with the District

• Venice High School
• Laurel Nokomis (K-8)

Median Casey Key House Price: currently unavailable

LIDO KEY

Thomas Martin Worcester was the first property developer to arrive in Lido Key in the early 1900s. Worcester spent three years constructing a palace on the island. He gained much attention from the media and the public for working on this secret gem of a location.

Lido Key had several owners and eventually became the property of John Ringling of Ringling Bros. John Ringling of the Ringling Brothers was a Circus fame. His fame only amplified Lido Key. He spent much time developing the island for new businesses and opportunities. Though many of his plans did not stay, his influence is still evident in the Lido Key experience.

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Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is a leader in marine research, conservation, and public education. They are one of the world’s few remaining private, non-profit marine research laboratories. Meet and learn from actual scientists while seeing wondrous sea life.

Lido Beach is a beautiful beach to be on day and night. Bury your feet in the beautiful white sand while gazing out at the clear, refreshing water of the Gulf of Mexico. Lido Beach is a favorite because it is less crowded than the neighboring Siesta Key beach while being impressive. Additionally, the beach is within walking distance from St. Armand’s circle, so a beach trip could quickly turn into a beach-shopping trip.

St. Armand’s Circle has been a choice destination in Lido Key for over 90 years. St. Armand’s has everything you can think of, boutiques, ethnic markets, foreign antiques, car shows, scrumptious creameries, and craft beers. There is so much to do, and most can’t enjoy everything in one day. St. Armand’s will have you counting the days until you return.

Schools within the District

• Taylor Ranch Elementary
• Venice Middle School
• Venice Elementary

Lido Key Median House Price: $1,500,000

LONGBOAT KEY

Before longboat Key became a highlight vacation choice today, it was a vacationland of the Caloosa and Timucuan Indians for generations. In 1539, a European scout named Hernando DeSoto was thought to have visited here with his crew. His mate Juan Anasco was manning the “longboat” as they went through the north pass.

In 1891, Civil War veteran Thomas Mann settled with his adult sons on the north side of the Key. He was awarded 144 acres as a homestead grant. One of his sons received another 144 acres on the south side of the Key. Mann sold his land around the turn of the century.

In the 1920s, John Ringling bought hundreds of acres on the south end of Longboat Key. Much of what he started building he didn’t finish, and in 1962 Arvida purchased the land.

The Town of Longboat Key came to be on November 14, 1955. Development started gradually happening on Longboat Key.

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Longboat Key is a secluded location for residents and travelers seeking to rent or buy. There are public beaches, but no facilities to change clothes or to use the bathroom.

Here are some activities Longboat Key has to offer:

• Longboat Key Club Harborside Golf Course
• grand mariner longboat key
• Longboat Key Club Moorings

Schools Within the District

• Southside Elementary
• Booker Middle School
• Booker High School

Longboat Key Median House Price: $875,000

BIRD KEY

In the early 1900s, Bird Key was a small island in Sarasota Bay, rising only a few feet about the surrounding shallow grass flats. But in 1911, Thomas Martin Worcester of Cincinnati began to build on Bird Key.

After he leveled the land, Worcester built the first expensive home on an island in the Sarasota Bay region. He named it The New Edzell Castle after the ancestral home, Edzell Castle of his wife, Davie Lindsay Worcester, of Scotland.

When Arvida Realty, Inc. purchased the Ringling Interests’ holdings on the key, that’s when development took off. Arvada planned to fill in Bird Key to allow 511 lots, 291 water-fronts, and 220 off-water sites. This would be one of the luxury places to live in Sarasota.

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Bird Key is in between Lido Key and Downtown Sarasota. Lido Key has all your tropical adventures, while Downtown Sarasota has more of a city feel. If you decide to visit Bird Key, you’ll get to experience the best of both worlds.

Click here to see some of what Lido Key and Downtown Sarasota offers.

Schools within the District

• Southside Elementary
• Booker Middle School
• Booker High School

Bird Key Median House Price: $3,000,000

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA

Downtown Sarasota Historic District is bound by 1st Street, Orange Avenue, State Street, Gulf Stream Avenue, and North Pineapple Avenue. The downtown area has a story to tell everywhere you turn. There are tales of old, informative historical markers, parks, historic buildings, and inspiring public art. These are coupled with fantastic restaurants, cultural landmarks, art galleries, retail shops, a weekly open-air market, and other excellent services.

The U.S. National Register of Historic Places officially added Downtown Sarasota on April 9, 2009. Six contributing properties in the district have been listed individually on the National Register: American National Bank Building, DeMarcay Hotel, Kress Building, Roth Cigar Factory, Edwards Theatre (Sarasota Opera House), and Worth’s Block.

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If you’re looking for world-class opera, Sarasota Opera House presents four operas in its February-March winter season. They have a fall performance in October-November, along with recitals and concerts. Also, home to a youth opera. The redesigned 2021 winter/spring opera festival will include two operas featuring a smaller cast and orchestra in February and March and a second two-opera season in April.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art features thousands of Medieval, Renaissance, Roman, Greek, and Cypriot antiquities. The museum has numerous galleries that showcase pieces from the Ringling Brothers. See John Ringling’s collection of art, featuring paintings by Rubens, Velázquez, and Veronese.

Downtown Sarasota also has Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. This natural neverland is 15-acres dedicated to the study and conservation of epiphytes—or air plants—like orchids, bromeliads, and gesneriads. Enjoy a tour featuring thousands of tropical and vibrantly colored plants.

Here are a few favorite historical Downtown attractions worth seeing:

• Ca’ D’Zan
• Sarasota Classic Car Museum
• Crocker Memorial Church
• Historic Spanish Point
• Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Schools with the District

• Alta Vista Elementary
• Booker Middle School
• Sarasota High School

Downtown Sarasota Median House Price: $725,000

GOLDEN GATE POINT

In 1910, Golden Gate Point wasn’t Golden Gate Point, but Cedar Point was nothing more than a mangrove swamp filled with cabbage palms. A man by the name of Owen Burns purchased the property and became its first developer. Burns began dredging, filling, and installing seawalls that expanded the strip of land.

As recently as the mid-’90s, much of the land remained undeveloped. In 2005, the community voted for streetscape improvements that brought brick streets, walkways, and lavish foliage. Now, it is a premier location for a life of luxury.

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Downtown Sarasota is famous for its historic, treasured locations. The Golden Gate Point is right next to Downtown Sarasota. So not only will you enjoy the luxuries of the vacation homes, but you’ll be minutes away from arty town life.

Click here for more information on Downtown Sarasota.

Schools within the district

• Southside Elementary
• Booker Middle School
• Booker High School

Golden Gate Point Median House Price: $2,600,000

WEST OF THE TRAIL/SOUTHSIDE VILLAGE

West of the Trail neighborhood’s High-status dates back to the late 1800s. Back when Sarasota was known by its original name of “Sara Sota.” The first major road between the McClellan Park and Bayview districts was citrus farms until a few visionary developers started building cottages and Nantucket-style homes in this area.

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West of the trail and Southside Village is right next to Downtown Sarasota. So not only will you enjoy the luxuries of the vacation homes, but you’ll be minutes away from arty town life. Downtown Sarasota is famous for its historic, treasured locations.

Click here for more information on Downtown Sarasota.

Schools within the district

• Alta Vista Elementary
• Booker Middle School
• Sarasota High School

West of the trail Median House Price: $1,799,492

Southside Village Median House Price: currently unavailable

ARLINGTON PARK/SOUTHSIDE VILLAGE/SOUTHGATE

Arlington Park was established in the 1950s and 60s. It is gradually developing into one of Sarasota’s best places to live. Many of the homes are being revitalized and updated to modern standards for potential buyers.

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The South Gate Community Center is a mid-century building with an open glass wall peering over Phillippe Creek. South Gate Community Center is an excellent place for events like birthday parties and weddings

Village green golf is an 18-hole, par 58 layout. There are PGA golf professionals available for lessons. They train no matter the skill set.

The Arlington Park features an Olympic length swimming pool, a gymnasium for children’s activities, a half-mile track around a lovely pond, and a full-service dog park.

Schools within the District

• Alta Vista Elementary
• Booker Middle School
• Sarasota High School

Arlington Park Median House Price: $489,400

SOUTHGATE

In 1955, homes were being built in South Gate near Siesta Drive and School Avenue for the first time. The first three model homes opened Min arch 1955.

The South Gate Community Association was established on Jan 1, 1956. They quickly assumed management of the hall and pool, which continues to this day.

The South Gate Post Office opened on March 30, 1957. The South Gate Shopping Center, which is now Westfield Southgate, opened that same year. Many shops in the South Gate Village along Siesta Drive east of the Post Office opened that year.

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Crossings at Siesta Key has a mixture of retail shopping, entertainment, dining, fitness, and more. Crossings at Siesta Key has your favorite retail stores such as Macy’s, Talbots, Chico’s, LOFT, and Lenscrafters. While shopping, visit Connors Steak and Seafood or the CineBistro for food and more!

Schools within the District

• Southside Elementary
• Booker Middle School
• Sarasota High School

Southgate Median House Price: $393,000

SOUTH SARASOTA

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South Sarasota is below Downtown Sarasota. Downtown Sarasota is famous for its historic, treasured locations. Click here for more information on Downtown Sarasota.

Schools within the District

• Southside Elementary
• Booker Middle School
• Sarasota High School

South Sarasota Median House Price: $605,000

GULF GATE

In 1957, The Bispham family, who owned Bayside Dairy, sold their acreage to First Development Corporation. The Gulf Gate Community Association was established on February 1, 1963, as a deed-restricted community.

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Sarasota Square is near famous beaches and tourist attractions and has stores like Costco, Journey’s, and Bath & Body Works.

Piccolo Italian Market & Deli does true NY style Italian Deli. It is one of the few in Sarasota that uses authentic Italian bread for sandwiches.

Siesta Key Beach is by far Siesta Key’s most notable place to visit. Siesta Key Beach is recognized as one of the best beaches in Florida yearly. It sits on the West Coast of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors often mention the beautiful glittering white sand and clean turquoise-clear ocean waves.

Schools within the District

• Gulf Gate Elementary School
• Brookside Middle School
• Riverview High School

Gulf Gate Median House Price: $337,500

Palmer Ranch

In the early 1900s, Bertha Honore Palmer, a wealthy socialite businesswoman from Chicago, purchased this vast tract of rural Florida land to grow and farm oranges and raise cattle.

Today this tract of land called Palmer Ranch is bordered on the north side by Clark Road, by the east with Honore Ave, and to the west by route 41, also known as South Tamiami Trail, with the south end of Palmer Ranch blending into The Oaks Golf Country Club on route 41 heading toward Nokomis, which is the area where Mrs. Palmer had her home.

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About 15 minutes out is Siesta Key Beach. A beach is recognized as one of the best beaches in Florida yearly. It sits on the West Coast of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors often mention of the beautiful glittering white sand and clean turquoise-clear ocean waves.

Bella Villino, the community clubhouse boasts a fully equipped fitness/workout area, resort pool area, lighted tennis courts, a billiards room, complete concierge services, a community bar area with a widescreen TV, and a business center with internet access.

The Legacy Trail is a popular asphalt-paved multi-use trail and is more than 10 miles long and extends from Sarasota to Venice. Formerly a railroad corridor, the trail passes through various unique habitats and includes a series of interpretive signs and stop stations.

Schools within the District

• Riverview High Zone
• Sarasota Middle Zone
• Ashton Elementary Zone

Palmer Ranch Median House Price: $439,900

VAMO

In 1928, Vamo was founded by the Webb family. They established the first home in the neighborhood on the Sarasota Bay Inlet off what is now known as Vamo Drive. This area is famous for its historic Spanish-style dwellings. The name “Vamo” originated from the home states of Mr. and Mrs. Webb: Mrs. Webb was born in Virginia (VA), and Mr. Webb was born in Missouri (MO). There is also a street in the neighborhood named Mova Street.

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About 15 minutes out is Siesta Key Beach. A beach is recognized as one of the best beaches in Florida yearly. It sits on the West Coast of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors often mention of the beautiful glittering white sand and clean turquoise-clear ocean waves.

Kokomo Charters is one of Florida’s best boating experiences. TripAdvisor ranks them #1 on Siesta Key.

Sarasota Square is near famous beaches and tourist attractions and has stores like Costco, Journey’s, and Bath & Body Works.

Sprouts Farmers Market focuses on farm-fresh produce and other healthy, affordable items.

Schools Within the District

• Venice High School
• Laurel Nokomis (K-8)

Vamo Median House Prices: $393,000

THE MEADOWS

On November 14, 1974, Sarasota County approved The Meadows development. Frank Taylor, the property owner at the time, had the idea that you live where you play and have a good time. That would be the slogan of his new development. From 1974 to 1995, the development gained increased demand, and a variety of homes were built, condos, single-family homes, garden homes.

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The Meadows Community Association is highly active in the neighborhoods. They frequently update the website with upcoming events and activities.

Nathan Benderson Park is a unique 600-acre community park that includes North America’s premier 2,000-meter sprint rowing course and a regatta center.

The Mall at University Town Center is the premier shopping and dining destination in Southwest Florida. The Mall at University Town Center features world-class shopping, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Michael Kors, Free People, Lily Pulitzer, Lululemon, Hollister, Anthropologie, and more than 150 retailers.

Schools within the District

• Gocio Elementary School
• Booker Middle School
• Booker High School

The Meadows Median House Price: $262,500

PALM AIRE

In 1955, Palm-Aire went under development as one of Florida’s earliest golf-course communities in a once vastly vacant area. Since then, Palm-Aire has grown into a large community consisting of family houses, two- and three-story condo buildings, and garden homes.

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Palm Aire Country Club is a prevalent and clean location to play Tennis.

The Mall at University Town Center is the premier shopping and dining destination in Southwest Florida. The Mall at University Town Center features world-class shopping, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Michael Kors, Free People, Lily Pulitzer, Lululemon, Hollister, Anthropologie, and more than 150 retailers.

Palm Aire Median House Price: $301,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH

In 1905, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, now Lakewood Ranch, was purchased for development by John Schroeder. Members of Milwaukee’s Uihlein family purchased the land in 1922 for ranch operations such as timber and cattle

In the 1980s, SMR designed a destination resort project called Cypress Banks. The project consisted of 1,800 acres (730 ha) and included 5,000 mixed residential units, three golf courses, and a 300-room hotel. The project and development of regional impact (DRI) were initially denied by Manatee County in 1987 but later approved in December 1989. The project never broke ground, and SM, R maintained vested rights to the land. The first neighborhood development, Summerfield, was built and completed in 1995.

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Greenbrook Adventure Park is the perfect place to walk and has large fields for soccer or football, a shaded playground, enclosed inline skating court, and a paw park,

Sarasota Polo at Lakewood Ranch opens its gates to the public for its weekly matches.

Think about entering the University Park Country Club. This public course offers well-tended grounds with the bonus of wildlife watching. Keep an eye out for wading birds or the occasional gator spot as you play.

The Mall at University Town Center is the premier and dining destination in Southwest Florida. The Mall at University Town Center features world-class shopping, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Michael Kors, Free People, Lily Pulitzer, Lululemon, Hollister, Anthropologie, and more than 150 retailers.

Schools within the District

• Brentwood Elementary School Zone
• Sarasota High Zone
• Mcintosh Middle Zone

Lakewood Ranch Median House Price: $522,500