Sarasota Information

Welcome to Sarasota!The Cleary Group is extremely proud of our tri-county area. The cultural diversity of leisure activities offered and the sports that are available in the Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte County areas are a never-ending joy! You will find glorious beaches, beautiful boating opportunities and endless golf available within minutes.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Now that you've discovered Sarasota…you'll see that this area is one of the true paradise spots in the United States! Sarasota takes center stage as a thriving center of the arts with The Asolo Theatre Company, Florida Studio Theatre, Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, Players of Sarasota, Theatre Works, and Venice Little Theatre. Sharing the spotlight are the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Sarasota Opera and the Florida West Coast Symphony. The newly refurbished and enlarged Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall provides a full season of touring Broadway productions, ballet, symphonic concerts, and performances by a wide variety of musicians. Enjoy the lovely outdoors at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens with a bountiful collection of color plants and orchids. Of course, Sarasota is also home to the John and Mabel Ringling Museum, which features the works of Peter Paul Rubens, as well as fine Baroque and Renaissance collections. Periodically, every spring, the museum grounds features the Medieval Fair.

Ringling Museum

Sarasota is home to two state parks: Myakka State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park. The intracoastal Waterway is a popular attraction for boaters and sightseers alike. Another internationally known attraction, The Mote Marine Aquarium, contains a 135,000-gallon shark tank, a "touch tank", and a laboratory that is famous for its research on sharks and other marine life. Among the many other nature preserves is the historic Spanish Point, which offers guided tours, festivals and Indian middens. The Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary offers "temporary housing" to under-the-weather birds and other animals.

Sarasota's crown jewel is undoubtedly the island of Siesta Key. The sand on Siesta Beach has been judged the "Finest, Whitest Sand in the WORLD" by Dr. David Aubrey of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Siesta Key also offers numerous shopping areas, superb fishing, a fine selection of excellent restaurants, and well-maintained tennis courts and outdoor parks.

Boat Races

With over 35 miles of breathtaking coastline and accessible beaches, Sarasota County offers all sorts of outdoor activities and gorgeous sunsets. Whatever your pleasure, you'll find charter boats, jet ski rentals, snorkeling lessons, sailing, sailboarding, fishing charters, sightseeing cruises, and so much more. Sarasota County has it all for sports fans. Baseball lovers can watch their favorite teams during Spring Training at Ed Smith Stadium. Golf enthusiasts can choose from over three dozen local golf courses. During the Fourth of July weekend, the Suncoast Offshore Boat Races take place right off the coasts of Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Lido Key. Referred to as "The Indy 500 of offshore boat racing," the races raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for area organizations for the handicapped, and captivates visitors and Sarasotans alike for the entire weeklong event.

Check out these links for more information:

• Sarasota County Schools Main Web Page

• Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

• Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce

• Pelican Cove Condominium community

• Sarasota Information Page

• Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Home Page