About Sarasota

Come experience everything Sarasota, FL has to offer you on your next vacation, while basking in the sun and sand of the peaceful beaches and tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico! Sarasota is home to award-winning, world-renowned sugar white beaches, gorgeous island keys, endless cultural attractions to satisfy your love of the arts and history, and remote sanctuaries to get away from it all. Gulf Coast Property Management is located on the southwest coast of Florida, and we love helping people all across the world enjoy their vacations in our area.

It’s the perfect spot for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or bring your favorite group of friends for a memorable vacation you will be talking about for years to come. When you vacation here, come stay and relax in one of our magnificent vacation homes or any of our vacation properties in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Venice or the surrounding areas. We live here, and you will love it here! We look forward to assisting you with your vacation.

Where is Sarasota, FL?

This beautiful city is nestled in the southern tip of the Tampa Bay area, and sits north of Ft. Meyers and Punta Gorda. Sarasota has a population of approximately 58,000 people and includes the islands separating Sarasota Bay from the Gulf of Mexico, known as Lido Key, St. Armand’s Key, Bird Key, Longboat Key, Casey Key and Siesta Key.

The “Circus City”

Sarasota is also known as the “Circus City,” as a nod to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circuses who used the city as their winter headquarters for many years.

The weather is beautiful year-round and this unique gem truly offers something to do for everyone no matter what you love. With a convenient international airport and a myriad of tourist attractions right on your doorstep, a stay in one of our Sarasota vacation rentals is the perfect choice for longer stays – including day trips to the keys and further destinations like world-famous Disney World!

Siesta Key Beach

This famous beach has won the award several times for the “world’s finest, whitest sand” and has been named “One of the Best Walking Beaches in the USA”, by USA Today International Edition; and “The Best of the Best Sand” by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. This beach also offers many amenities including a covered pavilion with snack bar and public restrooms, beach volleyball courts, free lighted tennis courts and lifeguards on duty year round. Siesta Key is a barrier island which has miles of beaches and calm, clear emerald gulf waters.

Longboat Key Beach

Eleven miles of sparkling white sands of Longboat Key await you, from this gorgeous barrier island that is nestled between downtown Sarasota and the Gulf of Mexico, and just 5 miles south of the tip of Anna Maria Island. Spend your days swimming, fishing, renting a boat at Cannons Marina, birding near Longboat Pass, and your nights enjoying fine dining while watching a spectacular sunset. Feel free to choose a simple day on Whitney Beach or a low-tide excursion out to Beer Can Island. Try out your forehand at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center or afternoon birding near Longboat Pass. This luxurious island will provide the R&R you have been longing for, and will set your soul at ease.

Lido Key:

Just a brief and scenic drive west of Sarasota and home to one of Florida’s most pristine beaches, Lido Key is known for its eco-tourism and sunset cruises. If you love deep sea fishing, dolphin watching and sailing, you will feel right at home. Fine and full-featured resorts welcome you, as do smaller hotels and time-share properties. Be sure to visit St. Armands Circle for a unique experience of luxurious chic boutiques, fine dining establishments and snack bars.

Anna Maria Island:

This charming, laid-back and natural island is situated only 60 miles south of Tampa, Florida, and encompasses picture-perfect broad beaches like Manatee Beach Park. Strict regulations govern the type of buildings and businesses allowed on Anna Maria Island, but excellent seafood dining is abundant and highly encouraged! The namesake town occupies the northern end of the island, with plenty of local dining, cute cottages, and scenic piers to delight any visitor. Pine Avenue is lined with shops, galleries and eateries and Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum features a restored 1920 cottage. You may not be far from the mainland here, but you’re worlds away from the stresses of everyday life. Explore Leffis Key and test your bird watching skills while taking in the beauty of the wetlands. Skaters will enjoy the island skate park and families looking for a quieter playground should check out Anna Maria Bayfront Park and head to Rod and Reel Pier for lunch afterward.

Bradenton Beach:

Another popular destination is Bradenton Beach, located at the very south end of Anna Maria Island. Bradenton Beach is a small and friendly community that has retained its Old Florida charm. Fishing is very popular here and there is also a number of lovely parks, including beachfront parks with public restrooms and picnic facilities.

The Ringling Estate:

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the state art museum of Florida, established in 1927 which offers twenty-one galleries of European paintings as well as Asian, American and contemporary art. The Ringling estate contains the Ringling’s mansion, Ca’ d’zan, Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden, the Circus Museum and Tibbals Learning Center, the historic Asolo Theater, the Ringling Art Library, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, and tthe Secret Garden, where you will find the gravesite of John & Mable Ringling.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Nestled on the shores of beautiful Sarasota Bay, Selby Gardens is an urban tropical oasis with something for everyone to enjoy. Come explore nature’s beauty with unparalleled horticulture displays and botanical scenery. Visit this living museum and world-class center for education.

Mote Marine Aquarium

Explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable working labs and high tech interactive exhibits that showcase their world-renowned research. They have sharks, manatees, sea turtles, sea lions, sting rays and 100 other species of marine life for you to enjoy.

Van Wezel Theater

The Van Wezel Theater presents a broad spectrum of the world’s finest performers representing the diverse tastes of Southwest Florida residents and visitors. This theater carries on a long tradition of presenting spectacular Broadway musicals, top national and international performers, popular comedians, world-class symphony orchestras and a mix of classical, modern and ethnic dance. The theater also hosts more than 50 performances by the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet, the Sarasota Concert Association.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

pend the day at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens where you can hand feed a flamingo, hold a parrot and a snake, get your picture taken with an alligator, play at the playground, see an animal show, and spend some quality family time exploring the jungle.

Vacation Home Rentals in Sarasota

Gulf Coast Property Management offers attractive deals on vacation home rentals through our website at www.GCVacationRentals.com. After your busy day why not relax besides your private swimming pool that comes with many of our luxury vacation rental homes. When it’s time for dinner, prepare an awesome meal in your fully equipped kitchen, or head out on the town! One suggestion… head over to St. Armand’s Circle and choose any of the numerous award-winning restaurants for your dining pleasure or for a more casual atmosphere check out the Old Salty Dog in Siesta Key village or Turtle’s Restaurant on Little Sarasota Bay. Call us today and let us help you decide which of our vacation communities in Sarasota will best suit your idea of an incredible Florida vacation. (844) 548-5637.

Restaurants in Sarasota

A local favorite is the Sandbar Restaurant, which is situated directly at the water’s edge. Any of the diverse menu selections are extremely tasty and you can enjoy them while taking in the sound of the waves gently lapping at the sand and the sun slowing sinking into the sea. After your dinner, a leisurely beach stroll is always relaxing. Your toes will sink into the clean white sand while the evening breeze ruffles your hair and the numerous different sea birds fly over the gorgeous emerald gulf water. Marina Jack’s is also another popular hotspot to enjoy a meal overlooking breathtaking views of the bay. This is Florida living at its best, and one of the many reasons why you will want to return again and again.

Shopping in St. Armand’s Circle

On your way home from a long day at the beach, you may wish to stop off at the St. Armand’s Circle for a bit of unique boutique shopping at any of the mall’s 130 stores. Included among the stores are high end fashion boutiques like Michael Kors, Saks Fifth Avenue and Kate Spade through to sports and leisure stores such as Puma, Adidas, Nike and Lacoste . With so many stores to choose from, there is sure to be something to please everyone.

Lakewood Ranch and University Town Center

Spanning Manatee and Sarasota Counties you will find the thriving master planned community of Lakewood Ranch and the University Town Center area. For an area that began its life as a residential community, Lakewood Ranch, Florida has really taken off. Today, it attracts visitors on vacation to its upscale boutiques, fine restaurants, wonderful rentals and hotels, championship golf courses and miles of recreational trails. While you’re here, check out Main Street for everything from Parisian cafes to a Scottish pub. And don’t miss catching a mainstream or indie flick at the small movie theater, the farmer’s market and all of the regularly held events, festivals and concerts.

Just the other side of I-75 you will find the University Town Center (UTC). UTC is fast becoming a Mecca for fine dining and shopping. Already providing many shopping and dining alternatives, the area is set to be elevated to a whole new level when the Mall at University Town Center opens in Fall 2014, offering over 2 million square feet of retail space. Attached to the mall you will find Nathan Benderson Park which is 600 acre water and nature park. This facility specializes in rowing and athletic events, such as triathlons and open water swimming and has recently been awarded the accolade of hosting the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

Whatever your pleasure, whether it’s water sports, boating, fishing, shopping, sunbathing, fine dining or a night on the town, the Bradenton and Sarasota areas are where you want to be.

Bradenton – fantastic beaches, culture and great weather.

Once you have savored the Sarasota area to your heart’s content, you also have the neighboring city of Bradenton to enjoy. Bradenton is home to beautiful beaches such as Bradenton Beach and the beautiful Anna Maria Island. Bradenton’s Riverwalk offers visitors a multitude of fun activities for the whole family including concerts, art festivals, volleyball, educational events, yoga, Youth Theater and a family fun zone with splash fountains and playground. You can participate in beach volleyball, check out the Tidal Discovery Zone, or launch your canoe and kayak for a trip down the scenic Manatee River.

The Village of the Arts is a charming and walkable neighborhood of restored 1920’s homes, where the artists live and work together to make a difference in their community. This is an an Art Walk where you can personally meet the artists and shop their collections. Be sure to visit the first Friday and Saturday of every month.

Enjoy your Bradenton vacation.

Venice Florida

There are a number of special surprises awaiting you in the Venice area, such as the Venetian Waterway Park, a linear park that parallels both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway providing almost 10 miles of waterfront view for exercise and recreational use. Along the park, you can also visit our recently restored Venice Train Depot at the northeast end. In its day, the depot greeted those who had the greatest impact on creating the Venice we know today. Like the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the U.S. Army Air Corp., the Kentucky Military Institute (KMI) and Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus all of whom left their mark on our area. Enjoy your vacation in Venice.

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