Sarasota Best Areas to Stay: Plan Your Visit

Sarasota is one of the best places to stay in Florida. Situated right on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota is full of world-class white sand idyllic beaches, miles of hiking trails, and cosmopolitan entertainment. In addition, there are a number of different neighborhoods in the Sarasota area, perfect for every budget and taste.

No matter what your family likes to do, you will be sure to find real estate for short-term or long-term vacation rentals near Sarasota.

Longboat Key

Longboat Key is a stunning Sarasota island right on the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re interested in watersports or sea kayaking, this is the ideal spot to do it. The waters around Longboat Key are tranquil, gorgeous, and full of incredible marine life.

Scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts love Longboat Key, so if you’ve always wanted to strap on some fins and go exploring, make sure that you put this idyllic beach on your bucket list. Best of all, there’s plenty of beachfront property, so you won’t have to go too far to get into the water.

Bradenton Beach, one of Sarasota’s best beaches, is located right near Longboat Key. There’s also a world-class golf course where you can practice your swing while overlooking the sea. Although you’ll feel like you’re on a whole new planet of relaxation, Longboat Key is just a half an hour drive from the heart of Sarasota.

If you and your family love nature, make sure you spend some time at Lake Manatee State Park near Bradenton. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium are great places to spend an afternoon as well.

Downtown Sarasota

If you want to be right in the heart of the action, head to Downtown Sarasota, where you’ll be within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, and the finest entertainment that the city has to offer. It’s undoubtedly one of the Sarasota best areas to stay if you want guaranteed excitement and easy access to everything.

Downtown Sarasota is relatively close to picturesque Sarasota Bay, where you can find the best public and private beaches in Sarasota County. If you home-base downtown, you and your family can easily visit a few of them in a single day.

You’ll also be close to the Selby Botanical Gardens, some of the most extensive gardens in all of the state. If you want to see some flora and fauna, check out the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a fabulous place to spend an afternoon, and the Sarasota Opera House always has an excellent performance on deck.

You can also simply people-watch in Burn’s Square or the main street or enjoy a classic southern cocktail at the Gator Club. Downtown Sarasota is convenient, packed with things to do, and one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city for a reason.

Rosemary District

Appropriately, the aromatically-named Rosemary District is a great place to stay in Sarasota if you want to sample some fantastic food. Full of unique cafes, bistros, and restaurants, it’s a foodie’s dream destination. In addition to the delicious cuisine, you’ll find tons of live music venues and antique shops all over Rosemary District.

Another reason why people love this area of Sarasota is that it’s very affordable. Unlike the more popular locations around the beaches, Rosemary District has a fun, artistic, funky vibe to it. If you want to see a different side of Sarasota, consider renting in this spot.

Also, even though it’s not on the beach itself, it’s only a few minutes away from some of Sarasota’s finest Gulf Coast beaches and relatively close to the Bradenton Airport. While you’re there, make sure that you visit the historic cemetery that lent Rosemary District its name. Rosemary Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places and a fascinating spot to visit.

St. Armands Key

St. Armands Key is one of the smaller keys in Sarasota, but it has it all: premier shopping, great beaches, and fantastic dining options. St. Armands Circle is easily one of the Gulf Coast’s best shopping destinations. Designed by John Ringling, it’s an entirely unique and sophisticated shopping experience full of world-class restaurants and shops.w

St. Armands Key is a great spot to soak up some Vitamin Sea too. Even though you can certainly shop til you drop at St. Armands Circle, you can also find a quiet area of the beach to relax. There are plenty of short and long-term vacation rentals on St. Armands Key’s more residential streets.

This key has a distinct vintage feel and is very reminiscent of old Florida. You could spend the entire day people-watching or strolling on the idyllic streets of St Armands Key. There’s also plenty of cute tiki bars and beachside restaurants, perfect for grabbing a drink and taking in the sunset.

You might even be lucky enough to catch one of St. Armands Circle’s festivals. There’s always something happening on this unique little key, from art festivals to food and music festivals. Best of all, many of them are totally free.

Nokomis

Nokomis is a little bit outside of Sarasota’s downtown area, closer to Osprey and Venice. If you want to relax near the beach and unwind, it’s the ideal spot. With a beautiful public beach and access to Casey Key, Nokomis is a sun-worshipper’s dream vacation spot. It also has the distinction of being the oldest public beach in Sarasota County.

Relax on the sprawling, warm sand of Nokomis Beach. You’ll get great views of the Gulf of Mexico, and the beach is the perfect place to check out both sunrises and sunsets. Nokomis is also a great place to enjoy some of Sarasota’s premier water sports. You can go canoeing or kayaking in the calm waters or take your boat out on the Gulf.

Since there are lifeguards on duty, it’s perfectly safe to swim at Nokomis. The water is fairly tranquil, too, making it an excellent spot for beginner swimmers and families. You can also explore the Nokomis boardwalk or spend the day at Nokomis Beach Plaza.

If you fancy fishing, Nokomis is the spot to do it. There’s plenty of fish right off the coast, plus ample bird and wildlife watching. So for an authentic taste of the wilder side of Florida, check out Nokomis.

Siesta Key

Siesta Key Beach is one of the prettiest beaches on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It’s an idyllic, large beach famous for its views and clear waters. It’s also one of the reasons why Siesta Key is so popular with long and short-term vacation rentals. This tiny Gulf island is the closest thing that you’ll find to paradise this side of Bali.

Siesta Key is also not as expensive as some of the other areas right around Sarasota, making it a great vacation destination for families. In addition to world-class beaches like Siesta Key Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach, you’ll also find plenty of cafes, shopping options, and restaurants at Siesta Key Village.

Siesta Key is a great place to see local marine life. Crescent Beach is famous for its tidal pools, where you can safely check out the animals that live in the balmy waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There’s also plenty of coral reefs right around Crescent Beach.

Siesta Key’s Point of Rocks is another great place to see marine life. It’s totally safe and accessible, too, so make sure that you plan a day of family snorkeling there. You can also participate in the Siesta Key drum circle or take a boat out into the gulf to try to see some dolphins.

Lido Key

Lido Key’s beaches are world-famous for their powdery white sand and beautiful, azure waters. If you are looking for a decadent, tropical place to have your family’s summer vacation, Lido Key is an excellent option. Since the waters are so clear, they’re great for snorkeling and swimming, or you can do more adventurous water sports like jet skiing or kayaking.

In addition to fantastic beaches, Lido Key also has wonderful dining options. You’ll find great restaurants in this little corner of Sarasota, specializing in local flavors and fresh seafood caught earlier that day. Relax at one of its many beach restaurants and soak in the sunshine while you’re dining.

If you’d prefer to take your dinner on the ocean, rather than on the coast, you can always take one of Lido Key’s sunset cruises. They tend to book up fairly quickly during the busy season, so make sure that you make your reservations well in advance. If you’re lucky, you might even see a dolphin or two while you’re out on the waves.

Plan Your Trip Today

If you’re thinking about booking short or long term vacation rentals for you and your family this year, consider Sarasota. This Gulf Coast gem has something for everyone, whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or check out some of Sarasota’s amazing museums and nightlife. 

Featured Image Credit: By Sean Pavone