About Sarasota, Florida

Widely known as the "Cultural Center of Florida", Sarasota is both a West Coast resort destination and a haven for the fine arts. Here, there are over 150 miles of waterfront, 35 miles of white, sandy beaches and six barrier islands that average 361 days of sunshine annually. With close proximity to both Tampa and Orlando, Sarasota stands out as one of Florida's premier cities for day-to-day living and recreation.

Sarasota's Quality of Life

Almost 51,000 people call Sarasota their home. This makes the city the largest in Sarasota County and the center of the area's tourism trade. There is a great variety to the Sarasota Flamingos

life styles of Sarasota. The architecture runs from beach cottages to ranches. A strong Spanish and Mediterranean air permeates most private dwellings. Property, too, reflects a great variety in lifestyles. While there are several moderately priced residential areas to raise a family, there are also enormous, fantasy estates, such as the Ringling empire, that can be found.

Sarasota's Cultural Activities

Sarasota is famous for its highly cultured atmosphere, as is evident by a quick scan of the city's various clubs. For example, both the Harvard Club of Sarasota and the Ivy League Club, Inc. are dedicated to fostering a fraternal spirit among graduates and alumni Sarasota Child with a Parrot

of these prestigious universities. There are also numerous film societies and forums for classical music and the visual arts. The Florida West Coast Symphony is based in Sarasota and can frequently be heard at the beautiful Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Even the restaurants of Sarasota provide more than merely food. In addition to the traditional seafood specialties of Florida, dining in Sarasota may include a night of Amish or Australian fare.

Sarasota's Outdoor Activity

This city also has a strong sense of its natural environment. One of the larger organizations in Sarasota is the Myakka Conservancy. Formed in 1991, this group is dedicated to the preservation of the Myakka River and its surrounding watershed. The Conservancy consists of local businesses and government who purchase the Sarasota Speedboat

land along the river to ensure permanent protection.

The variety of Sarasota is also demonstrated by its educational and religious foundations. Some of the major universities in Sarasota are the University of South Florida, the Ringling School of Art and Design, the New College, dedicated to students of exceptional scholastic and intellectual aptitude, and the University of Sarasota, concentrating on the skills of working professionals.

Religious institutions of the area include Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, and the Temple Emanu-El, a member of The Union of American Hebrew Congregations.