Local guide
Make the most of the coast
A few of our favorite spots around Bradenton, Sarasota, Siesta Key, Venice, and Tampa — send us your own recommendations and we'll add them.
Things to Do
Siesta Key Beach
Consistently ranked among the best beaches in the country, thanks to its powder-fine quartz sand that stays cool underfoot even at midday.
Anna Maria Island
A laid-back, low-rise beach town with a historic city pier, ideal for sunset walks and fresh seafood.
St. Armands Circle
Upscale open-air shopping and dining just over the bridge from Lido Key in Sarasota.
The Ringling
John Ringling’s historic Sarasota estate, art museum, and circus museum — worth a half-day even if you’re not a museum person.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Real working marine research facility with rescued sea turtles, sharks, and manatees — great for families.
Caspersen Beach, Venice
Known as one of the best spots in the world for hunting fossilized shark teeth right in the surf.
Eat & Drink
Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB)
Open-air, waterfront, and about as classic Siesta Key as it gets.
Anna Maria Island seafood shacks
Small, laid-back spots right off the beach — come hungry, leave sandy.
Downtown Sarasota
A short drive from most of our properties, with a dense strip of restaurants, coffee shops, and rooftop bars.
Good to Know
Check beach/red tide conditions
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission posts current red tide status by beach — worth a quick check before you head out, especially in late summer/fall.
Rip currents
Look for posted flag warnings at guarded beaches, and never swim against a rip current — swim parallel to shore until you’re free of it.
Sunset spots
Siesta Key Beach and Anna Maria’s Bean Point are both known for some of the best sunset views on the Gulf.