Florida Lower Gulf Coast Advice

[Laurence Shames]

I'm looking for the perfect town on the Florida Gulf Coast--anywhere from Tampa south. I know what I want but I don't know if it exists! Any advice appreciated.

 

My priorities--

Sunsets over salt water.

Availability of Har-Tru tennis courts and a community of players.

Good walking/biking/sailing.

Some decent restaurants and food shopping.

 

Here's what I don't want--

A gated community.

A place on a golf course.

A Tea Party stronghold.

 

Thoughts appreciated--thanks

[David Paul Appell]

Hi Laurence!  I'm sure others even better informed will be chiming in soon (I'm South Florida, east coast), but over on the Gulf side I'd suggest a good candidate could be Sarasota, which yes, does have gated communities and golf courses aplenty (not to mention no doubt a certain Tea Party contingent) - but that's true practically everywhere in Florida.  As it happens, though Sarasota also does very well in terms of tennis (there's even a well known tennis resort called The Colony out on one of the nearby keys, I believe it's Long Boat Key); walking/biking/sailing and other outdoorsy pursuits; dining/shopping; and as a bonus, some surprisingly sophisticated culture including museums, performing arts, and so forth.

 

Hope that helps a bit; if anything else occurs, I'll post again.

[Laurence Shames]

Hi David--

 

Thanks so much for the reply. We've been impressed with Sarasota--home of Clown College, right?--and it's a possibility; maybe a little bit bigger than we'd like. Longboat is great for tennis, but maybe a little tony for us. Anyone have a current read on Anna Maria Island? It's the next sandspit north and I remember it seeming funky and congenial...

[Mary Ann DeSantis]

Siesta Key near Sarasota and Sanibel Island near Ft. Myers are two of my favorites. Both islands are natural habitats for wildlife, and May through October is sea turtle nesting. Both are excellent for bicycle rides and hikes. Check out Turtle Bay Resort on Siesta Key, which is a boutique hotel with only 20 cottages and studio units. They also have docks located at mile marker #48 on the intercoastal waterway. www.turtlebayresort.com.  I especially love the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island -- a great place to bike.

I've heard wonderful things about Anna Maria Island and I hope to check it out myself very soon. 

My absolute favorite beach with gorgeous sunsets is Pass-a-Grille, near St. Pete Beach.  In fact, just turn left at the historic Don Cesar Hotel on St. Pete Beach and you'll find yourself in the quaint area of Pass-a-Grille with its funky shops and affordable restaurants. Historic beach cottages -- no gates.

[Lisa Osta]

I was just in Siesta Key part of Sarasota. So far it's my favorite part of Florida. I don't know much about Tennis Courts but the beaches there were really nice. Seemed to me a cut above everything else I've seen in Florida.

[David Liscio]

Sanibel and Captiva both have what you are looking for and if you go, don't miss out on the Ding Darling nature preserve. You can get up close and personal with the alligators while the sun is setting in the background.