Sarasota  |  Siesta Key  |  Longboat Key  |  Lido Key  |  Lakewood Ranch Longboat Key AN ELEVEN MILE PARADISE Longboat Key lies in two counties, Manatee on the northern half and Sarasota on the southern half. The island was incorporated as a township in 1955 and is governed by a seven member town commission. The longboat restaurants are well known for their talented chefs, who create just about every kind of cuisine, including American, Asian, Cajun, Cuban, Floribbean, Italian and French. Longboat Key Beaches Longboat Key Dining and Nightlife Longboat Key Real Estate Local Attractions Area Golf Courses Longboat Key Demographics LONGBOAT KEY BEACHES Unlike the surrounding keys, Longboat Key does not have large public beaches with year-round lifeguard protection. Rather, it has a series of small public beach access points accessible from the main Gulf of Mexico Drive. These access points are identified by small blue and white signs posted alongside the road. You'll have to get there early though as most of these access points only provide parking for a dozen cars or less. And once you're on the beach, you'll enjoy the same great water views and relaxing gulf breezes as its more populated neighboring keys of Anna Maria and Lido Key. Near the northern tip of Longboat Key is a Beer Can Island, a small public beach. This beach is a secluded peninsula of roughly 2,000 feet of shoreline, mostly natural surroundings which is perfect for shelling and catching small sea critters. Since this beach is not directly connected to the key, it is best to come by boat or walk over during low tide. Parking to this island beach is also limited as well so you'll want to plan ahead. Although there are not any restroom facilities located at the small beach access points and Beer Can Island, they do make great spots to watch a picture perfect sunset over the warm gulf waters. LONGBOAT KEY DINING Siesta Key is an island of culinary delights! Many area restaurants, specialize in seafood delicacies including lobster, crab, blackened fish, raw oysters, and unique, Gulf Coast seafood dishes. Siesta Key also offers a wide selection of Italian, American, Oriental and French cuisine to suit the most discerning tastes. You'll find many of these restaurants located near Sarasota's downtown main street and surrounding area. Many offer valet parking. Whether you enjoy formal, candle-lit dinners, casual, or family-oriented dining, you will find it in Sarasota. For more information about Siesta Key dining establishments, we encourage you to visit here LONGBOAT KEY ESTATE Longboat Key boasts many upscale real estate developments and gated maintenance-free communties. Over the past few years, Longboat Key has experienced a strong real estate market with soaring prices. A recent article in the Herald-Tribune referd to "the rising price of real estate as 'white gold'". The scarcity of premium beachfront property is what's driving real estate values upward. Real estate developers and realtors in Sarasota alike believe it won't be long before prices in Sarasota are as high as Naples and Boca Raton. Real Estate investors are flocking to Longboat Key to buy condos and luxury waterfront property with views of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Golfers want to retire here. Baby boomers are picking out properties before they retire. LONGBOAT KEY ATTRACTIONS Vacationers of Longboat Key are just minutes from many local attractions and sights. Some of the area's top attractions include the following: The Ringling Estate Cà d'Zan, John and Mable Ringling's Venetian Gothic mansion on Sarasota Bay, is one of America's important historic houses. Cà d'Zan-which means "House of John" in Venetian dialect-took two years to complete at a cost of approximately $1,500,000. The house is open for tours daily. www.ringling.org Mote Marine Laboratory Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, non-profit research organization dedicated to excellence in marine science. Public outreach is accomplished through the Mote Aquarium, an educational museum providing marine programs for all levels, from elementary-school children through adults. www.mote.org Marie Selby Botanical Gardens The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is best known for its living collection of more than 6,000 orchids. Selby's 11 bay-front acres are an open-air and under-glass museum of more than 20,000 colorful plants, many collected in the wild on nearly 100 scientific expeditions to tropical rainforests. www.selby.org Sarasota Jungle Gardens Stroll peaceful gardens, watch exotic bird and reptile shows, and look at monkeys, flamingos, swans, wallabies, and other animals at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, an area attraction since the 1930's. Located north of downtown Sarasota, the lovely gardens will delight everyone in the family. www.sarasotajunglegardens.com G.W.I.Z. The Gulfcoast Wonder and Imagination Zone, is a hands-on science center located in the Blivas Science and Technology Center. GWIZ is a state-of-the-art science and technology center that offers an array of interactive, hands-on exhibits, as well as educational programs for the community. www.gwiz.org Asolo Theatre The Asolo Theatre's mission is to present high quality professional theatre for its community. The Asolo, which is not-for-profit, performs primarily in rotating repertory with a resident company to celebrate the actor-artist, to attract regional, national and international audiences. www.asolo.org AREA GOLF COURSES Golf Course Name County Holes Phone Number Bobby Jones Golf Complex Sarasota 45 (941) 365-4653 Boca Royale Country Club Sarasota 18 (941) 474-7475 Calusa Lakes Golf Club Sarasota 18 (941) 484-8995 Capri Isles Golf Club Sarasota 18 (941) 922-1312 Foxfire Golf Club Sarasota 18 (941) 921-7757 Gulf Gate Golf Course Sarasota 18 (941) 921-5515 Heritage Oaks Sarasota 18 (941) 926-7600 Jacaranda West Country Club Sarasota 18 (941) 493-2664 Legacy Golf Course Sarasota 18 (941) 907-7067 The Meadows Country Club Sarasota 54 (941) 378-5957 Misty Creek Country Club Sarasota 18 (941) 921-5258 Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club Sarasota 18 (941) 496-4653 Plantation Golf & Country Club Sarasota 36 (941) 497-1479 Rolling Green Golf Club Sarasota 18 (941) 355-7621 Sabal Trace Golf Club Sarasota 18 (941) 426-2804 Sarasota Golf Club Sarasota 18 (941) 371-2431 Serenoa Golf Club Sarasota 18 (941) 925-2755 Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club Sarasota 18 (941) 966-1800 Sunrise Golf Club Sarasota 18 (941) 924-1402 Tatum Ridge Golf Links Sarasota 18 (941) 378-4211 Village Green Golf Club Sarasota 18 (941) 922-9500 Waterford Golf Club Sarasota 27 (941) 484-6621 Venice Golf & Country Club Sarasota 18 (941) 493-3100 LONGBOAT KEY DEMOGRAPHICS Source of Data: Idcide DRIVING DISTANCE FROM LONGBOAT KEY St. Petersburg 40   miles Jacksonville 248  miles Tampa 52   miles Ocala 143  miles Fort Myers 73  miles Panama City 376  miles Miami 214  miles Pensacola 477  miles Key West 343  miles St. Augustine 225  miles Daytona Beach 184  miles Tallahasee 283  miles Ft. Lauderdale 201  miles West Palm Beach 186  miles Orlando 130  miles Michael Saunders & Company - Licensed Real Estate Broker 1801 Main St. Sarasota, Florida 34236  Direct: (941) 374-2920  |  Fax: (941) 951-6667 Site Maintained & Hosted by Professional Web Designs