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Downtown Sarasota's waterfront towers across the calm water of Sarasota BayDowntown Sarasota from Sarasota Bay · Photo: Cullen Morgan, CC BY 4.0
City of Sarasota & the mainland

Sarasota

The mainland has bayfront high-rises, 1920s bungalows and mid-century ranches from the Sarasota School of Architecture era.

Which Sarasota neighborhoods are walkable to downtown?

Downtown and The Bay, and the Rosemary District and Laurel Park next to it. Southside Village, just south of downtown, has its own shops and cafés. Palmer Ranch, The Meadows and East Sarasota have more room and more golf, and you drive.

The Ringling Museum of Art's courtyard from the air, with palms and pink loggias
The Ringling Museum of Art courtyard Photo: Mableringling, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Venetian Gothic bayside front of Cà d'Zan in Sarasota
Cà d'Zan, the Ringlings' bayfront mansion Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sailboats anchored off Bayfront Park in Sarasota in late-day light, framed by palm fronds
Bayfront Park, Sarasota Photo: Wendyrichmondrn, CC BY-SA 4.0
Boats moored at Bayfront Park Marina with downtown Sarasota's towers behind
Bayfront Park Marina, Sarasota Photo: Wendyrichmondrn, CC BY-SA 4.0
8 neighborhoods

Where to live in Sarasota

Typical price tiers:$ under ~$400K$$ ~$400K–$700K$$$ ~$700K–$1.5M$$$$ $1.5M+

Downtown & The Bay

Sarasota County · 34236

$$–$$$$

High-rise and boutique condos steps from Main Street, the Saturday farmers market, the Sarasota Opera House, Van Wezel and The Bay, a 53-acre bayfront park.

Golf
Bobby Jones Golf Club ~10 min
Known for
Condo living, walk to culture and dining

Rosemary District & Laurel Park

Sarasota County · 34236

$$$

Neighborhoods next to downtown with historic bungalows, townhomes and newer mid-rises, near the Towles Court artist colony.

Known for
Historic homes, walk to downtown

Southside Village & Cherokee Park

Sarasota County · 34239

$$$–$$$$On the water

Tree-canopied streets south of downtown with the Southside Village shops and cafés, historic homes and bayfront estates near Cherokee Park.

Known for
Historic homes, village shops

Gulf Gate & Phillippi Creek

Sarasota County · 34231

$$–$$$On the water

Mid-century ranches and canal homes near the Siesta Key bridges, Gulf Gate's restaurants and Phillippi Estate Park's weekly market.

Known for
Close to Siesta, mid-century homes

Palmer Ranch

Sarasota County · 34238 / 34241

$$–$$$$

A large planned area of many separate gated neighborhoods between Siesta Key and I-75, with Legacy Trail access.

Golf
TPC Prestancia (private, 36 holes) · Stoneybrook
Known for
Many neighborhoods, trail access

The Meadows

Sarasota County · 34235

$–$$

A central, established community of villas, condos and single-family homes around 36 holes of golf, minutes from UTC.

Golf
Meadows Golf Club · 36 holes
Known for
Central location

University Park

Manatee Co. (Sarasota address) · 34201

$$$–$$$$Gated

A gated golf community near University Town Center, just across the county line in Manatee, with a clubhouse and tennis.

Golf
University Park Country Club · 27 holes (Ron Garl)
Known for
Close to UTC shopping

East Sarasota & Fruitville

Sarasota County · 34240

$$–$$$$

Larger lots and acreage east of I-75 along Fruitville Road, with the Celery Fields bird-watching area.

Golf
Laurel Oak, The Founders Club, Tatum Ridge
Known for
Space, privacy, equestrian-friendly pockets
Top-rated restaurants

Where to eat in Sarasota

From the 2026 MICHELIN Guide, the New York Times, Sarasota Magazine and local favorites.

MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2026Lucky 8New Orleans-style comfort food · Southside Village

Po'boys, gumbo and Louisiana classics on Osprey Avenue.

Visit website ↗
MICHELIN Guide 2026Focaccia Sandwich + BakeryBakery & sandwiches · Bee Ridge Road

Hefty focaccia sandwiches and fresh-baked breads.

Visit website ↗
MICHELIN Guide 2026TraliaSourdough & Detroit-style pizza · Gulf Gate

Inspectors called it one of the city's best pizzas.

Visit website ↗
Sarasota Magazine Best Restaurants 2026Jack DustySeafood · The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Bayside seafood and craft cocktails.

Visit Sarasota waterfront picks

Visit website ↗
Sarasota Magazine Best Restaurants 2026Michael's On EastFine dining · Midtown Plaza

Longtime Sarasota restaurant for special-occasion dinners and wine.

Herald-Tribune best steakhouses

Visit website ↗
Sarasota Magazine Best Restaurants 2026Bitia's TaqueriaSalvadoran · North Sarasota · 17th St.

Salvadoran dishes and tacos.

Find it on Google Maps ↗

All 34 restaurants in Sarasota →Things to do in Sarasota →

Golf & country clubs

Golf in Sarasota

Every club, by membership model →

Coming up

What's on in Sarasota

  • Music

    Ringling Underground

    Thu, Nov 5 · 7–11 p.m.
    The Ringling, Sarasota    Sarasota Co.
  • Arts & Culture

    The Orchid Show 2026

    Through Dec 6 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
    Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota    Sarasota Co.
  • Festivals

    Ferraris on the Circle

    Sat, Nov 7 · 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
    St. Armands Circle Park, Sarasota    Sarasota Co.

Every event in Sarasota →

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