Myakka River State Park kayaking from Sarasota: hours, the $6 entry fee, where to launch, what wildlife to expect, and how to do it with free kayaks.
A simple two-day plan for Siesta Key, with the beaches, food and side trips worth your time, and a quiet place to stay 3 minutes away.
If you want quiet more than nightlife, here is what a private island tiny home in Sarasota is like, and who it suits.
A romantic weekend near Siesta Key does not need a resort. A private tiny home on a Sarasota island, with sunsets, hammocks and a fire pit, does the job for less.
Siesta Key beachfront prices are steep. Here is how to stay 3 minutes from the sand for a fraction of the cost, and what you give up.
Looking for an eco-friendly vacation rental in Sarasota? Native gardens, fruit trees, free bikes and kayaks, and the honest truth about our composting toilet.
If you think of St. Petersburg, Florida as just another beach town, you have not spent time downtown. St. Pete has built one of the most impressive arts and culture scenes of any small city in the country, and it has done it in a way that feels organic rather than curated. The murals are […]
Sarasota has a romantic quality that sneaks up on you. Maybe it is the sunsets over the Gulf, which are legitimately some of the best in the world. Maybe it is the mix of culture, great food, and gorgeous scenery that makes it easy to slow down and actually enjoy being somewhere together. Whatever it […]
Three days in Sarasota is enough to get a real feel for the place, hit the best beaches, eat well, and still have time to slow down. I have been hosting guests here since 2017, and I have heard enough post-trip recaps to know what actually sticks. This itinerary skips the tourist traps and focuses […]
One of the most common questions I get from guests before they arrive in Sarasota is which beach to prioritize. Siesta Key and Lido Key are both excellent, both within easy reach, and both popular for good reason. But they are genuinely different experiences, and the right choice depends on what kind of day you […]
St. Petersburg, Florida has gone through a remarkable transformation over the past decade. What used to be a quiet retirement town is now one of the most vibrant small cities on the Gulf Coast, with a booming arts scene, world-class dining, beautiful waterfront parks, and a walkable downtown that makes it genuinely fun to explore […]
I have been hosting families in Sarasota since 2017, and I can tell you this area is one of the best family vacation destinations in all of Florida. The beaches are calm and gorgeous, the activities are genuinely fun for all ages, and the pace is relaxed enough that parents actually get to exhale. If […]
If you want to skip the Airbnb fees when visiting Sarasota, the simplest answer is to book directly with the property owner or through a direct booking site like sunshinestaterental.com. Booking direct means you pay the actual nightly rate without the platform fees that get built into Airbnb prices. We manage vacation rentals in Sarasota […]
Sarasota has a way of making any time feel like the right time to visit. But if you want to plan the perfect trip, whether you’re chasing that sweet spot of good weather, smaller crowds, or the best deals on vacation rentals, knowing what each season actually delivers makes a real difference. Here’s an honest, […]
So you’re thinking about renting a vacation home in Sarasota instead of booking a hotel. Good call. Vacation homes give you more space, more flexibility, and a much better feel for what it’s actually like to live in one of the best cities on Florida’s Gulf Coast. But if you haven’t rented one before, a […]
St. Pete is one of those Florida cities that just makes you want to get outside. The weather cooperates almost year-round, the scenery shifts from bayfront promenades to shaded neighborhood streets, and the city has invested heavily in making it easy to explore on two wheels. Whether you’re a casual rider looking for a flat, […]
Why Sarasota Is a Cyclist’s Dream Destination Sarasota has quietly built a reputation as one of Florida’s most bike-friendly cities, and it is easy to see why. With a mix of waterfront paths, shaded nature trails, and neighborhood greenways, the best bike trails in Sarasota reward visitors who choose to explore beyond the beach towel. […]