Destination Guides: Sarasota, United States - City Information

Population:                  52,715

Elevation:                    27 feet above sea level

Land Area:                   14.9 square miles

Location:                     Located on Florida's west coast, on the Gulf of Mexico, between Tampa to the north and Ft. Myers to the south.

Time Zone:                  Eastern Time Zone (when it’s noon in Sarasota, it’s 11am in Chicago and 9am in Los Angeles).  Sarasota observes Daylight Savings Time from April - October

Weather:

Climate:

Local Seasons:

Sarasota is beautiful at any time of year.  The seasons change on Florida’s west coast.   In the winter, there are a few days when the heat goes on in the house, but outdoors the sun and cloudless blue sky more than compensate for the slight chill in the air.  Visitors from the north are accustomed to 70F water temperatures for their summer swimming, and have no hesitation in plunging into the Gulf for a winter swim.  The locals smile at these brave tourists and wait for spring and summer to swim in water that reaches the mid-80s.  

How to Get There

By Air

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (code SRQ)
6000 Airport Cir.
Sarasota, FL  34243
941-359-2770
SRQ is the closest international airport to the Gulf Islands resort area. Located on the Manatee and Sarasota county line, the airport is three miles to downtown Sarasota and is served by some of the nationally recognized airlines as well as certain local and regional carriers.

Tampa International Airport

5503 West Spruce Street
Tampa, Florida 33607

813-870-8794

Located approximate 70 miles north of Sarasota, the airport is served by many of the national and international airlines as well as certain local and regional carriers.

Ground Transportation:

Most of the major car rental companies as well as taxi, limousine, and shuttle bus services are available at the airports.

By Car

The city is easily accessible via Interstate Highway 75 from both the north and south.

By Train

Amtrak

1993 Main Street
US 301 and Main the East Bound Side
Sarasota, FL 34231

800-USA-RAIL

Call for additional information

By Bus

Greyhound

575 N Washington Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34236

941-955-5735

How to Get Around:

With so many sites to see and things to do both in Sarasota as well as throughout the entire area, the best way to get around is by either personal or rental car.  Bus transportation (SCAT) is available and quite convenient in reaching downtown attractions and entertainment. 

National Holidays:

New Year's Day: Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day: 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day:  3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day: last Mon. in May

Independence Day: July 4

Labor Day: 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day:  4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve: Dec. 31