The best way to explore the Sarasota area is by car. Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) offers dependable daily, except Sunday, bus service with discounts for children from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. (941-951-5851). LeeTran runs trolley buses to Fort Myers Beach from Fort Myers (941 275-8726) while the Naples Trolley and Blue Trolley Line conduct sightseeing and shopping tours in the Naples area (941-262-7300).

You can also rent a bicycle for $10 a day or $25 a week from Sarasota Bicycle Center (941-377-4505). You'll have to ride on the streets or roads in town, as there are no bike paths. However, there are paths on the barrier islands.

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Sarasota is from February to April when temperatures range from highs in the mid-70s to lows in the mid-50s. By the end of April, daytime temperatures start to climb to the mid-80s and eventually peak in the low 90s by August. And while a good sea breeze keeps the barrier islands comfortable, Sarasota itself can get muggy. Water temperatures average 87°F year-round.

Cautions and Safety Concerns

While the area around Sarasota and south is relatively safe, some beaches can get crowded during the winter season. The biggest danger is from red tide, a high concentration of microscopic organisms in the Gulf waters that produces a toxin that affects fish, and, down the food chain, humans, causing respiratory irritation. During a time of high “bloom,” don't eat clams or oysters.

To check on red tide conditions, call the Sarasota County Beaches Red Tide Hotline (941-346-0079).