Date Archives: June 2020

Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Anna Maria Island is just a short drive from Sarasota and Bradenton. Drive onto the island, and you'll discover a lovely, quaint beach town that offers a step back in time. You won't find the high-rise condos and hotels that many beach towns now have, instead you'll discover a laid-back lifestyle and quiet village charm. Homeowners searching for the beauty and peacefulness of a tropical island, just a short drive from city sights, will find a perfect place to call home on Anna Maria Island.

A Historical Haven

Like many cities in the state of Florida, Anna Maria Island was originally discovered by indigenous tribes, followed by Spanish explorers prior to the 1600s. However, no one resided on the island permanently until more than 300 years later. The Anna Maria Beach Company was established in the early 1900s to develop the foundation for residential and commercial life on the island. The Anna Maria Historical Society's Museum is a wonderful stop for history buffs who are interested in the island inhabitant's roots.

Sunny Skies are Always in Season

Those who wish for a retreat from the snow and shivering temperatures of the north will have plenty of opportunities to bask in the warm Florida sun on Anna Maria Island. The fall and spring offer the most temperate times to visit, with summer heat and humidity typically high and afternoon thunderstorms common. In the winter months, the temperature does drop from the 90s/100s down into the 70s/50s, giving residents a comfortable climate to still enjoy the outdoors with a light jacket. Hurricane season runs from May to the end of October, and although hurricanes are always a possibility, Anna Maria Island is often undisturbed.

Island Life at Its Finest

You'll discover plenty to see and do living on Anna Maria Island. Fishing, sailing, swimming, watersports, and other aquatic activities are always favorites, allowing you to spend hours of fun on the beach. There are dozens of restaurants, shops and boutiques lining the island, and gorgeous sunsets to enjoy on most evenings. A free island trolley runs a regular schedule with stops up and down the island.

So Much More Just Over the Bridge

While many prefer lazy days on the beach, city life is just a short drive away. Museums, art galleries, shopping, and dining options await you in Sarasota, Bradenton, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. Sports fans enjoy MLB spring training games in Sarasota and Bradenton, as well as MLB, NFL, and NHL action in Tampa.

Would you like to call this lovely island home?  To discover more about living on Anna Maria Island, including links to community information regarding schools, the economy, employment, etc. click here to visit our informational page on Anna Maria Island.  

Contact us today to browse Anna Maria Island homes for sale and find your perfect slice of island paradise. If you would like to experience everything Anna Maria Island has to offer while house hunting, consider renting one of our fabulous vacation homes where you can unwind for hours on our sugar sand beaches.

Yes, Florida is golfer heaven! If the dads in your life are golfers, what better way to spend quality time on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21, than a day on the links? Here are just of few of the many fantastic golf courses in Manatee and Sarasota Counties recommended by our real estate agents. 

1. Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch - 8255 Legacy Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34202
   Opened in 1997 with an award-winning signature design by iconic golfer Arnold Palmer, Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch has a distinguished pedigree. The 18-hole course, with its gently rolling greens, appears deceptively simple, but 100 bunkers present an intriguing challenge for even expert golfers. Legacy is open dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
   
   
2. Greens of Manatee - 101 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton, FL 34207
   For more than 30 years, the former Heather Hills Golf Course was a popular facility in the area of Bradenton homes for sale. When Heather Hills seemed destined to close in 2008, a local non-profit group stepped in to reinvent the property as Greens of Manatee. Staffers and volunteers combine to offer a "quality recreational golfing experience" at prices affordable to all while maintaining the course's environmental beauty. Hours are 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. daily.
   
   
3. Suncoast Golf Center & Academy - 7741 15th St. E., Sarasota, FL 34243
   At Suncoast Golf Center & Academy, their motto is, "The sun never sets on fun." Nature gets a little helping hand, as Suncoast is the only golf course around Sarasota homes for sale with stadium-quality LED lighting. Suncoast is dog-friendly, so dad can work on his game at the driving range and practice tees accompanied by his best friend. Hours are 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday.
   
   
4. Esplanade Golf & Country Club - 12825 Malachite Dr., Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211
   Esplanade Golf & Country Club, right next door to Lakewood Ranch homes for sale, is a breathtaking example of the area's natural beauty. Golfers praise the impeccable maintenance of the 18-hole course as well as the top-level customer service provided by all staff members. Tee times are available from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
   
   
5. Hawks Run Golf Course - 602 Bird Bay Dr. W., Venice, FL 34285
   Is dad an experienced golfer but you, not so much? Hawks Run Golf Course, down the street from Venice homes for sale, offers a happy medium challenging enough to keep both of you interested. Hawks Run is an 18-hole executive golf course featuring shorter holes, so you can comfortably fit in a round no matter how busy your schedule is. Play 18 holes after 2 p.m. for only $20. Hours are 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.
   
   
6. Buffalo Creek Golf Course - 8100 69th St. E., Palmetto, FL 34221
   While Buffalo Creek Golf Course is just minutes from Palmetto homes for sale, there are no houses around the perimeter of the grounds. As a result, time spent on the links feels like a true getaway. All of the greens were completely built in 2014 for a fresh, updated look that receives rave reviews from visiting golfers. Buffalo Creek is open daily from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

"Below par" is something to aim for in golf, but not when it comes to real estate. Contact us at Wagner Realty to get up-to-date information on the top homes around Manatee and Sarasota Counties.