Want your next travel assignment to be filled with sand, surf, sun, and fun? Then Sarasota is the perfect spot. 

<div>
  Want your next travel assignment to be filled with sand, surf, sun, and fun?
</div>



<div>
  Sarasota is the perfect spot. Located on the southwestern coast of Florida
  just 30 miles south of the Tampa Bay area, Sarasota&rsquo;s beautiful
  shoreline and tropical climate offer an ideal place to beach all year long.
</div>


<div>
  Sarasota County includes six barrier islands tucked in the cradle of Sarasota
  Bay as well as several other communities along the Gulf Coast.In addition to a
  prodigious number of beaches, Sarasota offers many interesting cultural and
  historical attractions, great shopping, dining and nightlife as well as parks,
  tropical gardens, and nature preserves. Here are a few highlights.
</div>

<h2>
  Sarasota&rsquo;s beaches are ranked among the top ten most beautiful beaches
  in the world!
</h2>

<div>
  Sarasota&rsquo;s flat, white-quartz beaches are ideal for sunbathing, jogging,
  biking, shelling, strolling or just throwing a Frisbee. The shoreline&rsquo;s
  warm, clear, blue waters also beckon fishing buffs, surfers, snorkelers,
  swimmers, kayakers, and sailors. Parking, showers and restroom facilities,
  picnic spots, playgrounds, and snack shacks are pretty much available anywhere
  you go. What&rsquo;s more, Sarasota&rsquo;s beaches are as diverse as they are
  plentiful; some are more crowded and commercial while others are quieter,
  natural, and relatively undisturbed. Depending on your mood, there&rsquo;s a
  beach for you. Here are several great options.
</div>


<div>
  Siesta Key&rsquo;s wide flat beaches, sandbars, and clear watersare perfect
  for dolphin-watching and fishing expeditions; boat tours, private cruises,
  fishing charters, and jet ski rentals are abundant. Its two villages offer
  shopping that runs from chic to funky and dining that ranges from family
  friendly to elegant. On the southern end of the Key is Turtle Beach which
  caters to campers. Here, swimming, beach walking, shelling, barbecuing,
  stargazing and nighttime turtle-watching are the main attractions.
</div>



<div>
  Lido Key is a popular resort destination just a half mile stroll from the
  upscale shopping hub of St. Armands Circle&mdash;the perfect place to take a
  break from the sun. Grab some ice cream, browse the galleries, or get a bite
  of lunch. Return in the evening for elegant dining.
</div>



<div>
  Venice&rsquo;s Caspersen Beach, south of Sarasota Bay,is known as the Shark
  Tooth Capital of the Worldand stretches over 1&frac12; miles along the gulf
  shoreline. It is home to a variety of birds, washes ashore an abundance of sea
  shells and sand dollars, and is a preferred spot for sea turtles to lay their
  eggs.
</div>



<div>
  Venice&rsquo;s Brohard Beach is dog-friendly, so your furry companion can romp
  off-leash everywhere you go. It also includes a wetland area ideal for fishing
  and bird watching.
</div>

<h2>
  Sarasota&rsquo;s beautiful landscape includes botanical gardens, mangrove
  tours, and wildlife exhibits.
</h2>

<div>
  The Myakka River State Park Canopy Walk encompasses 37,000 acres of
  moss-covered oak trees, forests, wetlands, prairies with walking trails, bird
  lookouts, and a treetop canopy walk. The Myakka River airboat ride is a great
  way to spot alligators.
</div>



<div>
  Lido Key&rsquo;s Mangrove Tunnels give you a close look at the area&rsquo;s
  vital coastal plant ecosystem as you kayak through quiet waters.
</div>


<div>
  The Selby Botanical Gardens, on Sarasota Bay, is referred to as a tropical,
  urban oasis featuring unparalleled horticulture displays for those who want to
  spend time relaxing among nature&rsquo;s beauty or learn more about
  conservation.
</div>


<div>
  Jungle Gardens is home to native and exotic animals which you can view from
  long, lush, tropical garden walkways.
</div>


<div>
  Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, in Lido Key, offers high-tech interactive
  exhibits that showcase sharks, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than
  100 other species of marine life.
</div>

<h2>Sarasota boasts a robust and vibrant nightlife.</h2>

<div>
  Pedestrian-friendly downtown Sarasota has plenty to do after dark. Pubs,
  breweries, artsy lounges, and rooftop bars are sprawled throughout the city.
  Nightlife in beachy Siesta Key ranges from trendy dance spots to relaxing
  Jimmy Buffett-themed deck bars. The dress code is relaxed; shorts, tee-shirts,
  and flipflops are always welcome.
</div>

<h2>Sarasota is home to many live performance venues.</h2>

<div>
  The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, in Sarasota&rsquo;s bay front area, hosts
  several shows each week, including well known national music acts, renditions
  of popular Broadway musicals, internationally-renowned dancers and performing
  artists, and comedy acts.
</div>



<div>
  Visit the Burns Court Cinema&mdash;where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a
  beer as you take in rare showings of international and independent films.
</div>



<div>
  Spend an afternoon at The Ringling Museum of Art, Florida&rsquo;s official
  Museum of Art. The 25,000 square-foot center was originally built by famed
  circus founder John Ringling to display the family&rsquo;s extraordinary
  collection of art from around the world.
</div>

<h2>Sarasota is home to a nationally recognized health care system.</h2>

<div>
  Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is among the largest and most reputable
  public health systems in Florida and one of Sarasota County&rsquo;s largest
  employers.In a recent U.S. News and World Reportstudy evaluating data from
  nearly 5,000 U.S. medical centers across multiple clinical specialties,
  procedures, and conditions, Sarasota Memorial came out on top for patient
  outcome, care-related factors, patient safety and nurse staffing. That&rsquo;s
  a statistic you want to be part of.
</div>

<h2>
  Want your next travel assignment to be Sarasota or another sand and surf
  destination?
</h2>

<div>
  Turn to Cross Country Nurses, one of the most trusted
  <a href="/sites/ccn/start-today">travel nursing agencies</a>&nbsp;in the
  industry. Call us now at 800.530.6125 or click to get started today!
</div>


Sarasota, Florida. Beach-Style Living at Your Doorstep