Jim's local picks.
After more than a decade of living in Sarasota, these are the places I return to again and again — my personal favorites for food, golf, play, hidden gems, and sunset watching.
This isn't a paid directory or a list of sponsors. These are places I genuinely love — spots I bring friends to, restaurants where the staff knows my name, golf courses I'd play every day if I could, and sunset spots that still take my breath away. I update this page as I discover new favorites, so check back often.
restaurants.
These are the restaurants I recommend to friends, family, and clients. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is right, and they consistently deliver.
Owen's Fish Camp
Southern seafood in a rustic, casual setting. Fresh catches, hush puppies, and an old-Florida vibe that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time. The fried oysters are outstanding.
Yoder's Restaurant
Pennsylvania Dutch home cooking since 1975. Enormous portions, homemade pies, and a line out the door on weekends. It's a Sarasota institution — if you haven't been, you're missing out.
Mattison's City Grille
A downtown Sarasota staple on Main Street with live music nightly and a lively courtyard atmosphere. The steaks, seafood, and pasta are consistently excellent — and the outdoor dining under the banyan trees is one of the best in the city.
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
Waterfront seafood on Longboat Key with Intracoastal views that never get old. Fresh catches daily, a relaxed atmosphere, and one of the best outdoor dining experiences on the Gulf Coast. A must for any seafood lover.
golf courses.
Whether you're a member or paying a green fee, these courses represent the best golf the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Longboat Key Club
Championship golf on a barrier island with bay and Gulf views. Two 18-hole courses that are as beautiful as they are challenging. A bucket-list round for any golfer.
The Concession Golf Club
Jack Nicklaus-designed course in Lakewood Ranch. One of the most prestigious private clubs in Florida — the kind of course that makes you a better golfer just by playing it.
Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club
Arthur Hills-designed public course that's well-conditioned and welcoming. A great option when you want a quality round without a club membership.
pickleball spots.
Pickleball is my go-to for staying active and meeting people. These courts are where you'll find me most mornings.
Payne Park Pickleball Courts
Downtown Sarasota's go-to courts. 12 outdoor courts, free to play, with lights for evening games. The energy here on weekend mornings is infectious.
G.T. Bray Park
Bradenton's main pickleball hub with dedicated courts and a solid community of regular players. Great for meeting new people and competitive play.
Lakewood Ranch Sports Complex
Well-maintained courts in a top-notch facility. League play and social events keep the community active and connected.
hidden gems.
The places most tourists never find — and many locals haven't discovered yet. These are the spots that make Sarasota feel like a small town with big-city culture.
Celery Fields
Sarasota's world-class birding destination. 300 acres of wetlands, boardwalks, and a 36-foot observation tower. Free, open daily, and one of the most peaceful places in the city. You don't have to be a birdwatcher to love it.
Cortez Village
One of the oldest working fishing villages in Florida. A step back in time with waterfront restaurants, a commercial fishing fleet, and authentic old-Florida character. Tuesday fish fry at the community hall is legendary.
The Bay Sarasota
The new waterfront park transforming Sarasota's bayfront. Walking trails, public art, kayak access, and community events — it's becoming the living room of the city.
Historic Spanish Point
A 30-acre archaeological and historical site in Osprey with walking trails through ancient shell middens, pioneer homesteads, and waterfront gardens. A fascinating, overlooked gem.
sunset spots.
After years of watching sunsets from every vantage point in the area, these are the spots that never get old.
Siesta Key Beach
Watch the sun drop into the Gulf from the world's finest quartz sand beach. The sky turns gold, pink, and purple — and the sand seems to glow. This is why people move to Sarasota.
Bean Point
At the tip of Anna Maria Island where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf. Secluded, undeveloped, and spectacular. Bring a blanket and a drink — it's the most intimate sunset experience in the area.
Ringling Museum Bayfront
Sunset from the grounds of the Ringling Museum, with the Ca' d'Zan mansion and Sarasota Bay as your backdrop. One of the most beautiful settings for a sunset anywhere in Florida.
Marina Jack Outdoor Deck
Cocktails on the bayfront deck as the sun sets over Sarasota Bay. Live music, water views, and the kind of evening that reminds you why you live here.
Lido Beach Pavilion
Less crowded than Siesta Key, Lido Beach offers wide-open sunset views with a fraction of the people. Walk to St. Armands Circle for dinner afterward.
Know a hidden gem?
Jim is always looking for new places to explore. If you know a spot that deserves to be on this list, he'd love to hear about it.
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