Sarasota: Sarasota exudes an air of relaxed sophistication. Long considered the cultural capital of Florida, the Ringlings and other wealthy families made Sarasota their winter playground, imparting the legacy of the arts early on. This fair city soon became a haven for artists, thespians and musicians. The powder white sands of the keys attracted more visitors and they soon developed into rustic, laid-back beach communities.

Bradenton: Bradenton is one of central west Florida's oldest cities. It was named for Joseph Braden, an early settler who grew sugar cane and operated a sugar mill. The county's largest city and the county seat, Bradenton is also its center of commerce, government, health and social services, and much of the area's cultural life. Increasingly cosmopolitan in character, the city retains its small-town charm. A number of new residential sections complement older established neighborhoods in both urban and suburban settings.

Siesta Key: Beautiful Siesta Key on the Gulf of Mexico is blessed with wonderful beaches, including Crescent Beach, rated as having the "World's Finest, Whitest Sand" in the Great International Sand Challenge.

Venice: One of the few cities on Florida's West Coast without a barrier island, the soft white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico form the western boundary of Venice. Fourteen miles (22.5 km) of beaches from Casey Key to Manasota Key offer unparalleled recreational opportunities including swimming, sunbathing, fishing and boating. Shelling is also a favorite pastime, and fossilized shark teeth can be found in abundance by sifting through the sand. Golfers enjoy excellent courses in the greater Venice area.