FLORIDA PLACES AND DESTINATIONS:
PUNTA GORDA
Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets. Located halfway between Sarasota and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, activities on the naturally beautiful and environmentally pristine area range from canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, sailing, fishing and boating to strolls on the beach, shelling, exploring historic communities, shopping and dining.
Punta Gorda, where Ponce de Leon first landed in 1513, was founded in 1887 and sits in a protected coastal area where Peace River meets Charlotte Harbor.
In historic Punta Gorda, visitors can stroll the downtown streets brightened by period street lights, alfresco sculptures and colorful murals depicting the area’s history while shopping for specialty gifts and dining at trendy new restaurants.
In fact, the city is famous for the amazing Victorian mansions along Retta Esplanade, evidence of Punta Gorda’s former role as rail terminus and port.
Fishermen’s Village, also on the Retta Esplanade, features 33 shops and boutiques, seven restaurants, vacation villa rentals, fishing charters, harbor cruises, boat and jet ski rentals, live entertainment.
And golf is a favorite attraction in Punta Gorda as well. In fact, three under par gives Punta Gorda a position of top prominence as a result of a Golf Digest “Best in America” August article ranking this Metropolitan Statistical Area as 3rd for quality of life and golf.
The Gulf Island beaches in Charlotte County are some of the least crowded and most beautiful in the state.
Photo: Visit Florida
