202 67th Street

Steps from the Gulf of Mexico is located in Holmes Beach, across the street (Gulf Drive) from the Gulf of Mexico on an extremely walkable 7 mile island. The air-conditioned accommodation is a relaxing getaway on Anna Maria Island, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi.

The vacation home is fitted with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen Smart TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a patio with garden views.

The Island is very accessible and if transportation is needed golf cart rentals are readily available as well as a free trolley service. The nearest airport is Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), 16 miles from Steps from the Gulf of Mexico.

Steps from the Gulf of Mexico has all you need for a week-long stay or perhaps longer. The kitchen is fully-stocked with modern appliances, kitchenware, plates, cutlery, glasses and more. All of your sheets, towels, to include beach towels, are cleaned and ready for your use. The flat screen tv in the living room has an upgraded cable package and complimentary WiFi can be accessed throughout the property. A special feature of this property is the screened in porch or Florida room in back. It’s great for catching the breeze off the ocean or dining after using the charcoal grill on the adjacent outdoor patio.

Vacationing on Anna Maria Island has long been a favorite for our family for more than 40 years. Sunsets on the beach are the best. As big sports fans, we also enjoy the local golf courses and trips into Sarasota during the spring to catch a Baltimore Orioles spring training game.

The entire Island is extremely walk-able and serviced by a free trolley. So you are not only Steps from the Gulf of Mexico but also a short walk or trolley ride to shopping, dining and local attractions. The neighborhood is quiet and well maintained.

Details

• Bedding: 1 Queen, 2 Twins, 1 Queen Sleeper sofa
• Accessibility: Remote Keyless Entry, ground level
• Attractions: Beach, bird watching, boating, fishing, miniature golf, outlet shopping, photography, scenic drives, deep sea fishing, shelling, shopping, sightseeing, walking, golfing.
• Sports: Golfing, Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Hiking, Jet Skiing, Surf, Bicycling.
• On Property: 2 bikes, 6 beach chairs, rolling cart, fishing tackle box, fishing poles, beach toys.
• Technology: WiFi, Smart TV in living room
• Essentials: Microwave, washer & dryer, stove, toaster.
• Location: 500 feet from the beach, quiet and relaxing area.
• Outdoor: Weber Charcoal Grill, screened back porch/Florida Room
• Pool: No
• Smoking: No
• Pets: No

Transportation: Anna Maria has a free trolley service that operates from 6am-11pm between Anna Maria Island and Downtown Sarasota, including stops in Longboat Key and St. Armand’s Circle. It services each stop every 30 minutes. For more information please call (941) 747-8621 or visit [email protected].

What’s Close

• Miniature Golf
• 6 bars within 1 mile
• 10 restaurants with 2 miles
• Beaches
• Deep Sea Fishing
• Wildlife Boat Tours
• Rental of boats, jet skis, bicycles, golf carts
• Seafood Market
• Ice Cream Shops
• Shopping

History

The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan and Caloocan American Indian tribes, but the recorded history of the Island is said to have begun around 1530 when Spanish explorers such as Hernando Desoto claimed the entire area for the Spanish Crown. However, in 1892 George Emerson Bean (after whom Bean Point was named) became the first permanent resident on the Island and homesteaded much of what is now the city of Anna Maria.

In the early 1900’s, Bean began to develop the Island with the Anna Maria Beach Company which laid out the streets, built sidewalks & houses, and installed a water system. During this time the Roser Memorial Community Church, was built by George Roser in memory of his mother. He was the creator of the Fig Newton that he eventually sold to Nabisco Brands. This church still stands and is used by some of the Island population.

For years the Island was only accessible by boat. It was not until 1921 that a wooden bridge was constructed connecting Anna Maria Island to the mainland. The bridge extended westward from the historic fishing village of Cortez over to the Island. Bradenton Beach fishing pier at the end of Bridge Street is the western end of the original bridge.

Today the Island remains a mixture of residential homes, vacation properties, and businesses existing in harmony with the landscape and enhancing its small-town heritage. The year round and seasonal residents who enrich the local population come from around the world.

The Beaches

With Anna Maria Island being one long beach on the gulf side, you have unlimited choices when it comes to places to enjoy the surf to yourself. To no surprise, the quietest spots tend to be those out-of-the-way places where parking can be limited.

BEAN POINT at the northern tip of the Island is a fantastic spot to enjoy an evening stroll among the ones and gently swaying sea oats. You will need to park on one of the residential roads up around North Bay Blvd or North Shore Drive and walk through the paths to the beach, but it is well worth the effort.

COQUINA BEACH is another great spot, at the opposite end of the Island with ample parking. Located just off Gulf Drive South before you reach the bridge over Longboat Pass, it is a perfect place to take the family for a beach day.

For a slightly different view of things, try BAYFRONT PARK on the north-east shore of the Island, just south of the Rod & Reel Pier. It has well shaded barbeque grilling areas with picnic tables and is a great place to watch the boats travel back and forth in the Anna Maria Sound.

MANATEE PUBLIC BEACH with its large parking lot, delightful little play area, volleyball nets and is perhaps the best base for a family day out on the beach. It can get a little crowded when the sun shines (quite often) but a short stroll along the beach should find you a quiet spot with the facilities nearby. Anna Maria Island Beach Café has seating outside under roof or under beach umbrella’s just steps from the gorgeous white sand. All you can eat pancakes 7 days a week and live entertainment most nights!

Sunsets

Not only are sunsets free, but they happen every single evening! On Anna Maria Island’s gulf side, any place is a great place to watch the sunset. Don’t be deterred if there are a few clouds in the sky;

Sometimes this helps to create some of the most breathtaking colors you have ever seen. On completely clear nights, it is said, that just as the sun dips below the horizon a “green flash” can be seen. Not many people have seen the green flash… will you!

Entertainment

Most weekends during the season, you will find art festivals, flea markets, or seafood festivals somewhere along the Island. The Islander and AMI Sun are the local newspapers and they list all upcoming events in the area.

Many of the area restaurants and bars offer live entertainment in the evening. Check out The Beach House, Hurricane Hank’s, Slim’s Harry’s, The Feast or pop over to Cortez on the mainland to see what’s going on at Tide Tables or Swordfish Grill.

The Anna Maria Island Concert & Orchestra is made up mostly of volunteers and presents four concerts from November through March. Performance locations vary but you can find additional information by visiting www.amicco.org.

The Island Players Theatre is Manatee County’s oldest community Theater. For more information regarding performances and schedules visit www.theislandplayers.org.

Attractions

The AMI Historical Museum houses rare old photographs, maps, records from the early 1900’s, clippings from newspapers, and historical videos. The mission of the group is to collect, research, preserve, and exhibit materials relating to the early days of Anna Maria Island. The educational program is of great importance, helping to preserve AMI’s heritage. Visit www.amihs.org for more information.

Historic Bridge Street on Bradenton Beach is “Anna Maria’s Hot Spot”. A beautiful fishing pier leads to an active street where you can shop, dine, and play! Great restaurants, bars, shopping, and even mini golf! Visit www.visitbridgestreet.com for more information.