There is a moment in late September when the Gulf Coast turns, and those of us who live here feel it in the mornings first. The air gets a little lighter, the sunsets shift to gold, and the pace of life starts to slow into the season I love most. Here is how I ease into autumn from my Palmer Ranch base.
Cooler Mornings on the Legacy Trail
The Legacy Trail is the way I measure the change of season. All summer I ride early to beat the heat, but in September I finally get to linger. There is nothing like a long morning on the trail with the trees overhead and the air just cool enough for a light jacket. It is also a wonderful time to bring your dog; the dog-friendly paths and parks around South Sarasota are at their best once the temperatures drop.
Farmers Market Season, Ramped Up
Autumn is when the markets get their best produce. The farmers markets around the area, from the Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market on Lemon Avenue to the Venice Farmers Market at City Hall, start filling with fall squash, citrus making its first appearance and local honey. I load up on Saturday mornings and usually end up planning my whole week of cooking around what I found.
Evenings Move Outside Again
The cooler evenings bring back the patios, the rooftop bars and the outdoor concerts. The Venice Friday Night Concert Series at the Centennial Park gazebo returns on Friday, September 27, and Marina Jacks on the bayfront keeps live music going most nights with those long golden sunsets over the water. For a fancier night, the rooftop at the Art Ovation Hotel is my favorite perch in the arts district, and the dining scene across the Gulf Coast only gets more inviting as the weather cooperates.
Marking the Season Ahead
Fall also brings some of my favorite annual traditions back onto the calendar, from the craft festivals in Venice and on St. Armands Circle to the 53rd Sun Fiesta in Centennial Park on October 16 through 18, with its parade, bed races and festival tents. It is the kind of season that makes you grateful to call this place home.
If you have ever thought about trading cold winters for Gulf Coast autumns, now is a wonderful time to explore. Planning a relocation is something I love to help with, and I would be glad to show you the communities that fit how you want to live. Reach out whenever you are ready.