Southwest Florida Relocation Guide Fall 2022

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

RELOCATION GUIDE C O L L I E R

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L E E

C O U N T I E S

Economic Overview TOP EMPLOYERS , LOCAL IN DUSTRIES , BUSIN ES S RESOU RCES

SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY CIT Y H IGH LIGHTS , LI FEST YLE COMMU N ITI ES , REAL ESTATE , CU LTU RE

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GET OUTDOORS

The ultimate guide to nature, golf, boating, and recreation

11/3/22 9:20 AM

It’s Time to Make Your Move to Florida As you near retirement or continue to enjoy it, you may be considering becoming a Florida resident. Our team will be the first to tell you there’s no better time than the present to make that move.

The Lighthouse Wealth Management Team

FROM L TO R: Bethany Spurlock, Tara Lowman, Craig White, Judy Lowman,

Caleb Lowman, Ben Lane, Glen Rauch, Jessica Luchan, Dawn Salerno

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There are many benefits of Florida domicile, including Florida homestead exemption and protections, as well as not having to pay state income or estate taxes.

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Our team at Lighthouse Wealth Management will be the first to tell you there’s no better time than the present to make that move.

To learn more about the ways in which we can help you make this dream a reality, please get in touch with us so that we can schedule a virtual or in-person meeting to share more information with you.

LIGHTHOUSE

Wealth Management, LLC

Call: (239) 344-7575 Email: caleb.lowman@lwm-llc.com Visit: www.lwm-llc.com

*Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Lighthouse Wealth Management, LLC, is a separate entity from WFAFN. CAR-0321-02883

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DreamHome

YOU R

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AWA I TS

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R OYAL COVE PL A Z A 1 3 2 5 0 TA M I A M I T R A I L N O RT H • N A PL E S

S

239-596-5959 N A P L E S . A B B E Y C A R P E T.C O M

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NAPLES, MARCO ISL AND & FLORIDA’S GULF COAST

We open the door to everything you long for.

An award-winning professional with over two decades of experience in the Naples and Marco Island real estate market, Michelle Thomas is well-known for her deep familiarity with the area. Specializing in everything from luxury golf course estates to gorgeous Gulf-front condominiums, she has a passion for pairing her customers with pristine properties.

As a Collier County resident of nearly 30 years, community service is at the forefront of her business, donating a portion of each commission to local charities.

Michelle works with a diverse customer base, from the international purchaser to the first-time homebuyer, with a commitment to an exceptional experience.

An accomplished industry leader, Michelle has achieved numerous accolades and has been ranked among REAL Trends “The Thousand,” America’s Best Real Estate Professionals list and is a Five Star award winner.

She is a member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and is a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. Michelle leads the #1 real estate team at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

MICHELLE THOMAS

239.860.7176

michelle.thomas@premiersir.com michelle.thomasteamflorida.com

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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CHOOSE A FINANCIAL CREW QUALIFIED TO NAVIGATE THE TURBULENCE. Effective portfolio management is a lot like air travel. The pilot and crew navigate weather conditions, turbulence, and air traffic to get you there safely on time, but you might be surprised just how often the plane can potentially be off course. That’s why you need an extraordinary team of advisors guarding your financial future—professionals with the experience, expertise, and compassion to deliver the level of service you expect.

Discover how we design a strategic plan, manage continuous course correction, and strive to bring your financial future in for a perfect landing. Call us today to request your complimentary consultation with one of our advisors at 239.920.4440 or through our website MoranWM.com

5801 Pelican Bay Boulevard • Suite 110 Naples, FL 34108 • 239.920.4440 • MoranWM.com

Moran Wealth Management®, LLC is a registered investment adviser. For additional information about Moran Wealth Management®, LLC, including its services and fees, request the firm’s disclosure brochure using the contact information above or visit advisorinfo.sec.gov Moran Wealth Management® is a separate entity and not affiliated with any other entity or practice that uses the same name.

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Naples

T O P

1%

OVER $2 BILLION IN CLOSED SALES We’ll help you make the best Real Estate decisions!

Real Relocation experience at Mellon National Bank & Westinghouse, managing their employees relocation needs.

We have had successful sales all over Naples and through Estero.

Both have unrivaled backgrounds as regional and office managers in the Luxury Real Estate Market For Over 17 years The #1 Mother - Daughter Real Estate Team in the Southwest Florida Market Full time professionals whose focus is YOUR Real Estate needs From Pittsburgh, PA and New York

Unmatched levels of productivity and success

Proud to support local charities from every transaction

LET US SHOW YOU WHAT WE CAN DO.

buabellsellsnaples.com buabellgroup@johnrwood.com Emily 239-659-6115 Tade 239-595-0097

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FALL 2022 / WINTER 2023

LAGUNATICPHOTO

CONTENTS

THE ESPLANADE MARINA, MARCO ISLAND

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WELCOME TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

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10 FUN FACTS

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MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS Get to know native wildlife

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NATIVE LANDSCAPES From swamps to mangrove forests, Southwest Florida’s terrain is unique

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MADE IN PARADISE Find locally inspired and crafted gifts and souvenirs

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY Economic overview, major industries, networking resources, top employers

| ON THE COVER: ROOKERY BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE—ONE OF 29 IN THE UNITED STATES DEDICATED TO THE SCIENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT OF COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS |

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No small dreams.

Welcome to the world of sports car fascination.

Porsche Naples 3147 Davis Blvd.

Naples, FL 34104 porschenaples.com (239) 205-8583 © 2022 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seatbelt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times.

Optional equipment extra. European model shown. Some options may not be available in the U.S.

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FALL 2022 / WINTER 2023

CONTENTS

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EDUCATION

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GETTING SETTLED

Public and private schools, higher education, state and local resources

Transportation, licenses, voter registration, recycling, and more

96 58

CULTURE AND LEISURE

HEALTH CARE

Art and culture, sporting life, golf scene, family attractions, boating, hiking and biking, and beaches

Hospitals, VA clinics, hospice services, and urgent care clinics

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COMMUNITIES

Area malls, open-air shopping, street shopping, and dining guide

Market overview, home sales statistics, lifestyle living, city spotlights, and senior living

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SHOPPING AND DINING

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ADVERTISING INDEX

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We lead the nation in the quality of care we deliver to patients of Medicare Age. We are committed to providing our patients with the best value in healthcare by offering Welcome to Medicare Visits, Annual Wellness Visits, and all important preventive services.

Establish with our primary-care providers and connect to a healthier life today

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160 Aviation Drive North • Naples, Fl 34104

Connecting you to the

Paradise Coast

The Naples Airport is a gateway to the City of Naples, welcoming visitors to the Paradise Coast and offering residents a lifestyle without limits through private air travel. The Naples Airport supports nearly 850 local employees who help bring remote locations closer to home and provide local businesses with an expanded customer base. Since its founding in 1943 as a WWII Army Air Base, the Naples Airport has remained a committed partner of Naples and its communities for nearly 80 years.

Contact us for more information regarding airport operations: Visit our website at flynaples.com to learn more about our efforts to reduce the impact of aircraft noise.

If you have questions prior to making a home buying decision, please call us at (239) 643-0733.

We are proud to provide the region with critical public services such as: Collier County MedFlight

Collier Mosquito Control District

Collier County Sheriff

City of Naples Fire Station #3

Connect with us on social media to learn more: @naplesairport

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@naplesairportapf

Naples Airport Authority

9/15/22 11:33 AM

Coach Coach Homes Homes Starting in Starting in the the $400’s $400’s

New Inventory Available

Antilles Antilles

is is conceived conceived as as an an island island resort set off by its own richly resort set off by its own richly landscaped landscaped walls walls of of deep deep green green foliage.

Its setting is its centerpiece. foliage. Its setting is its centerpiece.

All All that that its its name name implies implies -- exotic, exotic, remote, unlike your everyday remote, unlike your everyday -- is is at at the heart of this community. the heart of this community.

AntillesNaples.com AntillesNaples.com

MODELS OPEN DAILY Monday Monday -- Saturday Saturday 10am-5pm 10am-5pm Sunday Sunday 12-5pm 12-5pm

239.691.4455 239.691.4455 155 155 Indies Indies Drive Drive East, East, Naples, Naples, FL FL 34114 34114

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

RELOCATION GUIDE C O L L I E R

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C O U N T I E S

Associate Publisher Meegan Wyatt EDITORIAL Editor Cathy Chestnut Executive Editor Mary Murray DESIGN Creative Director Olga M. Gustine Design Director Laurie Spector CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Libby McMillan Henson, Seth Soffian CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rick Betehem; Samantha Bloom; Michael Caronchi; Arnold Collens; John Eder; Dennis Goodman; Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau; Leif Johnson; Cathy Kunkle; Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau; Blaine Johnathan; Nicole Nixon; Lisa Pearson; Venjhamin Reyes; Daron Silva; Brian Tietz; Chris Tilley; Diana Tordorova ADVERTISING Account Manager Kathleen Beuttel, 239-298-7506, kbeuttel@naplesillustrated.com Advertising Services Coordinator Elizabeth Hackney PRODUCTION Production Director Selene M. Ceballo Production Manager Kayla Earle Digital Pre-Press Specialist George Davis Web Editor Abigail Duffy Production Coordinator Ileana Cabán Advertising Design Coordinators Anaely J. Perez Vargas, Jeffrey Rey OPERATIONS Chief Operating Officer Todd Schmidt IT Manager Keith Gonzalez Marketing Manager Rebecca Desir Circulation Manager Marjorie Leiva Logistics Manager Omar Morales Distribution Manager Judy Heflin Accounting Specialist Mary Beth Cook Accounts Receivable Specialist Ana Coronel Circulation Assistant Britney Stinson Group Publisher Terry Duffy Editorial Director Daphne Nikolopoulos SUBSCRIPTIONS 800-308-7346 In Memoriam Ronald J. Woods (1935-2013) HOUR MEDIA, LLC CEO Stefan Wanczyk | President John Balardo

Published by Palm Beach Media Group North P.O. Box 3344, Palm Beach, FL 33480 Telephone: 561.659.0210 • Fax: 561.659.1736 • www.palmbeachmedia.com Copyright 2022 Palm Beach Media Group North Inc. All rights reserved.

PUBLISHERS OF: Palm Beach Illustrated • Naples Illustrated • Fort Lauderdale Illustrated • Palm Beach Charity Register • Naples Charity Register Florida Design • Florida Design Naples • Florida Design Miami • Florida Design Sourcebook • Palm Beach Relocation Guide • Southwest Florida Relocation Guide Fifth Avenue South • The Jewel of Palm Beach: The Mar-a-Lago Club • Traditions: The Breakers • Palm Beach 100 • Naples 100 Art & Culture: Cultural Council for Palm Beach County • Pinnacle: Jupiter Medical Center Foundation • Waypoints: Naples Yacht Club Naples on the Gulf: Greater Naples Chamber • Jupiter • Stuart • Aventura • Vero Beach Magazine • Community Report: Collier Community Foundation Advances: Tampa General Hospital • Fisher Island Club Magazine • Naples Realtor: Naples Area Board of REALTORS Official XII FIP World Polo Championship Magazine 14

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Relocating Your Lifestyle WE ARE THE PREMIER CHOICE FOR MAKING YOUR NEXT MOVE OR VACATION SEAMLESS– JUST THE WAY YOU EXPECT. Expertise wherever you are and where you want to be. Buying, selling, or renting. We are committed to providing every lifestyle and exceptional customer services to ensure an extraordinary experience and smooth transition for individuals, families and companies during an exciting, yet challenging time. Even a temporary stay should leave a permanent impression.

RELOCATION SERVICES

RENTAL SERVICES

PremierSIRRelocation.com | Relocation@PremierSIR.com | 877.425.6001

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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ACCESS HEALTHLINE YOUR NEW PHYSICIAN IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY

If you are looking for a doctor close to home, want more information about our services, or have a question about NCH, call to speak with one of our representatives about the many healthcare options and physician choices that are here for you, only at the NCH Healthcare System.

Call us from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week at NCH-7777 (239-624-7777)

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INSPIRATION STARTS HERE!

AWARD-WINNING INTERIOR DESIGN | FINE FURNISHINGS NAPLES, FL | 2777 TAMIAMI TRAIL N | 239.261.HOME (4663) BOCA RATON, FL | 1351 NW BOCA RATON BLVD | 561.440.HOME (4663) SARASOTA, FL - NOW OPEN | 3055 FRUITVILLE COMMONS BLVD | 941.900.HOME (4663) CLIVEDANIEL.COM

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WELCOME TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

THE POWERFUL

CONNECTION

OF COMMUNITY

Y

ou’re reading this letter, so you are already one of the privileged individuals who calls Southwest Florida home or you are considering relocating to this ever-expanding community.

Ihave had the pleasure of growing up and raising my family here, interspersed by long stints away. There is a long list of reasons why I hold Southwest Florida close to my heart, and many of these special places and experiences are showcased in these pages.

What these pages don’t showcase is the powerful connection of community and resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in September 2022. The community has always come together during events such as hurricanes and the pandemic, emerging much stronger. Of this, I am certain. Hurricane Ian was a natural disaster of historic proportions, but rebuilding began as daylight dawned the next day. The rebuilding continues today, so please check with the venues listed in this issue to check their status. At press time, each had their own timelines and estimations for reopening.

Nonetheless, in these pages, you’ll find information that will help you decide where to live, shop, dine, and play; insight into local health care, education, and transportation; a detailed overview of Collier and Lee counties and incorporated cities; and a whole lot more.

If you want to get outdoors, Southwest Florida has you covered with unparalleled natural resources and world-class facilities.

(And we conveniently average more than 250

days of sunshine each year.) Beaches, golf, tennis and pickleball, sportfishing, watersports, biking, and hiking—we’re surrounded by unending opportunities, no matter where you live in the region.

Great schools—public and private, PreK to graduate—provide plenty of learning opportunities at every age. Housing options include starter homes, single-family homes in private communities, apartments and condos, and beachfront properties that fit a range of budgets, needs, and lifestyles.

Reading through this guide, it should become clear why so many people are choosing to plant roots in Southwest Florida.

Welcome home and settle in.

We’re glad you’re here.

Cathy Chestnut Editor

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Welcome to Paradise!

Relocation can be a challenging life transition. For over 40 years, the Ciccarelli Advisory Services team has been helping families, who have decided to make Florida their home, meet their lifelong financial goals.

Comprehensive Financial Planning | www.CasMoneyMatters.com 9601 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34108 | 239-262-6577 Investment advisory services offered through Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc., a registered investment advisor independent of FSC Securities Corporation.

Securities and additional investment advisory services offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor.

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WELCOME TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES

10

Interesting FACTS

EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES

MINNESOTA TWINS AT HAMMOND STADIUM

About Southwest Florida 1 3 Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León is credited as the first European to reach Florida in 1513. He returned in 1521 with two ships, 200 men, and cattle, landing along the Southwest Florida coast and releasing the cows into the scrubland. De León was fatally injured when the explorers were attacked by the native Calusa people in Southwest Florida; he died after fleeing to Cuba. The Spaniards’ abandoned, wild-roaming cattle drew resourceful settlers and became a vital export commodity following the Civil War.

2

Inventor Thomas Alva Edison bought a winter home in Fort Myers on the banks of the Caloosahatchee in 1885.

He publicly professed his love of the community, announcing: “There is only one Fort Myers in the

20

United States, and there are 90 million people who are going to find it out.”

Tourism in Collier and Lee counties is an economic powerhouse. More than 1.5 million visitors spent $1.7 billion in Collier County in 2021, supporting 21,800 jobs. In Lee County in 2021, 4.7 million visitors spent $3.7 billion, supporting one out of every six jobs.

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In 1923, Collier County was named for Barron Gift Collier, who at one time was reputed to be the largest landowner in the state. The New York City advertising mogul and real estate developer agreed to complete the construction of the Tamiami Trail (its name derived from its Tampa-to-Miami

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route) from Naples to Miami. Collier County was carved from Lee County and is the largest county in the state by geographical size.

5

Big-game sportfishing was born when William Halsey Wood landed a 93-pound tarpon (known as the “Silver King”) near

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LEE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU

Sanibel Island on March 25, 1885, with an ordinary rod and reel—news that traveled around the world and made the region the epicenter of the brand-new sport.

6

The top employers in Lee and Collier counties are the two primary health care providers: NCH Healthcare System with more than 7,000 employees and Lee Health with more than 13,500.

7

Since the 1990s, Southwest Florida has claimed the No. 1 spot in the nation for golf holes per capita. With some communities featuring two and, in some cases, three 18-hole courses, Collier and Lee counties boast more than a combined 150 courses.

8

Time-honored community traditions include the annual Swamp

Buggy Races held since 1918 in Collier County, where the unique vehicles were invented

for the rugged backcountry, and the Edison Festival of Light Parade in Fort Myers, which began in 1938 to honor Thomas Alva Edison. The Izaak Walton Tarpon Tournament was founded on Useppa Island circa 1908, and is the oldest tarpon tournament in the United States.

the Terry Park Ballfield stadium, east of Fort Myers, was built to host the Philadelphia Athletics in 1925.

9

For paddlers, Lee County’s Great Calusa Blueway encompasses 190 miles through three distinct regions of the Gulf of Mexico coast.

Collier County’s Paradise Coast Blueway paddling trail features six daytrips from Everglades City to the village of Goodland. The Everglades Waterway kayak and canoe trail is 99 miles long.

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Lee County is home to two Major League Baseball spring-training facilities and stadiums for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. Spring training has been at home in Southwest Florida since

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WELCOME TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS GET TO KNOW SOME OF OUR LOCAL NATIVES

BY CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

T

he Sunshine State is teeming with terrestrial, aquatic, and avian wildlife.

More than 130 native species are threatened or endangered—and many make their home in Southwest Florida. Whether they’re outgoing or shy, get to know a few of your neighbors’ “cool factors.”

occasionally seagrass and algae status: Threatened in Florida, endangered in other parts of the world Cool factor: Mature sea turtles return to

the beaches where they hatched to lay their eggs.

FLORIDA PANTHER LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE

scientific name:

scientific name:

adult

Caretta caretta 3 feet weight: 250 to 300 pounds lifespan: More than 50 years habitat: Temperate and tropical regions of the ocean diet: Fish, crustaceans, jellyfish, and adult size:

Puma concolor coryi size: 7 to 8 feet from the nose to tail

weight:

Up to 9-plus pounds, averaging about 5 pounds habitat: Upland forests, hardwood hammocks, Florida scrub diet: Small mammals, reptiles, amphibians status: Threatened Cool factor: This snake eats its prey live,

and hunts and consumes other snakes, including venomous ones. It is also the longest native snake in North America.

tip weight:

ROSEATE SPOONBILL

lifespan:

scientific name:

100 to 160 pounds 12 to 15 years habitat: Confined to Southwest Florida’s pinelands, hardwood hammocks, and mixed swamp forests diet: Deer, wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, snakes, alligators status: Endangered, with an estimated 120 to 230 panthers in Florida, making them one of the rarest and most endangered mammals in the world Cool factor: Panthers are strong swimmers.

They have a keen sense of smell and a 130-degree field of vision.

Platalea ajaja 2.5 to 3.5 feet, with a wingspan of 4.5 to 5 feet weight: Up to 4 pounds habitat: Shallow wetlands, marshes, bays, or swamps diet: Small fish, insects, small aquatic crustaceans status: Threatened, protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act Cool factor: Shortly after hatching, adult size:

spoonbill chick bills gradually flatten and develop into their iconic flared shape after a few weeks’ time.

EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE scientific name: adult size:

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Drymarchon couperi 6 to 8 feet long

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Be a Good Neighbor

RIVER OTTER scientific name:

Lontra canadensis adult size: 3 to 5 feet weight: 11 to 31 pounds lifespan: 10 years habitat: Rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds, and swamps diet: Fish, crayfish, turtles status: Native Cool factor: The tail comprises 40 percent

We all play a part in making sure these natives remain happy, healthy neighbors. Whether you are a long-time resident or first-time visitor, here are some tips for being a good neighbor.

of total body length and facilitates strong swimming skills. Otters can swim eight miles per hour and dive to depths of 36 feet. They are mostly nocturnal and live in burrows on the banks of fresh or brackish waterbodies.

• Leave nothing but footprints. A leading cause of harm to all creatures is

GOPHER TORTOISE

• Keep your eyes on the road. Observe safe speeds on the roads and on the

scientific name:

water to avoid unnecessary collisions with wildlife.

Gopherus polyphemus adult size: Up to 15 inches weight: 8 to 15 pounds lifespan: 40 to 60 years habitat: Well-drained, sandy soils found in habitats such as longleaf pine sandhills, oak hammocks, scrub, pine flatwoods, dry prairies, and coastal dunes diet: Low-growing plants, such as wiregrass, broadleaf grasses, gopher apple, and legumes status: Threatened Cool factor: The only tortoise naturally found

east of the Mississippi River, they spend up to 80 percent of their time in burrows that average 15 feet long and more than 6 feet deep. These burrows offer shelter for more than 350 other species.

plastic pollution. Bottle caps, ribbons, balloons, and monofilament fishing line commonly kill or maim birds, sea turtles, and marine mammals. (More than 700 pelicans die each year in Florida alone from entanglement in fishing gear.) Use less plastic and clean up litter, especially around waterways.

• Don’t feed wildlife. This causes animals, including alligators, to lose their fear of people, posing a threat to humans and domestic animals—and to the animals that are being fed.

• Take nothing but pictures. Florida has strict laws that prohibit the capturing, harming, or harassment of Florida’s native species, including live shells, sea stars, urchins, and sand dollars at the beach.

GET UP-CLOSE

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit environmental protection organization established in 1964. Learn about Southwest Florida’s ecosystems, plants, and wildlife at the Dalton Discovery Center. Rent kayaks, take an electric boat tour, and stroll through native ecosystems. See gopher tortoises at the Christopher B. Smith Preserve. Go behind the scenes at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. Find out more: conservancy.org.

SANDHILL CRANE scientific name: Antigone canadensis adult size: Approximately 4 feet adult size: 7 to 10 pounds habitat: Marshlands, wetlands, and open fields diet: Berries, seeds, small invertebrates Cool factor: The sandhill crane mates for life,

and pairs dance together to reinforce their bond.

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NATIVE LANDSCAPES FROM SWAMPS TO MANGROVE FORESTS, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S TERRAIN IS UNIQUE

OPEN-WATER SLOUGH

DENNIS GOODMAN

WELCOME TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

BY CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

T

o newcomers, Southwest Florida’s topography might seem flat and unchanging, but don’t let its subtleties fool you.

Changes in elevation coupled with rainfall create distinct habitats that are home to a web of life for native wildlife and a wondrous spectrum of flora. You are likely quite familiar with the beach and coastal areas, so here’s a primer on the other natural habitats you will encounter as you explore these sometimes hardy, and sometimes fragile, lands.

hardwood hammocks are found along both coasts of South Florida, and throughout the Everglades and Florida Keys. Hammocks are also called “tree islands” because they rise from wet, low-lying areas. Oaks, sweetgum, hickories—more than 120 species of tropical plants—provide cool and shady refuge for deer

HARDWOOD HAMMOCKS: Tropical

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PINE UPLANDS

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CYPRESS SWAMPS: These swamps experience seasonal changes in water levels that fluctuate during wet and dry months. Elevations determine hydroperiods—how long soils are saturated or flooded. Many species have adapted

LEIF JOHNSON

PINE UPLANDS: This habitat is high in elevation, at least for Southwest Florida. A few inches in elevation can make a big difference, and this elevation allows for pine forests, which are high and dry areas dominated by needle-leafed slash pine. The trees get their name from the early settlers who “slashed” the bark of the pines and collected their sap to make turpentine and rosin.

and other wildlife during hot summer months.

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DENNIS GOODMAN

to live in this variable habitat, such as the predominant cypress tree. Their knees (aboveground extensions of their roots) and their buttresses (wide fluted bases) provide stability in the soft, organic soils and increase surface area for gas exchange. Cypress trees are deciduous conifers; they lose all their needles in the fall and winter.

THE EVERGLADES: WORLDS APART “There are no other Everglades in the world. They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth; remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them.”

—Marjory Stoneman Douglas The Everglades region—a vast, nearly flat, seabed that was submerged at the end of the last Ice Age—is so unique that it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Here’s why, according to these excerpts from the official statement of its significance: Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness reserve on the North American continent. Its juncture at the interface of temperate and subtropical America, fresh and brackish water, shallow bays and deeper coastal waters creates a complex of habitats supporting a high diversity of flora and fauna. It contains the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere, the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie, and the most significant breeding ground for wading birds in North America.

The Everglades contains vast subtropical wetlands and coastal/marine ecosystems including freshwater marshes, tropical hardwood hammocks, pine rocklands, extensive mangrove forests, saltwater marshes, and seagrass ecosystems important to commercial and recreational fisheries. The mixture of subtropical and temperate wildlife species is found nowhere else in the United States.

Everglades National Park provides refuge for more than 20 rare, endangered, and threatened species (including the Florida panther, snail kite, alligator, crocodile, and manatee). It provides important foraging and breeding habitat for more than 400 species of birds, includes the most significant breeding grounds for wading birds in North America, and is a major corridor for migration.

MANGROVE FORESTS: Mangroves play a unique and important role in Southwest Florida’s ecosystem. Red mangroves ring coastal estuaries. Their intricate root systems act as a nursery for many small fish, crustaceans, shellfish, and other marine life during their earliest stages of life. They also provide shelter and nutrients for wading birds and land creatures and protect the coastline from storm-driven waves.

MANGROVE FOREST

SAWGRASS MARSHES: These grassy, freshwater wetlands allow for water to move from north to south, making its way from Lake Okeechobee into Florida Bay. Grasses and sedges grow in these important habitats for amphibians. Sawgrass is a sedge with “teeth” lining the edges of its leaves. Marshes provide a protected haven for alligators, otters, apple snails, dragonflies, and wading birds to nest and raise their young.

OPEN-WATER SLOUGHS: Sloughs (pronounced SLOOs) are deep marsh habitats that are slow-moving paths of freshwater utilized by many species, sometimes as a travel corridor. This environment is active with wildlife because it remains wet year-round.

Sloughs shed floodwaters and improve the quality of the water as it makes its way into the estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Bay.

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WELCOME WELCOME TO TO SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FLORIDA

MADE IN PARADISE

SUN HARVEST CITRUS

What says “Southwest Florida” to you? For a locally crafted piece of paradise to share with your northern pals (or to keep for yourself), consider a souvenir or culinary delight made in Southwest Florida.

CONGRESS JEWELERS SEALIFE COLLECTION No doubt you have found yourself doing the “Sanibel stoop,” bent at the waist as you eagerly survey the shell-strewn shoreline. Congress Jewelers on Sanibel Island has captured these memories in its proprietary, hand-crafted “Sealife” collection, which includes pendants of a map of the island, Sanibel Lighthouse, and a 14-karat gold bucket with a diamond-studded hand shovel. (congressjewelers.com) EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES SHOPPE This high-profile landmark in Fort Myers has a unique on-site gift shop with so many one-ofa-kind offerings that it also has an off-site store in the Edison Mall called Edison Ford Shoppe. Both retail locations have an extensive book selection, Edison and Ford memorabilia, kids’ games, and various styles of artwork and small furniture pieces reflecting the local environment created by area artists. (edisonfordwinterestates.org)

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FORT MYERS BREWING COMPANY There are several award-winning breweries in the region, but Fort Myers Brewing Company was the first to open in Lee County in 2013 and it continues to lead Southwest Florida’s surging craft beer movement. Fort Myers Brewing creates a signature line of flagship beers in addition to seasonal brews and small-batch specialties. Its ales, pilsners, stouts, and IPAs have won prestigious awards.

Its beers are poured and sold at hundreds of bars, restaurants, and retail outlets, including Publix and Total Wine. Fort Myers Brewing’s 40,000-square-foot Gateway facility includes a tasting hall, event space, beer garden, and foodtruck zone. It offers tours and regular events. ( fmbrew.com) FRESH CITRUS & REGIONAL FLAVORS Of course, you can find fresh citrus and orange juice around these parts. Here are two places where you can pick up a bag of vitamin-C goodness or have it shipped north: – FALL 2022

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In Lee County, grab a couple of gallons of fresh-squeezed orange juice and citrus goodies at Sun Harvest Citrus in Fort Myers. Learn the difference between honeybell, Valencia, and temple oranges and order gift baskets brimming with red grapefruit, mandarins, or tangelos.

Sun Harvest also sells smoothies, orange blossom honey, Key lime cookies, Florida jellies and marmalades, and other regional delights. (sunharvestcitrus.com) In Collier County, South Naples Citrus Grove is the go-to for Key lime pie, citrus candy, and bags of fresh-picked oranges and grapefruits. The farmstand, established in 1978, is stocked with seasonal delights, including ruby red, pink, star grapefruit, honeybells, sugarbells, navels, honey tangerines, and Orlando tangelos.

Find fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juices, gift baskets, swirled orange and vanilla soft-serve ice cream, jams, marmalades, and candies. (naplescitrus.com)

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WELCOME TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

GATOR HAMMOCK SAUCES & RUBS If you like to crank up the heat, pick up one of Gator Hammock’s sauces, rubs, or mustards.

The first in the line of products, Gator Sauce, launched in 1989. The Felda-based company’s growing line of handmade, all-natural condiments have been applauded by the Fiery Food Industry and featured on the Food Network.

Gator Sauce, a blend of peppers, garlic, vinegar, and other spices, is sold in local grocery stores and utilized at are restaurants. Other condiments include Cooter Rubb, Swamp Mustard, Swamp Gator, Bull Gator, Gator Sprinkle, Lethal Gator, and Sawgrass Boil. (gatorhammock.com)

in Florida. Find therapeutic bath bombs, allergen-free parfum, loofah soaps, body scrubs, and shampoo and conditioner bars at its coastal-themed shops in Estero, Naples, Fort Myers, and Sanibel Island. (naplessoap.com) NORMAN LOVE CONFECTIONS If you’re a chocolate connoisseur, you already know the name Norman Love. Since Norman Love Confections began crafting fine chocolates in Southwest Florida in 2001, the award-win-

KRISTI’S KEY LIME COOKIES Gourmet, handcrafted Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies are vanilla cookies smothered with a decadent Key lime, preservative-free topping and baked to order. All new: Kristi’s Orange Cookies. With a three-week shelf life, these kosher treats are popular as wedding favors and corporate gifts.

They are sold at local attractions, resorts, and boutique food stores, including Seed to Table and Three60 Market. (kristiskeylimecookies.com)

gerine barbecue sauces, habanero and serrano hot sauces, and salsas. Best of all, profits are donated to local charities. (tasteofimmokalee. com) WICKED DOLPHIN Since 2012, Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery in Cape Coral has been pulling in awards for its ever-growing line of rums—black, silver, gold, premium, spiced, and flavored. The distillery’s rums are made with Florida sugar and local ingredients. Handcrafted in small batches in an American copper-pot still, the rum is aged in white-oak barrels once used for premium Kentucky bourbon. The 100-proof RumShine infuses fresh fruits—apple, strawberry, and blueberry— picked at their peak of ripeness and comes in a Mason-style jar, imparting the spirit of moonshining in the ‘Glades frontier.

You can find Wicked Dolphin in restaurants, bars, resorts, and liquor stores throughout Southwest Florida, and also take a free tour of the distillery. (wickeddolphinrum.com)

NORMAN LOVE CONFECTIONS

ning, Fort Myers–based chocolatier has been lauded more than a dozen times by a leading consumer ratings magazine. Forbes.com named Love’s truffles among the top 10 nationwide.

Norman Love has chocolate salons in Fort Myers, Estero, and Naples, and a pastry shop and café at Whole Foods Markets in Fort Myers and Naples. (normanloveconfections.com)

NAPLES SOAP COMPANY

NAPLES SOAP COMPANY After struggling with eczema and psoriasis, Naples Soap Company Founder/CEO Deanna Wallin set out to find effective skincare solutions. In 2009, she opened Naples Soap Company in Naples’ Tin City to sell her all-natural skin care products free of preservatives and other commercial additives. Today, Naples Soap Company operates several retail stores 28

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TASTE OF IMMOKALEE Immokalee High School students launched Taste of Immokalee as a social enterprise in 2014 to learn entrepreneurship and gain realworld skills. They developed family recipes spotlighting Immokalee’s crops and cultures, while learning about food science, marketing, financing and accounting, operations, inventory control, and public speaking. Today, its line of products is sold at Publix stores and small, organic grocers throughout Collier County.

Taste of Immokalee has partnered with Lipman Produce to incorporate local, field-grown tomatoes into its chipotle and mandarin-tan– FALL 2022

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WING AND A PRAYER BY MEGAN KISSINGER

TOWER GALLERY Tower Gallery on Sanibel Island is an artists’ cooperative consisting of two dozen artists in two-dimensional and three-dimensional mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography, ceramic, wood, glass and metal.

The gallery was founded in 1982 and features the work of popular regional artists—and some you won’t find anywhere else. (towergallery.net)

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Visit the Dalton Discovery Center and the John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing.

Learn more at conservancy.org.

1 4 9 5 S m i t h P r e s e r v e W a y , N a p l e s , F L 3 4 1 0 2 • 2 3 9 . 2 6 2 . 0 3 0 4 • w w w. c o n s e r v a n c y . o r g

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DIVERSITY T

here’s a modern misconception that Southwest Florida’s economy is “a three-legged stool” propped up by tourism, agriculture, and construction.

While that held true for a long time, it’s no longer the case. And that’s great news.

The five-county region’s economy is a dynamic and evolving engine fueled by a labor force of 590,063, according to the 2020 Workforce Now study, created by the Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) at Florida Gulf Coast University Lutgert College of Business in partnership with Hodges University and Florida SouthWestern State College.

The Southwest Florida region is made up of Charlotte, Collier, Glades Hendry, and Lee counties. The five largest industries by employment are: retail trade, accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, construction, and administrative and waste services, according to the report.

Diversifying market sectors is the name of the game in economic development to build a robust, sustainable economy—a grueling lesson learned during cyclical booms and busts—so regions aren’t dependent on a few industries.

There are several forces shaping the makeup of the local economy—importantly, a steady population increase. The region’s population growth has exceeded the state’s growth by 16.9 percent since 2010. Since 1990, Collier County’s compounded population growth average was 3.2 percent per year and Lee County’s grew by 2.8 percent annually. These rates are expected to consis-

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AS THE REGION’S ECONOMY DIVERSIFIES, LOCAL LEADERS ARE EMBRACING EDUCATION, WORKFORCE TRAINING, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND REGIONAL COLLABORATIONS TO LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE ECONOMY AND CAREERS— FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

tently gain at least 1.2 percent annually in Collier County and 1.4 percent in Lee County through 2045, according to the RERI. The simple math: More people create higher demand across the board in all sectors.

“Population growth has been a strong driver of wealth for the region, creating the need for housing, recreation, and services,” reports Workforce Now. According to the RERI’s 2020 Southwest Florida Economic Almanac Series, the four fastest-growing in industries by percentage increase from 2012 to 2019 were: construction (91.8 percent), accommodation and food services (34.1 percent), administrative and waste services (40.9 percent), and health care and social assistance (26.7 percent).

Local leaders, however, aren’t simply relying on population growth to ensure economic expansion. A host of impressive measures are underway for meeting the needs of today’s economic landscape, while simultaneously planning for tomorrow’s market demands and diversifying employment opportunities.

EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING Regionally, a significant emphasis has been placed on education. Southwest Florida’s community leaders understand that graduating high school seniors need to have a vision for their futures and ways to achieve those goals—learning a trade, starting a business, joining the military, or heading off to college. Academic success that results in obtaining a high school diploma

– FALL 2022

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and earning an industry certificate or higher degree begins when little ones entering kindergarten are ready to learn their ABC’s and 1, 2, 3’s.

These are two great examples of “cradleto-career pathway” collaborations focused on creating a skilled and sustainable workforce pipeline:

• Future Ready Collier, made up of 60 learning partners, is aiming to ensure that every child is prepared to enter kindergarten—the start of their academic journey—on strong footing, and that each high school senior graduates with a clear college or career path. The initiative, coordinated

by Champions For Learning—Education Foundation of Collier County, is working on several fronts to determine educational gaps and gains throughout the expansive county.

(Learn more: futurereadycollier.org) • The FutureMakers Coalition, spearheaded

by Collaboratory, a local community foundation, aims to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees, professional certificates, industry certifications, and other high-quality credentials from the current 27 percent to 55 percent by 2025. The coalition encompasses Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties.

FutureMakers was formed in 2015 as part of the Southwest Florida region’s inclusion in Lumina Foundation’s Community Partners for Attainment, a program of 75 community cohorts throughout the country working

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IN THIS SECTION

Economic Overview Chambers of Commerce Business Associations Networking Resources Top Employers

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

toward the same goal. It was one of 26 Talent Hubs nationwide by the Lumina Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. The coalition has grown to include 300 participants representing business, education, government, nonprofits, philanthropy, residents, and students. Future Ready Collier is the Collier partner for the coalition.

“Our target population includes traditional-age students who are facing significant

barriers to education beyond high school, adults with no education beyond high school, and adults who started a degree or certificate program but never finished,” according to the coalition. “Post-high school education enhances social mobility and quality of life.” (Learn more: futuremakerscoalition.com)

LOCAL INITIATIVES Other highlights of local leaders working

together to diversify and expand the local economy in Collier and Lee counties include:

• The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and its partnerships with regional, state, and national organizations focus on business retention, expansion, attraction, talent development, and relocation. The chamber collaborates with government agencies, foundations, schools, and businesses on key issues shaping the local

COLLIER COUNTY Greater Naples

2390 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 210, Naples

239-262-6376

napleschamber.org

Marco Island

1102 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island

239-394-7549

marcoislandchamber.org

Boca Grande Area

471 Park Ave., Ste. 3, Boca Grande

941-964-0568

bocagrandechamber.com

Cape Coral

2051 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral

239-549-6900

capecoralchamber.com

Estero

10600 Chevrolet Way, Estero

239-948-7990

esterochamber.org

Fort Myers Beach

2450 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach

239-454-7500

fortmyersbeach.org

Greater Fort Myers

2310 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers

239-332-3624

fortmyers.org

Islands of Sanibel & Captiva

1159 Causeway Road, Sanibel Island

239-472-1080

sanibel-captiva.org

Lehigh Acres

25 Homestead Road N., #41, Lehigh Acres

239-369-3322

lehighacreschamber.org

North Fort Myers

2787 N. Tamiami Trail, #10,

239-997-9111

nfmchamber.org

239-283-0888

pineislandchamber.org

LEE COUNTY

North Fort Myers Pine Island

8336 Stringfellow Road, St. James City

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Above Board Chamber of Florida

4540 S Landings Drive, Fort Myers

239-910-7426

aboveboardchamber.com

Chamber of Southwest Florida

5621 Banner Drive, Fort Myers

239-887-0319

chamberswfl.com

SWFL, Inc.

25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive,

239-992-2943

swflinc.com

P.O. Box 2094, Fort Myers

800-967-7750

swflhcc.org

Southwest Florida Hispanic

1217 Cape Coral Parkway E., Ste. 160,

239-418-1441

hispanicchamberflorida.org

Chamber of Commerce

Cape Coral

Bonita Springs Southwest Florida Harmony Chamber of Commerce

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– FALL 2022

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS & NETWORKING GROUPS COLLIER COUNTY

economy, and cultivates future community leaders through the Leadership Collier Foundation. (Learn more: napleschamber.org)

NETWORKING Leadership Collier Foundation

napleschamber.org

Naples Newcomers Club

naplesnewcomers.com

Wake Up Naples

napleschamber.org

Young Professionals of Naples

ypnaples.com

• Both counties have economic development offices that oversee incentive programs to draw in new companies, encourage local business expansions, and foster entrepreneurship. Cape Coral is the only city in Southwest Florida with a dedicated economic development department.

(Learn more: capecoral.net/edo) • The Collier County Office of Business and Economic Development manages the Florida Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee, a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen open to a membership base. Depending on the membership level, members may select from a range of customized hours and plans to prepare, cook, and package their culinary creations for distribution. (Learn more: collieredo.org)

ENTREPENEURSHIP 1 Million Cups Naples

1millioncups.com/naples

SCORE Naples

naples.score.org

WOMEN'S GROUPS American Association of University

• In addition to expanding the local economy, the Lee County Economic Development Office is focused on bolstering the communities of North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor. (Learn more: leecountybusiness.com)

greaternaples-fl.aauw.net

Women Greater Naples Branch American Business Women’s

abwaneapolitan.org

Association Neapolitan Chapter Naples Junior Woman’s Club

naplesjuniors.com

Naples Woman's Club

napleswomansclub.org

The League Club

leagueclub.org

Women’s Council of Realtors -

wcr.org

• Leadership programs allow professionals and rising entrepreneurs to gain a deeper understanding of Southwest Florida’s challenges and opportunities while honing their community leadership skills. Selected participants take part in a proactive series of retreats, seminars, and site visits to learn about government agencies, law enforcement, health care, social services, and the environment. These popular, long-running programs—such as Leadership Lee County and Leadership Collier—are offered through local chamber of commerce organizations. Often, participants go on to serve on local nonprofit boards and in elected positions.

Naples on the Gulf Chapter Women’s Network of Collier County

wnocc.org

Zonta Club of Naples

zonta-naples.org

Women of the (239)

womenofthe239.com

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– FALL 2022

• A new one-cent sales tax increase in Collier County will raise approximately $490 million for a variety of projects that will enhance the quality of life in the Naples area. |

WINTER 2023

11/3/22 2:51 PM

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MARCO ISLAND 531 Bald Eagle Dr. Marco Island, FL

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(239) 732-0044 | WWW.SKINWELLNESSFLORIDA.COM Voted Best Dermatologist

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS & NETWORKING GROUPS LEE COUNTY NETWORKING

Projects include expediting new roads and parks, expanding mental health and addiction services, and building a workforce training space. Collier voters approved the referendum in 2018; it went into effect in January 2019. The surtax is active for seven years. (Learn more: collieronecenttax.com)

• Since 1991, the public-private Horizon Council has advised

the Lee County Board of Commissioners on economic development issues. The council has up to 80 members representing cities; chambers of commerce; economic development and trade organizations; community, business, and education organizations; and at-large members. Its mission is to improve Lee County’s business environment, retain and encourage the expansion of existing businesses, and attract new and diversified employers. (Learn more: leecountybusiness.com)

Bonita Springs Newcomers Club

bonitaspringsnewcomersclub.com

Estero Newcomers Club

esteronewcomers.com

Leadership Lee County

leadershipleecounty.org

New Resident Club of Cape Coral

capecoralnewresident.com

ENTREPRENEURSHIP SCORE Southwest Florida

southwestflorida.score.org

WOMEN’S GROUPS

• In 2021, Florida Gulf Coast University opened the FGCU

Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, which earned a national award for its innovative model of entrepreneurship education by teaching it across all academic disciplines. (Learn more: fgcu.edu/soe)

Fort Myers Woman's Community Club

fmwcc.net

Junior League of Fort Myers

jlfm.org

Women's Council of Realtors -

wcr.org

Cape Coral-Fort Myers

• Numerous organizations provide free and low-cost professional support, such as the Florida Small Business Development Center at FGCU (fsbdcswfl.org), nonprofit SCORE chapters, and the Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute.

(Learn more: goodwillswfl.org/microenterprise)

Women in Business

leecountybusiness.com

Zonta Club of Bonita Springs-Estero

zontabonitasprings.com

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

• The Lee County Industrial Development Authority is a sevenmember board appointed by the Lee County Commissioners that encourages manufacturing companies to utilize Industrial Development Revenue Bonds to finance projects. (Learn more: leecoida.com)

NETWORKING Commercial Real Estate Women

• The SWFL Regional Technology Partnership is a nonprofit membership organization working to promote and expand the technology sector in the five-county region through educational seminars and forums. (Learn more: swfrtp.org)

(CREW) Naples/Fort Myers

crewswfl.com

SWFL, Inc.

swflinc.com

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Small Business Development

If variety is the spice of life, then a diverse economy is the key to developing healthy, growing, and vibrant communities— and that variety is a vital ingredient fueling Southwest Florida’s long-term success.

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– FALL 2022

fsbdcswfl.org

Center @ FGCU Southwest Florida Enterprise Center

|

cityftmyers.com

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11/1/22 2:44 PM

New to Town?

LET’S TALK TRASH...

AND RECYCLING WHAT YOU CAN RECYCLE IN COLLIER COUNTY

Plastic bottles, jars, jugs and tubs

Metal cans

Glass bottles and jars

Paper, cardboard and cartons

What goes in your cart must be clean, dry and loose. No plastic bags.

CURBSIDE SERVICES

DISPOSE OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS

Scan our code to find out what day your services are.

Safely dispose of paint, batteries, electronics and more at a Drop-Off Center near you Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

• Twice-a-week garbage collection • Once-a-week recycling collection • Once-a-week yard waste collection • Once-a-week bulky item collection (appliances, electronics, furniture) Call (239) 252-2380, 48 hours prior to schedule

• Naples • Marco Island

• Northeast Collier – Tim Nance Center

Preparations and Guidelines to follow: • There will be no curbside services on Fourth of July, Thanksgiving or Christmas Day • Set your carts out before 6 a.m. on collection day and remove before 6 a.m. on the day after collection • Place your carts at least three feet from each other and from other obstacles like mailboxes

MORE TRASH TALK HERE

• North Collier Most items are accepted free of charge. For a full list of accepted material and rates, visit colliercountyfl.gov/dispose

PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASON Visit colliercountyfl.gov/hurricaneprep to learn how you can prepare for a storm

colliercountyfl.gov/solidwaste

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

ARTHREX

ARTHREX

TOP EMPLOYERS

GET TO KNOW SOME OF THE BIGGEST PLAYERS IN COLLIER AND LEE COUNTIES

J

ob seekers may naturally check out some of the largest employers in the region because they offer positions that fit all ranges of experience and skill level. The following are some of the largest employers based in Collier and Lee counties.

Some of the biggies are not included in this list: the federal government and national and regional retailers and chains, such as Home Depot, Walmart, and Publix Supermarkets.

Here, as in many places, local government, including school districts, as well as health-care systems are the largest employers.

As a side note, in Southwest Florida, November through April is prime time for tourists and returning seasonal residents, so many resorts, restaurants, and shops beef up staff temporarily to meet the fluctuating seasonal demand. Here are some of the region’s biggest employers listed in alphabetic order, not size of workforce.

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COLLIER COUNTY

5050 Ave Maria Blvd., Ave Maria 239-280-2500 • avemaria.edu

ARTHREX

Ave Maria University is a Catholic, liberal

1370 Creekside Blvd., Naples

arts institution of higher learning located in

800-933-7001 • arthrex.com

the town of Ave Maria in east Collier County.

This global medical device company is a leader

Founded by Thomas S. Monaghan, who also

in new product development and pioneered

founded Domino’s Pizza and the Ave Maria

the field of arthroscopy and sports medicine.

School of Law, it is an affordable university that

Arthrex’s global headquarters is in Naples, with

is service-oriented and offers 33 degrees.

worksites in Ave Maria, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers. To date, Arthrex has developed

GREY OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

more than 14,000 surgical devices and related

2400 Grey Oaks Drive N., Naples

procedures used in more than 150 countries.

239-262-5550 • greyoakscc.com

Arthrex is a privately held company; more than

Grey Oaks Country Club is a luxury, resort-style

3,000 of its 6,000 global employees are based

community with exclusive social opportu-

in Collier County. It has consistently ranked

nities, three championship golf courses, a

among Fortune’s “Top 100 Best Companies to

30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art wellness

Work For.”

center, three dining venues, two clubhouses,

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AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY

tennis, pickleball, bocce, and a resort-style pool.

– FALL 2022

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PHYSICIAN’S REGIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS)

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL marriott.com The international hotel chain has three luxury

8300 Collier Blvd., Naples • 239-354-6000 physiciansregional.com Physicians Regional Healthcare System has two hospitals and several multi-specialty clinics that provide quality care for Collier County residents and visitors. With more than 1,200 employees, it is one of the largest employers in Southwest Florida, and offers opportunities for professional advancement.

resort properties in Collier County—The RitzCarlton, Naples, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, and JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort—in addition to three other properties.

MOORINGS PARK 120 Moorings Park Drive, Naples 239-643-9111 • mooringspark.org Moorings Park originated with the members of Moorings Presbyterian Church in 1977 as

SEMINOLE CASINO HOTEL IMMOKALEE

a nonprofit corporation designed to create a

506 S. First St., Immokalee • 239-658-1313 seminoleimmokaleecasino.com The Seminole Casino Hotel is one of seven casinos owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Opened in 1994, the Immokalee

nondenominational community where retirees

could enjoy a secure, comprehensive residential and health-care program. With three local campuses, Moorings Park offers luxurious residences with upscale and casual dining, comprehensive physician services, state-of-the art fitness centers, and social activities.

casino is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming destination, offering more than 1,300 slot machines and 38 live table games, concerts and entertainment acts, 19 suites, and 80 deluxe rooms.

STOCK DEVELOPMENT 2639 Professional Circle, Ste. 101, Naples 239 592-7344 • stockdevelopment.com Stock Development is a diversified real estate company celebrating close to 20 years in Southwest Florida. The family-owned company is a local leader in the development, construction, ownership, and management of high-quality real estate. It is a full-service real estate company focused on high-end, singlefamily residences, commercial properties, and the luxury apartment sector.

NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM 350 Seventh St. N., Naples 239-624-5000 • nchmd.org The NCH Healthcare System is an alliance of more than 237 board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, and 7,017 employees with two hospitals and 35 medical locations in Collier County and Bonita Springs.

NCH is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

925 New Harvest Road, Immokalee 239-592-9024 • oakesfarms.com Oakes Farms is one of the largest independently owned agribusiness operations in South Florida.

Oakes Farms’ diversified portfolio of services include farming, packing, shipping, and seafood aquaponics, and food service and retail markets Oakes Farms Market, Food & Thought, and Seed to Table.

BARRON COLLIER COMPANIES

OAKES FARMS

AVE MARIA TOWN CENTER

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

VI AT BENTLEY VILLAGE (VI LIVING) 850 Retreat Drive, Naples 239-431-2100 • viliving.com Vi at Bentley Village is a 156-acre continuing care retirement community featuring a par-3 golf course and exceptional amenities. Vi operates 10 communities across the United States where residents enjoy stylish apartments, world-class cuisine, and varied lifestyle programming. Vi Living locations are recognized as a “Great Place to Work” by Fortune magazine, and it is named among Glassdoor’s “100 Best Companies” for employment.

OTHER MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN COLLIER COUNTY

COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT 3301 Tamiami Trail E., Naples 239-252-8999 • colliercountyfl.gov

ALICO, INC. COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples • 239-377-0001 collierschools.com

COLLIER HEALTH SERVICES (HEALTHCARE NETWORK) 1454 Madison Ave. W., Immokalee 239-658-3000 • healthcareswfl.org

365 Fifth Ave. S., Naples 239-932-7470 • getbest.com

475 Seagate Drive, Naples 239-227 2182 • naplesgrande.com

PELICAN BAY FOUNDATION CITY OF NAPLES 735 Eighth Street S., Naples 239-213-1000 • naplesgov.com

10070 Daniels Interstate Court, Ste. 100, Fort Myers • 239-226-2000 • alicoinc.com Alico Inc. (NASDAQ: ALCO) is an agribusiness company with citrus and land conservation its principal lines of business. The company owns approximately 103,000 acres of land across eight Florida counties. Headquartered in Lee County with more than 250 employees, it is one of the largest citrus growers in the U.S.

CONDITIONED AIR 3786 Mercantile Ave., Naples 239-643-2445 • conditionedair.com

NAPLES GRANDE BEACH RESORT BEST HOME SERVICES

LEE COUNTY

6251 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples 239-596-6180 • pelicanbay.org

CHICO’S FAS 11215 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers 239-277-6200 • chicosfas.com Through three brands—Chico’s, White House Black Market, and Soma—Chico’s FAS (NYSE: CHS) is a specialty retailer of apparel, accessories, and lifestyle products for women 30 years and older. The brand was founded in 1983 as a boutique on Sanibel Island. Its corporate headquarters is located on an award-winning, 24-acre campus. Chico’s FAS was recognized among the 2020 “Best Employers for Diversity” by Forbes magazine. The company operates 1,286 stores, and has sold online since 1999.

THE RITZ-CARLTON GOLF RESORT, NAPLES

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LEGACY PLANNING REQUIRES CHARACTER AND COMMITMENT

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Bethany Spurlock, Tara Lowman, Craig White, Judy Lowman, Caleb Lowman, Ben Lane, Glen Rauch, Jessica Luchan, Dawn Salerno

investment planning and properly managing

and become the beacon for future generations

specialized expertise in developing

inherited wealth. They are deeply committed to

to follow. You can be confident that your best

comprehensive, results-focused financial

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interest is their top priority when you become a

strategies designed to enable clients to

informed financial decisions, while also assisting

client of Lighthouse Wealth Management, which

successfully protect, grow, and transfer their

them in achieving the long-term goals you have

holds themselves to the highest standard of client

wealth from generation to generation. They

in place.

care and act in your sole interest in the work

Lighthouse Wealth Management offers

see clients as families, and this perspective

As experienced wealth advisors, the team

they perform on your behalf. Their team prefers

allows the team to provide planning and wealth

focuses on alleviating clients’ concerns about their

to engage in advisory relationships, so their

management in a true multigenerational format,

finances and taking the emotion out of investing

compensation is directly tied to the performance

with the client’s legacy as the central focus.

by putting an investment plan in place to keep

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Their multigenerational wealth planning

them from overreacting during periods of market

Lighthouse Wealth Management believes it is

approach builds relationships with your family

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to help with understanding the challenges of

build legacy plans that bridge generation gaps

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“ T O B E A B E A C O N I N T H E S T O R M Y O U H A V E T O S TA N D A B O V E T H E W A V E S . ”

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Lighthouse Wealth Management and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network are not legal or tax advisors. However, we will be glad to work with you, your accountant, tax advisor and or attorney to help you meet your financial goals.

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC(WFAFN), Member SIPC. Lighthouse Wealth Management, LLC, is a separate entity from WFAFN. ADVERTISEMENT

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers 239-590-1000 • fgcu.edu Florida Gulf Coast University opened its doors as the state’s tenth four-year university in 1997.

The 800-acre campus east of I-75 in Estero is home to six colleges with an enrollment of 15,000 students annually and more than 3,400 employees. Half of the campus—400 acres—is restored or preserved natural habitats.

FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN STATE COLLEGE 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers 239-489-9300 • fsw.edu The main campus of Florida SouthWestern (FSW) is in Fort Myers in Lee County, with satellite campuses in Charlotte and Collier counties and outreach programs in Hendry and Glades counties. It has an enrollment of 16,576 in 45 academic programs and employs a staff of more than 1,440.

FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY

campus is its largest to date and employs 1,200 people. Gartner provides technology research to senior executives with business-specific insights, tools, and advice. It offers high-wage jobs exceeding averages for the region and was named as one of Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers 2019” and “America’s Best Employers For Diversity 2020.”

operation since 1989 and is part of the nonprofit, faith-based Volunteers of America. Gulf Coast Village is the only provider of its kind that offers Seniors Choice at Home, a program that enables seniors to age in place at home. It is rapidly growing with projections to have a combined 982 units and 750 employees as it expands into Fort Myers and Estero.

GARTNER, INC.

GULF COAST VILLAGE

HOPE HOSPICE

12651 Gateway Blvd., Fort Myers 800-213-4848 / 239-561-4000 • gartner.com Gartner is the world’s leading research and advisory company, with more than 16,000 client organizations and 120 offices. Its Fort Myers

1333 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral 239-772-1333 • gulfcoastvillage.com Gulf Coast Village is a large continuing care community providing a range of expertly delivered health care options. It has been in

9470 HealthPark Circle - Fort Myers 855-454-3104 • hopehospice.org Hope Healthcare is a nonprofit, comprehensive home health-care system nationally recognized as a leader in providing high-quality, innovative care. Serving Southwest Florida for more than 30 years, Hope Hospice cares for more than 4,000 individuals a day through a variety of programs at its locations in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, and Glades counties.

LEESAR/COOPERATIVE SERVICES OF FLORIDA (CSF) 2727 Winkler Ave., Fort Myers 239-939-8800 • leesar.com LeeSar is a health-care supply-chain service provider utilizing innovative technology and processing solutions to cover a range of services, including surgical, medical, pharmaceutical, sterilization, and culinary. It started in 1998 as a partnership between Lee Heath and Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System and services health systems in four Florida counties. LeeSar

GARTNER, INC.

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PORSCHE NAPLES—NO. 1 AGAIN!

WINNER OF THE PORSCHE PREMIER DEALER AWARD

As one of only 25 Porsche dealerships to receive this prestigious award, Porsche Naples is once again proud and humbled to be recognized as the No. 1 Premier Porsche Dealer in the nation.

But what does this top-ranked status mean to you, our clients?

It means that our entire staff—from sales to

highest performance among their peers in brand utilization and product representation.

Porsche Naples provides white-glove service

As a part of the Naples community, Porsche Naples is committed to giving back by working with several local organizations and charities to

which grants buyers a unique and unforgettable

strengthen and sustain the community. You can

experience over the lifetime of their purchase,

find members of the Porsche Naples team around

whether that be new or certified pre-owned.

town at local events and outings spreading the

The privileges of being a Porsche Naples

true meaning of “Porsche passion.”

service to the front desk—is dedicated to your

Preferred Client include unlimited complimentary

complete satisfaction in your Porsche Naples

inspections, a state-of-the-art detail facility

Dealer—a testament to our commitment to you, the

experience, from the moment you walk in our door.

that offers unlimited full-service car washes,

community, and the brand we so proudly represent.

To earn this highly prestigious award, a

complimentary valet parking at several upscale

We are honored to be a Porsche Premier

Congratulations once again to our entire team

Porsche dealership must fully embody the

Naples-area restaurants, a professionally prepared

for being recognized among the nation’s very best,

“Porsche Business Model” by achieving the

complimentary Saturday brunch, and so much more.

an honor this team is truly worthy of receiving.

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PROMOTION

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

LEE HEALTH GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER

is the operations component of the partnership; CSF is the corporate entity for product research, negotiation, and contract management.

LEE COUNTY VA CLINIC 2489 Diplomat Parkway E., Cape Coral 239-652-1800 • baypines.va.gov The 240,000-square-foot Lee County VA Clinic employs a staff of more than 500 and serves more than 1,000 patients daily from the fivecounty area. It is a full-service facility providing primary care and a wide range of specialty and diagnostic services.

LEE HEALTH (LEE MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM) 2776 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers 800-9365321 • leehealth.org Lee Health is the largest health-care system in Southwest Florida with more than 100 locations offering medical services.

SHELL POINT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 15101 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers 800-780-1131 • shellpoint.org Florida’s largest single-site continuing care retirement community for people 60 and

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older was established in 1968 by the nonprofit ministry Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation Inc. Shell Point has approximately 2,400 residents and more than 1,100 employees.

Amenities include a championship golf course, Gulf-access marina, dining, salon, and fitness, and a new $15 million performing arts hall.

OTHER MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN LEE COUNTY

8501 Williams Road, Estero 239-275-1001 • hertz.com

LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers 239-334-1102 • leeschools.net

LEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT

CITY OF CAPE CORAL

2115 Second St., Fort Myers 239-533-2111 • leegov.com

1015 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral 239-574-0401 • capecoral.net

NEOGENOMICS

CITY OF FORT MYERS 2200 Second St., Fort Myers 239-321-7000 • cityftmyers.com

12701 Commonwealth Drive, Ste. 9 Fort Myers • 239-768-0600 neogenomics.com

RADIOLOGY REGIONAL CENTER FLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS & RESEARCH INSTITUTE

3660 Broadway Ave., Fort Myers 239-936-2316 • radiologyregional.com

5578931 Colonial Center Drive, Ste. 300, Fort Myers • 239-274-8200 • flcancer.com

SHAW DEVELOPMENT

FOX ELECTRONICS

25190 Bernwood Drive, Bonita Springs 239-405-6100 • shawdev.com

5570 Enterprise Parkway, Fort Myers 239-693-0099 • foxonline.com

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BUILDING YOUR BEST LIFE IN NAPLES

Year after year, Naples, Florida, continues to rank as one of the best places to live—best beach town, quality of life, safest, happiest, and the list goes on.

U.S. News & World Report, which analyzed 150 metro areas in the United States, reported their 2021-2022 findings and ranked Naples as: #7 in Best Places to Live #2 in Best Places to Retire #1 in Best Places to Live in Florida #2 in Safest Places to Live #3 in Best Places to Live for Quality of Life #4 in Fastest-Growing Places (Learn more at realestate.usnews.com/places/ florida/naples) People worldwide choose this luxury vacation destination to be at the beach, breathe in that salty air, soak up the sun, and dig their toes into some of the softest sand in the world.

Now, the secret is out. More families are turning their vacation home into their forever home.

Whether it’s early retirement or the ability to work remotely, they are taking that leap of faith to live their best life here and now.

The real estate market clearly shows that people are searching for their dream home, and if they cannot find it, they will build it.

As one of only two Florida Certified Master Builders in Collier County, PBS Contractors has set the bar of providing exceptional service to their clients for more than 36 years. PBS builds luxury custom homes from the ground up and renovates fabulous existing houses and condominiums, transforming them into dream homes.

Every project has something unique that calls for PBS’ Concierge Approach. The client chooses their furniture from France and appliances from Italy, a type of ceiling tile that requires the framing to be exact because it can’t be trimmed, or a half-ton Cristallo Quartzite slab that needs a dozen men to move. Regardless of the scope, PBS Contractors’ commitment to excellence and exceptional client service is what sets them apart and is the PBS advantage.

These aren’t just words—their clients agree.

PBS was awarded the Guildmaster Service of Excellence with a customer recommendation score of 100 percent. In determining which businesses received the Guildmaster Award, GuildQuality, an Atlanta-based third-party customer satisfaction surveying company specializing in the construction industry, reviewed thousands of survey responses submitted by customers of Guildmaster candidates. They

considered two primary metrics for each candidate: the percentage of customers stating they would recommend the business to a friend and the percentage of customers who responded.

(Learn more at guildquality.com/blog/what-isthe-value-of-guildmaster) Naples is where PBS is proud to call home.

They look forward to welcoming new residents and offering them exceptional service from an award-winning team they can trust to be not only be their builder but their Concierge Builder®.

Established in 1986, PBS Contractors serves the Naples and Southwest Florida community with a concierge approach to its clients, ensuring relationships built on trust. As Naples’ only Concierge Builder®, PBS approaches each unique project by focusing on each client’s needs, desires, and design aesthetic and building a partnership with each client, from concept through completion.

Their primary focus is providing exceptional service and fostering lifelong relationships while delivering expectations above and beyond. Whether you are looking to build your custom luxury dream home, or hire them as your renovation specialist, PBS Contractors’ commitment to excellence and exceptional client service promises to support you every step.

“TRUST PBS TO BUILD YOUR BEST LIFE IN NAPLES.”

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EDUCATION

EDUCATION IN

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA T

COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

he public school systems in Collier and Lee counties are working hand in glove with local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to provide a cradleto-cap learning experience that begins with school readiness when entering kindergarten and continues through career readiness for all graduating high school seniors.

Both districts provide a robust roster of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare students for college or careers through professional certifications and specialization in fields such as aerospace, information technology, web development, and the culinary arts. Magnet schools with a primary emphasis provide an opportunity for students to hone their skill or passion. For college-bound students, high schools offer International Baccalaureate, Cambridge AICE, Advanced Placement, AVID, honors, and dual enrollment programs.

Technical colleges provide a host of courses that lead to immediate employment in an array fields, from law enforcement to veterinarian care to medical billing, with many offering a “career in a year” format. Both

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FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL

Collier and Lee counties are home to two technical colleges.

CLASS SIZE: The Florida Constitution sets limits on the number of students in core classes in the state’s public schools. The maximum number of students in each core class are set at: • 18 students: PK through Grade 3 • 22 students: Grades 4 through 8 • 25 students: Grades 9 through 12 SCHOOL ZONES, CHOICE, AND ASSIGNMENT: In Collier and Lee counties, students attend a school based on two factors—their geographical zone and their choice of schools within that zone. Students and parents rank the schools that lie within the zone in which they live, and the student is assigned based on a lottery system during the regular registration period. In Lee County, schools located on the barrier islands (Sanibel Island, Pine Island, and Estero Island) are not

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considered part of any choice zone. However, these students may apply for zone or multizone magnet schools.

School and out-of-zone assignments may change if the student requires special educational programs that are not provided at the assigned school or within the zone, if the family moves to another zone, or if a districtemployed parent changes schools, in addition to other specific factors.

If you are new to Collier or Lee county, contact the school district’s Student Enrollment Office to learn about the documents needed to enroll a child or children and important registration and school assignment deadlines.

COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAST FACTS

• • • •

High school graduation rate: 91.9 % Statewide grade: A Elementary schools: 31 K-12: 1

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IN THIS SECTION Public Schools Technical Colleges Education Resources Private Schools Higher Education

• • • • • • • • •

Middle schools: 10 High schools: 8 Charter schools: 7 Special/alternative centers: 1 Technical colleges: 2 Career academies: 31 Student enrollment: 48,000 Teachers: 3,120 Languages spoken: 104 Website: collierschools.com (Source: CCPS Fact Sheet, Sept. 2020)

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY FAST FACTS

• • • • • • • •

High school graduation rate: 83.7 % Statewide grade: B Elementary schools: 45 K-8: 4 Middle schools: 16 High schools: 14 Charter schools: 23 Special education centers and vocational/technical colleges: 16 • Career & Technical Education Programs: 18 career clusters • Student enrollment: 95,647 • Teachers: 5,751 • Languages spoken: 133 Website: leeschools.net (Source: 2019-2020 Impact Report and Florida Dept. of Education)

analysis and comparison of the overall performance of charter school students to traditional public-school students based on statewide assessments.

The Collier County School District sponsors seven charter schools at locations throughout the county, including Marco Island and Immokalee. The Lee County School District sponsors 23 charter schools at locations throughout the county. In both counties, some charter schools offer a general curriculum similar to that of the public schools, while many others provide unique specialty or career education options not available elsewhere.

DUAL ENROLLMENT Students enrolled in high school in Collier and Lee counties may be dual enrolled at a local

COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PUBLIC SCHOOLS institution of higher learning such as a community college, technical college, or university. Credits earned on highereducation campuses are applied to high school graduation requirements. In addition, formal articulations have been established with local and statewide institutions to ensure that students receive credit or advanced standing if they enroll in these institutions to continue a career program. At technical colleges, dualenrolled high school students with a grade of C or higher earn weighted credit and may also earn industry certifications.

POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION Florida administers a Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) to 11th-grade high school students, virtual school students, and homeschooled students to assess their

FLORIDA VIRTUAL SCHOOL flvs.net/homeschool

Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is a free, online public school offering more than 150 courses. FLVS gives students the ability to enroll in courses 365 days a year and the choice to take courses online during the summer or school year. As virtual learners, students can chart an educational path around individual needs, hobbies, athletic pursuits, activities, and travel. Students who complete the virtual course of study receive the same accredited diploma distributed by any other public school.

LEE VIRTUAL SCHOOL lvip.leeschools.net Lee County has its own virtual program. Lee Virtual School provides full-time, K-12

CHARTER SCHOOLS

virtual instruction that follows the school district calendar and provides access to

Charter schools in Florida are nonprofit organizations sponsored by a school district, which oversees the schools. The Florida Department of Education provides an annual

many of the same courses available in the bricks-and-mortar schools, including Advanced Placement and dual enrollment, along with the flexibility of participating in electives and sports at local schools. Lee Virtual School is a franchise of FLVS.

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EDUCATION

HOMESCHOOLING IN FLORIDA Homeschooling is popular in Florida, with a2zhomeschooling.com estimating approximately 86,500 homeschooled students in the state.

Families interested in homeschooling must register with the Colllier or Lee County School District by filing a letter of intent. Parents must also maintain a portfolio logging each student’s educational activities IMMOKALEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

and provide an annual evaluation, which may include the Florida

academic skills, college readiness, and course placement. Achievement of a qualifying score on the test, or successful completion of a remediation course, is required for high school graduation. PERT scores are also used for college placement.

The SAT and ACT tests are generally accepted or required by Florida’s state universities and colleges. Several private colleges and community colleges in the state permit the substitution of alternative tests such as COMPASS, a multiple-choice, untimed, computerized placement test, WAIS, or others.

TECHNICAL COLLEGES

Recent workforce and labor studies indicate that two out of three jobs created between now and 2030 will require education and training beyond a high school diploma, but not necessarily a four-year college degree, so gaining a professional or industry certificate or license is a smart career move. Technical colleges operate under the governance of the Florida Department of Education Division

of Workforce Development and by the local school district. Tuition is competitively low and financial assistance is available.

The colleges also aid in job placement. The programs offer a mix of in-class, online, and hands-on experiences, and many of them can be completed within a year.

IMMOKALEE TECHNICAL (ITECH) COLLEGE itech.edu

iTECH offers 17 programs in addition to courses designed for English-language learners and literacy and for obtaining a GED. Campus storefronts include a cyber café and restaurant, practicing medical office, automotive service center, childcare center, and cosmetology center.

LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE

information, contact the Home Education Department of each district at: COLLIER COUNTY: collierschools.com LEE COUNTY: leeschools.net

200,000-square-foot facility opened in 2009, and its catalog of offerings frequently expands to meet industry needs. It offers adult and community education courses.

LEE COUNTY CAPE CORAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE capecoraltech.edu

Cape Coral Technical College offers 16 programs in the categories of agriculture, business, health, hospitality, and technology.

lwtc.edu

Lorenzo Walker Technical College offers 23 programs in addition to courses designed for English-language learners and literacy and for obtaining a GED. Its state-of-the-art,

The Florida Prepaid College Board offers several plans tailored to meet a range of financial needs. These include a 529 plan; one-year, two-year, and four-year plans; and a 2+2 plan that starts a child at one of the 28 Florida colleges at a lower cost and guarantees their admission to a state university upon completion of an associate degree. Information about each plan is available at myfloridaprepaid.com.

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required actions. For comprehensive

COLLIER COUNTY

FLORIDA PREPAID COLLEGE PLANS

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Standards Assessment, among other

FORT MYERS TECHNICAL COLLEGE fortmyerstech.edu

Fort Myers Technical College offers more than 20 programs in a variety of occupational clusters, from construction to law enforcement to cosmetology. More than 150 business leaders serve on program advisory committees.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE ACADEMY swfpsa.org

The Southwest Florida Public Service

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Academy is comprised of two separate public safety academies: The Southwest Florida Criminal Justice Academy and The Southwest Florida Fire Academy.

EDUCATION RESOURCES CAREERSOURCE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA careersourcesouthwestflorida.com

CareerSource is the organization chartered by the state of Florida to develop, create, and retain a quality workforce system in Southwest Florida.

It offers professional services to all employers and job-seekers.

CHAMPIONS FOR LEARNING—EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF COLLIER COUNTY

nizations that aims to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees, industry certifications, and other high-quality credentials.

SCHOLARSHIPS COLLIER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

THE FOUNDATION FOR LEE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

colliercf.org

leeschoolfoundation.org

SCHOLARSHIP CONNECTOR

The foundation enhances the quality of public education in Lee County by increasing community involvement, supporting and recognizing teachers with classroom grants and awards, and providing local students with the College & Career Center. It administers the Take Stock in Children scholarship program; online scholarship application portal; and the Student Advocacy and Mentoring Partnership for at-risk students.

swflscholarships.org

championsforlearning.org

THE IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION

Champions For Learning’s College & Career Preparation Program supports 11th- and 12th-grade students and their families. The foundation supports and recognizes teachers with grants and awards and administers the Take Stock in Children scholarship. Champions For Learning is the backbone organization supporting Future Ready Collier, a collaborative network working to ensure every child in Collier County is ready for kindergarten and every young person graduates high school with a career path. It is also a partner in the regional FutureMakers Coalition.

immokaleefoundation.org

THE FOUNDATION FOR LEE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS leeschoolfoundation.org

COLLABORATORY—SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION collaboratory.org

A nonprofit foundation that has worked tirelessly for more than 25 years to strengthen one of the nation’s largest migrant communities, with a focus on education, vocation, and life skills. It helps more than 2,500 students annually through its individualized Pathways to Success programs and administers the Take Stock in Children scholarship program.

One-hundred percent of its students graduate from high school and go on to postsecondary education.

STATEWIDE RESOURCES FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION fldoe.com

FLORIDA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT PROGRAMS (BRIGHT FUTURES)

EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org Florida’s largest merit-based scholarship program

elcofswfl.org

FUTUREMAKERS COALITION futuremakerscoalition.com The FutureMakers Coalition is a five-county regional initiative that includes businesses, nonprofits, school districts, and other orga-

FLORIDA PUBLIC TECHNICAL COLLEGE “CAREER IN A YEAR” PROGRAMS careerinayearfl.com COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Early Learning Coalition works to increase the availability of quality early-learning programs to meet the needs of families, particularly those working toward economic self-sufficiency. Its Child Care Resource & Referral is a free community service for all families.

MYCAREERSHINES

floridashines.org A service of Florida Virtual School: tools for students and adults to assess their interests and skills, explore careers, find out how to earn or complete a degree, and find jobs

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EDUCATION

CANTERBURY SCHOOL

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

CANTERBURY SCHOOL

COLLIER COUNTY

Collier County has 34 top private schools serving more than 5,800 students from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. More than 50 percent are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian) although several have no religious affiliation, including Montessori schools for preschoolers.

Following is a select list of the largest Collier County private schools that serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

(Source: privateschoolreview.com)

Community School of Naples (CSN) is an independent, college-preparatory day school committed to the development of the whole child. CSN’s rigorous and globally focused academic curriculum from grades PK3-12 prepares students not only for college, but for a lifetime of intellectual curiosity and social accountability. Students are encouraged to strengthen skills and build confidence through various athletic, art, music, and extra-curricular clubs and activities. The student-to-teacher ratio is about 15:1, depending on grade level. Annual tuition ranges from $16,000 to $30,000.

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF NAPLES (PK-12)

DONAHUE ACADEMY (PK-12)

13275 Livingston Road, Naples

4955 Seton Way, Ave Maria

239-597-7575 • communityschoolnaples.org

239-842-3241 • donahueacademy.org

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Ranked among the top 50 Catholic schools nationally, Donahue Academy is located in the town of Ave Maria, located 36 miles east of Naples. It offers eight sports and three extracurriculars, with an average class size of 20. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1 with a student body of 275. Annual tuition is $7,400 for lower grades, $10,500 for grades 9-12.

FIRST BAPTIST ACADEMY (PK-12) 3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples 239-597-2233 • fbalions.org

This school, set on a 94-acre campus, opened in 1996 as a ministry of First Baptist Church Naples to provide a rigorous academic program of studies infused with Christian teaching. It offers eight Advanced Placement courses, in addition to programs

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EDUCATION

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF NAPLES

for homeschooled students, 11 sports, and 15 extracurriculars. One hundred percent of high school graduates who have applied to college have been accepted. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1 with a student body of 597. Annual tuition ranges up to $13,790 for grades 9-12.

NAPLES CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (PK-8) 2655 Northbrooke Drive, Naples

239-262-4110 • stann.net

Saint Ann Catholic School, a ministry of Saint Ann Parish, is rooted in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and was founded in 1956. The school offers nine sports and 11 extracurriculars and has an average class size of 15. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1 with a student body of 325. Annual tuition is $9,800.

239-455-1080 • napleschristian.net

Naples Christian Academy was the first school in Collier County to be honored as a National Blue Ribbon School and its stated mission is “to develop well-rounded student leaders who will be known by their faith, Christian character, intellect, and impactful contributions.” It offers six sports and three extracurriculars, with an average class size of 10. The student-to-teacher ratio is 6:1 with a student body of 86. Annual K-5 tuition is $10,225, and middle school tuition is $12,050.

St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School is a Catholic school founded in 1981. The school offers six sports and six extracurriculars and has an average class size of 22. The student-toteacher ratio is 11:1 with a student body of 253.

Annual tuition is $7,230.

SAINT JOHN NEUMANN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) 3000 53rd St. SW, Naples

SAINT ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL (PK-8) 2730 53rd Terrace SW, Naples 239-455-2262 • saintelizabethseton.com

239-455-3044 • sjnceltics.org

Students from different counties attend this small, faith-based, college-preparatory school, founded in 1980 and rooted in the

NICAEA ACADEMY (PK-12) 14785 Collier Blvd., Naples 353-9090 • nicaeaacademy.com

DONAHUE ACADEMY

Instruction at Nicaea Academy is based on the Christian-based A Beka Book textbooks developed by the Pensacola Christian Academy. The school offers four sports and has an average class size of 18. The student-toteacher ratio is 15:1 with a student body of 134.

Tuition information is not publicly available.

SAINT ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (PK-8) 542 Eighth Ave. S., Naples DONAHUE ACADEMY

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Roman Catholic tradition. It provides a rigorous learning environment with at least 12 Advanced Placement courses, as well as 14 extracurriculars, community volunteer programs, 22 sports, and robust cultural offerings. It is known for its personalized college advisory program that begins with incoming freshmen, with 100 percent of students accepted into four-year colleges. The student-to-teacher ratio is 8:1 with a student body of 278. Annual tuition ranges up to $14,000.

SEACREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (PK-12)

courses, as well as 22 extracurriculars, 12 sports, and cultural opportunities.

The academy allows highly competitive athletes who participate in individual sports (such as swimming, golf, tennis, etc.) to fulfill graduation requirements, prepare for standardized testing, and work with professional college counselors. Overall, the student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1 with a student body of 434. Annual tuition ranges up to $25,400 for grades 10-12. Seacrest Country Day School enrolls a socioeconomic diverse population based on annual income.

7100 Davis Blvd., Naples

THE VILLAGE SCHOOL OF NAPLES (PK-12)

239-793-1986 • seacrest.org

6000 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples

Seacrest Country Day School is an independent, nonsectarian school for children ages 3 through twelfth grade on its 42-acre campus in East Naples. Established in 1983, Seacrest fuels intellectual engagement and leadership with 10 Advanced Placement

239-593-7686 • villageschoolnaples.org

Opportunity .. of a Lifetime!

The Village School of Naples is an independent Methodist school serving infants through twelfth grade. As the first independent STEAM school in Collier County, the school is dedicated to the pursuit of

excellence in academics, technology, athletics, and the arts. The Upper School for 9-12 students was launched in 2017, and it offers an intense college preparatory experience in an encouraging atmosphere with 19 Advanced Placement courses. Overall, the school has 505 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1. Annual tuition ranges up to $17,550 for grades 9-12.

LEE COUNTY

Lee County has 52 top private schools serving 7,750 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. While 79 percent are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian), there are several nonreligious schools, including Montessori schools. The following is a select list of the largest Lee County private schools that serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

(Source: privateschoolreview.com)

13275 Livingston Rd., Naples, FL 34109 | 239-597-7575 | www.communityschoolnaples.org SW F L R E LO C AT I O N G U I D E .CO M

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EDUCATION

BISHOP VEROT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

BISHOP VEROT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (9-12)

curriculum consists of state-required courses for graduation, including 25 Advanced Placement courses, and a wide range of electives. It offers 26 sports, performing arts, and more than 25 extracurriculars, as well as assistance to students with diagnosed learning disabilities. The student-toteacher ratio is 10:1 with an average class size of 18 and a student body of 800. Annual tuition is $13,100.

5598 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers

CANTERBURY SCHOOL (PK-12)

239-274-6700 • bvhs.org

8141 College Parkway, Fort Myers

Since 1962, Bishop Verot Catholic High School has provided an academic environment that integrates learning about the Roman Catholic tradition. Its college preparatory

239-481-4323 canterburyfortmyers.org

Founded in 1964, Canterbury School is a college preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence within an atmosphere emphasizing character, leadership, and service. At Canterbury, the life of the mind is complemented by a strong athletic program and a commitment to the arts. These elements come together to instill in students a love of learning.

Canterbury offers a robust Advanced Placement program with 31 courses.

Annual tuition is $25,600.

CRESTWELL SCHOOL (PK-8) 1901 Park Meadows Drive, Fort Myers

school established in 1993 by parents and educators. It’s located on a 7-acre campus with an expansive student-maintained garden and greenhouse. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1 and the student body is 193. Annual tuition is $9,500.

EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (PK-12) 8237 Beacon Blvd., Fort Myers 239-936-3319 • goecs.org

Founded in 1973, Evangelical Christian School is an independent, college-preparatory school on a 28-acre campus that incorporates biblical principles into academics, athletics, technology, and fine arts. Its curriculum includes 10 Advanced Placement courses, in addition to 14 sports and eight extracurriculars. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1 with a student body of 1,033. Annual tuition ranges from $10,610 for kindergarten up to $13,100 for high school.

FORT MYERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (PK-8) 1550 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers 239-939-4642 • fmcs-fl.com

Fort Myers Christian School was established in 1979 by First Assembly of God of Fort Myers and provides a Christian-based academic setting and curriculum. It offers four sports and 12 extracurriculars. The student-to-teacher ratio is 7:1 with an average class size of 15 students and a student body of 130. Annual tuition ranges from $10,708 for kindergarten through fifth grade and $10,762 for sixth through eighth grade.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL (PK-12) 4770 Orange Grove Blvd., North Fort Myers 239-995-7711 • goodshepofnfm.com

Good Shepherd Lutheran School, founded in 1967, is owned and operated by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with a wellbalanced, Bible-based curriculum. The student-to-teacher ratio is 8:1 with an average class size of 15 and student body of 381. Annual tuition ranges from $9,000 to $9,500.

239-481-4478 • crestwellschool.org

Crestwell is a nonsectarian

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SAINT ANDREW CATHOLIC SCHOOL (PK-8) 1509 SE 27th St., Cape Coral

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239-772-3922 • standrewcs.org

St. Andrew Catholic School opened in 1989 and provides a solid academic foundation that infuses Roman Catholic learning across its curriculum. It a STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, Math) school that provides a Primary Years International Baccalaureate program for ages 3 to 12. It offers nine extracurriculars and four sports. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1 with a student body of 340. Tuition information is not publicly available.

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL (PK-8) 2055 Heitman St., Fort Myers 239-334-7707 • stfrancisfortmyers.org

St. Francis Xavier School, founded in 1938, provides quality academic instruction that integrates the teaching of the Roman Catholic faith at its open-air campus featuring a performing arts center and high-tech Learning Commons. St. Francis Xavier School

also offers 10 sports and 12 extracurricular activities. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19:1 with a student body of 628. Tuition information is not publicly available.

focused on excellence in academics. It offers four sports and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1 and a student body of 214. Tuition information is not publicly available.

SAINT MICHAEL LUTHERAN (PK-8) 3595 Broadway, Fort Myers

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (K-12)

239-939-1218 • smlcs.org

3750 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers

Saint Michael Lutheran School is a parochial Lutheran school founded in 1956, offering a challenging academic and arts curriculum. It provides support for learners with dyslexia and language-based and learning disabilities, as well as sports and 12 extracurriculars. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1 with a student body of 399. Annual tuition is $9,000.

239-936-8865 • swfca.com

Southwest Florida Christian Academy opened in 1994 as a ministry of McGregor Baptist Church. The standard class size is 16, and the high school is focused on college preparation, offering Advanced Placement courses for students in grades 10 through 12.

It offers more than a dozen sports. Annual tuition ranges up to $11,588 for grades 9-12.

SONSHINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (PK-12)

Note: Enrichment programs, sports, student

12925 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers

enrollment, and other variables were impacted

239-694-8882 • sonshine.online

during the pandemic. See individual websites for

Sonshine Christian Academy, located on 18 acres, provides a Christ-centered education

details. For a listing of all private schools in Collier and Lee counties: privateschoolreview.com

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EDUCATION

HIGHER EDUCATION BLAZE A PATH TO YOUR DREAM CAREER

FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN STATE COLLEGE

LOOKING TO CHANGE PROFESSIONS OR OBTAIN A POSTSECONDARY DEGREE OR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION? YOU’RE IN LUCK. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAS SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW YOUR CAREER. TUITION AND BASIC FEES ARE FOR IN-STATE STUDENTS AND DO NOT INCLUDE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING, BOOKS, OR OTHER EXPENSES.

PUBLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers 239-590-1000, 800-590-3428 fgcu.edu

Four-year state university set on 800 acres offering 58 undergraduate programs, 25 master’s programs, 12 certificate programs, and six doctoral programs Enrolled: 11,247 Established: 1991, opened in 1997 Tuition: $6,118

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FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN STATE COLLEGE 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers 239-489-9300 7007 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples 239-732-3700 • fsw.edu

This public college serves a five-county area with campuses in Fort Myers, Naples, and Punta Gorda, as well as a Corporate Training Center in Bonita Springs and a satellite center in LaBelle. It is a cost-effective choice, with 70 percent of students graduating debt-free.

It offers more than 45 academic programs, including professional certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees.

Enrolled: 24,034 Established: 1962 Tuition: $3,401

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PRIVATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW 1025 Commons Circle, Naples 239-687-5300 • avemarialaw.edu

An independent law school in the Catholic tradition that is fully accredited by the American Bar Association, located on a 12-acre campus near the Vineyards community.

Enrollment: 270 Established: In Michigan in 2000 and relocated to Naples in 2009 Tuition: $35,380

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AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY

KEISER UNIVERSITY

5050 Ave Maria Blvd., Ave Maria

9100 Forum Corporate Parkway, Fort Myers

239-280-2500 • avemaria.edu

239-277-1336 • keiseruniversity.edu

A private university in the Catholic tradition with a campus in the town of Ave Maria offering 33 bachelor’s programs as well as a master’s of theological studies and an MA and PhD in theology.

Enrollment: 1,123 Established: In Michigan in 1998, relocated to Naples in 2003, permanent campus completed in 2007 Tuition: $19,970

Keiser University has 18 campuses in Florida and offers degrees in more than 100 doctoral, specialist, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate fields.

Established: 1977 Tuition: $11,780

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY 3650 Colonial Court, Fort Myers BARRY UNIVERSITY

BARRY UNIVERSITY Sunrise Building, 12381 S. Cleveland Ave.,

HODGES UNIVERSITY

Ste. 502, Fort Myers

4501 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers

239-278-3041 • barry.edu

239-482-0019, 800-466-0019

The second-largest private Catholic university in the Southeast, with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs offered in Fort Myers and online.

Highest degrees (Fort Myers): MAA, MPA, MSW Enrollment (Fort Myers): 150 Established: 1940 Tuition and fees: $29,850

2655 Northbrooke Drive, Naples 239-513-1122, 800-466-8017 hodges.edu

A private four-year college with campuses in Collier and Lee counties, with degree programs in career-related disciplines.

Highest degrees: MBA, MCJ, MCIT, MIS, MPA, MSM, MPS, MMHC Enrolled: 2,900 Established: 1990 Tuition: $13,940

239-274-6070 • nova.edu

Florida’s largest independent, not-forprofit institution of higher education based in Fort Lauderdale offers undergraduate, graduate, and specialist degrees at its Student Educational Center in Fort Myers.

Highest degrees: MBA, DO, JD, DBA, EdD, PhD Enrolled: 755 in Southwest Florida Established: 1964 Tuition: $29,930

RASMUSSEN COLLEGE 9160 Forum Corporate Parkway, Ste. 100, Fort Myers 239-477-2100 • rasmussen.edu

Private, regionally accredited college with a focus on business, design, education, health sciences, justice, nursing, and technology, as well as professional certifications. It offers some full degrees through online courses. Past college coursework, military transcripts, course waivers, and industry certifications maximize credits and reduce overall costs.

Highest degrees (Fort Myers campus): MH, MS in Data Science, MSHR, MSN Established: 2008 in Fort Myers; 1900 in St. Paul, Minnesota Established: 1974 Tuition: Dependent on program and location

HODGES UNIVERSITY

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HEALTH CARE

LEE HEALTH REGIONAL CANCER CENTER_

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IN THIS SECTION

Health Care Overview Major Medical Facilities Children’s Hospitals Freestanding ERs Urgent Care Clinics

H

ealth care is a vital industry in Southwest Florida’s economy, and the region is home to state-of-the-art medical centers and expert practitioners in a range of specialties.

In Southwest Florida, there are two major, award-winning hospital systems: NCH Healthcare System in Collier County and Lee Memorial Health System (Lee Health) in Lee County. Both began as community hospitals that have grown exponentially in services, locations, expertise, and staff. Both have also received top scores in several specialties.

In addition, there are two Veterans Affairs clinics, nonprofit networks for low-income residents, and hospice services.

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HEALTH CARE

NCH HEART INSTITUTE_

HOSPITALS COLLIER COUNTY NCH Healthcare System 239-624-5000 nchmd.org

NCH Healthcare System (NCH) was named by U.S. News & World Report as “Best Hospital for 2020-21.”

NCH is rated as high-performing in heart bypass surgery, heart failure treatment, hip and knee replacement surgery, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, colon cancer surgery, and COPD treatment. NCH operates two hospitals, urgent-care, wellness, and family medical facilities, NCH Heart Institute, and NCH Regional Cancer Institute.

NCH is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and sponsors the Blue Zones Project for Southwest Florida.

The system has approximately 4,644 employees and more than 1,000 volunteers, 800 physicians, and 713 licensed beds.

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NCH Baker Hospital Downtown 350 Seventh St. N., Naples 239-624-5000

The flagship, 391-bed acute care and emergency hospital, home to the NCH Heart Institute, has been a top performer nationally in cardiac care for five consecutive years.

multispecialty physician group. More than 300 physicians provide advanced medical care in more than 45 specialties and subspecialties.

With 209 beds, it has been lauded for its stroke-patient care. Both emergency rooms typically boast short wait times.

Physicians Regional-Collier Boulevard

NCH North Naples Hospital

8300 Collier Blvd., Naples

11190 Health Park Blvd., Naples

239-354-6000

239-552-7000

This 100-bed hospital is a 24/7 STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) receiving facility providing around- the-clock treatment for patients experiencing chest pain and other cardiology emergencies. It is conveniently located to Marco Island and East Naples, with a special emergency room clinical staff and amenities designed for older adults.

nchmd.org

This acute care facility has 322 beds, a pediatric emergency department, comprehensive pain center, nephrology, and more.

Physicians Regional Healthcare System physiciansregional.com

Physicians Regional Healthcare System operates two hospitals with an affiliated

Physicians Regional-Pine Ridge 6101 Pine Ridge Road, Naples

239-348-4000

This 109-bed acute care facility features all private rooms, general medical/surgical services, and specialized centers for robotic surgery, neurovascular and stroke, cardiology, vein, orthopedic and spine, and ENT specialty care.

LEE COUNTY LEE MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM 800-936-5321 leehealth.org

Lee Health has been the major hospital provider in Lee County since the first community hospital opened a century ago. It has 14,000 employees, 1,812 beds, and 1,480 physicians on medical staff. It provides comprehensive care for children and adults, as well as kidney transplants, immunology, wound care, urgent care facilities, and occupational, physical, and speech

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HEALTH CARE

CAPE CORAL HOSPITAL

therapy. Lee Health is a national, accredited leader in stroke care.

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida

Gulf Coast Medical Center

9981 S. HealthPark Drive, Fort Myers

239-343-1000

Cape Coral Hospital

239-343-5437

636 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral

This state-of-the-art, 98-bed pediatric hospital provides emergency and specialized services for infants, children, and teens, including behavioral health, surgery, intensive care, orthopedics, cancer, cardiology, and burn treatments. The only center of its kind between Tampa and Miami, its 48-bed neonatal intensive care unit cares for premature infants and babies that have had surgery within hours and days of birth. It is located on the same campus as HealthPark Medical Center.

Gulf Coast Medical Center is a 356-bed, acute care facility— the only Level II Trauma Center between Sarasota and Miami. It offers 240 private rooms. The emergency department consists of 28 exam rooms, 10 observation units, and 33 treatment rooms. Ten beds are designated as a Cardiac Decision Unit (CDU) to quickly assess patients with chest pain and fast-track testing and treatment. Gulf Coast Medical Center is an accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. Gulf Coast Medical Center offers 24/7 access to minimally invasive catheter procedures to treat stroke and a dedicated neurosurgery intensive care unit. It has earned the American Heart Association/American

239-424-2000

Cape Coral Hospital is a 291-bed, acute care facility with all private rooms. It has earned several recognitions for quality of care and was the first hospital in the state to receive the Governor’s Sterling Award for performance excellence in management and operations. Its wellness center is a medically based fitness center providing members access to cardiovascular equipment, group exercise classes, indoor pools, massage, a healthy café, pro shop, and health and wellness presentations. Cape Coral Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center.

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Stroke Association “Get With The Guidelines” Gold Plus Stroke Center designation. The hospital earned a 2019 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades.

HealthPark Medical Center

urology, gynecology, and general surgery using the da Vinci S HD Surgical Robot. Also located on the campus of HealthPark Medical Center is the 112-bed HealthPark Care & Rehabilitation Center (239-433-4647), a skilled nursing facility that carries a five-star rating from the Agency for Health Care Administration.

9981 S. HealthPark Drive, Fort Myers

orthopedic injuries. It is a Certifited Primary Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center.

Lehigh Regional Medical Center 1500 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres 239-369-2101 lehighregional.com

239-343-5000

Lee Memorial Hospital

HealthPark Medical Center is the primary location for the system’s cardiac program and is a designated Chest Pain Center, fully accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. The 267-bed hospital was named one of the “100 Top Hospitals” for cardiology and intensive care in the country and has the region’s only high-risk valve clinic. The hospital offers advanced, minimally invasive procedures for cardiac,

2776 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers 239-343–2000

Lee Memorial Hospital, originally established in 1916, is the flagship hospital for Lee Health.

The 414-bed, acute care hospital provides emergent care and diagnostic services. The facility also houses the Rehabilitation Hospital (239343-3900), a 60-bed comprehensive, inpatient rehabilitation unit focused on neurological and

A member of Prime Healthcare, Lehigh Regional Medical Center is an 88-bed, acute care facility committed to patient-centered health care since 1965. The state-of-the-art facility provides emergency and critical care, as well as specialty care services including cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, general surgery, nephrology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, pathology and imaging, pulmonology, and women’s health.

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GET THE HELP YOU NEED, WHEN YOU NEED IT

URGENT CARE

HEALTH CARE LEE COUNTY BONITA SPRINGS BONITA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

3501 HEALTH CENTER BLVD.

239-949-1050

NCH BONITA IMMEDIATE CARE

3302 BONITA BEACH ROAD S.E., STE. 170

239-624-1050

ALLWRIGHT MEDICAL

30 DEL PRADO BLVD. N., #100

239-829-0099

CAPE CORAL URGENT CARE

811 DEL PRADO BLVD. S.

239-233-0289

CONVENIENT CARE PINE ISLAND ROAD

1682 NE PINE ISLAND ROAD

239-424-1655

MD NOW U URGENT CARE

2609 SANTA BARBARA BLVD., STE. 102

239-945-9533

MEDEXPRESS URGENT CARE CAPE CORAL

313 SW PINE ISLAND ROAD

239-458-6755

URGENT CARE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

1708 CAPE CORAL PARKWAY W., STE. 2

239-333-3333

COCONUT POINT EMERGENCY CARE

23450 VIA COCONUT POINT

239-468-1000

MEDEXPRESS URGENT CARE ESTERO

19985 S. TAMIAMI TRAIL

239-495-3317

URGENT CARE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

0201 ARCOS AVE., STE. 105

239-333-2273

COASTAL MED URGENT CARE

8291 DANI DRIVE, STE. #100

239-931-6049

CONVENIENT CARE METRO PARKWAY

13340 METRO PARKWAY, STE. 100

239-343-0490

CONVENIENT CARE PAGE FIELD

4771 S. CLEVELAND AVE.

239-343-9800

CONVENIENT CARE SUMMERLIN

16230 SUMMERLIN ROAD

239-343-7450

MD NOW U URGENT CARE

15165 MCGREGOR BLVD.

239-945-9499

MEDEXPRESS FORT MYERS

12375 S. CLEVELAND AVE.

239-936-2013

MILLENNIUM PHYSICIAN GROUP

12995 S. CLEVELAND AVE., STE. 184

239-939-2201

7205 ESTERO BLVD., STE. 733

239-463-5741

MEDEXPRESS LEHIGH ACRES

13340 METRO PARKWAY, STE. 100

239-303-5020

GULF COAST HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS URGENT CARE & FAMILY MEDICINE

2724 FIFTH ST. W., STE. C

239-303-9298

ISLAND MEDICAL CLINICDR. RICHARD WILSON D.O.

1648 PERIWINKLE WAY, STE. C2

239-472-3131

SAN-CAP MEDICAL CENTER

4301 SANIBEL-CAPTIVA ROAD

239-472-0700

SANIBEL MEDICAL

499 PALM RIDGE ROAD

239-395-2005

CAPE CORAL

ESTERO

FORT MYERS

FORT MYERS BEACH ESTERO ISLAND MEDICAL CARE LEHIGH ACRES

SANIBEL ISLAND

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URGENT CARE GET THE HELP YOU NEED, WHEN YOU NEED IT COLLIER COUNTY NAPLES ADVANCEMEDICAL OF NAPLES

720 GOODLETTE ROAD N.

239-566-7676

COLLIER URGENT CARE – CREEKSIDE

1514 IMMOKALEE ROAD, UNIT #114

239-593-3232

COLLIER URGENT CARE – PARK SHORE

3601 TAMIAMI TRAIL NORTH, UNIT #2

239-593-3232

EPN URGENT CARE

6400 DAVIS BLVD., STE. 103

239-775-2300

EPN URGENT CARE

13030 LIVINGSTON ROAD, STE. 3

239-403-3772

GOLISANO CHILDREN’S HEALTH CENTER KIDS URGENT CARE NAPLES MEDICAL CENTER

3361 PINE RIDGE ROAD

239-254-5920

TYRONE MEDINA’S WALK-IN CLINIC

400 EIGHTH ST. N.

NCH HEALTHCARE NORTHEAST

1420 COLLIER BLVD.

239-649-3333

NCH SOUTHEAST IMMEDIATE CARE

7717 COLLIER BLVD.

239-624-8700

NCH VANDERBILT IMMEDIATE CARE

1801 VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD

239-624-8220

13005 COLLIER BLVD.

239-354-4093

40 S. HEATHWOOD DRIVE

239-624-8540

GOLDEN GATE MEDEXPRESS URGENT CARE MARCO ISLAND NCH MARCO URGENT CARE

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HEALTH CARE

LEE COUNTY VA CLINIC

VETERANS MEDICAL CENTERS

Naples VA Clinic 800 Goodlette Road N., Ste. 120, Naples 239-659-9188 or 727-398-6661

Lee County VA Clinic

baypines.va.gov

2489 Diplomat Parkway E., Cape Coral

This regional clinic, part of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, is open Monday through Friday. It provides primary care, mental healthcare, women’s services, nutrition counseling, EKG services, phlebotomy, pharmacist consultations, and referrals for specialty care.

239-652-1800 or 727-398-6661 baypines.va.gov

This full-service regional clinic, part of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, is open Monday through Saturday, providing comprehensive primary care, mental health services, women’s health, ambulatory surgery, audiology, cardiology, dental and dermatology services, eye care and optometry, Coumadin Clinic, gastroenterology, home and community care, imaging, orthopedics, neurology, pharmacist consultations and mediation pickup, phlebotomy, nutrition counseling, prosthetics, physical and occupational therapy, podiatry, tobacco cessation, spinal cord injury, urology, and referrals for specialty care.

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NONPROFIT FAMILY MEDICAL CENTERS COLLIER COUNTY Healthcare Network 239-658-3000 healthcareswfl.org

The Healthcare Network provides full primary medical services including internal medicine, family care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and senior care, as well as

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dental care and integrated behavioral health for adults and children. The network is committed to providing quality, professional medical and dental health care services to Collier County residents regardless of insurance or ability to pay. It has established 21 health care sites and mobile services in Collier County.

LEE COUNTY Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida 844-342-7935 fhcswf.org

Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida has 21 medical offices, eight dental offices, and three pharmacy locations with a focus on disease management, prevention, and education. Family Health Centers provides medical, dental, pediatric, podiatry, women’s services, and optometry services to children and adults, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

Discounts are offered based on family size and income.

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WELCOME TO FLORIDA! SETTING UP YOUR FLORIDA DOMICILE

Are you new to Florida, or plan to move here soon? With sunshine, beautiful beaches, and lower taxes, Ciccarelli Advisory Services understands why! For 40-plus years, Ciccarelli Advisory Services has been helping families who have decided to make Florida their home, beginning with the steps to creating your Florida domicile. In general, Florida domicile brings with it tax advantages over domicile in other states with respect to income taxes, state estate taxes, and homestead.

The term domicile means the place where you live with the intent of making it your permanent residence. A person may have several residences at the same time, but in theory may be domiciled in only one. There are many factors that may be considered to establish Florida domicile, but primary ones include home, active business involvement, time spent, items near and dear, and family connections. For example, you must consider your Florida home your primary residence, and you must spend a greater percentage of the year in your declared domicile state than anywhere else. If you have a business outside of your domiciled state, the taxpayer’s role in the business, pattern of activity, and whether it is a passive or active investment may be considered. Also, items that are near and dear

to you should be kept in your domiciled state; receipts and documents showing the transport of these items could be important to keep. Other factors, such as changing address forms, shifting banking and investment relationships, legal documents, various registrations, and church affiliations should all be maintained in your domiciled state. Be careful that your affairs are in line because even the smallest affiliation, like a resident fishing license from your previous state, could cause problems.

The other benefit of establishing domicile in Florida is the Florida homestead exemption.

This exemption can protect your home from creditors (with four exceptions), give you a credit against your home’s assessment for tax purposes, and cap your property taxes to the lesser of 3 percent (in Collier County) or the rate of inflation.

Florida homestead may also protect spouses for inheritance purposes.

If you are considering a change of domicile to Florida, it is important to discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your financial advisor, your CPA, and your attorney. Domicile should be looked at not only with a tax perspective but also with an estate perspective regarding rights of spouse and children at your death. An advisor versed in the steps for new domicile can provide

a more complete package of instructions and discuss planning opportunities to help assist you in your decision to domicile.

Along with assisting with domicile issues, Ciccarelli Advisory Services has been helping families meet their lifelong goals by creating comprehensive, customized financial plans that work continually throughout every stage of life. Their highest priority is in designing a plan that reflects your family’s unique journey, paying special attention to your priorities and vision, and empowering you to achieve continual financial wellness. Your family may benefit from the insight and wisdom of their highly experienced team who will put you first and make sure the service you receive is the right fit for you and your family. They understand your family because they are a family. And, with the best interests of your family at heart, Ciccarelli Advisory Services will serve as your financial advocate providing guidance and execution—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

Investment advisory services offered through Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc., a registered investment advisor independent of FSC Securities Corporation. Securities and additional investment advisory services offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor.

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COMMUNITIES

LAY OF THE LAND UNIQUE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES THRIVE ALONG THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COAST

SANIBEL CAUSEWAY

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ollier County is often touted as the largest county by geographical size in Florida, and what’s more impressive: More than 70 percent of the land is set aside for federal, state, and county parks and conservation. As a result, it is home to vast wildlands—swamp, prairie, marsh, and coastal ecosystems—along with rural and agricultural areas that flourish in the frost-free area. Collier County was one of the last frontiers in the American South, and it was named for advertising magnate Barron Gift Collier who, at one time, was the largest landowner in Florida and fueled the completion of the construction of the Tamiami Trail. Today it has three incorporated cities and many distinct communities throughout

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the unincorporated parts of the county. Here is a snapshot of the municipalities: EVERGLADES CITY: COASTAL OUTBACK When Collier County was carved out of Lee

County by the Florida legislature in 1923, this remote town was incorporated as Everglades and designated the county seat. (The county seat later moved to Naples.) The town served as the base for Barron Collier’s development of the Tamiami Trail, linking the east and west coasts of South Florida, which opened with national fanfare in 1928. Its arduous completion through muck, limestone, and swarms of mosquitoes unlocked the remote region for more efficient travel for tourism, commerce, and development.

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Located on the edge of Chokoloskee Bay, the Everglades City area had previously been occupied for millennia by Native Americans, followed by Seminoles and white settlers after the Civil War. Today, this remote incorporated city is renowned for fishing and its proximity to Everglades National Park, Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, and Ten Thousand Islands.

Its population of 400 residents is a hardy, tight-knit community still recovering from the direct impact of Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Nearby, smaller towns include Chokoloskee, Plantation, Jerome, Copeland, and Ochopee.

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IN THIS SECTION City Spotlights Lifestyle Communities Senior Living

COLLIER COUNTY FAST FACTS

MARCO ISLAND: RELAXED OASIS At 24 square miles, Marco Island lies 35

NAPLES: JEWEL ON THE GULF Upon its founding as a resort town in 1888,

miles south of Naples and is the largest barrier island within the Ten Thousand Islands. With a permanent population of about 16,000 and a peak winter season population of 40,000, Marco Island features six miles of beaches and is crisscrossed with more than 100 miles of canals and waterways created when the city was developed in the 1960s. Marco Island is recognized for its high quality of life with a low crime rate, proximity to fantastic fishing, and casual atmosphere, and friendliness. While real estate is relatively expensive compared to many communities in Florida, there is a wide variety of price ranges for homes, condominiums, and vacation rentals.

Naples was named for the romantic town in Italy because of its shimmering Naples Bay and location on the Gulf of Mexico. As the county seat of Collier County, it is home to both city and county government offices, law enforcement headquarters, and courts. It has ranked among the top 10 wealthiest cities in the United States. Home to about 20,000 residents, Naples has long been a popular winter destination, boasting more than 250 sunny days per year, rich cultural amenities, a strong philanthropic spirit, and sophisticated dining and shopping.

1,998 square miles Geographical size by land area $70,217 Median household income

$366,600 Median value of owneroccupied housing dwellings

25.4 minutes Mean commute time to work

3 Incorporated cities Source: U.S. Census, 2021 estimates

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VISIT FLORIDA

385,980 Population

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© The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau

COMMUNITIES

DOWNTOWN NAPLES

LEE COUNTY FAST FACTS 787,976 Population 784 square miles Geographical size by land area

$59,608 Median household income

$235,300 Median value of owner-occupied housing dwellings

27.6 minutes Mean commute time to work

6 Incorporated cities Source: U.S. Census, 2021 estimates

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T

he 67-mile-long Caloosahatchee River wends its way to the Gulf of Mexico through Lee County, which was created in 1887 after it was carved out of Monroe County. The river is part of the Western Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Okeechobee Waterway, which connects the state’s west and east coasts by water inland. The Caloosahatchee is also a unique natural resource for the county seat, Fort Myers. Originally a military fort and then a cattle town, Fort Myers was selected by inventor Thomas A. Edison for his seasonal winter home, which is now a popular tourist destination. International travelers are also drawn to Sanibel and Captiva islands, Gasparilla Island, and the rich fishing grounds of Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor.

Lee County has Major League Baseball spring training facilities for both the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. There are six incorporated cities and many distinct communities throughout the unincorporated

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parts of the county. Here is a snapshot of the municipalities:

BONITA SPRINGS: BEACHFRONT PARADISE Bonita Springs is an incorporated city in south Lee County with a population of 53,650.

It is home to the 1,616-acre Lovers Key State Park, stunning beachfront homes, public access to its gulf shoreline, a large community park on the Imperial River, and a historic downtown.

CAPE CORAL: CITY OF CANALS Across the Caloosahatchee west of Fort Myers, Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and Miami with a population approaching 200,000. It is the seventh largest in the state. At 120 square miles, Cape Coral is the third largest city in Florida by land mass.

Developed in the late 1950s, Cape Coral is one of the largest master-planned communities in the nation. It is known as the “City of

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Canals” for good reason: With 400 miles of navigable waterways, it has more canals than Venice, Italy. Cape Coral has a wide mix of residential options and plenty of vacant, developable lots; it is only 50 percent built out, so there are many commercial and industrial opportunities.

VILLAGE OF ESTERO: HISTORIC RIVER HAMLET

NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Estero is a 25-square-mile village nestled between Fort Myers and Bonita Springs that became incorporated in 2014. Today, it hosts a population of 37,000. For more than a century, it has drawn visitors to the Koreshan State Historic Site and the Estero River. In recent decades, it has become home to Florida Gulf Coast University, Hertz Corporation’s headquarters, Coconut Point Mall, and the Hertz Arena. The arena attracts national concerts and hosts the Florida Everblades hockey team.

FORT MYERS: HISTORIC HUB The county seat of Lee County, Fort Myers is a diverse community of 86,350 residents living in the 40-square-mile city.

Fort Myers is home to the Caloosahatchee River, palm-tree-lined McGregor Boulevard, Dunbar community, the county’s central government offices, and Southwest Florida’s largest concentration of historic commercial buildings in the downtown River District. The residential neighborhoods feature a blend of architectural styles ranging from the early 1900s to modern gems. Many apartment complexes and riverfront condos provide options.

FORT MYERS BEACH: CASUAL COASTAL COMMUNITY At six square miles, Fort Myers Beach has a year-round population of about 5,600, though it soars with seasonal visitors in the spring and winter months. Beachfront lovers can find

a bungalow, condo, or multilevel mansion for full- or part-time living. The island lifestyle is casual and laid-back, with dining, live music, and community events that draw visitors from throughout the region.

SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA ISLANDS: GULF GEMS Sanibel and Captiva Islands have a unique natural beauty and commitment to environmental stewardship that has restricted both commercial and residential development. These islands are home to about 6,400 residents. Their shores have drawn the world-famous for more than a century.

Captiva consistently ranks among the most desirable beaches in the world, and Sanibel has a global reputation for unparalleled shelling and coastal recreation. Due to limited inventory, these island gems boast the highest price tags in the county.

MARCO ISLAND

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COMMUNITIES

LIFESTYLE COMMUNITIES COLLIER COUNTY AUDUBON COUNTRY CLUB

WHAT’S YOUR IDEA OF LIVING IN PARADISE? SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS HOME TO A SPRAWLING SELECTION OF GATED COMMUNITIES THAT EMPHASIZE FITNESS, SOCIALIZATION, FUN IN THE SUN—OFTEN CENTERED AROUND BREATHTAKING GOLF COURSE VIEWS—AND AMENITIES GALORE

625 Audubon Blvd., Naples audubonccofnaples.com

Audubon Country Club is a 755-acre, gated community with 58 percent dedicated to natural preserve and 28 lakes interspersed throughout. It is an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary that provides world-class golfing at the Joe Lee–designed, 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, in addition to tennis, croquet, bocce, swimming, and a fitness center.

EAGLE CREEK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 11 Cypress View Drive, Naples eaglecreekgcc.org

Eagle Creek Golf and Country Club is a small, award-winning gated community on 300 wooded acres, centrally located midway between Naples and Marco Island. Eagle Creek has 460 residences, including condominiums, carriage home villas with detached guest suites, and estate homes with golf views. The recently renovated Larry Packard-designed golf course winds through cypress and pine preserves, with residential housing only on six holes. Amenities include a full-service clubhouse, tennis and bocce, pool and spa, and a fitness center.

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COMMUNITIES

ESPLANADE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

MEDITERRA

8912 Torre Vista Lane, Naples

15755 Corso Mediterra Circle, Naples

naplesesplanadegcc.com

mediterraliving.com

This new 1,800-acre gated community includes 1,000 acres of natural preserves, wetlands, and walking trails, as well as 170 acres of lakes. When complete, the community will consist of approximately 1,121 planned residential homes. The championship golf course, designed by architect Chris Wylczinsk, has already earned awards. The community, located three miles east of Interstate 75, offers a clubhouse, tennis and pickleball, resort pool, bocce, and fitness, wellness, and spa facilities.

Mediterra comprises 1,700 acres of nature preserves, lakes, and parks, as well as 950 luxury homes. The community’s design and luxury homes replicate the lush beauty of Europe’s Mediterranean region. The five-star, private country club includes a USTA awardwinning tennis program, Har-Tru tennis and pickleball courts, fitness studio and spa, and the Mediterra Beach Club, a 10,000-squarefoot clubhouse with a heated pool on the Gulf of Mexico on Bonita Beach.

GREY OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

NAPLES LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

2400 Grey Oaks Drive N., Naples

4784 Naples Lakes Blvd., Naples

greyoakscc.com

oldecypress.com

Grey Oaks offers 18 neighborhoods featuring single-family and estate homes, detached villas, and three condominium neighborhoods, as well as three championship golf courses for a total of 54 holes. Grey Oaks is centrally located in Naples west of Livingston Road and north of Golden Gate Boulevard.

The Estuary at Grey Oaks is the newest neighborhood, located across the street, east of Airport-Pulling Road. Both have clubhouses and luxury, resort-style amenities. The Estuary at Grey Oaks has a 62,000-square-foot clubhouse, heated lagoon swimming pool with an outdoor café, fitness center with personal trainers, tennis center with eight lighted HarTru tennis courts, and children’s playground.

Naples Lakes Country Club features an 18hole, Arnold Palmer signature course. With 200 acres of protected nature preserves and lakes, Naples Lakes has been an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary since 2001 and amenities include dining, tennis, fitness, a pool and spa, and a calendar of social activities.

LELY 8004 Lely Resort Blvd., Naples lelyresortgolfandcountryclub.com

Lely is a census-designated neighborhood of 2,037 households in a large range of options.

Lely Resort Golf & Country Club is home to 54 holes of golf designed by three of golf ’s most legendary names. The public-access Flamingo Island and Mustang courses were designed

by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Lee Trevino, respectively, and the private Classics course was designed by Gary Player. Flamingo and Classics each have a clubhouse, and there are two expansive, full-service golf practice facilities.

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OLDE CYPRESS 7165 Treeline Drive, Naples oldecypress.com

Olde Cypress is a 540-acre, gated community featuring P.B. Dye’s first 18-hole championship golf course in Collier County. Its seven neighborhoods feature 550 single-family estate homes, villas, and courtyard homes on 176 acres of pine and cypress preserves.

The 36,000-square-foot clubhouse includes an outdoor area with a bar and big-screen TV overlooking the ninth green, as well as a players’ lounge, library, media center, card rooms, private lockers, tennis courts, swimming pool, dining, and fitness center.

QUAIL WEST 5950 Burnham Road, Naples quailwest.com

This community spans Collier and Lee counties, with the majority of the 688 luxury estate homes in Collier. Its 70,000-square-foot clubhouse was recently refurbished, alongside the opening of a new two-story fitness center and restored championship golf courses. The club also offers eight red-clay tennis courts, an indoor, lagoon-style, Junior Olympic–sized pool, and a private beach pavilion.

THE QUARRY 8950 Weathered Stone Drive, Naples quarrygolfnaples.com

The Quarry is a gated community that offers both a golfing and waterfront lifestyle, featuring a large freshwater lake for water skiing, relaxing on the beach, catch-andrelease fishing, or visiting the beach club. The waterfront club includes a tiki bar and grill, resort-style lap pool, fitness and wellness center, tennis, pickleball, and bocce courts, boating, and dining. The Quarry’s clubhouse, fitness facilities, and 72-par golf course wind around 700 acres of lakes and private nature preserves. The community consists of singlefamily homes in 11 home designs ranging from 1,600 to 4,400 square feet and condos.

THE STRAND 5840 Strand Blvd., Naples thestrandcc.com

PELICAN MARSH 1810 Persimmon Drive, Naples pelicanmarshgc.com

Pelican Marsh is nestled within more than 1,000 acres of tropical landscaping, lakes, and 133 acres of nature preserves, including the Cocohatchee Strand Preserve. This gated Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary community provides miles of pathways for biking, jogging,

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or walking. Pelican Marsh offers a wide variety of neighborhoods and home and condo selections. The award-winning Robert Von Hagge championship golf course, Pelican Marsh Golf Club, and the two-story clubhouse, are the jewels of the community. Pelican Marsh also enjoys a community center with tennis, bocce, and fitness and spa studio.

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The Strand is a luxury community located on more than 500 acres of preserves and lakes, with 27 holes of golf on three courses designed by Gordon Lewis, a practice aqua range, putting green, and golf academy at The Club at The Strand. Members enjoy a fitness center and day spa, a Junior Olympic–sized swimming pool, tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, and 55,000-square-foot

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clubhouse with a boardroom, meeting rooms, pro shop, locker rooms, ballroom, and several dining options.

TALIS PARK 16980 Livingston Road, Naples talispark.com

This gated luxury community in North Naples with 12 neighborhoods features attached villa homes, penthouse-style condominiums, and single-family and showcase estate homes ranging from 5,900 to 6,820 square feet.

Designed for country club living with a focus on health, walkability, and social vitality, Talis Park includes an acclaimed 133-acre golf course with champion trees designed by Pete Dye and Greg Norman. Its Tuscany-inspired village center includes a fitness center and spa, pool, café, and tennis. Residents enjoy complimentary trips to Vanderbilt Beach via the community’s exclusive shuttle service.

THE VINEYARDS

WYNDEMERE COUNTRY CLUB

75 Vineyards Blvd., Naples

700 Wyndemere Way, Naples

vineyardsnaples.com

wyndemere.com

This planned, 2,000-acre neighborhood has 38 unique communities—many gated—with villas, condos, coach homes, single-family homes, and luxury custom homes. The 32-acre Vineyards Community Park, with soccer and ballfields, walking trails, courts, and water play area, is located adjacent to the community. The Vineyard’s 70,000-squarefoot clubhouse includes dining rooms overlooking the Tuscany-style patio with golf course views. Amenities include a new wellness and fitness center and spa, saltwater lap pool and sun deck, smoothie café, and salt room. It is one of the largest country clubs in Naples, with a professionally staffed tennis and pickleball center, 70,000-squarefeet clubhouse, and more than 300 acres dedicated to the club’s grounds.

Wyndemere Country Club is a golfing community comprising 634 single-family homes, condos, and villas in 16 communities on 450 acres. Wyndemere includes an Arthur Hills–designed championship golf course with 27 holes, 10 Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball, bocce, a 44,000-square-foot clubhouse, and a fitness center with a heated, outdoor swimming pool.

LEE COUNTY BONITA BAY 3451 Bonita Bay Blvd., Ste. 100, Bonita Springs bonitabayresidents.com

Bonita Bay is a 2,400-acre gated community of 56 neighborhoods, tucked among 1,400

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of NAPLES In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God: we worship, we love, we grow, we serve

Discover your home!

Visit our website for Sunday worship times Join us in person or live stream

A Season of Music Concert Series

Complete schedule of concerts is available on our website

Caring for the children of the Naples community since 1965 Part-day preschool program serving children ages 18 months - 5 years VPK Certified DCF#C20CO7389 www.fppnaples.org

250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 239.262.1311 www.fpcnaples.org We are an Earthcare Congregation

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of NAPLES

SW F L R E LO C AT I O N G U I D E .CO M

In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God: we worship, we love, we grow, we serve

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MICHAEL CARONCHI

COMMUNITIES

TALIS PARK

acres of parks, nature preserves, lakes, and open spaces. A 12-mile network of biking and walking paths links intimate collections of single-family homes, villas, coach homes and luxury high-rise residences. At build out, Bonita Bay will have fewer than 3,300 homes.

Three Arthur Hills–designed courses within Bonita Bay and two courses by Tom Fazio at nearby Bonita Bay Club provide 90 holes of championship golf. The private Bonita Bay Club also offers residents an opportunity to enjoy tennis, fitness center and spa, and a new clubhouse with a variety of dining options.

The full-service Bonita Bay Marina provides direct access to the Gulf of Mexico—via the Imperial River and Estero Bay—and boasts wet slips, dry storage, and a ship’s store.

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BONITA NATIONAL 17001 Bonita Beach Road S.E., Bonita Springs bonitanationalgolfcc.com

Bonita National Golf & Country Club is a luxury golf course community that consists of condominiums, attached homes, and singlefamily homes. Residents enjoy the 18-hole championship golf course and clubhouse with a fitness center, resort-style pool, scenic walking paths through conservation areas dotted with lakes, and a beach shuttle.

FIDDLESTICKS COUNTRY CLUB THE BROOKS

15391 Canongate Drive, Fort Myers

26388 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs

fiddlestickscc.com

thecommonsclub.com

With 585 homes and two golf courses, Fiddlesticks is a low-density community with two golf courses and private, estate-sized lots, condos, townhouses, and single-family residences. The resort-style community features a cabana and pool, eight Har-Tru

This 2,492-acre, master-planned development offers different types of properties in five distinct gated communities: Shadow Wood, Shadow Wood Preserve, Spring Run, Lighthouse Bay, and Copper Leaf. Shadow

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Wood and Shadow Wood Preserve have three diverse, championship golf courses, while Copper Leaf and Spring Run boast their own courses. Residents of The Brooks are offered membership in The Commons Club, a member-owned club of 2,300 families situated in a tranquil, park-like setting in Estero. The club features a health and lifestyle center, enrichment center, lakeside restaurant, and a private beach club located on Little Hickory Island.

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tennis courts that host league and recreational play, and a 7,000-squarefoot fitness facility with youth programs, including summer and school vacation camps.

GATEWAY 11360 Championship Drive, Fort Myers gatewaygolf.com, gatewaydistrict.org

This 3,000-acre, master-planned community with 32 neighborhoods offers residential options for a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.

VERANDAH Gateway is centrally located off Daniels Parkway near I-75 and is largely a single-family home and an 18-hole championship golf course community with quarter-acre lots. with six tee box choices redesigned by Kipp Neighborhoods such as Hammock Cove, Schulties Golf Design in 2017. The community Stoneybrook, Timber Ridge, and Summerwind also features 12 lighted hydro-grid tennis also feature condos and townhouses. The courts, six heated swimming pools, a fitness private, 18-hole, Tom Fazio–designed golf center, and bocce courts. The main clubhouse course highlights amenities that include boasts a variety of dining experiences, social an Olympic-sized swimming pool, soccer clubs, and special events, as well as an outdoor complex, the Gateway Fun Park, a dog park, 15 tiki bar, pool and jacuzzi, computer center and miles of multi-use trails, tennis and volleyball library, and a sandy beach. courts, and a lake and picnic grounds.

GRANDÉZZA 11481 Grand Oak Blvd., Estero

MIROMAR LAKES BEACH & GOLF CLUB

grandezzacc.com

18061 Miromar Lakes Parkway, Miromar Lakes

The centerpiece of Grandézza is a 53,000-square-foot, Tuscan-style clubhouse with multiple dining and lounge locations, a Junior Olympic pool, fitness center and studio, and tennis facility. The Club at Grandézza’s championship golf course, designed by Darwin Sharp III, plays to a par 72. The privately owned and managed community, featuring scenic exercise paths, has easy access to I-75.

miromarlakes.com

LEXINGTON COUNTRY CLUB 16257 Willowcrest Way, Fort Myers lexingtoncountryclub.com

Lexington Country Club consists of a Golf Village and a Lake Village, with 1,479 homes

A 700-acre freshwater lake with three miles of white-sand shoreline is the centerpiece of this community, providing endless recreational and social activities. Luxury estate, beach, coach, and villa homes overlook the lake or the remastered Arthur Hills signature championship golf course. Residents enjoy a year-round calendar of social events, boating, water skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, casual and fine dining at three restaurants, and resort-inspired amenities along the lakefront. Located near Estero, Miromar Lakes also has a full-service, European spa and fitness center, tennis and

bocce courts, marine services, and a private golf club.

PASEO 11611 Paseo Grande Blvd., Fort Myers mypaseo.life

Paseo is an award-winning community located in south Fort Myers off Daniels Parkway, close to shopping, the beaches, attractions, and I-75.

It is a private, gated community surrounded

by Six Mile Cypress Slough. There are a variety of single-family homes, two-story and splitlevel townhouses, casitas, and villas. Its village center offers a resort-style pool complex, fitness facilities, community movie theatre, fishing pier, an internet café/library, and courts for tennis and pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and bocce.

PELICAN LANDING 4450 Pelicans Nest Drive, Bonita Springs nestgolf.com

Pelican Landing is a master-planned community of 3,350 residences spread across 2,365 acres accented by lakes and preserves. It is situated along Spring Creek and its private, highly rated The Nest Golf Club has 36 holes at two golf courses: the Audubon-designated Hurricane and Gator courses. Pelican

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Landing owns a private barrier island with a 34-acre beach park on the Gulf of Mexico, and provides a boat shuttle, beach house with restrooms, shower facilities, a nature library, sun decks, and a screened pavilion.

Other amenities include a 4,400-square-foot fitness center, bocce and pickleball courts, championship tennis courts, full-time pro and pro shop, sailing club, docking and launch facilities, and canoe/kayak parks.

The community center provides activities coordinated by an activities director. The Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point offers residents lodging discounts and access to hotel services. Residences include custom estate homes, single-family homes, villas, coach homes, and condominiums. The Colony Golf and Country Club, with a private, par-72, Jerry Pate–designed course, is a sister community located within Pelican Landing.

carriage homes and single-family homes.

VERANDAH 12201 River Village Way, Fort Myers verandah.com, verandahlife.com

Verandah is located along the Orange River in East Fort Myers near Alva, not far from I-75. In addition to two 18-hole championship golf courses—Old Orange, designed by Bob Cupp, and Whispering Oak, a Jack Nicklaus II–designed course—residents enjoy a fitness with spa treatment rooms, tennis and bocce center, group and personal training, resort-style pool, and green space for outdoor games. The waterfront River House restaurant was recently renovated.

WEST BAY CLUB 22050 S. Tamiami Trail, Estero westbayclub.com

This 1,500-acre, master-planned community features a semi-private, Davis Love III–designed, par-72 golf course and a 14,000-square-foot clubhouse. Located in Alva, a Town Hall Amenity Center in this 10-year-old community provides a resortstyle lagoon pool, programmed activities led by an on-site lifestyle director, miles of interconnected and meandering sidewalks around lakes and preserves, and River Hall Elementary School. More than 600 vacant homesites are available.

Nestled on 868 acres among wetlands and nature preserve, and bounded by Estero Bay and Estero River, West Bay Club includes nine established neighborhoods and a new luxury, single-family villa neighborhood, WestLake Court. Choices of home styles range from carriage homes and villas to single-family estates and high-rise condos. The final development within the community will be the 24-floor condo, The Island, offering panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico and golf course and 86 residences. The 18-hole championship golf course was designed by Pete and PB Dye, and the community features tennis, a resort-style pool, private beach club, and state-of-the-art fitness center.

SANDOVAL

WILDCAT RUN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

2573 Sandoval Parkway, Cape Coral

20300 Country Club Drive, Estero

livesandoval.com

wildcatruncc.com

This 524-acre master-planned, gated community with a Caribbean flair has a host of family amenities: a lagoon pool with waterslide, wide, two-mile-long linear park path for running and cycling, four-and-a-halfacre Calypso Park with grills and fishing pier, dog park, and a community center. It also has sports courts, volleyball, bocce, and horseshoe pits. Sandoval housing options include

Located east of I-75, Wildcat Run is a mature, luxury community with golf and water views from most homes. Amenities include a clubhouse with tennis, library, fitness center, putting green, and signature Arnold Palmer golf course. It is an intimate community, with only 450 homes ranging from carriage houses, detached villas, and condos to custom estate homes.

RIVER HALL 2401 River Hall Parkway, Alva liveriverhall.com

OLDE CYPRESS

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HOMEBUYERS: GET IN THE SWING Welcome to the nation’s golf capitol. Did you know

ALTERNATIVE

MEMBERSHIPS:

Ask

if

there

are

that there are an estimated 150-plus golf courses in

alternative membership options to player memberships,

Collier and Lee counties? The minority—less than 10

such as a social, executive, or sports membership.

percent—are open to the public. That means the other

These memberships include year-round access to social

90-plus percent are private courses, typically located

activities and amenities. (Social and sports memberships

in gated golf course communities. In rare instances, a

allow golf privileges during the summer months, May

handful of these courses are semi-private, providing play

through October 31, while executive memberships allow

to non-residents and non-members.

for some in-season play.)

If you are a player who is interested in buying a home

NOT A GOLFER? If so, there are plenty of reasons to

in a private community, be sure to do your homework.

live in a golfing community: security, fewer neighbors,

Referrals and word of mouth are a good way to start.

great views, and social activities. In Southwest Florida,

If you’re looking at the bottom line, remember that

these communities are also focusing on providing a

annual membership dues vary greatly. Here are two key

vibrant, healthy lifestyle for all residents. State-of the-

distinctions in memberships; be sure to investigate your

art fitness centers have become vital for many new

options.

homebuyers, as well as natural spaces, walkability, and

BUNDLED GOLF COMMUNITIES: Golf and social

recreational opportunities. Many of these fitness centers

memberships are bundled into the purchase of your

have full-time personal trainers, and large ones often

residence. You do not pay an additional initiation fee,

have an on-staff nutritionist. Local clubhouse menus

but annual membership dues are required. Every

are continually revamped to provide culinary options

homeowner will be a golf or social member of the club.

for specific diets and local seafood, farm-to-table

EQUITY GOLF COMMUNITIES: These require an upfront initiation fee for golf membership, followed by annual membership dues.

vegetables, and organic meat and poultry.

As with any home purchase, consider the location and do your homework to ensure the community fits your needs and your budget.

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GOLDEN YEARS IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO LIVE OUT YOUR GOLDEN YEARS, HERE’S A HANDY GUIDE TO SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES IN COLLIER AND LEE COUNTIES

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COLLIER COUNTY LIFE CARE/CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES (Area code 239) ALL SEASONS NAPLES 15450 Tamiami Trail N., Naples, 34110 316-4400 • allseasonsnaples.com ARBOR TRACE 1000 Arbor Lake Drive, Naples, 34110 598-2929 • arbortrace.com

MOORINGS PARK AT GREY OAKS 2355 Rue Du Jardin, Naples, 34105 314-3786 • mooringspark.org

LELY PALMS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 1000 Lely Palms Drive, Naples, 34113 775-7661 • lelypalmsretirementliving.com

TERRACINA GRAND 6825 Davis Blvd., Naples, 34104 455-1459 • terracinaseniorliving.com

SANDALWOOD VILLAGE 3511 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, 34109 260-5455 • sandalwoodvillage.com

THE ARLINGTON OF NAPLES 7900 Arlington Circle, Naples, 34113 963-2881 • arlingtonnaples.org THE CARLISLE NAPLES 6945 Carlisle Court, Naples, 34109 249-6877 • srgseniorliving.com

THE GLENVIEW AT PELICAN BAY 100 Glenview Place, Naples, 34108 1-888-581-8105 • glenviewnaples.com THE MARBELLA AT PELICAN BAY 7425 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples, 34108 593-2300 • marbellapelicanbay.com

VI AT BENTLEY VILLAGE 850 Retreat Drive, Naples, 34110 888-726-3312 • naples.viliving.com

ASSISTED LIVING

INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING

BROOKDALE NORTH NAPLES 1710 S.W. Health Parkway, Naples, 34109 308-0490 or 844-297-3312 • brookdale.com

KEYSTONE PLACE AT NAPLES PRESERVE 3490 Thrive Drive, Naples, 34105 719-2187 • keystonesenior.com

BRADFORD SQUARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 3255 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, 34109 465-0650 • rlcommunities.com

HARBORCHASE OF NAPLES 7801 Airport-Pulling Road N., Naples, 34109 566-8077 • harborchase.com

MOORINGS PARK AT GRANDE LAKE 7330 Premier Drive, Naples, 34105 235-0786 • mooringspark.org

BROOKDALE NORTH NAPLES 1710 S.W. Health Parkway, Naples, 34109 308-0490 or 844-297-3312 • brookdale.com

ASTON GARDENS AT PELICAN MARSH 4800 Aston Gardens Way, Naples, 34109 449-8234 • astongardens.com DISCOVERY VILLAGE AT NAPLES 8417 Sierra Meadows Blvd., Naples, 34113 438-4706 • discoveryvillages.com

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TYPES OF SENIOR LIVING INDEPENDENT LIVING These communities are designed to enable residents to remain independent as long as possible. A community may offer annual or month-to-month payment structures. Independent communities provide residents with convenient access to dining and meal plans, entertainment and social activities, transportation, housekeeping and laundry, maintenance, and wellness clinics. Independent living communities are not licensed to provide personal or nursing care.

LIFE PLAN/ CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES These communities offer several kinds of residences that provide various levels of housing options, community amenities, and health care services for residents ranging from active seniors to those in need of skilled nursing. They typical include apartments, condos, or homes for independent living. Assisted living residents usually live in apartments, while

ASSISTED LIVING Assisted living provides a combination of housing, personal care services, and personalized health care designed for individuals who need assistance with normal daily activities in a way that promotes maximum independence.

Services typically include: nutritional meals and special diets, supervision and assistance with personal care, assistance with medications, transportation and escort to medical appointments, housekeeping and laundry, and social and leisure activities. There are four types of assisted living licenses.

MEMORY CARE These are licensed assisted living communities that specialize in deliv-

Alzheimer’s. These communities are secure for residents’ safety and provide 24-hour supervised care. The same license rules apply as assisted living.

Staff members are trained for the special needs of this population.

(Source: Seniors BlueBook, seniorsbluebook.com)

usually provide a long-term contract between the resident (frequently lasting the term of the resident’s lifetime) and

BEACH HOUSE 1000 Airport-Pulling Road S.,

Naples, 34104 • 307-1800 beachhousenaplesseniorliving.com MOORINGS PARK – OAKSTONE AT GREY OAKS 2355 Rue Du Jardin, Naples, 34105 919-1732 • mooringspark.org MOORINGS PARK - ORCHID TERRACE 111 Moorings Park Drive, Naples, 34105 643-9136 • mooringspark.org THE PINEAPPLE HOUSE AT SAPPHIRE LAKES 7901 Radio Road, Naples, 34104 259-0707 • pineapplehousenaples.com WATERCREST SENIOR LIVING NAPLES 9015 Bellaire Bay Drive, Naples, 34120 734-5639 • watercrestseniorliving.com

tenance-free living and access to a

ARDEN COURTS OF LELY PALMS 6125 Rattlesnake Hammock Road,

Naples, 34113 417-8511 • arden-courts.com BAYSHORE MEMORY CARE NAPLES 1260 Creekside Blvd. E., Naples, 34109 213-9370 • seniorlifestyle.com

Naples, 34103 403-0826 • memorycarenaples.com

continuum of health care, commonly all on one campus. If the resident requires assisted living, memory care, or skilled

NAPLES GREEN VILLAGE 101 Cypress Way E., Naples, 34110 514-0300 • naplesgreenvillage.com

or rehabilitative nursing, the community provides varying levels of care.

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MEMORY CARE

MEMORY CARE OF NAPLES 2626 Goodlette-Frank Road,

the community, which offers main-

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231-1903 • arborcompany.com

a cognitive impairment, dementia, or

suites or rooms. Life care communities

82

BARRINGTON TERRACE OF NAPLES 5175 Tamiami Trail E., Naples, 34113

ering care to residents suffering from

those in skilled nursing and memory support areas reside in private or shared

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

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THE OPAL AT NORTH NAPLES 1155 Encore Way, Naples, 34110

DISCOVERY VILLAGE AT THE FORUM 2645 Forum Blvd., Fort Myers, 33905 230-3436 • discoveryvillages.com

Bonita Springs, 34135 206-4289 • americanhouse.com

598-1368 opalnorthnaples.com

AMERICAN HOUSE - COCONUT POINT 8460 Murano Del Lago Drive, Estero, 34135 217-4186 • americanhouse.com

LEE COUNTY LIFE CARE/CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES AMAVIDA 7650 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, 33907

GLADWELL FORT MYERS 3501 Hancock Bridge Parkway, North Fort

Myers, 33903 205-2181 • gladwellseniorliving.com

ATRIUM AT LIBERTY PARK 1321 N.E. 24th Ave., Cape Coral, 33909 215-3082 • meridiansenior.com

GULF COAST VILLAGE 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, 33991 772-1333 • gulfcoastvillage.com

CALUSA HARBOUR 2525 First St., Fort Myers, 33901 688-7610 • fivestarseniorliving.com

HIGHPOINT AT CAPE CORAL 1701 Four Mile Cove Parkway, Cape Coral,

CYPRESS COVE AT HEALTHPARK 10200 Cypress Cove Drive,

237-0501/ 877-969-0712 amavidaliving.com

33990 282-4794 • highpointcapecoral.com

Fort Myers, 33908 323-5969 • cypresscoveliving.org

SHELL POINT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 15101 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers, 33908 466-1131/ 800-780-1131 • shellpoint.org

AMERICAN HOUSE - BONITA SPRINGS 11400 Longfellow Lane,

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE! SATURDAYS 5 PM SUNDAYS 8:15, 9:30 & 11 AM A lively campus for all ages, North Naples Church is proud to offer: Vibrant Sunday School & Youth Groups

World-class Music & Concert Series

Traditional and Contemporary Worship Services with state-ofthe-art livestreaming

Bible Study Groups for all ages and stages

Support Groups & Congregational Care

Active Men's & Women's Groups

239-593-7600

info@nnchurch.org

facebook.com/northnapleschurch

www.nnchurch.org

6000 Goodlette Rd. Naples, FL 34109

@wearennchurch

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THE PALMS OF FORT MYERS 2674 Winkler Ave., Fort Myers, 33901 275-7800 • fivestarseniorliving.com THE TERRACES AT BONITA SPRINGS 26455 S. Tamiami Trail,

Bonita Springs, 34134 949-7555 • theterracesatbonitasprings.com

INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING BROOKDALE - COLLEGE PARKWAY 8351 College Parkway, Fort Myers, 33919 308-0491 • brookdale.com CAMPO FELICE 2500 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, 33901 307-5493 • camposeniorliving.com COASTAL GARDENS SENIOR LIVING 3625 Hidden Tree Lane, Fort Myers, 33901

666-1847 DIAMOND OAKS VILLAGE 24110 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita

Springs, 34134 319-5338 • diamondoaksvillage.com

FOUNTAIN CREST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 1230 Taylor Lane, Lehigh Acres, 33936 239-214-8752 • sunshineretirementliving.com THE SUMMIT OF FORT MYERS 1499 S. Brandywine Circle,

Fort Myers, 33919 433-0477 • thesummitoffortmyers.com

ASSISTED LIVING BROOKDALE - BONITA SPRINGS 26850 South Bay Drive,

Bonita Springs, 34134 308-0506 • brookdale.com BROOKDALE - CAPE CORAL 1416 Country Club Blvd., Cape Coral, 33990 308-0502 • brookdale.com BROOKDALE - FORT MYERS LAKES PARK 14521 Lakewood Blvd., Fort Myers, 33919 239-308-0496 • brookdale.com DORNOCH PLACE 2728 S.E. 16th Place, Cape Coral, 33904 573-7598 • capealf.com LEHIGH ACRES PLACE 1251 Business Way, Lehigh

Acres, 33936 204-5057/866-902-8051 • enlivant.com

SPRINGWOOD COURT 12780 Kenwood Lane, Fort Myers, 33907

688-1784 • fivestarseniorliving.com VILLA PALMS SENIOR LIVING CENTER 6722 Winkler Road, Fort Myers, 33919 433-5553 • villapalmsalf.com

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE AMERICAN HOUSE – FORT MYERS

14001 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers, 33912 844-779-1146 • americanhouse.com BARKLEY PLACE SENIOR LIVING

36 Barkley Circle, Fort Myers, 33907 790-4285 • merrillgardens.com BARRINGTON TERRACE OF FORT MYERS

9731 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, 33908 201-4891 • arborcompany.com BROOKDALE - FORT MYERS CYPRESS LAKE 7460 Lake Breeze Drive, Fort Myers, 33907 308-0493 • brookdale.com CAPE CORAL SHORES

1318 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, 33991 573-9442 • capecoralshores.com CYPRESS POINT -FORT MYERS

6870 Alister Way, Fort Myers, 33912 768-4044 cypresspointseniorliving.com

PONDELLA RESIDENTIAL CARE 1923 N.E. Sixth St., Cape

PACIFICA SENIOR LIVING -

Coral, 33909 242-0597 • pondellaresidentialcare.com

9461 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, 33908 829-5119 • pacificaseniorliving.com

FORT MYERS

THE PRESERVE

14750 Hope Center Loop, Fort Myers, 33912 574-0078 • thepreservevoa.org

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TIPS ON RESEARCHING

THE ROSE GARDEN OF FORT MYERS

2117 Earl Road, Fort Myers, 33901 215-1337 • rosegardenassistedliving.com THE WINDSOR

SENIOR COMMUNITIES IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PLACE FOR YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONEIN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, BE PREPARED BEFORE YOU GET STARTED.

OF CAPE CORAL

831 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, 33991 772-9400 • legendseniorliving.com THRIVE AT BEACHWALK

15800 Beachwalk Blvd., Fort Myers, 33908 349-3769 • thrivesl.com

MEMORY CARE ARDEN COURTS OF FORT MYERS

15950 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 33908 454-1277 • arden-courts.com

START YOUR RESEARCH EARLY Compare the senior communities in your area. Begin actively planning where you want to be today, before health problems develop.

Determine the kind of lifestyle and health care options you want for yourself and narrow down your choices. Don’t feel rushed, but don’t procrastinate. Don’t be one of those people who end up saying, “I wish I hadn’t waited so long.”

Make a list of services, amenities, and features that are important to you. Remember: You are not just thinking about today but planning for your future.

13565 American Colony Blvd., Cape Coral, 33912 308-0498 • brookdale.com

Once you have narrowed down your choices, take tours. Can you visualize yourself living in this community? How do the grounds look? Is the staff friendly? Is the environment clean, well-maintained, and nicely appointed?

BROOKDALE SANTA BARBARA

ASK QUESTIONS

911 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, 33991 308-0499 • brookdale.com

Come prepared with a list of questions. If you don’t ask questions, you won’t be able to make an informed decision. You should feel certain that the staff is answering your questions and addressing your concerns.

THE COLONY

GULL POINT AT ESTERO

22900 Lyden Drive, Estero, 33928 221-6120 • willowriverseniorliving.com INSPIRED LIVING AT BONITA SPRINGS

27221 Bay Landing Drive, Bonita Springs, 34135 963-2927 • inspiredliving.care

What levels of care are available? Does the staff seem caring and professional? Are there activities for the residents who are receiving care?

What is the community licensed to provide, and what are the costs should care be needed? This is a very important part of your research.

MEET THE RESIDENTS DECIDE WHAT SERVICES AND AMENITIES ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU

VISIT AND TAKE NOTES BROOKDALE FORT MYERS

UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH CARE COMPONENT

EVALUATE THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS There are a variety of financial arrangements available. These might include rentals, equity, and entrance fees. Learn the pros and cons of each. Understand what is included and what is “extra.”

Can you envision the residents as your neighbors?

DINE AT THE COMMUNITY The more you can experience the lifestyle, the better. How is the atmosphere in the dining room? Is there a dress code for dinner? Does the menu offer good variety? Is the service attentive?

Does the chef accommodate dietary requirements? Will you enjoy dining here?

REVIEW PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES Ask for an event calendar to see if there are programs and activities of interest to you. Are there a variety of educational, social, cultural, and fitness programs available? Can residents volunteer within the community? Are special travel opportunities available to residents?

GET YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS INVOLVED If your family or friends can aid you in deciding, ask them to evaluate your top choices. They may raise questions you haven’t considered.

SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PROFESSIONAL Utilizing a senior housing advisor can help you narrow down your choices and provide valuable insight about the places you are considering.

(Source: Seniors BlueBook, seniorsbluebook.com) SW F L R E LO C AT I O N G U I D E .CO M

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REAL ESTATE THERE’S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT: SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CONTINUES TO ATTRACT NEW RESIDENTS EACH YEAR, DRIVING UP THE HOUSING MARKET

MIROMAR LAKES BEACH & GOLF CLUB

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W

ith 1.17 million people calling them home, Collier and Lee counties are magnets that draw new residents and businesses each year. Since 1990, both Lee and Collier counties have experienced a 3 percent compounded average growth annually, and they are projected to continue to grow steadily through the next two decades.

Lee County’s population increased by more than 23,000 people to 787,976 from July 2020 to July 2021, making it the ninth fastest-growing county in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and it ranked first among Florida’s 67 counties in net migration. Collier County, which has a reported population of 385,980, ranked 12 in the state for growth with more than 8,900 new residents.

Much of this population influx comes from northern, high-tax states. Florida has a 6 percent sales tax, and there is no state income tax. Collier County instituted a one-cent sales tax in 2019 (to expire in seven years) to fund needed infrastructure projects, bringing the

total sales tax on purchases in Collier County to 7 percent. In addition to the allure of no state income tax, Florida’s homestead exemption allows homeowners to reduce the assessed value of their primary home when it’s declared their domicile.

It’s no wonder so many people are choosing to move to Southwest Florida: It is a worldwide destination for those seeking mild winters and plenty of outdoor activities, sporting events, concerts, and festivals. The Gulf of Mexico invites boating, fishing, diving, and recreation, in addition to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Collier and Lee counties have a combined 150 golf courses that draw championship tournaments. The region is ranked No. 1 nationally for golf holes per capita by the National Golf Foundation, according to the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau. Two official paddling trails—the Paradise Coast Blueway in Collier County and Great Calusa Blueway in Lee

MUNICIPAL

POPULATIONS

BY COUNTY

COLLIER COUNTY

385,980

Everglades City

424

Marco Island

15,760

Naples

19,115

LEE COUNTY

787,976

Bonita Springs

53,644

Cape Coral

194,016

Estero

36,939

Fort Myers

86,395

Fort Myers Beach

5,582

Sanibel

6,382

(2021 U.S. Census estimates)

County—offer scenic routes for canoe, kayak, and paddleboard exploration inland and along the coast.

This region boasts ample salt and freshwater resources and unparalleled beauty.

Vast natural lands are preserved as national, state, and regional parks, in addition to more than 34,000 acres of conservation areas purchased through Collier and Lee tax-funded preservation programs. For those who have taken up the fast-growing new alternative to tennis—pickleball—there are plentiful courts. East Naples Community Park, with 64 courts, has been home to the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships since the inaugural tournament in 2016.

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COMMUNITIES

AQUALANE SHORES

MARKET OVERVIEW Southwest Florida offers diverse housing options, from affordable single-family homes to elaborate mansions to many options in gated, coastal, and rural communities.

Collier County’s housing market is hot, and one of the highest in the state. In 2021, the number of single-family home closed sales, 7,317, rose 15 percent from the previous year.

The median closed price for single-family homes rose from $469,450 in 2020 to $599,000 in 2021, an increase of 27.6 percent (compared to the 2020 statewide average of $348,000).

The condo and townhouse market is also simmering in Collier County, where the median closed price (excluding Marco Island) rose 20.7 percent to $338,038. In Lee County, the median sale price for single-family homes rose 25 percent, from $288,000 in 2020 to $360,000

88

in 2021. Condos and townhouses climbed 19.4 percent, to $248,625 in 2021.

COMMUNITIES Collier and Lee counties are filled with a wide diversity of cities and towns, stretching from the smallest post office in the United States in teensy Ochopee in Collier County to the opulent shores of Gasparilla and Sanibel islands to the backroads of Buckingham. Some neighborhoods have pockets of turn-ofthe-century and 1920s

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Mediterranean-style homes, and ranch-style homes from the 1960s and ’70s. Contemporary condominiums, townhouses, and updated homes with all the modern amenities expected today round out the choices. Communities may be laid out in suburban-style grids or grouped into small mini-developments around a golf course or lake. There is a generous offering of gated communities, as well as large lifestyle communities catering to boating, urban living, 55plus living, and more.

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2019

2020

2021

New Pending Sales

6,322

8,573

8,881

Closed Sales

5,188

6,360

7,317

Median Closed Price

$411,000

$469,450

$599,000

Average Sale Price

$751,542

$874,178

$1,091,536

3,393

2,689

1,400

101

91

41

New Pending Sales

6,301

8,024

9,783

Closed Sales

5,114

5,979

8,206

Median Closed Price

$260,000

$280,000

$338,038

Average Sale Price

$433,538

$490,143

$554,673

3,276

2,932

1,196

102

90

47

2019

2020

2021

New Pending Sales

15,984

18,912

20,442

Closed Sales

13,790

15,541

18,175

Median Sale Price

$258,615

$289,000

$360,000

Average Sale Price

$345,379

$394,618

$506,033

5,943

3,977

1,716

72

49

16

New Pending Sales

7,712

8,676

10,345

Closed Sales

6,916

7,485

9,421

Median Sale Price

$192,000

$209,900

$250,000

Average Sale Price

$248,845

$274,380

$331,454

3,326

2,593

734

78

61

18

SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

COLLIER COUNTY (EXCLUDING MARCO ISLAND)

Monthly Inventory Average

Average Days on Market

TOWNHOUSES & CONDOMINIUMS

Monthly Inventory Average

Average Days on Market

SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

LEE COUNTY

Monthly Inventory Average

Median Time to Contract (Days)

TOWNHOUSES & CONDOMINIUMS

Sources: Naples Area Board of Realtors and Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association

Monthly Inventory Average

Median Time to Contract (Days)

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Minutes from downtown – miles from the crowd Villa Homes

Comfort Casual

Urban Sanctuary starting in the $300’s

Visual Representation of Kitchen. Not actual model

JASPER FLATS

is proud to offer one and two floor residences that feature two and three bedroom floorplans built as twin villas, each with individual and attached garages.

Well-appointed units that features premium construction specifications as concrete block construction, wind rated windows and doors and premium brick paver walk and driveways.

Interior features include such equally impressive standards as Kohler fixtures, wood cabinetry with soft close hinging, Whirlpool kitchen and laundry appliances and quartz countertops. Using superior and value added structural components as building standards has set the community apart from other new construction developments in Naples, Florida.

239.691.4455 5840 Whitaker Rd. Naples, FL 34112

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This one’s for you!

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GETTING SETTLED

MOVE-IN ESSENTIALS IF YOU’RE NEW IN TOWN, HERE’S A HANDY DIRECTORY TO HELP YOU GET ADJUSTED

R

elocating to a new town is exhilarating, but it can be tedious tracking down all of the details you need to know to get settled in comfortably. You have many questions, and this guide will make the process a little easier. If you are moving into an incorporated city, contact the city hall or government to find out about local offices and services. If you are not living within the city boundaries of a municipality, you are in an unincorporated area of Collier or Lee county, so contact county government.

239-252-7311 or collierlibrary.org

EMERGENCY

PET LICENSE

Police, Fire, Medical: 911

DRIVER’S LICENSES, VEHICLE TAGS, CONCEAL CARRY, BOAT REGISTRATION, HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES Collier County Tax Collector Main Office 3291 Tamiami Trail E., Naples 239-252-8171; colliertaxcollector.com The Collier County Tax Collector has 11 offices/ locations in Collier County.

Collier County Domestic Animal Services 7610 Davis Blvd., Naples

COLLIER COUNTY TRAFFIC FINES, MARRIAGE LICENSES, DIVORCE, PASSPORTS, SMALL CLAIMS, JURY DUTY Collier County Clerk of Court

239-252-7387(PETS); colliercountyfl.gov

The owners of all dogs and cats over four months old must obtain a Collier County license. Proof of a current rabies vaccination is required. Veterinary clinics can also issue pet licenses.

Collier County Courthouse Annex, Second Floor 3315 Tamiami Trail E., Ste. 102, Naples 239-252-2646; collierclerk.com

RECYCLING, YARD WASTE, & SOLID WASTE Collier County Solid & Hazardous Waste Division 3339 Tamiami Trail E., Ste. 302, Naples

VOTER REGISTRATION Collier County Supervisor of Elections Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Building 3750 Enterprise Ave., Naples 239-252-8683; colliervotes.com Satellite office at the North Collier Government Services Center on Orange Blossom Drive.

COLLIER COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM The system has as 10 locations to serve Collier County. Find out more:

239-252-7575; colliercountyfl.gov

Collier County Solid & Hazardous Waste Division handles garbage and recycling for unincorporated areas of Collier County, City of Marco Island, and Immokalee. The county has one of the highest residential recycling rates in the state.

Recycling: Only these items should be placed in your recycling cart: plastic bottles, jars, jugs and tub; glass bottles and jars; metal cans; paper; cardboard; and cartons. Do not place plastic bags in your recycling cart.

Hazardous waste: Collier County operates four main drop-off centers to dispose of hazardous waste for residents and businesses within the county. They are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Hazardous waste includes chemicals that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment, such as aerosols, insecticides and herbicides, antifreeze, paint, batteries, pool chemicals, motor oil, and pharmaceuticals. They also accept electronics, including computers, TVs, and cellphones. Visit colliercountyfl.gov for collection locations.

Naples: The Naples Solid Waste Division is responsible for the collection and disposal of commercial and residential trash, horticultural, and recyclable material within the city. Contact: 2600 Corporate Flight Drive or 239-213-4700 IRRIGATION AND FERTILIZING REGULATIONS Watering restrictions (including lawn irrigation and car washing) and fertilizing schedules are in place year-round. Check with your local government for the schedules.

LEE COUNTY TRAFFIC FINES, MARRIAGE LICENSES, DIVORCE, PASSPORTS, SMALL CLAIMS, JURY DUTY Lee County Clerk of Court Lee County Justice Center 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd./1700 Monroe St., First Floor, Fort Myers 533-5000; leeclerk.org

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GETTING SETTLED

VOTER REGISTRATION Melvin Morgan Constitutional Complex

RECYCLING, YARD WASTE & SOLID WASTE Lee County Solid Waste Division

2480 Thompson St., Third Floor, Fort Myers

6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers

239-LEE-VOTE (533-8683);

239-533-8000; leegov.com/solidwaste

lee.electionsfl.org Branch offices in Cape Coral, South Fort Myers, and Bonita Springs. Registration forms are available online. You can also register to vote when you apply for a new driver’s license.

Lee County Solid Waste, a division of the Department of Public Utilities, provides a variety of waste and recycling services to more than 320,000 households in unincorporated Lee County and its six municipalities.

Lee County Supervisor of Elections

DRIVER’S LICENSES, VEHICLE TAGS, CONCEAL CARRY, BOAT REGISTRATION, HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES Lee County Tax Collector 2480 Thompson St., Fort Myers 239-533-6000; leetc.com

The Lee County Tax Collector has eight offices.

Application forms and information are available online.

PET LICENSE Lee County Animal Services 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers 239-533-7387; leegov.com/animalservicesPet

Recycling: Only five materials should be placed in your recycling bin: paper, glass (green, brown, and clear), cardboard (non-waxed coating), plastic containers labeled 1-7 in the triangle (no plastic bags or Styrofoam), and metal (aluminum and tin) cans.

Hazardous waste: Lee County also handles the disposal of residential hazardous waste such as aerosols, insecticides, antifreeze, paint, batteries, pool chemicals, and herbicides. It also accepts electronics, including computers, TVs, and cellphones. (Electronics are accepted for trash pickup in some cities.)

licensing: 239-533-9215 or 239-533-9217

All cats, dogs, and ferrets, four months of age or older, that live in Lee County for at least 30 days per year must be vaccinated against rabies (or show proof from another state) and licensed.

Veterinary clinics can also issue pet licenses.

Free mulch: Lee County provides free mulch to residents at five locations within the county.

City Waste Haulers: If you live in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, or Estero, check with that city’s public works and solid waste divisions to learn about obtaining trash and recycling bins, local ordinances, and pickup schedules. Some cities contract with these private companies: Advanced Disposal Services: 239-334-1224 or 239-368-2300; advanceddisposal.com Waste Management: 239-3344115 or 941-629-1106; wm.com Waste Pro: 239-945-0800; wasteprousa.com

IRRIGATION AND FERTILIZING REGULATIONS Watering restrictions (including lawn irrigation and car washing) and fertilizing schedules are in place year-round. Check with your local government for the schedules.

COLLIER AND LEE ELECTRICITY Florida Power & Light (FPL): 800-226-3545 or fpl.com Establishing service online is preferred.

To report an outage: 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC): 800-599-2356 or lcec.net LCEC headquarters: 4980 Bayline Drive, North Fort Myers LCEC provides power to parts or all of several Southwest Florida communities: Lee County: Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island, Matlacha, Burnt Store Marina, Useppa, Cabbage Key, Lehigh Acres Collier County: Everglades City, Ochopee, Goodland, Marco Island, Golden Gate Estates, Immokalee, Ave Maria INTERNET, TELEPHONE, TELEVISION AT&T: 855-650-4217; att.com CenturyLink: Products and Services: 855-716-5873; centurylink.com Comcast Business: 855-253-5401; business.comcast.com DirectTV: 844-437-7256; directvplans.com DISH: 855-590-1180; usdish.com HotWire Communications: 800-355-5668; gethotwired.com HughesNet: 877-203-1538; internet.hughesnet.com Summit Broadband: 407-996-8900; summit-broadband.com Viasat: 866-754-5264; viasatspecials.com XFINITY: 800-266-2278; XFINITY.com

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HELPFUL NUMBERS COLLIER COUNTY LOCAL GOVERNMENT Collier County Administration

239-252-8999

colliercountyfl.gov

North Collier Government Services Center

239-252-8999

colliercountyfl.gov

Collier Area Transit (CAT)

239-252-7777

colliercountyfl.gov

Clerk of Court

239-252-2646

collierclerk.com

Domestic Animal Services

239-252-7387 (PETS)

colliercountyfl.gov

Health Department

239-252-8200

collier.floridahealth.gov

Library System Headquarters

239-252-7356

collierlibrary.org

Property Appraiser

239-252-8141

collierappraiser.com

Public Schools

239-377-0001

collierschools.com

Sheriff’s Office

239-774-4434

colliersheriff.org

Non-Emergency Dispatch

239-252-9300

colliersheriff.org

Solid & Hazardous Waste Division

239-252-2508

colliercountyfl.gov

Supervisor of Elections

239-252-8683

colliervotes.com

Tax Collector

239-252-8171

colliertaxcollector.com

Utilities Customer Service

239-252-2380

colliercountyfl.gov

Everglades City

239-695-3781

cityofeverglades.org

City of Marco Island

239-389-5000

cityofmarcoisland.com

City of Naples

239-213-1000

naplesgov.com

Lee County Administration

239-533-2221

leegov.com

Animal Services

239-533-7387 / 239-533-9215

leegov.com/animalservices

Clerk of Court

239-533-5000

leeclerk.org

Health Department

239-332-9501

lee.floridahealth.gov

LeeWay - Toll Transponder Stickers

239-533-9297

leewayinfo.com

LeeTran - Public Transportation

239-533-8726 (LEE-TRAN)

leegov.com/leetran

Library System

239-479-4636

leegov.com/library

Property Appraiser

239-533-6100

leepa.org

School District

239-334-1102

leeschools.net

Sheriff’s Office

239-477-1350

sheriffleefl.org

Non-Emergency Dispatch

239-477-1000

sheriffleefl.org

Solid Waste Division

239-533-8000

leegov.com/solidwaste

Supervisor of Elections

239-533-8683 (LEE-VOTE)

lee.electionsfl.org

Tax Collector

239-533-6000

leetc.com

Utilities Customer Service

239-533-8845

leegov.com/utilities

City of Bonita Springs

239-949-6262

cityofbonitasprings.org

City of Cape Coral

239-574-0401

capecoral.net

City of Fort Myers

239-321-7000

cityftmyers.com

City of Sanibel

239-472-3700

mysanibel.com

Town of Fort Myers Beach

239-765-0202

fortmyersbeachfl.gov

Village of Estero

239-221-5035

estero-fl.gov

MUNICIPALITIES

LEE COUNTY LOCAL GOVERNMENT

MUNICIPALITIES

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GETTING SETTLED

GETTING THERE IT’S FAIRLY EASY TO GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, BUT IT’S NICE TO HAVE A LITTLE ASSISTANCE WITH NAVIGATION— AND WE HAVE YOU COVERED

BY AIR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (RSW) 11000 Terminal Access Road, Fort Myers

239-590-4800 • flylcpa.com Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is operated by the Lee County Port Authority and is one of the top 50 airports nationally for passenger traffic. It is located three miles east of I-75 off exit 128 (Alico Road).

NAPLES TROLLEY TOURS

Airlines Serving Southwest Florida International Airport Air Canada ......................... 888-247-2262 Air Transat..........................877-872-6728 Alaska Airlines...................800-252-7522 American Airlines.............800-433-7300 Avelo Airlines.....................364-616-9500 Delta Air Lines/Delta Connection........................800-221-1212 Eurowings Discover.........800-645-3880 Frontier Airlines...............801-401-9000 JetBlue Airways...............800-538-2583 Southwest Airlines ..........800-435-9792 Spirit Airlines....................801-401-2222 Sun Country......................651-905-2737 United Airlines.................800-241-6522 WestJet.............................888-937-8538

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PAGE FIELD REGIONAL AIRPORT (FMY) 5200 Captain Channing Page Drive,

Fort Myers 239-590-6600 • flylcpa.com/fmy Page Field (FMY) is a business and general aviation airport operated by the Lee County Port Authority with Foreign Trade Zone status.

It provides quick and convenient access to communities throughout the region. As a TSA-approved DCA Gateway Airport, Page Field is authorized to support direct flights into Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Base Operations, a top-rated fixed-base operator, is on-site. Page Field also has FAA-approved aviation services including flight training, aircraft maintenance and repair, hangars, and air charter operations.

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CHARTER SERVICES AT PAGE FIELD Aeronautical Charters, Inc.: 888-781-010 or

goflyaci.com Charter Manager, LLC: 239-437-1666 or chartermanagerllc.com Salt Island Seaplanes: 239-263-7258 or saltislandseaplanes.com NAPLES MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (APF) 160 Aviation Drive N., Naples

239-643-0733 • flynaples.com Naples Airport (APF) is operated by the Naples Airport Authority and accommodates more than 100,000 general aviation takeoffs and landings each year. It is home to sightseeing tours, air charter operators, flight schools, and other businesses, and it provides U.S. Customs clearing for international arrivals.

WINTER 2023

11/1/22 3:08 PM

CHARTER SERVICES AT NAPLES MUNICIPAL AIRPORT Air Trek: 800-247-8735 (AIR-TREK)

Downtown Fort Myers

or airtrek.cc Aviation Advisor: 847-395-3767 or aviationadvisor.com Elite Jets: 239-900-9000 or elitejets.com Exec Air of Naples: 239-290-5668 or 1-866-669-2359 or execairline.com Jet 1: 239-643-9700 or flyjet1.com Naples Jet Center: 239-649-7900 or firstwing. com/fbo/naples-jet-center Northern Jet Management: 800-462-7709 or northernjet.net Private Jets, Inc.: 888-237-6059 or privatejetsinc.com Salt Island Seaplanes: 239-263-7258 or saltislandseaplanes.com

131: Daniels Parkway/Bell Tower Shops, JetBlue

136: Colonial Boulevard (SR 884)/Edison Mall or Fort Myers

941-639-1101, ext. 100 • flypgd.com Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is located off exit 161 (Jones Loop Road) of I-75 in Charlotte County.

It is operated by the Charlotte County Airport Authority and is a service hub for Allegiant, which provides low-cost, nonstop air service to more than 45 destinations.

Allegiant Air: 702-505-8888 or allegiantair.com CHARTER SERVICES AT PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT Air Trek: 800-247-8735 (AIR-TREK) or airtrek.cc

BY LAND MAJOR HIGHWAYS I-75 runs 471 miles in Florida, from the

Georgia border south to Naples, where it turns east to Fort Lauderdale and connects to I-95, which runs north-south along the East Coast.

From the Georgia border, U.S. 41 / Cleveland Avenue/Tamiami Trail runs south and turns east at Naples and connects to Miami.

I-75 / Major Exits From North to South:

LEE COUNTY 143: Bayshore Road (SR 78)/North Fort Myers 141: Palm Beach Boulevard (SR 80)/Downtown or East Fort Myers

138: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (SR 82)/

LEE COUNTY

Stadium, Beaches

128: Alico Road/RSW, FGCU 123: Corkscrew Road/FGCU, Miromar Outlets 116: Bonita Beach Road/Bonita Springs

COLLIER COUNTY 111: Immokalee Road (CR 846)/North Naples 107: Pine Ridge Road (CR 896)/Naples 105: Golden Gate Parkway (CR 886)/Golden Gate or Naples

101: Collier Boulevard (CR 951) 80: State Road 29/Immokalee, Lake Trafford, Everglades City

BUS & TROLLEY SERVICE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT (PGD) 28000 A-1 Airport Road, Punta Gorda

BY WATER

LEE COUNTY TRANSIT (LEETRAN) 239-533-8726 (LEE-TRAN) or rideleetran.com Local routes, plus downtown trolley and beach shuttles. Check website for schedules.

COLLIER AREA TRANSIT (CAT) 239-252-7777 or gocatbus.com (colliercountyfl.gov) Local routes, paratransit pick-up for the elderly and disabled, and beach shuttles. Check website for schedules.

GREYHOUND greyhound.com Fort Myers Bus Station: 2250 Widman Way, Fort Myers, 239-334-1011 Shell Gas Station: 3825 Tollgate Blvd., Naples, 800-231-2222

ISLAND GIRL CHARTERS AT PINELAND MARINA 13921 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia 239-633-8142 islandgirlcharters.com Water taxi service to North Captiva, Cabbage Key, Boca Grande, Captiva, and Useppa Island.

KEY WEST EXPRESS 1200 Main St., Fort Myers Beach 888-539-2628 or 239-463-5733 keywestexpress.net Ferry linking Fort Myers and Marco Island with Key West.

COLLIER COUNTY HEMINGWAY WATER SHUTTLE 951 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island 239-315-1136 hemingwaywatershuttle.com Transports passengers to Keewaydin Island, which is accessible only by boat.

NAPLES BAY WATER SHUTTLE 880 Twelfth Ave. S., Naples 239-206-0160 naplesbaywatershuttle.com Takes passengers to some of Naples’ top waterfront shopping, hotels, and dining destinations along Naples Bay.

COURTESY OF THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERES & SANIBEL

NAPLES TROLLEY TOURS 1010 Sixth Ave. S., Naples 239-262-7300 naplestrolleytours.com See 100 points of interest while riding this vintage trolley.

SANIBEL TROLLEY TOUR 239-472-8443 adventureinparadiseinc.com Get picked up and returned to your Sanibel condo or hotel.

KEY WEST EXPRESS

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CULTURE AND LEISURE

OPERA NAPLES

ART & CULTURE

FILL YOUR CALENDAR WITH ART, THEATER, DANCE, AND MUSIC

ARTIS—NAPLES THE BAKER MUSEUM 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples

239-597-1900 or 800-597-1900 artisnaples.org CAMBIER PARK/THE NORRIS CENTER 755 8th Ave. S., Naples

239-213-3058 • naplesgov.com GULFSHORE OPERA 3281 Golden Gate Blvd. W., Naples

239-529-3925 • gulfshoreopera.org GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples

239-261-7529 • gulfshoreplayhouse.org

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MARCO ISLAND ARTS CENTER THEATRE 1089 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island

OPERA NAPLES 2408 Linwood Ave., Naples

239-394-4221 • marcoislandart.org

239-963-9050 • operanaples.org

MARCO ISLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1010 Winterberry Drive,

Marco Island • 239-394-4221 marcoislandart.org NAPLES ART 585 Park St., Naples

239-262-6517 naplesart.org NAPLES ART DISTRICT naplesartdistrict.com NAPLES DESIGN DISTRICT naplesdesigndistrict.com

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MICHAEL CARONCHI

COLLIER COUNTY

WINTER 2023

11/3/22 10:30 AM

THE NAPLES PLAYERS AT SUGDEN COMMUNITY THEATRE 701 Fifth Ave. S., Naples

BARBARA B. MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers

239-263-7990 • naplesplayers.org

239-481-4849 or 800-440-7469 bbmannpah.com

THE STUDIO PLAYERS 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples

BIG ARTS SANIBEL 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

239-398-9192 • thestudioplayers.org

239-395-0900 • bigarts.org

THEATREZONE 13275 Livingston Road, Naples

BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATRE 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers

888-321-3090 • theatre.zone

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN BONITA SPRINGS

239-278-4422 • broadwaypalm.com

LEE COUNTY

BURROUGHS HOME & GARDENS 2505 First St., Fort Myers

239-337-9505 • burroughshome.com ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers

239-939-2787 • artinlee.org

CAPE CORAL ART LEAGUE 516 Cultural Park Blvd.,

Cape Coral • 239-772-5657 capecoralartleague.org

CENTERS FOR THE ARTS BONITA SPRINGS VISUAL ARTS CENTER 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs

239-495-8989 • artcenterbonita.org

SCAN FOR SHOWS AND TICKETS

239.263.7990

NaplesPlayers.org 701 5 TH AVE S | NAPLES, FL 34102

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CULTURE AND LEISURE

LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers

THEATRE CONSPIRACY 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers

239-218-0481 laboratorytheaterflorida.com

239-939-2787 • artinlee.org/theatre

MUSIC & ARTS COMMUNITY CENTER 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers WASMER ART GALLERY AT FGCU

CULTURAL PARK THEATRE 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral

239-772-5862 • culturalparktheater.com FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY BOWER SCHOOL OF MUSIC & THE ARTS 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers

239-590-7581 • fgcu.edu/concerts WASMER ART GALLERY AT FGCU 239-590-7199 • fgcu.edu/artgalleries THEATRELAB AT FGCU 239-590-7581 • fgcu.edu/theatrelab

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SYMPHONY 8290 College Parkway, Ste. 103,

Fort Myers 239-418-1500 • swflso.org

239-277-1700 gulfcoastsymphony.org NEW PHOENIX THEATRE 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers

239-284-5214 newphoenixtheatrefortmyers.org PLAYERS CIRCLE THEATRE 16554 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers

239-800-3292 • playerscircletheater.com SIDNEY & BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER 2301 First St., Fort Myers

239-333-1933 • sbdac.com

THE NAPLES PLAYERS

FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE 2267 Bay St., Fort Myers

239-332-4488 • floridarep.org FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN STATE COLLEGE BOB RAUSCHENBERG GALLERY 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers

239-489-9313 • rauschenberggallery.com FORT MYERS SYMPHONIC MASTERSINGERS 6900 Daniels Parkway, #29, Fort Myers

239-288-2535 • mastersingersfm.com GHOSTBIRD THEATRE COMPANY Site-specific performances at various venues

ghostbirdtheatrecompany.org

JOHN EDER

GULF COAST SYMPHONY 6314 Corporate Court, #100, Fort Myers

239-277-1700 • gulfcoastsymphony.org ARTIS-NAPLES

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BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM

BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM

ATTRACTIONS &

FAMILY DESTINATIONS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, HAVING FUN ISN’T JUST FOR THE KIDS

COLLIER COUNTY COLLIER MUSEUM AT GOVERNMENT CENTER 3331 Tamiami Trail E., Naples

239-252-8476 • colliermuseums.com DOLPHIN RESEARCH TOURS 3265 Andrews Ave., Naples

239-777-4296 thedolphinsofmarcoisland.com THE EDGE JOHNNY NOCERA SKATE PARK 1600 Fleischmann Park, Naples

239-213-3020 • naplesgov.com

POPSTROKE SW F L R E LO C AT I O N G U I D E .CO M

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CULTURE AND LEISURE

NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN

GOLISANO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF NAPLES (CMON) 15080 Livingston Road, Naples

NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples

239-643-7275 • naplesgarden.org

239-514-0084 • cmon.org HISTORIC PALM COTTAGE 137 Twelfth Ave. S., Naples

NAPLES DEPOT MUSEUM 1051 Fifth Ave. S., Naples

239-252-8419 • colliermuseums.com

239-261-8164 • napleshistoricalsociety.org HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & COHEN EDUCATION CENTER 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Naples

239-263-9200 • hmcec.org IMMOKALEE PIONEER MUSEUM AT ROBERT’S RANCH 1215 Roberts Ave. W., Immokalee

NAPLES TROLLEY TOURS 1010 Sixth Ave. S., Naples

239-262-7300 • naplestrolleytours.com NAPLES ZOO AT CARIBBEAN GARDENS 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples

239-315-7626 • napleszoo.org

239-252-2611 • colliermuseums.com

GATOR MIKE’S FAMILY FUN PARK

REVS INSTITUTE

MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM 180 S. Heathwood Drive, Marco Island

239-252-1440 • themihs.info MUSEUM OF THE EVERGLADES 105 West Broadway Ave., Everglades City

239-252-5026 • colliermuseums.com

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VISIT FLORIDA

SUN-N-FUN LAGOON AT NORTH COLLIER REGIONAL PARK

SEMINOLE CASINO HOTEL 506 S. First St., Immokalee

239-658-1313 • seminoleimmokaleecasino.com TIN CITY WATERFRONT SHOPS 1200 Fifth Ave. S., Naples

LEE COUNTY BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM 3075 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel Island

EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers

BUCKINGHAM FARMS 12931 Orange River Blvd., Fort Myers

239-334-7419 • edisonfordwinterestates.org

239-206-2303 • buckinghamfarmsonline.com

FORT MYERS SKATIUM 2250 Broadway, Fort Myers

CALUSA NATURE CENTER & PLANETARIUM 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers

239-321-7509 • fmskatium.org

239-687-7387 • revsinstitute.org SUN-N-FUN LAGOON AT NORTH COLLIER REGIONAL PARK 15000 Livingston Road, Naples

239-275-3435 • calusanature.org

239-252-4021 • napleswaterpark.com WOOTEN’S EVERGLADES AIRBOAT TOURS 32330 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee

800-282-2781 or 239-695-2781 wootenseverglades.com

239-543-3246 • echonet.org

239-395-2233 • shellmuseum.org

239-262-4200 • tincityofnaples.com REVS INSTITUTE 2500 S. Horseshoe Drive, Naples

ECHO (EDUCATIONAL CONCERNS FOR HUNGER ORGANIZATION) 17391 Durrance Road, North Fort Myers

GATOR MIKE’S FAMILY FUN PARK 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral

239-574-4386 • gatormikes.com CAPE CORAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY 544 Cultural Park Blvd.,

Cape Coral • 239-772-7037 capecoralhistoricalmuseum.org

HERTZ ARENA 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero

239-948-7825 • hertzarena.com

CAPTIVA CRUISES 11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva

IMAG HISTORY & SCIENCE CENTER 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers

239-472-5300 • captivacruises.com

239-243-0043 • theimag.org

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KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE 3800 Corkscrew Road, Ester

239-992-0311 • floridastateparks.org MOUND HOUSE 451 Connecticut St.,

Fort Myers Beach 239-765-0865 • moundhouse.org POPSTROKE GOLF 5531 Six Mile Commercial Court, Fort Myers

239-323-4653 • popstroke.com RANDELL RESEARCH CENTER/CALUSA HERITAGE TRAIL 13810 Waterfront Drive, Pine Island

239-283-2157 floridamuseum.ufl.edu/rrc

CAPTIVA CRUISES

SHANGRI-LA SPRINGS 27750 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs

239-949-0749 • shangrilasprings.com SHELL FACTORY & NATURE PARK 16554 N. Cleveland Ave.,

North Fort Myers 239-995-2141 • shellfactory.com SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MILITARY MUSEUM & LIBRARY Edison Mall

4125 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers 239-541-8704 • shopedisonmall.com SUN SPLASH FAMILY WATERPARK 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral

ZEE ANNA PHOTOGRAPHY

239-574-0558 • sunsplashwaterpark.com

WONDER GARDENS

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WONDER GARDENS 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs

239-992-2591 evergladeswondergardens.com

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CULTURE AND LEISURE

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE AT SPECIAL PLACES WITH UNIQUE HABITATS AND ECOSYSTEMS WHERE YOU CAN EXPLORE FLORIDA’S FLORA AND FAUNA.

COLLIER COUNTY

HIKE, PADDLE, CYCLE, SWIM, CAMP, TRAVEL ON HORSEBACK, OR SIMPLY RELAX IN NATURE’S BEAUTY.

BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR: RESEARCH EACH LOCATION TO PLAN A VISIT TAILORED TO YOUR INTERESTS AND NEEDS. (239 AREA CODE)

AUDUBON CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY 375 Sanctuary Road W., Naples

348-9151 • corkscrew.audubon.org

33000 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee 695-4758 • nps.gov/bicy Oasis Visitor Center 52105 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee 695-4111 • nps.gov/bicy COLLIER-SEMINOLE STATE PARK 20200 Tamiami Trail E., Naples

DENNIS GOODMAN

AU NATURAL CONSERVATION COLLIER PRESERVES 252-2961 or 252-2979 • collierparks.com CREW LAND & WATER TRUST TRAILS 4600 Corkscrew Road, Immokalee 657-2253 • crewtrust.org EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK GULF COAST VISITOR CENTER 815 Oyster Bar Lane, Everglades City

695-3311 • nps.gov FAKAHATCHEE STRAND STATE PRESERVE 137 Coastline Drive, Copeland

695-4593 • floridastateparks.org

394-3397 • floridastateparks.org CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples

ROOKERY BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE 300 Tower Road, Naples

530-5940 • rookerybay.org

262-0304 • conservancy.org

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LEE COUNTY BUNCHE BEACH PRESERVE – SAN CARLOS BAY 18201 John Morris Road, Fort Myers

KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero

992-0311 • floridastateparks.org CATHY KUNKLE

leegov.com/parks CALOOSAHATCHEE REGIONAL PARK 19130 N. River Road, Alva

LAKES REGIONAL PARK 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers

694-0398 • leegov.com/parks

533-7575 • leegov.com/parks

CAYO COSTA STATE PARK Captiva

MANATEE PARK 10901 State Road 80

Nearby places to get in touch with wildlife

941-964-0375 • floridastateparks.org

(Palm Beach Boulevard), Fort Myers 690-5030 • leegov.com/parks

COLLIER COUNTY

CONSERVATION 20/20 PRESERVES leegov.com/conservation2020 FOUR MILE COVE ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE East end of S.E. 23rd Terrace, Cape Coral

549-4606 • capecoral.net

MATANZAS PASS PRESERVE 199 Bay Road, Fort Myers Beach

BIRD SANCTUARY OF NAPLES 1060 Purple Martin Drive, Naples

813-841-1911 • birdgardensofnaples.org

leegov.com/parks ROTARY PARK ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral

HICKEY CREEK MITIGATION PARK 17980 Palm Beach Blvd., Alva

549-4606 • capecoral.net

694-0398 • leegov.com/parks

SIX MILE CYPRESS SLOUGH PRESERVE 7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers

J.N. “DING” DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel Island

GO WILD IN TOWN

533-7550 • sloughpreserve.org

NAPLES ZOO AT CARIBBEAN GARDENS 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples

262-5409 • napleszoo.org SHY WOLF SANCTUARY EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE CENTER Visitation is by appointment only.

855-749-9653 • shywolfsanctuary.org

LEE COUNTY THE BUTTERFLY ESTATES 1815 Fowler St., Fort Myers

472-1100 • fws.gov

690-2359 • thebutterflyestates.com CALUSA NATURE CENTER & PLANETARIUM 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers 275-3435 • calusanature.org SHELL FACTORY & NATURE PARK 16554 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers

995-2141 • shellfactory.com WONDER GARDENS 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs

ARNOLD COLLENS

992-2591 • evergladeswondergardens.com

AUDUBON CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY

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BOATING

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO LAUNCH YOUR BOAT? START HERE

COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC BOAT RAMPS Permits for recreational vessels (motorized and non-motorized) and trailers are needed for county-operated boat ramps. (collierparks.com) ANN OLESKY PARK 6001 Lake Trafford Road, Immokalee

Located at the end of Lake Trafford Road in Immokalee, the 1,500-acre Lake Trafford is known for fantastic freshwater crappie, bass, bluegill, and shellcracker fishing. The park features a 200-foot pier, boat ramp, and boat rentals.

BAYVIEW PARK 1500 Danford St., Naples

Four acres along Naples Bay offer two launching lanes, courtesy docks, 20 boat trailer parking spaces, canoe and kayak launching, picnic areas, a pavilion, a playground, and restrooms.

BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE SEAGRAPE BOAT LAUNCH 3310 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee

A single ramp, four trailer parking spaces, and 12 single vehicle spaces. It’s located at the south end of Seagrape Drive and provides access to Halfway Creek (no docks).

BIG CYPRESS RECREATION ACCESS (ALLIGATOR ALLEY MILE 51) Everglades Parkway / Alligator Alley Mile 51 along

west-bound lanes Big Cypress offers a double ramp, staging docks, 50 trailer parking spaces, and 23 single-vehicle spaces.

CAXAMBAS PARK 909 Collier Court, Marco Island

Four acres inside of Caxambas Pass offer two launching lanes, courtesy docks, 31 boat trailer parking spaces, picnic area, and restrooms. Diesel and regular fuels are available. Onsite Coast Guard Auxiliary building with boating and safety classes.

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CULTURE AND LEISURE

COCOHATCHEE RIVER PARK MARINA 13535 Vanderbilt Drive, Naples

This 7-acre county park located between 111th Avenue (Immokalee Road) and Bonita Beach Road provides Gulf access through Wiggins Pass. It has 60 boat trailer parking spots, four launching lanes, courtesy docks, and restrooms; paddlecraft can also be launched.

Provides access to fresh/brackish water fishing for small vessels; located behind Golden Gate Community Park with ample boat and trailer parking.

GOODLAND BOAT RAMP 740 Palm Point Drive, Goodland

Two launching lanes, courtesy docks, 85 boat trailer parking spaces, and a ship’s store.

COLLIER BOULEVARD BOAT RAMP 3620 Collier Blvd., Naples

ISLES OF CAPRI PADDLECRAFT PARK 1295 Capri Blvd., Naples

This area located at the intersection of Capri Boulevard offers a double-wide launching lane, courtesy dock, and 80 paved trailer parking spaces.

Designed exclusively for launching nonmotorized paddlecraft—canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards—the park provides access to shallow, mangrove-fringed McIlvane Bay.

DELNOR-WIGGINS STATE PARK 11135 Gulfshore Drive, Naples

LANDINGS PARK 1101 Ninth St. S., Naples

Located on the waters of Turkey Bay, this site has a single launching lane, courtesy docks, 30 boat trailer parking spaces, and restrooms at beach access points.

Located on the western shore of Naples Bay, Landings Park has three launching lanes, courtesy docks, 35 boat trailer parking spaces, picnic pavilions, benches, and restrooms.

GOLDEN GATE BOAT RAMP 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Naples

MAR-GOOD HARBOR PARK 321 Pear Tree Ave., Goodland

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This 2.5-acre regional park has a launch for canoes and kayaks, but not for motorized vessels.

PORT OF THE ISLANDS MARINA 525 Newport Drive, Naples

Five acres of commercially zoned waterfront and upland property used for boat trailer and car parking as well as storage. The site includes one oversized single-boat launch ramp and 94 parking spaces. Future plans call for expanding the boat launch area and adding more facilities.

LEE COUNTY

PUBLIC BOAT RAMPS Parking is $10 or less at county-operated boat ramps; annual parking stickers available. (leegov.com) ALVA BOAT RAMP 21580 Pearl St., Alva

This public boat ramp has 15 parking spots, paddlecraft launch, and restrooms.

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FREEDOM BOAT CLUB

BOATING AND FISHING WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

F

rom the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers to Lake Trafford in Collier County, boating and fishing are popular pastimes in Southwest Florida. Few places in North America offer such a wide variety of boating and fishing options—the choices are limitless, depending on your goal.

as Walmart and local hardware stores.FISHING RULES: Pick up or download a guide at myfwc.com that shows fish species, legal size, catch-number limits, and when each is in season.

BOATING: In Florida, any motorized vessel on a public

BEFORE HEADING OUT

Familiarize yourself with the rules and laws governing boating and fishing.

FISHING: A license is required for freshwater and saltwater

fishing. (There are exceptions for people younger than 16; Florida residents older than 65 or disabled; fishing from a chartered vessel or a licensed pier; or a Florida resident in the U.S. armed services.) Nonresident freshwater or saltwater licenses are available for three days, seven days, or a year.

Special permits are required for lobster, tarpon, and snook.

Different licenses and prices are available for residents and nonresidents, age ranges, and fresh or saltwater fishing. Licenses are issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) at: myfwc.com or 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). You can also obtain fishing licenses at county tax collector offices, select bait and tackle shops, and retailers such

waterway must be titled and registered. Find out about boat registration and legal boat operation at myfwc.com.

BOATING LICENSE: Florida does not have a boating

license, but anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 is required to successfully complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators–approved boating education course or pass an equivalent course or temporary certificate examination. They must have in their possession a boating and photo ID card before operating a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more.

Visitors must comply with the boating safety education requirements. If a nonresident can show proof of having successfully completed a safety course certificate or card that meets or exceeds Florida’s requirements, a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card is not required. Visitors planning to rent a boat may obtain a temporary certificate that is valid for one year. Learn more: myfwc.com.

Before heading out, check each location for parking and daily fees or permit requirements.

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Slip into paradise with this select list of marinas COLLIER COUNTY MARINAS Location

Community

Phone

Website

Calusa Island Marina

385 Angler Drive

Goodland

239-394-3668

calusaislandmarina.com

Esplanade Marina

760 N. Collier Blvd.

Marco Island

239-394-6333

esplanadeshoppesatmarcoisland. com

Marco Island Marina

1402 N. Collier Blvd.

Marco Island

239-642-2531

marcoislandmarina.com

The Marina at Factory Bay

1081 Bald Eagle Drive

Marco Island

239-389-2929

themarinaatfactorybay.com

Naples Bay Resort & Marina

1500 Fifth Ave. S.

Naples

866-605-1199

naplesbayresort.com

Rose Marina

951 Bald Eagle Drive

Marco Island

239-394-2502

rosemarina.com

Southpointe at Windstar Marina

1777 Gulfstar Drive S.

Naples

239-774-0518

windstarclub.com

Tarpon Club Marina

240 Capri Blvd.

Isles of Capri

239-394-5643

tarponclubmarina.com

Walker’s Coon Key Marina

604 East Palm Ave.

Goodland

239-394-9333

walkersmarine.com

Walker’s Hideaway Marina of

705 East Elkcam Circle

Marco Island

239-394-9333

walkersmarine.com

475 North Road

Naples

239-394-9333

walkersmarine.com

Marco Island Walker’s Hideaway Marina of Naples

COLLIER COUNTY YACHT CLUBS Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club

7065 Hamilton Ave.

Naples

239-775-0506

hamiltonharboryachtclub.com

Marco Island Yacht Club

1400 N. Collier Blvd.

Marco Island

239-394–0199

marcoislandyachtclub.net

Naples Boat Club

909 Tenth St. S.

Naples

239-430-4994

naplesboatclub.com

Naples Sailing & Yacht Club

896 River Point Drive

Naples

239-774-0424

thensyc.com

Naples Yacht Club

700 14th Ave. S.

Naples

239-262-6648

naplesyc.org

Pelican Isle Yacht Club

410 Dockside Drive

Naples

239-566-1606

piyc.net

LEE COUNTY YACHT CLUBS

Location

Community

Phone

Website

Captiva Island Yacht Club

15903 Captiva Drive

Captiva Island

239-472-4133

captivaiyc.net

St. Charles Yacht Club

15900 St. Charles Harbour

Fort Myers

239-466-2007

stcharlesyc.com

Useppa Island

239-283-1061

useppa.com

Blvd.

Useppa Island Club

Pine Island Sound between Intracoastal Waterway Markers 64 and 65

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DAVIS BOAT RAMP 2227 Davis Blvd., Fort Myers

Single-lane community boat ramp with 11 spots for vehicle/trailer parking.

IMPERIAL RIVER 27551 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs

LEE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU

This facility has a small, wooden walking path to a fishing pier, restrooms, and canoe/kayak ramp—no motorized vessels.

LAVENDAR’S LANDING

7290 Barrancas Ave. N.W., Bokeelia A two-slip boat launching facility that offers 23 boat trailer parking spaces, a marina store, and rental cottages. This Lee County Parks & Recreation facility and the cottages are under the management of Tropic Star of Pine Island.

LOVERS KEY STATE PARK 8700 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach

Two double ramps, staging docks, and 20 trailer parking spaces provide access to this group of barrier islands, mangrove coastline, and beyond.

MUNICIPAL YACHT BASINS COLLIER COUNTY

MATLACHA BOAT RAMP 4577 Pine Island Road N.W., Matlacha

NAPLES CITY DOCK 880 Twelfth Ave. S., Naples

Matlacha has a two-slip boat ramp with 30 boat trailer parking spaces.

239-213-3070 • naplesgov.com/cdw The recently rebuilt Naples City Dock has 84 slips on floating docks accommodating 30- to 60-foot vessels, diesel and ethanol-free gasoline, free pump-out, restrooms, and laundry facilities. It is located at Crayton Cove, with a full-line ship’s store, hotel, specialty shopping, and The Dock at Crayton Cove restaurant. Transient vessels are welcome.

PINE ISLAND COMMERCIAL MARINA 6001 Maria Drive, St. James City

This marina is limited to commercial use Monday through Friday, but recreational boaters and anglers can use the ramp Saturdays, Sundays, and on Lee County–recognized holidays. The gate is open 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

PUNTA RASSA BOAT RAMP 15001 Punta Rassa Road, Fort Myers

Located on the east side of the Sanibel Causeway, this popular facility features two double ramps and long, wooden docks on either side with plenty of room for staging. It also has a fish-cleaning station, restrooms, and several vehicle/trailer combination and single-vehicle parking spaces.

SANIBEL BOAT RAMP Bailey Road, next to the Sanibel Causeway, Sanibel

This area boasts a double ramp, staging and launching docks, 42 trailer parking spaces, and 15 single vehicle spaces located on the island at the foot of the bridge.

LEE COUNTY

FORT MYERS BEACH MOORING FIELD 414 Crescent St., Fort Myers Beach

239-463-9258 • fortmyersbeachfl.gov Also known as the Mantanzas Harbor Municipal Mooring Field, 70 mooring balls are available for public rental yearround, accommodating vessels up to 48 feet in length. It is located east of the Sky Bridge between San Carlos and Estero Island in Matanzas Pass at The Matanzas Inn. Amenities include a public dinghy dock, laundry room, restrooms, showers, pump-out, and vending and ice machines.

CAPE CORAL (GODMAN) YACHT BASIN 5815 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral

FORT MYERS YACHT BASIN 1300 Lee St., Fort Myers

239-574-0809 • capecoral.net Managed by the Cape Coral Marine Services Division and located at the Yacht Club Community Park, the yacht basin features 89 boat slips for vessels up to 55 feet long and other amenities. The park is home to a pool, beach, recreational courts, and The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill. (Note: This park and yacht basin will close in 2022 (TBA) for a two-year renovation project.)

239-321-7080 • cityftmyers.com Located at Mile Marker 135 on the Okeechobee Waterway, the Fort Myers Yacht Basin is a well-protected marina on the Caloosahatchee River that is owned and operated by the City of Fort Myers. The average depth at the docks is six feet. It provides liveaboard and short-term slips, fuel, and restrooms, and is in the bustling River District nightlife.

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CULTURE AND LEISURE LEE COUNTY MARINAS

Location

Community

Phone

Website

Boca Grande Marina

220 Harbor Drive

Boca Grande

941-964-2100

bocagrandemarina.net

Cape Harbour Marina

5828 Cape Harbour Drive

Cape Coral

239-945-4330

capeharbour.com

Diversified Yacht Services

751 Fishermans Wharf

Fort Myers Beach

239-765-8700

dysinc.com

Fish-Tale Marina

7225 Estero Blvd.

Fort Myers Beach

239-463-3600

thefishtalemarina.com

Four Winds Marina

16501 Stringfellow Road

Bokeelia

239-283-0250

fourwindsmarina.com

Gulf Harbour Marina

14490 Vista River Drive

Fort Myers

239-437-0881

gulfharbourmarina.com

Gulf Star Marina

708 Fishermans Wharf

Fort Myers Beach

239-463-9552

gulfstarmarina.com

Jensen’s Twin Palm Cottages and Marina

15107 Captiva Drive

Captiva Island

833-668-7768

jensensmarina.com

Legacy Harbour Marina

2044 W. First St.

Fort Myers

239-461-0775

legacyharbourmarina.com

Marinatown Yacht Harbour

3446 Marinatown Lane

North Fort Myers

239-997-2767

marinatown.net

MarineMax Fort Myers at Deep Lagoon

14030 McGregor Blvd.

Fort Myers

239-481-8200

marinemax.com

Matanzas Inn Bayside Resort and Marina

414 Crescent St.

Fort Myers Beach

239-463-9258

matanzas.com

Monroe Canal Marina

3105 Stringfellow Road

St. James City

239-282-8600

monroecanalmarina.com

Moss Marina

450 Harbor Court

Fort Myers Beach

239-765-6677

mossmarine.com

Pineland Marina

13921 Waterfront Drive

Bokeelia

239-283-3593

pinelandmarina.com

Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina

275 Estero Blvd.

Fort Myers Beach

877-583-2901

pinkshell.com

Port Sanibel Marina

14341 Port Comfort Road

Fort Myers

239-437-1660

portsanibelmarina.com

Prosperity Pointe Marina

1016 N. Tamiami Trail

North Fort Myers

239-995-2155

prosperitypointemarina.com

Salty Sam’s Marina

2500 Main St.

Fort Myers Beach

239-463-7333

saltysamsmarina.com

Sanibel Marina

634 N. Yachtsman Drive

Sanibel Island

239-472-2723

sanibelmarina.com

Snook Bight Marina

4765 Estero Blvd.

Fort Myers Beach

239-765-4371

snookbightmarina.com

Sweetwater Landing Marina

16991 State Road 31

Fort Myers

239-694-3850

sweetwaterlanding.net

Tarpon Point Marina

5971 Silver King Blvd., Unit 107

Cape Coral

239-549-4900

tarponpoint.com

The Gasparilla Inn & Club

500 Palm Ave.

Boca Grande

877-764-1420

the-gasparilla-inn.com

The Marina at Edison Ford

2360 W. First St.

Fort Myers

239-895-7703

marinaedisonford.com

‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa

15951 Captiva Drive

Captiva Island

239-472-5161

tween-waters.com

Walker’s Hideaway Marina of Cape Coral

1503 S.E. 46th Lane

Cape Coral

239-541-2988

walkersmarine.com

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REACH THE BEACH

FOR AN ACTIVE DAY ALONG THE SHORE OR A RELAXING RESPITE, 80 MILES OF BEACHES BECKON WITH A RANGE OF AMENITIES IN COLLIER AND LEE COUNTIES

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COLLIER COUNTY BLUEBILL BEACH Intersection of Bluebill Avenue and Gulfshore

Drive, Naples White-sand beaches can be accessed at the Bluebill Beach access or at nearby Connors Park at 111th Street. This family-friendly beach offers foot showers, restrooms, and bike racks.

SOUTH MARCO BEACH 930 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island

This is one of only two public beaches on the island; the parking lot is on Swallow Avenue.

TIGERTAIL BEACH 430 Hernando Drive, Marco Island

Tigertail Beach is a jewel along Marco Island’s western shore. On the island’s north end, this

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pristine beach can be accessed by five boardwalks though a mangrove forest. Visitors often wade across the tidal bay to Sand Dollar Island, a popular bird nesting area. The beach has an abundance of shells and sand dollars. Amenities include watercraft, paddleboard, and beach gear rentals, food and beverage concessions, picnic areas, a playground, and restrooms.

LEE COUNTY ALISON HAGERUP BEACH PARK 14790 Captiva Drive, Captiva

This northern-most public beach on Captiva is as far from the beaten path you can get without having to hop on a boat. This tucked-away locale is a best-kept secret for watching amazing sunsets and shelling. The beach park is located at the end of Sanibel-Captiva Road. There is a

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pay-to-park lot with direct access to Captiva Beach. Amenities include picnic shelters and restrooms.

BONITA BEACH PARK 27954 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs

This stunning beachfront park on the southern tip of Bonita Beach offers a variety of amenities including restrooms, showers, a playground, volleyball court, boardwalk, and paddlecraft landing/launch. Sand dunes and coastal vegetation surround a gazebo and eight picnic shelters with grills.

BOWDITCH POINT REGIONAL PARK 50 Estero Blvd., Estero Island

Bowditch Point Regional Park encompasses the 17-acre northern tip of Estero Island, with 10 acres set aside for preservation. Walking trails wind through varied environments and offer

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JAN CHRISTOPHER BECKE

excellent opportunities for birdwatching and taking in views of Estero Bay. Bowditch Point, a designated Great Florida Birding Trail site, has 10 free dock slips for boats up to 28 feet in length and a paddlecraft launch. Other amenities include a boardwalk, charcoal grills, concessions, picnic shelters, restrooms, and showers.

BOWMAN’S BEACH 1700 Bowman’s Beach Road, Sanibel Island

Isolated and picturesque, this is one of the most popular beaches on Sanibel Island, though there is plenty of space to stretch out. Great shelling and amenities make it worth the fiveminute hike from the parking area to the beach.

Adventurous beachcombers can walk for several miles on unobstructed white-sand beaches covered in shells. Amenities include charcoal grills, fishing, fitness stations, hiking trails, paddlecraft landing/launch, picnic shelters, a

playground, restrooms, and showers. Courtesy beach wheelchairs are provided upon 24-hour notice to the City of Sanibel Police Department Dispatch (239-472-3111).

BUNCHE BEACH PRESERVE ON SAN CARLOS BAY 18201 John Morris Road, Fort Myers

This 718-acre county park ranges from a sandy beach to mangrove forests to salt flats. It contains a wide variety of wildlife and flora, offering great photo opportunities and stunning sunsets. Bunche Beach Preserve is a designated Great Florida Birding Trail site, and Bird Patrol Tours (239-533-7275) are offered. The outdoor activity center has two paddlecraft launches, two wildlife viewing and fishing piers, a 310-foot boardwalk, and restrooms. The onsite Kayak Excursions (239-297-7011) is a full-service outfitter.

GASPARILLA ISLAND STATE PARK 880 Belcher Road, Boca Grande Separated from the mainland by Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, Gasparilla Island is part of a barrier island chain that falls into both Lee and Charlotte counties. The centerpiece of Gasparilla is the restored 1890 Port Boca Grande Lighthouse within the state park on the island’s south end. Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and nature study are popular activities that can be accessed from five parking lots. Two picnic areas (at the Range Light and Boca Grande Lighthouse parking lots) offer shaded pavilions and scenic water views.

LITTLE HICKORY 26082 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs Little Hickory Island Park is in an isolated location just off Little Hickory Island with family-style restrooms, shelters, picnic tables, and

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paddlecraft landing/launching.

LYNN HALL MEMORIAL PARK 950 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers

Lynn Hall Memorial Park is located on Fort Myers Beach, north of the foot of Matanzas Pass Bridge.

SANIBEL CAUSEWAY ISLANDS 19931 Sanibel Causeway Road

(SR/CR 867), Sanibel The Sanibel Causeway links Sanibel Island to the mainland via two spoil islands bisecting San Carlos Bay. The two islands provide bay and Gulf access and free parking. Traveling

from the mainland toward Sanibel Island, the first island is referred to as Island A while the second is Island B. Both are popular for fishing, wading/swimming, picnicking, canoeing/ kayaking, windsurfing, and kiteboarding.

Island A has parking only. Island B offers restrooms, drinking fountains, and a few picnic tables. Leashed pets are welcome. Parking lot renovations are underway.

SANIBEL LIGHTHOUSE BEACH PARK 1 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island

Located on Sanibel Island’s southern tip, the 1884 lighthouse makes this family beach a picturesque location for shelling. It provides a

clear view of the Gulf and plenty of large shade trees for picnicking, strolling, swimming, fishing from the pier, sailing, or windsurfing.

TURNER BEACH 17200 Captiva Drive, Sanibel Island

Located just past the bridge to Captiva, Turner Beach is a popular place for sunsets and fishing from the beach and the rock jetty.

Swimmers should stay away from the bridge area due to deep water, strong tides, and the threat of undertow. Bars and restaurants are nearby. Amenities include paddlecraft landing/ launching and restrooms.

PARKING: Plan to pay for parking at either metered parking spaces or pay stations—with a wide range of hourly or daily fees—or obtain a permit. (Disability permit holders may park at any space without payment.) Rules and fees vary for city, county, and state beaches.

Research parking permit programs through the city or county where you will most frequently visit the beach.

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POOCH PLAYGROUNDS FEEL LIKE ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS WITH YOUR FOUR-LEGGED COMPANION? FIND OFF-LEASH PLAYGROUNDS FOR A ROUND OF FETCH AND CANINE CAVORTING

COLLIER COUNTY

FLEISCHMANN PARK 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples

DOG BEACH 8800 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach

CANINE COVE DOG PARK 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island

FREEDOM PARK 1515 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples

K-9 CORRAL AT ESTERO PARK 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero

GOLDEN GATE COMMUNITY PARK 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Naples

PAWS 4 DUTY AT VETERANS PARK AND RECREATION CENTER 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres

DO YOUR DUTY Remember to pick up and properly dispose of your pet’s waste to prevent the bacterial and nutrient pollution of area waterways.

In addition to degrading water quality, pet waste contains illnesscausing pathogens, including parvovirus and parasites.

Collecting your dog’s waste takes seconds, and many pet parks and walking areas provide bags and trash bins, making it a cinch to be a good citizen. Lee County’s motto is “Do your duty! Pick up the doodie!”

NAPLES DOG PARK (CENTRAL BARK) 99 Riverside Circle, Naples ROVER RUN 1895 Veterans Park Drive, Naples VETERANS COMMUNITY PARK 1895 Veterans Park Drive, Naples

LEE COUNTY BARKINGHAM DOG PARK AT BUCKINGHAM PARK 9800 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers

POOCH PARK AT JUDD PARK 1297 Parkview Court, North Fort Myers WOOF-A-HATCHEE DOG PARK AT WA-KE HATCHEE PARK 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers

On-leash dog walking is allowed in many parks in Collier and Lee counties. Each county has different rules. In Collier County, the leash cannot be longer than six feet. In both counties, leashed dogs are not allowed in many park areas, such as ballfields, dugouts, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, or designated skateboarding facilities. Heed park signage.

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HIT THE TRAILS

CALOOSAHATCHEE REGIONAL PARK

WALK, JOG, SKATE, OR CYCLE IN PARADISE

LEE COUNTY BOCA GRANDE BIKE PATH Discover Gasparilla Island’s soothing beaches,

upscale eateries, shopping, and nautical history along this paved, six-mile trail that travels the length of the barrier island. Bring your sunscreen and wallet: Use of the trail is free, but the causeway crossing and sites along the route charge fees. From the south shore, you can begin at the state park and visit the museum. From

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the north, there are many Gasparilla Sound overlooks. Whichever direction you choose, the scenic trail reaches central Boca Grande. Note: Golf carts share this trail.

park is also home to the more rugged and adventurous North Side Mountain Bike & Equestrian Trails (Parking lot three at 18251 North River Road, Alva) boasting 10 miles of rutty trails.

CALOOSAHATCHEE REGIONAL PARK This 768-acre park offers an outdoor escape

CAPE HAZE PIONEER TRAIL When you travel the nearly eight-mile Cape

along the Caloosahatchee River. It has interconnecting trails that make up 3.4 miles of hiking, with bicycles permitted on many of the trails.

The Overlook Trail is wheelchair-accessible. The

Haze Pioneer Trail, you’re tracing the line that once serviced Florida’s early phosphate industry and moved people, livestock, and local produce to steamships in Boca Grande on Gasparilla

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Island. The fairly straight and flat rail-trail originating near Charlotte Beach has multiple access points and three trailheads. The northern trailhead boasts ample parking, water, and restrooms.

ESTERO BAY PRESERVE STATE PARK Off-road cycling is permitted at the Estero

River Scrub Trails, however, bicycles are not permitted at the Winkler Point Trails. The Estero River Scrub Trails provide about 10 miles of sand, gravel, and dirt-surfaced paths. Riders are prohibited from traversing the salt flats.

JOHN YARBROUGH LINEAR PARK TRAIL Stretching from Colonial Boulevard to Six

Mile Cypress Parkway, this six-mile, paved trail rolls alongside the Ten Mile Canal. Covered picnic tables provide shelter. Parking is located at the southern end of the trail, on the south side of Daniels Parkway.

MCGREGOR BOULEVARD This stately, palm-lined thoroughfare in the

city of Fort Myers is flanked by parallel pathways for exercisers of all types. Stay on the sidewalk of the 14.6-mile-long road that runs parallel to the Caloosahatchee River or veering into established neighborhoods leading to the river. There are many commercial places to park in downtown Fort Myers.

Periwinkle Way is the main thoroughfare, offering access to the Sanibel Lighthouse, restaurants, and shops. Look for the brightly colored Sanibel Island Visitors Center (1159 Causeway Road) shortly after arriving on the island to pick up trip-planning information.

COLLIER COUNTY

PINE ISLAND BIKE PATH This 13.7-mile path spans the island along

BIRD ROOKERY SWAMP TRAIL This popular trail offers 12 miles of hiking and

Stringfellow Road from York Road in St. James City to Barrancas Avenue in Bokeelia. Parking is located at Phillips Park (5675 Sesame Drive) at Pine Island Center.

biking trails. A quarter-mile, crushed-shell path leads to a 1,500-foot boardwalk with wheelchair accessibility, then trails become ground-level, flat berms with swamp on both sides. This site is part of the public-private, nonprofit CREW Land & Water Trust conservation properties.

SANIBEL ISLAND The world-class island is well-known for its

generous paths along the island’s main streets separated from traffic by grassy medians.

Entering the island from the causeway,

COLLIER-SEMINOLE STATE PARK The century-old Historic Marco Road was

the original route between Miami and Marco

BOCA GRANDE BIKE TRAIL

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Island. Today it is part of Collier-Seminole State Park and a 3.5-mile segment welcomes hikers and bikers to its marsh, hammock, and pine flatwood habitat. The off-road trail is grass and dirt, which can get muddy in rainy months. The park rents bikes.

GORDON RIVER GREENWAY This 1.9-mile shared-use path through a

126-acre natural area in the heart of Naples is silky pavement measuring 12 feet wide and winding through a mixture of palm trees, pine flatwoods, and scrubland. The trail is interspersed with elevated boardwalk sections over wetlands. Access points with parking, bike racks, restrooms, benches, and drinking fountains make the trail doable for most ages and abilities.

JANES SCENIC DRIVE/WEST MAIN TRAIL Janes Scenic Drive through Fakahatchee

Strand Preserve State Park qualifies as off-roading even though it is accessible by car.

The 12-mile (one-way) dirt road provides access to off-road trails—elevated tram roads once used in logging operations. The trail (also known as West Main Trail) passes through the strand’s bald cypress stands, swamps, and prairies.

Wildlife sightings are common. The flora is rich with native species of orchids and bromeliads.

Fakahatchee Strand is west of Copeland on S.R. 29.

LOVERS KEY STATE PARK More than five miles of off-road trails lead you

MARCO ISLAND Marco Island occupies 12.1 square miles of

land, making it the perfect size to explore on two wheels. Wide, shared-use paths take cyclists past historic and archaeological sites, shopping centers, and community destinations. The elevation of Marco Island is zero feet, though steepish elevations will be encountered in older neighborhoods built atop Calusa shell mounds.

RICH KING MEMORIAL GREENWAY Rich King Memorial Greenway offers a paved,

north-south, three-mile route along the east side of Naples. There is no designated parking lot; visitors park in area commercial or church lots. Trail end points are located at Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Radio Road (C.R. 856).

to some of the park’s best secrets. A park naturalist leads a free, three-mile Black Island Bike Tour about once a month during season.

FOR MORE OPTIONS, MAPS, AND RESOURCES: BikeWalkLee bikewalklee.org Conservation Collier Preserve Trails colliergov.net CREW Land & Water Trust crewtrust.org Florida State Parks floridastateparks.org Gordon River Greenway gordonrivergreenway.org Lee County Conservation 20/20 Preserve Trails: leegov.com

CREW LAND & WATER TRUST

Naples Pathway Coalition naplespathways.org Rails-to-Trails Conservancy traillink.com

CREW LAND & WATER TRUST BIRD ROOKERY SWAMP TRAIL

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BRIAN TIETZ

RULES OF THE ROAD FOR BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS

1. Be prepared to share the road courteously. In Florida,

cyclists on roadways or bike lanes are considered vehicles by state law and must follow the same rules.

2. Obey all traffic laws, including stopping at STOP signs

or red lights.

3. Ride in the same direction as other traffic—on the

road and on the sidewalk.

4. Stay alert. Don’t wear headphones or earbuds.

5. Be predictable. Don’t swerve in and out of traffic. Be

sure to use hand signals.

6. Do not ride more than two abreast. As a courtesy, allow

motorists to pass when they are lined up behind you.

7. Be visible. Wear bright colors and make sure your bike

has front and rear lights.

8. Wear a helmet. Helmets must be worn until the age of

16, by state law.

9. Light up. Lamps must be used on bikes after sunset.

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HAMMOND STADIUM AT CENTURYLINK SPORTS COMPLEX - SPRING TRAINING HOME OF MINNESOTA TWINS LEE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU

SPORTS & ATHLETICS BOSTON RED SOX AT JETBLUE PARK

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS A PARADISE FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION, WHETHER YOU’RE SIMPLY SPECTATING OR PARTICIPATING ON LAND OR SEA

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REGIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION CENTERS Collier and Lee counties are home to dozens

of neighborhood and community parks. For the biggest variety of activities, regional parks and recreation centers go as far as including disc golf courses, aquatic playgrounds, horse trails, and off-leash areas for dogs. To meet surging demand, another major multisport facility, Paradise Coast Sports Complex, in East Naples is in its third phase of construction.

COLLIER COUNTY EAGLE LAKES COMMUNITY PARK This East Naples facility includes an aquatic

complex, fitness center, community center, 2.5-mile nature trail, 1-mile paved path, and lighted courts and fields for basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and football.

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GOLDEN GATE COMMUNITY PARK A dog park and boat ramp are among the ameni-

ties at this park, which also boasts a fitness center, aquatic park, paved fitness trail, and numerous lighted facilities including tennis and racquetball courts.

NORTH COLLIER REGIONAL PARK The state-of-the-art Sun-N-Fun Lagoon, exhibit hall, and Can U Dig It playground highlight this park’s amenities. It also includes a fitness center, boardwalk, walking trails, soccer fields, and more.

• Fishing at Estero and Veterans parks • Skate park, cricket field, and splash

pad at Veterans Park

Lakes Regional Park: Created around an old limestone rock quarry, this park in Fort Myers is popular with families for its bike and kayak rentals, many playgrounds, rentable pavilions, and other amenities. Miniature train rides, decorated for the holidays, are a specialty of the Railroad Museum of Southwest Florida.

For more on Lee County facilities:

For more on Collier County facilities:

leegov.com

collierparks.com

STRAUSSER BMX SPORTS COMPLEX BMX racers have converged on this popular

motocross track for state and national BMX races since 1977. In addition to a lighted BMX track, three lighted softball fields, and a playground, the park is adjacent to a boat ramp to access freshwater lakes and canals.

WILLIAM “BILL” AUSTEN YOUTH CENTER With a large rec center and after-school

programs, this is a great place for kids ages 8 to 18 to play computer games and sports, get help with homework, learn martial arts, or attend a dance.

CAPE CORAL PARADISE COAST SPORTS COMPLEX This

new $70 million facility at the northeast corner of Collier Boulevard and Interstate 75 is slated to have 16 multipurpose fields and much more on 180 acres. The first phase—covering about 60 acres—is open. It includes four synthetic turf multi-purpose fields, a 3,500-seat stadium, The Cove with full concessions and a food truck venue, restrooms, and The Factory fitness pavilion with an open-air weight room, obstacle and ropes courses, and lake trail. Memberships are available for The Factory.

More information: playparadisevoast.com

LEE COUNTY ESTERO, NORTH FORT MYERS, VETERANS (LEHIGH), AND WA-KE HATCHEE (SOUTH FORT MYERS) PARKS AND RECREATION CENTERS: The fitness

centers in each of these four county parks offer a full lineup of indoor programs and classes.

Outdoors amenities are just as extensive. There is some variation from park to park, including which options are lighted, but mostly they have: • Paved and natural exercise paths • Fields and courts for basketball, baseball, softball, football, soccer, tennis, racquetball, pickleball, and sand volleyball • Disc golf courses • Off-leash dog parks

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For more on Cape Coral facilities:

CAPE CORAL SPORTS COMPLEX The largest of Cape Coral’s athletic complexes,

capecoral.net

this 52-acre park has five soccer fields, five softball fields, four baseball fields plus three concession stands, a playground, and picnic shelters. It is the home of the Cape Coral Youth Soccer Association for ages 4 to 16 and league baseball for ages 13 to 18. It also houses adult men’s softball leagues and hosts tournaments throughout the year.

CANOE/KAYAK/PADDLE SPORTS Southwest Florida is overflowing with natural

OTHER CAPE CORAL RECREATIONAL AMENITIES The City of Cape Coral has 53 fields at 11

athletic complexes where weekly league competitions and regional, state, and national tournaments take place. And there’s a lot more to come. In 2018, Cape Coral voters approved a $60 million expansion and upgrade of the city’s parks and recreation amenities that are expected to be completed by 2022.

The city’s athletic division offers youth and adult sports, including basketball, football, baseball, and tennis. A number of other organizations for all ages, ranging from soccer and cheerleading to BMX motocross, also use the facilities. Here are a few specialty centers: EAGLE SKATE PARK Next door to the William “Bill” Austen Youth

Center, this is one of the largest skate facilities between Miami and Tampa, featuring nearly 27,000 square feet of ramps, rails, street obstacles, and a bowl.

beauty often best seen from its picturesque coasts and endless waterways. Grab your binoculars and long-focus lens or your fishing gear.

And don’t forget your life vest, sun protection, and plenty of water. It’s the Sunshine State, after all. Here are key paddling locations. For more suggestions, see “Reach the Beach” and “Get Outdoors.”

LEE COUNTY GREAT CALUSA BLUEWAY It’s not called the Great Calusa Blueway for

nothing. All-encompassing paddling trails meander 190 miles through Lee County coastal waters and inland up the Caloosahatchee River and its many mangrove-lined tributaries. Trail maps and well-marked signage on the water guide beginners and avid paddlers on various-length excursions. Access points, outfitters, and guided tours are available throughout. The options are unlimited, as are the plant and wildlife viewing. More information or to download a map: fortmyers-sanibel.com CAPE CORAL: The 120-square-mile peninsular

city is home to 400 miles of canals that link to the Caloosahatchee River to the south and east and Matlacha Pass to the west. Four Mile Cove

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Ecological Preserve is one major launch point with various amenities. More information:

Tarpon Bay and J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge: Located on the northern tip of Sanibel Island, Tarpon Bay was named by Canoe & Kayak one of the nation’s top 10 places to paddle. Tidal flats and sunset tours are rich with wading birds and chances to see dolphins and manatees. Travel inland on mangrove-lined Commodore Creek Trail or connect with the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the famed habitat to more than 245 species of birds. The 6,400-plus-acre refuge is named for the conservationist and Pulitzer Prize–winning editorial cartoonist who persuaded President Harry Truman to create the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge Act in 1945.

More information: dingdarlingsociety.org or

LEE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU

capecoral.net

PADDLEBOARDING AT FORT MYERS BEACH

tarponbayexplorers.com

COLLIER COUNTY PARADISE COAST BLUEWAY This network of paddling routes in Collier

County is led by GPS waypoints and will have future phases of development. The Ten Thousand Islands route begins in Everglades City and ends in the village of Goodland on Marco Island. The next two phases will extend north in the Gordon Pass area through Rookery Bay and then up the Gordon River and along the coast to connect with Lee County’s 190-mile Great Calusa Blueway. More information:

access these almost-entirely uninhabited spits of land off the most southwestern edge of Florida. Fishing and birdwatching opportunities are everywhere. For more advanced paddlers, research the many multiday options on the 99-mile Everglades Wilderness Waterway. More information: fws.gov COURT SPORTS Whether it’s tennis or its young cousin,

pickleball—the fast-growing, badminton-like sport—Southwest Florida has got it, day and night.

TENNIS Lee and Collier counties have dozens of parks

Sugden Regional Park: Home to one of Collier County’s only freshwater beaches, this park in east Naples is centered around 60-acre Lake Avalon. It is best known for water skiing and sailing, including classes for able-bodied and special-needs students. Additionally, paddle sports and other amenities are popular family attractions. More information: collierparks.com

with hundreds of courts. Most are lighted and have lightning-warning systems. Some have clay courts open to the public (with a membership or court fee). Many include shorter 60- and 36-foot varieties to help kids learn the game in a comfortable setting. An array of associations and organizations offer lessons, organize leagues, and provide support. They’re a great place to start: • Lee County Community Tennis

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Association: leecountytennis.com • Sports Council of Collier County: colliercountysports.com/ collier-county-tennis/ • USTA Florida: ustaflorida.com

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In case you haven’t heard, young and old alike love this fast-paced paddle sport that owes plenty of its surging popularity to Southwest Florida. East Naples Community Park and its 58 pickleball courts has been the only home to the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships since its inception in 2016. More parks are adding pickleball courts—sometimes new, sometimes converted tennis courts. Play is also held indoors. Here’s more information: • USA Pickleball Association: usapa.org • US Open Pickleball Championships: usopenpickleballchampionship.com

paradisecoast.com

Ten Thousand Islands: The endless number of passes and islets through this maze of mangroves and keys only makes it feel like they number 10,000; the actual count is somewhere in the hundreds. By water is the only way to

PICKLEBALL

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• Collier County Parks: collierparks.com • Lee County Parks: leegov.com

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL Whatever your age or skill level, there is a rec

league or travel circuit on a diamond near you.

Many facilities have wall-to-wall games and tournaments scheduled, so check before going. Here are some associations that organize leagues and teams and oversee facilities:

LEE COUNTY

Various softball leagues play across the county’s array of facilities, including CenturyLink Sports Complex, which has four softball fields next to Hammond Stadium, the spring training home of

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the Minnesota Twins. More information:

information: colliercountyseniorsoftball.org

leegov.com

CAPE CORAL ATHLETICS Men’s, women’s, co-ed, 45-plus, 50-plus, and

SUPER 60 SOFTBALL The co-ed league for men 60 and older and

capecoral.net

women 50 and older plays at North Collier Regional Park through the winter. There are five outfielders and five infielders, no stealing or sliding, and other senior-friendly rules. More information: colliercountysuper60softball.org

YOUTH SPORTS For Little League, Pop Warner Football, youth

YOUTH SPORTS The Sports Council of Collier County has a

soccer, lacrosse, track, Swim Florida, and other youth sports organizations, this list is fairly comprehensive: leegov.com/parks/athletics/ youth-sports. You can also find many Cape Coral–based organizations through the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department:

directory of youth sports for Little League, Pop Warner Football and Cheer, golf, hockey, running, and much more: More information:

church softball leagues play at the Cape Coral Sports Complex or 15-acre Northwest Complex.

More information:

capecoral.net.

COLLIER COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL Formed in 1991, the league has more than 250

members ages 50 and up in three divisions.

Games are held at North Collier Regional Park and Veterans Community Park in Naples. More

open public skating, and private group bookings all are available at the public facility. There’s food, rentals, gear, and equipment as well. More information: fmskatium.org HERTZ ARENA Located in Estero in southern Lee County, the

7,200-seat arena—when set up for hockey—has been home to the Florida Everblades of the East Coast Hockey League since the team and facility were created in 1998. The arena’s recreational rink hosts adult and youth hockey, figure skating, lessons, public skating, parties, and more. More information: skateeverblades.com

colliercountysports.com

SPECTATOR SPORTS For much of this century Southwest Florida

ICE SKATING Don’t look so surprised. Southwest Florida is

has ranked No. 1 in the nation for golf holes per capita. Naturally, professional golf tournaments are a popular spectator draw—but there are other options too. Lee County is also home to two Major League Baseball teams for Spring Training, NCAA Division-I Florida Gulf Coast University, minor league baseball and ice hockey teams, and more. And they mostly have a strong history of winning.

heavily populated with plenty of Midwestern converts, fed straight down I-75 from coldweather states. Sometimes they bring their quaint accents and love of winter sports with them.

FORT MYERS SKATIUM Group and private lessons, figure skating

instruction, youth and adult hockey leagues,

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FORT MYERS MIGHTY MUSSEL MAN

GOLF Southwest Florida can boast a professional

COLLEGE SPORTS FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY

golf trifecta, with the best on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and PGA Tour Champions competing every winter in Naples. Tiburón Golf Club, designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman, is home to both the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship in November and his 24-player QBE Shootout in December. The Champions circuit’s Chubb Classic has played in Naples for 33 years.

FGCU, as it’s better known, opened as Florida’s twelfth public university in 1997. In 2013—its second season competing as a full member of NCAA D-I— FGCU rose to national acclaim as the only No. 15 seed ever to reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The March Madness fame is one of many successes across FGCU’s 15 sports that have made the Eagles one of the nation’s premier mid-sized athletics programs. FGCU’s athletics centerpiece is the 4,633-seat Alico Arena. More information:

Find out more: • PGA Tour: qbeshootout.com

fgcuathletics.com

• LPGA Tour:

BASEBALL The American League’s Boston Red Sox and

cmegrouptourchampionship.com

Minnesota Twins have both spent their springs in Fort Myers for more than 25 years.

The Red Sox, winners of nine World Series and spring tenants in Fort Myers since 1993, showcase their talent at the 10,823-seat JetBlue Park in south Fort Myers. More information:

tournaments/chubb-classic.html

mlb.com/redsox

The Twins play at 9,300-seat Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex in south Fort Myers. They won the last of their three World Series titles in 1991 in their first season after moving their spring home to Fort Myers. Hammond stadium underwent an expansion and major renovations in 2015. More information: mlb.com/twins

• Champions: pgatour.com/champions/

HOCKEY Florida Everblades: Founded in 1998, the

Everblades have been a dominant team in the minor-league East Coast Hockey League from the outset, reaching the Kelly Cup Finals four times. The Blades, an affiliate of the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League, have long been a popular draw in 7,181-seat Hertz Arena in Estero in south Lee County.

More information: floridaeverblades.com

FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN STATE COLLEGE

The former community college trumpeted its return to junior college athletics participation with the opening of 3,500-seat, $28 million Suncoast Credit Union Arena on its Fort Myers campus in 2016. The Buccaneers already have become legitimate national title contenders in multiple sports. More information: fswbucs.com

FORT MYERS MIGHTY MUSSELS The Class-A Advanced baseball affiliate of

the Minnesota Twins also makes its home at Hammond Stadium. Along with perennial success in the High-A Florida State League, the Mighty Mussels games are known for affordable prices and fan-friendly promotions, including themed events and take-your-dog-to-the-park games. More information: milb.com/fort-myers ROY HOBBS BASEBALL The adult amateur baseball league, played in

various age brackets across America, has held its World Series in Fort Myers for more than 25 years. More than 4,000 players on 240 teams compete in 20-plus divisions each year at the City of Palms Park, Terry Park, Hammond Stadium, and JetBlue Park. More information: royhobbs.com

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HIT THE LINKS: FORE THE LOVE OF GOLF T

hanks to the golf course—and real estate—boom of the 1980s, ’90s, and early 2000, Southwest Florida for years has been able to claim No. 1 status in the nation for golf holes per capita. With some communities featuring two and, in some cases, three 18-hole courses, Collier and Lee counties together boast well more than 150 courses.

The majority of the links are private, though many open their doors to the public during the summer and outside of the prime winter months—when the local population mushrooms with seasonal residents and the links are in high demand. Many communities have healthy reciprocal programs with other clubs. If you’re not a

member or homeowner in a community club, you might want to make nice with someone who has memberships to expand your opportunities to experience great golf.

Here are some of Southwest Florida’s best courses, including some that take outside play:

COLLIER COUNTY CALUSA PINES GOLF CLUB

FIDDLESTICKS COUNTRY CLUB

Florida’s top-ranked course on various national course lists. It is unforgettable partly for its 185-yard, par-3 sixteenth hole, which plays from an elevated tee box that is colloquially dubbed the highest point in Collier County. This very private course is celebrated for its impeccable design and conditions, as well as its idyllic setting free of any homes on or around the property.

• Where: 2000 Calusa Pines Drive, Naples

EAGLE CREEK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

• Par/yardage: 72/7,267

• Where: 11 Cypress View Drive, Naples

• Designers: Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry

• Par/yardage: 72/6,909

• Of Note: Calusa Pines is routinely Southwest

• Designer: Larry Packard

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• Of Note: Larry Packard is considered to be

NAPLES NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

the father of the double dogleg. encountered on Eagle Creek’s #11 and #15 holes. A choice of six sets of tees offers a competitive round for any level of playing ability.

• Where: 9325 Collier Blvd., Naples

LELY RESORT (FLAMINGO ISLAND) • Where: 8004 Lely Resort Blvd., Naples • Par/yardage: 72/7,095 • Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr. • Of Note: The oldest of three courses in Lely

Resort—and one of two open to the public— Flamingo Island has been named a Top 50 Resort Course by Golf World magazine. The course, which opened in 1989, is the more challenging of the two public-play courses. The second is the more welcoming Mustang course, designed by Lee Trevino. The private Classics course, designed by Gary Player, was host to the PGA Tour Champions Chubb Classic in 2019.

• Par/yardage: 72/7,045 • Designers: Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry • Of Note: A private course devoid of homes and known for its meticulously manicured grounds, Naples National also draws national acclaim for an artful design that incorporates natural topography. Playing surfaces blend delicately with waste areas and mature stands of pine and cypress trees. The annual Terra Cotta Invitational is a premier national amateur tournament.

this semi-private course worth the drive to rural Ave Maria for multiple reasons. With ample former agricultural land to work with, Lewis made sure to include all the length anyone could need. He also had fun with the design, throwing in elements such as a classic “Redan” green— sloping away from the entrance—to augment excellent conditioning and amenities.

THE QUARRY • Where: 8950 Weathered Stone Drive, Naples • Par/yardage: 72/7,316 • Designers: Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry • Of Note: An old limestone rock quarry makes

PANTHER RUN GOLF CLUB • Where: 6005 Anthem Parkway, Ave Maria • Par/yardage: 72/7,532 • Designer: Gordon Lewis • Of Note: Courses that welcome the public in

Collier County aren’t the easiest to find, making

a spectacular visual setting around which to build a golf course. A saltwater-tolerant turf grass, known as paspalum, also offers environmental benefits and is just as inviting as Bermuda. Look into the reciprocal program for this private course.

EAGLE CREEK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

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(Drew Rogers, 2018) • Of Note: Even rarer than courses open to

the public in Naples are daily-fee facilities.

Renovated in 2018, Valencia is inviting, affordable, well-maintained, and as hard as you want it to be from different lengths. Ample practice grounds are another attraction.

LEE COUNTY CORAL OAKS GOLF COURSE • Where: 1800 N.W. 28th Ave., Cape Coral • Par/yardage: 72/6,623 • Designer: Arthur Hills • Of Note: Don’t overlook this municipal course

just because it doesn’t have the deep superintendent budget of its private cousins. The course, which opened in 1988, is well-maintained and well-designed. And unlike many of its restricted-access peers, it wasn’t laid between vast swaths of homes to maximize real-estate views.

CYPRESS LAKE COUNTRY CLUB • Where: 6767 Winkler Road, Fort Myers TPC TREVISO BAY

• Par/yardage: 72/7,032 • Designers: Dick Wilson (Ron Garl, 2001) • Of Note: Established in 1959 in an area once

TIBURÓN GOLF CLUB • Where: 2620 Tiburón Drive, Naples

bumps, and nobs that frame the fairways and guard the green complexes.

• Par/yardage: 72/7,382 (Gold Course), 72/6,949 (Black Course)

TWINEAGLES (TALON COURSE)

• Designer: Greg Norman

• Where: 11330 Twineagles Blvd., Naples

• Of Note: Both courses are part of The Ritz-

• Par/yardage: 72/7,193 (Talon Course), 71/7,634

Carlton Golf Resort but do take outside play. The longer Gold Course is home to the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship and Norman’s 24-player QBE Shootout PGA Tour team event.

But the Black Course may be tougher, with more forced carries and tighter lines on equally firm, fast fairways.

(Eagle Course)

TPC TREVISO BAY • Where: 9800 Treviso Bay Blvd., Naples • Par/yardage: 72/7,367 • Designers: Arthur Hills and Hal Sutton

• Designers: Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II (Talon), Steve Smyers and Patrick Andrews (Eagle)

EASTWOOD GOLF COURSE

• Of Note: Perhaps the best-liked course in

• Where: 4600 Bruce Herd Lane, Fort Myers

Southwest Florida among PGA Tour veterans themselves, the Talon Course has hosted the 50-and-over tour’s Chubb Classic the most times (12) in its 32 installments in Collier County.

TwinEagles also has a second course, the 7,634yard Eagle Course, and Dr. Jim Suttie’s Golf Academy.

• Par/yardage: 72/7,129

• Of Note: Part of the PGA Tour’s network of

Tournament Players Club courses, Treviso Bay was built with capacity to host professional golfers in mind. A members’ course also open to outside play, Treviso Bay is lined with a Hills signature design element: endless humps,

widely known for its acres of gladiolus fields, Cypress Lake underwent a major renovation in 2001. But it maintained the original character from one of the most prominent architects of his era. Late LPGA Tour founding member Patty Berg was a founding member of the private course that features no homes within its boundaries and is still walkable.

VALENCIA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB • Where: 1725 Double Eagle Trail, Naples • Par/yardage: 72/7,145

• Designers: Robert Von Hagge and Bruce Devlin • Of Note: One of two municipal courses in

Fort Myers, Eastwood was ranked among Golf Digest’s top 100 public facilities in the U.S. after its opening 1977, until a star designation system was implemented in 1996 due to the overwhelming growth of public courses. It’s still a great place to play and, without homes on the property, a fun afternoon. Ample practice areas are an added draw.

• Designers: Gordon Lewis

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more reason to visit.

FIDDLESTICKS COUNTRY CLUB (LONG MEAN)

OLD CORKSCREW GOLF CLUB

• Where: 15391 Canongate Drive, Fort Myers

• Par/yardage: 72/7,393

RIVER HALL COUNTRY CLUB

• Par/yardage: 72/7,077

• Designer: Jack Nicklaus

• Where: 3500 River Hall Parkway, Alva

• Designer: Ron Garl

• Of Note: This beautiful, remote, nationally

• Par/yardage: 72/7,124

• Of Note: The harder of Fiddlesticks’ two orig-

ranked course can always be counted on to leave competitors shaking their heads at its difficulty.

That’s even when it’s regularly hosting highly skilled players in USGA and FSGA events. The fairways have tons of run and the massive greens are misleadingly punitive because of how undulating and segmented they are, à la the beloved Augusta National. The good news: The course takes outside play, so bring your best.

• Designer: Davis Love III

inal courses has long been known as one of the best in Southwest Florida—if you get on. After opening in 1983, the private course was renovated in 2005 by its original designer, Ron Garl, and has maintained its elite and coveted appeal.

The second course, the former Wee Friendly, was just renovated to 6,645 yards and renamed Loch Ness thanks in part to newly created lakes and inlets.

FORT MYERS COUNTRY CLUB

• Where: 17320 Corkscrew Road, Estero

• Of Note: Love embraced the gimmick-free

style of golf course architecture from icons C.B. Macdonald, Seth Raynor, and others from a century ago in designing this course. Great conditions and a great setting in rural Alva combine to make this one of the area’s must-visit semi-private courses.

RAPTOR BAY GOLF CLUB

VERANDAH GOLF CLUB (OLD ORANGE)

• Where: 23001 Coconut Point Resort Drive,

• Where: 12201 River Village Way, Fort Myers • Par/yardage: 72/7,118

Bonita Springs

• Where: 3591 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers • Par/yardage: 70/6,780

• Par/yardage: 71/6,461

• Designer: Bob Cupp

• Designers: Donald Ross (Steve Smyers,

• Designer: Raymond Floyd

• Of Note: Beautiful but challenging, this

• Of Note: Paired with the adjacent Hyatt

picturesque layout offers views of the Orange River. Massive live oaks, dripping with Spanish moss, further set the scene for a pastoral afternoon on a special piece of property. It’s high praise that Verandah’s second course, the 7,214-yard Whispering Oak, is just as well-regarded but still draws second notice despite its esteemed architects: Jack Nicklaus and his son, Jack II.

2014) • Of Note: Southwest Florida’s oldest course,

by far, was built in 1917, an era when American golf architecture royalty Donald Ross laid tracks down all across the state. The municipal course still belongs to the city, welcomes walkers, has no homes inside its boundaries, and was given a major upgrade and renovation in 2014. Some hole lengths were changed to modernize them, but “The Fort” retained Ross’ classic domed greens and short-game demands. The annual Yuengling Open, with no gallery ropes and a nice list of champions going back more than 50 years, is a local favorite.

Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa overlooking Estero Bay, Raptor Bay takes public play and is a very friendly resort course. Welcoming fairways and massive green complexes—British Open style that you can bump and run or play on the ground from well off the green—keep frustration levels low and the pace enjoyable.

Excellent conditions, great practice areas, and magnificent, near-shore ecology provide even

MAGNOLIA LANDING • Where: 3501 Avenida Del Vera, North Fort Myers • Par/yardage: 72/7,265 • Designer: Gordon Lewis • Of Note: Southwest Florida’s most-prolific

course architect doesn’t get the credit he deserves thanks partly to a high number of designs sometimes constricted by real estate demands. But this immaculate, semi-private layout—which opened in 2007 at the end of a course construction boom—is a fun, fast run addition to the Naples designer’s roster.

VERANDAH GOLF CLUB

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SHOPPING AND DINING FIFTH AVENUE SOUTH

SAMANTHA BLOOM

FABULOUS FINDS WHETHER YOU’RE A RESIDENT LOOKING FOR A LITTLE RETAIL THERAPY OR A VISITOR IN SEARCH OF A MEMORABLE FIND, THERE ARE PLENTY OF SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. FROM CLASSIC MALLS AND OUTLETS TO OPEN-AIR LIFESTYLE CENTERS AND SPECIALTY BOUTIQUES, THE AREA HAS IT ALL

COLLIER COUNTY GREATER NAPLES COASTLAND CENTER MALL 1900 Tamiami Trail N., Naples coastlandcenter.com

Coastland Center, Naples’ only indoor shopping center, lets you beat the heat while perusing goods at anchors Dillard’s, JC Penney, and Macy’s. This longtime Tamiami Trail landmark with 100 shops and restaurants is home to favorites Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Old Navy, and Aéropostale.

FIFTH AVENUE SOUTH Downtown Naples fifthavenuesouth.com

Naples’ historic business district is home to more than 40 restaurants, cafés, and sweets shops, as well as a dazzling collection of galleries, jewelry boutiques, and clothing shops.

Here you’ll discover Alice Simone, Arabesque of Naples stationer, Giggle Moon children’s wear, Marilyn’s hat emporium, English Traditions furnishings, Lovejoy Antiques, Port Royal Jewelers, Provident Jewelry, and Bluemercury.

Hungry shoppers don’t need to leave the avenue to please their palates. The delectable dining choices include Sails, Brambles English Tearoom, The French Brasserie Rustique, Pazzo!

Italian Café, BiCE Ristorante, and a whole lot more.

GALLERIA SHOPPES AT VANDERBILT 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples shopvanderbilt.com

A Mediterranean-style setting provides a relaxing vibe at Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt, where visitors discover unique stores like Zazou, Kathryn’s Collection, and Pop Toy Co., plus upscale consignment shops True Fashionistas and Designer Divas. It is also home to health and beauty outlets and services for makeup, body sculpting, European wax, nails, and nutrition.

Grab a bite at Flaco’s Mexican Restaurant, Havana Blue, or Mojo Thai & Sushi Bar. If fresh flowers, baked goods, and honey are on your shopping list, the Galleria Shoppes hosts a yearround, pet-friendly farmers market.

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that matches Southwest Florida’s weather and way of life. This lifestyle center also holds unexpected finds, such as East West Fine Art, Cariloha Bamboo eco-friendly home store, Paper Source, and Yoga Lab.

Old Florida buildings on the Gordon River. A former oyster- and clam-processing plant, it is home to more than 30 locally owned shops, two restaurants, and water-based adventures and boat rides.

NAPLES DESIGN DISTRICT

THE VILLAGE SHOPS ON VENETIAN BAY

Central Naples naplesdesigndistrict.com

MERCATO 9118 Strada Place, Naples mercatoshops.com

Perfect for a date night, Mercato is home to 13 places to eat and drink, the state-of-the art Silverspot Cinema, and special community events. It is also home to perennial favorites J. Crew, Jos. A. Bank, Nordstrom Rack, and Tommy Bahama, featuring luxurious and casual clothing

The Naples Design District—spanning 10 bocks from Fifth Avenue South to Seventh Avenue North, and the east side of U.S. 41 to Goodlette-Frank Road—is a regional destination with 40 businesses offering an eclectic mix of artwork, furnishings and antiques, interior and architectural design services, home accents, lighting, wine, food, and culture.

4200 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples venetianvillage.com

TIN CITY WATERFRONT SHOPS

More than 45 shops and restaurants are set in the old-world ambience of The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, a waterfront destination.

Meander through upscale shops A Horse of a Different Color, Wildflower, Teruzzi menswear, Sara Campbell, Dana Tyler, Casanova Venetian Glass & Art, and Sukie’s Wine Shop. You’ll also find names you know, including J.McLaughlin, Sperry, and Tommy Bahama.

1200 Fifth Ave. S., Naples tincityofnaples.com

THIRD STREET SOUTH

Tin City—a kitschy, fun-filled destination for the whole family, and for your Northern visitors—is a collection of colorful, tin-roofed

Downtown Naples thirdstreetsouth.com

Head to downtown’s Third Street South for fashions from Marissa Collections, a luxury boutique for men and women.

From surfer threads to classic looks, there are endless options on Third Street South, including Maus & Hoffman, J.McLaughlin, John Craig Clothier, and C. Orrico, a Lilly Pulitzer boutique.

This sophisticated destination for art, antiques, home and garden decor, gourmet food and wine, and jewelry boasts award-winning dining at Campiello Ristorante & Bar, Barbatella, Sea Salt, Jane’s Garden Café on Third, Ridgway Bar & Grill, and The Continental.

WATERSIDE SHOPS

BLAINE JOHNATHAN

5415 Tamiami Trail N., Naples watersideshops.com

At the south end of Pelican Bay, Waterside Shops is home to 60 shops and restaurants—anchored by Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue—geared toward affluent shoppers. Highlights include Carolina Herrera, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Rolex, Bulgari, L’Occitane, and

MERCATO

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SHOPPING AND DINING

NORTHPOINT SHOPPING CENTER 1811-1847 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral

Cape Coral’s massive Northpoint Shopping Center on Pine Island Road is where you’ll find any number of big brands you know.

SHOPS AT SURFSIDE 2354 Surfside Blvd., Cape Coral

Featured shops here include Belk, HomeGoods, Dollar Tree, Starbucks, and Woody’s Waterside Grill.

NAPLES DESIGN DISTRICT

Johnny Was. Many other popular stores offer something for everyone in the family, including Anthropologie, Apple, Gucci, J. Jill, Pottery Barn, Lilly Pulitzer, Michael Kors, and Tesla.

MARCO ISLAND

waterfront loggias while browsing for resort wear or boating apparel, shoes, fishing gear, and souvenirs.

LEE COUNTY

SOUTH CAPE DOWNTOWN CAPE CORAL S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral

The historic commercial hub of Cape Coral, this pedestrian-friendly, walkable district is home to year-round community events, locally owned shops, and 60 eateries, pubs, and cafés.

South Cape, the pulse of the city’s nightlife, is easily reached from Fort Myers via the Cape Coral Bridge and Cape Coral Parkway.

ESTERO

CAPE CORAL

COCONUT POINT

MARCO WALK PLAZA 599 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island marcowalkplaza.com

CAPE HARBOUR

This open-air plaza with fine restaurants and small boutiques on the south end of the island is walking distance from major resorts and hotels, offering a collection of specialty shops, such as Chico’s and Beach Daisy—popular for women’s clothing and accessories—as well as salons, spas, and dining options that are anything but ordinary. Convenient parking with valet options and covered walkways invite you to explore what’s around every corner.

Cape Harbour, at the southern tip of Cape Coral, is a luxury waterfront residential and yachting community with a full-service marina with popular dining and shopping opportunities, including Harbour View Gallery, Islands Gift Shop, and Scentiments Handbags & Apparel, featuring upscale resort wear, including Peruvian cottons, linens, and silks.

THE ESPLANADE SHOPPES AT MARCO ISLAND 760 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island esplanadeshoppesatmarcoisland.com

Arrive by car or boat to The Esplanade Shoppes, an Italian-style village of upscale shops, specialty stores, fine dining, luxury residences, and a 77-slip marina on the northern tip of Marco Island. Stroll around its lush landscaping, fountains, courtyard, and

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5828 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral shmarinas.com

CORALWOOD CENTER 2301 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral coralwoodcenter.com

This conveniently located center is home to more than 23 retailers, restaurants, and services, including Bealls Outlet, HomeGoods, Ulta Beauty, and JC Penney. Shoppers can grab a bite at a restaurant or café, take in a movie at Marquee Cinemas, or work out at LA Fitness.

The budget grocer Aldi is one of its newest tenants.

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23106 Fashion Drive, Estero simon.com/mall/coconut-point

Coconut Point is a picturesque outdoor mall featuring more than 140 stores including Dillard’s, Apple, Aveda, DSW Shoe Warehouse, J. Jill, Loft, Lilly Pulitzer, and Barnes & Noble, as well as restaurants surrounding several acres of lakes with a boardwalk. You’ll also discover little gems like Naples Soap Company, COCO Art Gallery, and Everything But Water. Before a show at the 16-screen Hollywood Theaters, indulge at Amore Brick Oven Pizza, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, South Fork Grille, or Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, or grab a quick bite at Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

MIROMAR DESIGN CENTER 10800 Corkscrew Road, Estero miromardesigncenter.com

Just across the street from the outlets is Miromar Design Center, a one-stop design destination for solutions and inspiration at 45 home furnishing and design stores representing

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EDISON MALL

Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau

4125 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers shopedisonmall.com

A Fort Myers landmark, Edison Mall holds well-known anchors Macy’s, Dillard’s, and JC Penney, as well as American Eagle Outfitters, GameStop, GNC Nutritional Center, Spencer’s Gifts, and Pandora, specialty stores, hair salons, and a food court.

FORT MYERS RIVER DISTRICT Downtown Fort Myers myriverdistrict.com

Times Square is the heart of downtown Estero Island, full of small shops and restaurants, street performers, and plenty of spots to sit down and relax.

Put on your walking shoes to explore the shopping opportunities that await in downtown Fort Myers. The River District is home to art and eye candy galore, beginning with Arts for ACT Gallery & Boutique and The Franklin Shops.

Hunt for great finds at The Goodwill Boutique on First Street, Joe’s Record Exchange, Market Earth, Naples Soap Company, and Seed and Bean. For antiques and home decor, the River District and surrounding neighborhoods has several interesting shops, including Remedies Parlor, The Nest, Timeless Classics, and Paris Market Antique Mall.

10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero miromaroutlets.com

GREATER FORT MYERS AREA

GANNON’S ANTIQUES AND ART

Miromar Outlets’ store directory is music to discount shoppers’ ears: Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Columbia Sportswear, Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, and Under Armour. There are more than 140 designer and brand-name outlets for the home and everyone in the family. Sweetslovers also make regular treks to patronize Norman Love Confections and Le Macaron French Pastries.

BELL TOWER

COCONUT POINT

hundreds of brands. Sign up for a professional consultation at the center or peruse fabrics, flooring, furnishings, lighting, accessories, wallpaper, window treatments, and closet organization systems with your licensed design professional.

MIROMAR OUTLETS

FORT MYERS BEACH

SANTINI MARINA PLAZA 7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers BeachH santiniplaza.com

At the southern end of Estero Island, the Santini Marina Plaza is home to the widest varieties of shops in one location on the island.

Shoppers can find clothing, swimwear, shoes, jewelry, books, liquor and libations, hardware, and even a pack-and-ship facility for sending it all home instead of having to pack your finds.

TIMES SQUARE Fort Myers Beach Pier/Estero Boulevard visitfortmyersbeach.co

Daniels Parkway and U.S. 41, Fort MyersS belltowerfl.com

A long-time favorite go-to for fashion, beauty, and meeting up with friends for dinner or a movie, the Bell Tower recently completed a comprehensive redevelopment to modernize the 343,000-square-foot destination with updated architecture, storefronts, and lighting.

New tenants include Dave & Buster’s, Ocean View & Seventh, Ice Spot, G’s Bridal & Haute Couture, and Burntwood Tavern. Longtime staples at Bell Tower include Trader Rick’s “for the artful woman,” Talbot’s, Ulta Beauty, and Williams-Sonoma. Popular restaurants include Cantina Laredo, DaRuMa, and Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizza, and Mimi’s Bistro and Bakery, among others.

16521 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers gannonsantiques.com

If you like to go on treasure hunts, you’ll feel right at home at Gannon’s Antiques and Art, home to an upscale collection of 100 vendors’ fine art, collectibles, decor, and furnishings.

GULF COAST TOWN CENTER 9903 Gulf Coast Main Street, Fort Myers gulfcoasttowncenter.com

This town center near the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University has more than 100 shops, a movie complex, spacious courtyards, restaurants, and nightlife. It is a magnet for anglers and outdoorsmen, with its sprawling Bass Pro Shop. Teens like Ron Jon Surf Shop and Marshall’s, while big-box favorites like Ross, PetCo, and Joann Fabrics and Crafts maintain loyal shoppers. It recently underwent a $10 million upgrade that includes a streamlined drop-off/pick-up location and valet parking.

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20350 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers sanibeloutlets.com

This outlet mall on the mainland east of the Sanibel Causeway attracts savvy shoppers to its 40 leading designer and name-brand stores.

Find staples at Maidenform, Jockey, Levi’s, Carter’s, and Calvin Klein, or browse for shoes (Rack Room Shoes, Famous Footwear, Crocs), sports apparel (Nike, Under Armour, The Gap, Banana Republic), and vacation-related goods (Sunglass Hut, Swim Mart, and Samsonite). Fuel up at eateries such as Dante’s Coal Fired Kitchen and Cheeburger Cheeburger.

PINE ISLAND/MATLACHA Pine Island Road, Between Cape Coral and Pine Island pineislandchamber.org

This small island (pronounced Mat-luh-SHAY)

is located due west of Cape Coral across a small bridge spanning from the mainland to Pine Island. Matlacha is an artist’s paradise, dotted with whimsical shops and galleries, seafood markets, waterside restaurants, and a waterfront community park. Find bohemian beach threads, art for your home, and special gifts.

SANIBEL ISLAND

630 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel shoponsanibel.com/olde-sanibel-shoppeS

There’s something here for everyone in the family. This pet-friendly shopping center with Old Florida charm draws locals and visitors to Suncatchers’ Dream and Sanibel Art & Frame for home decor, Island Paws for pet needs and pampering, and apparel and accessories at Amy’s Something Special and JB Designs.

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2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel periwinkleplace.com

Periwinkle Place’s 26 shops include the original Chico’s, Congress Jewelers, Trader Rick’s, and Sanibel Olive Oil, as well as the award-winning Blue Giraffe Restaurant.

TAHITIAN GARDENS

OLDE SANIBEL SHOPPES

MIROMAR OUTLETS

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1975–2019 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel shoponsanibel.com/tahitian-gardens

Designer labels, unique collections, toys, jewelry, and more are in store at Pandora’s Box, Synergy Sportswear, Sanibel Resort Wear, Adventures in Paradise, Wilford & Lee, The Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, and Shiny Objects.

Get a made-to-order meal at Paper Fig Kitchen or Sanibel Café.

Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau

SANIBEL OUTLETS

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SHOPPING AND DINING

DINE-1-1 DIG INTO A SAMPLING OF POPULAR, ETHNIC, AND WELL-ESTABLISHED RESTAURANTS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

COLLER COUNTY AMERICAN/EUROPEAN/MIDDLE EASTERN

ALEXANDER’S RESTAURANT 239-262-4999 4077 Tamiami Trail N., Naples alexandersnaples.com

THE BEVY 239-228-4220 360 12th Ave. S., Naples naplesbevy.com

BHA! BHA! PERSIAN BISTRO 239-594-5557 865 Fifth Ave. S., Naples bhabhabistro.com

BLUE MARTINI 239-591-2583 Mercato, 9114 Strada Place, #12105, Naples naples.bluemartinilounge.com

BRICKTOP’S 239-596-9112 5555 Tamiami Trail N., Naples bricktops.com/naples

BURNTWOOD TAVERN 239-631-8964 Mercato, 9110 Strada Place, Ste. 6135, Naples burntwoodtavern.com

COOPER’S HAWK WINERY RESTAURANT 239-449-1700 11905 Tamiami Trail N., Naples chwinery.com

FUSE GASTROBAR 239-455-4585 2500 Tamiami Trail N., Naples fusegastrobar.com

THE HAMPTON SOCIAL

MICHAEL CARONCHI

239-202-2038 Mercato, 9114 Strada Place, #12110, Naples thehamptonsocial.com

KC AMERICAN BISTRO

CHEZ BOËT

239-566-2371 885 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples kcamericanbistro.com

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KAREEM’S LEBANESE KITCHEN

SEASONS 52

239-315-4167 4270 Tamiami Trail E., Naples kareemskitchen.com

239-594-8852 8930 Tamiami Trail N., Naples seasons52.com

CASUAL

LAKE PARK DINER

TOMMY BAHAMA RESTAURANT

239-228-6351 944 Seventh Ave. N., Naples lthelakeparkdiner.com

239-643-6889 1220 Third St. S., Naples tommybahama.com

LAMORAGA INTERNATIONAL CUISINE & TAPAS

ASIAN

239-331-3669 3936 Tamiami Trail N., Naples lamoragarestaurant.com

AZN ASIAN CUIZINE

BEACH BOX CAFÉ 239-631-6080 9020 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples

BAMBU TROPICAL BAR & GRILLE 239-649-5800 Bayfront Inn, 1221 Fifth Ave. S., Naples bayfrontinnnaples.com

BOKAMPER’S SPORTS BAR & GRIlL 239-593-8818 Mercato, 9118 Strada Place, Naples aznrestaurant.com

239-431-7611 Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt, 8990 Fontana Del Sol Way, Naples bokampers.com

NAMBA RAMEN & SUSHI

COSMOS RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA

239-592-4992 8847 Tamiami Trail N., Naples nambanaples.com

239-262-8181 536 Tamiami Trail N., Naples cosmospizzanaples.com

THE PEWTER MUG NORTH 239-596-6844 14700 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 14, Naples pewtermugnorth.com

RIDGWAY BAR & GRILL 239-262-5500 1300 Third St. S., Naples ridgwaybarandgrill.com

ZEN ASIAN BBQ

DYLAN’S DRAFT HOUSE

239-260-7037 10823 Tamiami Trail N., Naples eatatzen.com

239-300-0192 1258 Airport-Pulling Road N., Naples dylansdrafthouse.com

MEDITERRANO 239-261-7498 336 13th Ave. S., Naples mediterrano-naples.com

BAKERIES AND SWEETS

EJ’S BAYFRONT CAFE

MENCHIE’S FROZEN YOGURT

239-353-4444 469 Bayfront Place, Naples ejsbayfrontcafe.com

239-572-8936 6355 Naples Blvd., Ste. 4-B, Naples menchies.com

NORMAN LOVE CONFECTIONS 239-687-7215 3747 Tamiami Trail N., Naples normanloveconfections.com

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES 239-294-2484 1410 Pine Ridge Road, Unit 9, Naples nothingbundtcakes.com

TONY’S OFF THIRD 239-262-7999 1300 Third St. S., Naples tonysoffthird.com

VAMPIRE PENGUIN OF NAPLES 844-844-7669 (SNOW) 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Ste. 142, Naples vampirepenguinswfl.com

FIRST WATCH 239-304-0746 7163 Radio Road, Naples firstwatch.com

JASON’S DELI 239-593-9499 2700 lmmokalee Road, Ste. 1, Naples jasonsdeli.com

MEL’S DINER 239-643-9898 3650 Tamiami Trail N., Naples 239-455-4242 12035 Collier Blvd., Naples melsdiners.com

NARRATIVE COFFEE ROASTERS 239-218-7316 Mercato, 9106 Strada Place, Ste. 4105, Naples narrativecoffeeroasters.com

RIVERWALK AT TIN CITY 239-263-2734 1200 Fifth Ave. S., Naples riverwalktincity.com

RIDGWAY BAR & GRILL

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SAM SNEAD’S TAVERN AT LELY RESORT

SANDY’S CUBAN CAFE

239-793-6623 8004 Lely Resort Blvd., Naples samsneadslely.com

239-331-8204 1383 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples sandyscubancafenaples. com

SUNBURST CAFÉ 239-263-3123 Pine Ridge Crossing Plaza, 2340 Pine Ridge Road, Naples sunburstnaples.com

TEXAS ROADHOUSE 239-417-1111 6815 Collier Blvd., Naples texasroadhouse.com

THE COUNTER CUSTOM BURGERS 239-566-0644 Mercato, 9110 Strada Place, Ste. 6130, Naples, thecounter.com

THE CRUST 239-244-8488 8004 Trail Blvd., Naples The Pavilion, 875 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, thecrustpizza.net

THE HANGOUT BY TWO GUYS 239-384-9072 2360 Pine Ridge Road, Naples hangoutnaples.com

FRENCH

BLEU PROVENCE 239-261-8239 1234 Eighth St. S., Naples bleuprovencenaples.com

CHEZ BOËT 239-643-6177 755 12th Ave. S., Naples chezboetnaples.com

TONY’S OFF THIRD

ESCARGOT 41 239-793-5000 4339 Tamiami Trail N., Naples escargot41.com

THE FRENCH BRASSERIE RUSTIQUE 239-315-4019 365 Fifth Ave. S., Naples thefrenchnaples.com GREEK

MYKONOS KUZINA THE LOCAL 239-596-3276 5323 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples thelocalnaples.com

239-325-8502 13510 Tamiami Trail N., Naples mykonoskuzina.com

OLYMPIA RESTAURANT AND BAR THREE60 MARKET AND WINE SHOP 239-732-7331 2891 Bayview Drive, three60market.com

239-732-5400 2800 Davis Blvd., Naples olympiadining.com

YARD HOUSE

PELAGOS CAFE

239-263-3773 4251 Tamiami Trail N., Naples yardhouse.com

263-2996 4951 Tamiami Trail N., Naples INDIAN

CUBAN

21 SPICES BY CHEF ASIF FERNANDEZ THE BULL CUBAN CAFE 239-653-9097 3375 Pine Ridge Road, Naples 239-254-9855 1201 Piper Blvd., Unit 10, Naples fernandezthebull.com

RUMBA CUBAN CAFÉ 239-659-2996 1265 Airport-Pulling Road S., Naples rumbacubancafe.com

239-919-8830 4270 Tamiami Trail E., Ste. 21, Naples 21spicesdining.com

PASSAGE TO INDIA 239-513-0024 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Bonita Springs thetasteofbangladesh.com

MICHAEL CARONCHI

ITALIAN

ALDOS ITALIAN TABLE & BAR 239-659-2536 4820 Davis Blvd., Naples aldosnaples.com

AMORE 239-643-2201 Neapolitan Way, 4681 Ninth St. N., Naples amoreristorante.com

BARBATELLA 239-263-1955, 1290 Third St. S., Naples barbatellanaples.com

BICE RISTORANTE 239-262-4044 300 Fifth Ave. S., Naples bice-naples.com

BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE 239-593-5319 Waterside Shops, 5505 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. J1, Naples brioitalian.com

CAMPIELLO RISTORANTE & BAR 239-435-1166 1177 Third St. S., Naples campiellonaples.com

DEROMO’S GOURMET MARKET & RESTAURANT 239-325-3583 Promenade at Bonita Bay 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs deromos.com

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MEXICAN

M WATERFRONT GRILLE

FELIPE’S MEXICAN TAQUERIA

239-263-4421 4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples mwaterfrontgrille.com

239-302-1444 4255 Tamiami Trail N., Naples felipestaqueria.com

K-RICO MEXICAN GRILL 239-316-7662 475 Bayfront Place, Naples kricomexicangrill.com

ROCCO’S TACOS & TEQUILA BAR 239-500-8226 Mercato, 9123 Strada Place, Naples roccostacos.com

SAMANTHA BLOOM

TACOS & TEQUILA CANTINA

BICE RISTORANTE

GRAPPINO

239-254-8226 8971 Tamiami Trail N., Naples 239-732-8226 4834 Davis Blvd., Naples tacosandtequilanaples.com

TURCO TACO 239-331-4527 410 Ninth St. N., Naples theturcotaco.com

239-331-4325 90 Ninth St. N., Naples grappinonaples.com

MINO ITALIAN PIZZERIA NAPLES

THE BAY HOUSE

MIRAMARE RISTORANTE

BAYSIDE SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR

SWAN RIVER SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 239-403-7000 3741 Tamiami Trail N., Naples swanriverseafood.com

TRULUCK’S SEAFOOD, STEAK, AND CRABHOUSE 239-530-3131 698 Fourth Ave. S., Naples trulucks.com

STEAKHOUSES

ANDRE’S STEAK HOUSE

239-430-6273 4236 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples miramarenaples.com

239-649-5552 4270 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples baysideseafoodgrillandbar.com

OSTERIA TULIA/BAR TULIA

THE BOATHOUSE

239-263-5851 2800 Tamiami Trail N., Naples andressteakhouse.com

DORONA

239-213-2073 / 239-228-7606 466 and 462 Fifth Ave. S., Naples osteriatulia.com, bartulia.com

239-643-2235 990 Broad Ave. S., Naples boathouseonnaplesbay.com

PARMESAN PETE’S ITALIAN KITCHEN

BONEFISH GRILL

239-659-7008 700 Fifth Ave. S., Naples verginarestaurant.com

SAILS RESTAURANT 239-360-2000 301 Fifth Ave. S., Naples sailsrestaurants.com

239-261-6366 3745 Tamiami Trail N., Naples ussnemorestaurant.com

239-591-3837 799 Walkerbilt Road, Naples bayhousenaples.com

VERGINA

239-591-3523 Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt 8960 Fontana Del Sol Way, Naples realseafoodconaples.com

USS NEMO SEAFOOD

239-302-5990 1100 Sixth Ave. S., Ste. 1, Naples minofl.com

239-992-3663 7935 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples parmesanpetes.com

REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY OF NAPLES

239-529-2819 2110 Ninth St. N., Naples doronanaples.com

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR

239-417-1212, 1500 Fifth Ave S., Naples bonefishgrill.com

239-598-2424 8985 Tamiami Trail N., Naples flemingssteakhouse.com

THE CLAW BAR 239-231-3912, 221 Ninth St. S., Naples theclawbar.com

HOGFISH HARRY’S

OCEAN PRIME 239-430-0404 699 Fifth Ave. S., Naples ocean-prime.com

239-77-7623 600 Napolean Way, Naples hogfishharrys.com

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SHULA’S STEAKHOUSE

SUSHI THAI

MEL’S DINER

239-430-4999 5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples shulasnaples.com

Prado at Spring Creek 239-992-5600 25101 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs sushithaitoo.com

239-949-3080 28601 Trails Edge Blvd., Bonita Springs 239-242-0218 1331 Pine Island Road N.E., Cape Coral 239-275-7850 4820 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers melsdiners.com

THE CAPITAL GRILLE 239-254-0640 9005 Mercato Drive, Naples thecapitalgrille.com

ALVA COUNTRY DINER

THE CONTINENTAL AMERICAN PROVISIONS & CRAFT BAR

239-728-3366 21220 Palm Beach Blvd., Alva alvacountrydiner.com

239-659-0007 1205 Third St. S., Naples damicoscontinental.com

THE GRILL AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, NAPLES 239-598-3300 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples ritzcarlton.com

CASUAL

SKILLETS 239-992-9333 9174 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs 239-471-0553 University Village, 10950 Eagle Village Drive, Ste. 330 C, Estero 239-237-2916 Cypress Trace, 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers skilletsrestaurants.com

ARTISAN EATERY 239-887-4844 8951 Daniels Pkwy, Fort Myers artisaneatery.com

CENO GRILLE 239-549-2366 1715 Cape Coral Parkway W., Cape Coral cenogrille.com

THE OTHER SIDE BISTRO 239-992-7433 24630 U.S. 41, Bonita Springs bonitaspringsbistro.com

THE PEARL STEAK & SEAFOOD 239-591-5939 7935 Airport-Pulling Road N., Naples thepearlnaples.com

CRISTOF’S ON MCGREGOR 239-791-8473 10231 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers chetitossteakhouse.com

TUCKAWAY CAFÉ

LEE COUNTY

EUROPEAN AMERICAN BAKERY CAFE

ASIAN

239-225-0450 12450 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers eabake.com

DARUMA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI LOUNGE

FARMERS MARKET RESTAURANT

239-344-0037 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers darumarestaurant.com

239-334-1687 2736 Edison Ave., Fort Myers farmersmarketrestaurant.com

239-463-5398 2301 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach tuckaway.cafe CUBAN

BEGONIA’S RESTAURANT

GINGER BISTRO

HARVEST & WISDOM

239-558-8865 2366 Surfside Blvd., C-10, Cape Coral 239-689-3113 4650 S. Cleveland Ave., #8, Fort Myers gingerbistrousa.com

239-949-0749 Shangri-La Springs 27750 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs shangrilasprings.com/harvestandwisdom

239-208-8243 2215 Winkler Ave., Fort Myers

LA TRATTORIA CAFE NAPOLI

SPOONDRIFT ISLAND BOWLS 239-472-0875 2441 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel sanibelspoondrift.com

MCGREGOR CAFÉ 239-936-1771 4305 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers mcgregorcafe.com MICHAEL CARONCHI

KOMOON THAI SUSHI & CEVICHE 239-234-2442 3300 Bonita Beach Road, #101, Bonita Springs komoonthai.com

239-931-0050 12377 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers latrattoriacafenapoli.com

HOGFISH HARRY’S

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CUBAN RESTAURANT EL TROPICAL 239-772-8858 106 Hancock Bridge Pkwy., Cape Coral eltropical.business.site

LUIS BAKERY 239-673-7081 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral luis-bakery-bar-grill.business.site

RISTORANTE FABIO

ITALIAN

BUON APPETITO CAFÈ 239-433-0117 6314-D Corporate Court, Fort Myers restaurantftmyers.com

SICILY TRATTORIA CAPONE’S COAL FIRED PIZZA

MAMBOS RESTAURANT

239-337-2625 2225 First St., Fort Myers caponescoalfiredpizza.com

239-542-9995 4716 Del Prado Blvd S., Cape Coral

CIAO WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TRATTORIA

RINCON CUBANO 239-772-7790 958 Country Club Blvd., Cape Coral

239-471-0033 823 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral ciaowoodfired.business.site

AZURE

239-208-3114 12731 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers colleonis.com

239-288-4296 15301 McGregor Blvd., #1, Fort Myers azurefortmyers.com

DEROMO’S GOURMET MARKET & RESTAURANT

BLANC 239-887-3139 13451 McGregor Blvd., #10, Fort Myers blancentertainment.com

C LEVEL BISTRO & WINE BAR 239-221-7046 4450 Bonita Beach Road S.W., Bonita Springs, c-levelbar.com GREEK

NOMIKI’S PLAKKA GREEK RESTAURANT 239-433-5659 Bridge Plaza. 12901 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers

239-945-7285 1211 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral sicilytrattoria.com MEXICAN

COLLEONI’S EATERY & BAKERY FRENCH

239-656-5727 4150 Hancock Bridge Parkway North Fort Myers ristorantefabio.com

3 PEPPER BURRITO COMPANY 239-308-0480 2231 First St., Fort Myers 239-574-2050 2522 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral 239-208-6902 20321 Grande Oaks Blvd., Estero 239-274-0449 6900 Daniels Pkwy., Fort Myers 3pepperburrito.com

D

CABOS CANTINA

239-325-3583 Promenade at Bonita Bay. 26811 S. Bay Drive, Ste. 140 & 148, Bonita Springs deromos.com

239-332-2226 2226 First St., Fort Myers caboscantinafl.com

ENZO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT & BAR

CANTINA LAREDO

239-992-5555 / 239-992-9180 4351 Bonita Beach Road S.W., Bonita Springs enzosofbonita.com

239-415-4424 5200 Big Pine Way, Fort Myers cantinalaredo.com

GRIMALDI’S PIZZERIA

CARNICERIA MONTERREY

239-432-9767 Bell Tower 13499 S Cleveland Ave., Ste. 201, Fort Myers grimaldispizzeria.com

239-939-6992 11530 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers 239-369-3294 1505 Gretchen Ave. S., Lehigh Acres carniceriamonterrey.com

GUSTO CUCINA ITALIANA PLAKA 2 239-689-1211 McGregor Point Shopping Center 15271 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers

239-458-5900 229 Del Prado Blvd. N., Ste. 15, Cape Coral gustocucinaitaliana.com

EL AZTECA TAQUERIA 239-574-0056 1918 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral elaztecataqueria.net

MATZALUNA INDIAN

INDIA PALACE 239-939-2323 3300 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs indiapalacebonitasprings.com

MASALA MANTRA iNDIAN BISTRO 239-540-6300 4518 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral indiapalacebonitasprings.com

239-472-1998 1200 Periwinkle Way, Ste. 4, Sanibel matzaluna.net

NICE GUYS PIZZA AND BEER 239-549-7542 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral niceguyspizza.com

PETAR’S RESTAURANT 239-249-4064 3300 Bonita Beach Road S.W., #120 Bonita Springs petarsrestaurant.com

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IGUANA MIA 239-574-0056 28051 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs 1027 E. Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral 4329 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers iguanamia.com

SABOR A MEXICO 239-997-9995 13121 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers saboramexicofortmyers.com

WINTER 2023

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NICOLE NIXON

LOBSTER LADY SEAFOOD MARKET & BISTRO 239-471-0136 1715 Cape Coral Parkway, Units 2 & 3, Cape Coral lobsterladyseafood.com

PINCHERS 239-948-1313 28580 Bonita Crossing Blvd., Bonita Springs 239-415-4040 10029 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers 239-245-7049 2360 West First St., Fort Myers pinchersusa.com

DORONA

TACOS SAN MIGUEL II 239-645-7854 1404 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral tacossanmiguel.com

TAQUERIA SAN JULIAN 239-936-0037 11601 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers

TORTILLERIA LA RANCHERITA 239-498-4633 26751 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs SEAFOOD

DEEP LAGOON SEAFOOD 239-689-5474 14040 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers deeplagoon.com

DIXIE FISH COMPANY 239-233-8837 714 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach dixiefishfmb.com

DOC FORD’S RUM BAR & GRILL 239-472-8311 2500 Island Inn Road, Sanibel docfords.com

FISH TALE GRILL BY MERRICK SEAFOOD 239-257-3167 1229 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral fishtalegrill.com

PRAWNBROKER RESTAURANT & FISH MARKET 239-489-2226 13451-16 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers prawnbrokerfortmyers.com

TARPON LODGE & RESTAURANT 239-283-3999 13771 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia tarponlodge.com

TIMBERS RESTAURANT & FISH MARKET 239-395-2722 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel Island timbersofsanibel.com

THE ROADHOUSE CAFÉ 239-415-4375 15660 San Carlos Blvd., Ste. 280, Fort Myers roadhousecafefl.com

SWEET MELISSA’S CAFE 239-472-1956 1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel sweetmelissascafe.com

THE VERANDA 239-332-2065 2122 Second St., Fort Myers verandarestaurant.com UPSCALE CASUAL

BUBBLE ROOM RESTAURANT 239-472-5558 15001 Captiva Drive, Captiva bubbleroomrestaurant.com

THE FIRESTONE GRILL ROOM 239-334-3473 2224 Bay St., Fort Myers firestonefl.com

THE GREEN FLASH 239-472-3337 15183 Captiva Drive, Captiva greenflashcaptiva.com

HAROLD’S 239-849-0622 15250 S. Tamiami Trail, #107, Fort Myers haroldscuisine.com

TWISTED LOBSTER 239-800-2879 1341 Del Prado Blvd. S., Ste. 1, Cape Coral twistedlobster.com

KC AMERICAN BISTRO

FINE DINING

239-237-2133 University Village, 19810 Village Center Drive, Suite #145A, Estero kcamericanbistro.com

A TABLE APART

THE MUCKY DUCK

239-221-8540 4295 Bonita Beach Road S.W., Bonita Springs atableapart.com

239-472-3434 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva muckyduck.com

ANGELINA’S RISTORANTE

SLATE’S

239-390-3187 24041 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs angelinasofbonitasprings.com

239-540-6800 4820 Candia St., Cape Coral slatescapecoral.com

OLD CAPTIVA HOUSE AT TWEEN WATERS INN 239-472-5161, ext. 425 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva tween-waters.com

SW F L R E LO C AT I O N G U I D E .CO M

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11/3/22 9:49 AM

ADVERTISER INDEX

142

S O U T H W E ST F LO R I DA R E LO C AT I O N G U I D E

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– FALL 2022

|

WINTER 2023

11/2/22 9:06 AM

ADVERTISER INDEX

Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District.. 131 Abbey Carpet & Floor..................................................2/3 Bayview Dental Arts ..................................... Back Cover Canterbury School....................................................... 55 Ciccarelli Advisory Services......................................... 67 Clive Daniel Home.........................................................17 Collier County Solid Waste........................................... 37 Community School of Naples....................................... 53 Conservancy of Southwest Florida..............................29 Diane Brzezinski.......................................................... 61 First Presbyterian Church Naples............................... 75 John R. Wood Properties/Bua Bell Group..................... 7 John R. Wood Properties/Cheryl Deering................... 13 John R. Wood Properties/Cheryl Deering...................90 Lee Memorial Health System d/b/a Lee Health........... 63 Lighthouse Wealth Management... Inside Front Cover/1 Lighthouse Wealth Management................................. 41 Millennium Physician Group........................................11 Moran Wealth Management..........................................6 Moran Wealth Management........................................ 51 Naples Airport Authority............................................. 12 Naples Area Board of Realtors..................................... 33 The Naples Players.......................................................98 NCH Healthcare System............................................... 16 North Naples Church...................................................83 PBS Contractors........................................................... 27 PBS Contractors...........................................................45 Porsche Naples...............................................................9 Porsche Naples.............................................................43 Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Jackie Nelson................................................................ 15 Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Michelle Thomas.........................................................4/5 Provident Jewelry........................ 144/Inside Back Cover Saint Ann Catholic School............................................54 Skin Wellness Physicians............................................. 35

SW F L R E LO C AT I O N G U I D E .CO M

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11/2/22 9:06 AM

WEST PALM 561.833.7755

Spread.indd 1

NAPLES 239.649.7200

JUPITER 561.747.4449

FORT MYERS 239.274.7777

PALM BEACH 561.833.0550

WELLINGTON 561.798.0777

9/19/22 8:24 AM

FL AWLESS LIKE HER P R O V I D E N TJ E W E L R Y. C O M

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9/19/22 8:24 AM

Your Smile. Our Specialty.

Kurtis P. Hussey, DMD

Edward A. Scherder, DMD, JD

Robert C. Hedgepath, DMD

Patrick J. Carrigan, DMD

1001 10TH AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 218 | NAPLES, FLORIDA 34102 239.434.5545 | WWW.BAYVIEWDENTALARTS.COM

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8/11/22 9:26 AM