Osprey Real Estate Blog

Osprey History

Osprey is a hidden gem located along the Intracoastal Waterway between Nokomis and Sarasota. The land encompassing Osprey was purchased by Bertha Honore Palmer and family in the early 1900's and included approximately 140,000 acres, stretching from Sarasota Bay to the Myakka River. The area included what is now Palmer Ranch and the Oaks Community. The Historic Spanish Pointe on Little Sarasota Bay was the site of Bertha Palmer's estate and is now a popular visitor destination offering a museum and tours of some of the original structures as well as an original shell midden dating back to the Calusa Indians.

Osprey Real Estate

Waterfront communities include Southbay Yacht Club, which has its own 172 slip marina for residents as well as a private clubhouse and tennis courts. Some of the homes are directly on the Intracoastal and feature their own private docks. The Oaks is a premier private member-owned golf course community of larger upscale homes in Osprey, with 3 distinct neighborhoods. The Oaks Clubside features elegant homes nestled throughout the two 18 hole championship golf courses and the exclusive Oaks Club. Oaks Bayside and The Preserve are located along the intracoastal waterway and offer a variety of exquisite homes and homesites surrounded by water and nature preserve.

Pine View School for gifted students is in Osprey and is annually rated one of the top schools in the nation for academic achievement. Many families with students attending Pine View School choose to call Osprey their home.

Other notable Osprey communities include Willowbend, Rivendell, and Bayside. Osprey is also home to Oscar Scherer State Park, with 1,381 acres of trails through natural flatwoods offering views of the endangered Florida Scrub Jay along with eagles, egrets and other wildlife.

Osprey Sand & Beaches

Siesta Beach and Nokomis Beach on Casey Key are a short drive from Osprey. You can also access the Intracoastal waterway from the Blackburn Point Park which features a boat launch ramp, canoe and kayak launch, fishing pier, and restroom facilities.

From Oscar Scherer Park you canoe or kayak in South Creek or access the popular Legacy Trail for bicycling and walking. The Trail connects to the Venetian Waterway trail in Venice that ends at Casperson Beach, and it is currently being extended all the way to downtown Sarasota to the north.

Oscar Scherer State Park also has a full service campground for tents or RV's which is very popular and requires reservations well in advance.

Osprey Restaurants and Fishing

Tamiami Trail/US-41 runs through Osprey and there are several restaurants and pubs along the route that include Frankie's pizza and pasta, Rosebuds Steakhouse, Da Vinci German Restaurant, Mad Moe's, and the Clever Monkey Craft Brewery and Grill . Shopping options include a Walmart and Publix supermarket. There are also two popular waterfront bar/restaurants on the Intracoastal waterway. The Spanish Pointe Pub has a large outdoor tiki bar as well as a new multi level restaurant, and there is ample dockage on the bay for those arriving by boat. Another popular stop is the Casey Key Fish House on Blackburn Point Rd at the old historic "swing bridge". The Fish House also has an outdoor tiki bar right on Blackburn Bay and also has some dockage for thirsty boaters! .

If you would like more information about Osprey real estate I am always available to answer any questions you may have so contact me today.