Luxury Home in Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast
The Local Area

About the Local Area
We are situated in southwest Florida in the northwest portion of Cape Coral. This is 30 minutes north of Naples, two and a half hours west of Miami and 2 ½ hours south of Disney World and Orlando! Several airlines have daily flights to Fort Myers International Airport which is 40 minutes from the house.
	We are only a 5 minute drive from the fishing and artist colony of Matlacha and 15 minutes from the Midpoint Bridge which leads in turn to the Interstate 75, giving access to both north and south Florida.
There are two parks within 5 minutes of the house. Joe Stonis Park is located at 3444 Ceitus Parkway in the Northwest section of Cape Coral, west of Burnt Store Road and north of Pine Island Road. The park has picnic shelters with BBQ grills, a fitness trail and wellness trail for all ability levels, lighted tennis courts and shuffleboard courts, restrooms, horseshoe pits, two playgrounds and a one-acre lake.
	Jim Jeffers Park is located at 2810 SW 3rd Lane, Cape Coral. This park includes a mega structure playgrounds, four soccer fields, softball field, tennis courts, basketball courts, a three-acre lake, walking paths, picnic shelters, restrooms, concession building, pavilion, bike racks, drinking fountain and lighting.
You can drive to Four Winds Marina on Pine Island where you can rent a boat on a half day or full day basis. There is great ocean access from the Marina. Charters also available.
	Kayaks and canoes can be rented from Gulf Coast Kayaks in Matlacha. Kayaking in the mangroves around Matlacha is just wonderful and you can see wild boar, hundreds of fish in the water, turtles and amazing species of birds all around you. Best time for bird watching is just before the tide turns and flocks are feeding in the shallows. You can join an eco-tour or go it alone. .
Florida is renowned for its State Parks, two of which are within easy reach and which we particularly enjoy. Near Sarasota is Myakka State Park – you can hire bikes and kayaks and there are miles of walking trails – this is a fantastic place to spend a day. Another of our local favorites is Koresham State Historic Site which is about a one hours drive east of Fort Myers. Again, outstandingly beautiful, lots of walking trails and kayaking on the Estero River.
	Don’t miss out on a visit to Sanibel and a trip through the beautiful Ding Darling Wildlife Park . You can rent bicycles on Sanibel or take your own. There are miles of wonderful, flat, bicycle tracks, have lunch in one of the many restaurants/cafes and end the day with a lazy time on one of the silver beaches with a swim in the warm water. Shelling is a must on Sanibel! You can get a great filled roll from the East End Deli or sit down to a lunch at the Lighthouse Café.
You will see masses of pelicans on the beach at Sanibel - all giving a wonderful diving exhibition. Ospreys are pretty common as well with lots of their nesting boxes scattered about Cape Coral.	About one to one and a half hours drive away is the Everglades National Park . This is definitely worth visiting and it is also worth taking an air boat tour of the everglades.

This is a fascinating area and you are sure to see lots and lots of alligators and usually turtles and masses of wonderful birds. Rather rarer is the Panther - I have never seen one but people do - you may be lucky! Lots of herons though.

Tanger Outlets on the way to Sanibel are definitely worth a visit and of course there is the huge Miromar Outlet Mall near the airport. Don’t miss out on a visit to the Bass Pro Shop – also located just off Interstate 75.
	Publix Supermarket is a 2 minutes drive away – or a bicycle ride – this opens from 7.00 am until 9.00pm 7 days a week. The Tropicaya Stall (turn right onto Pine Island Road and it is on the left) sells lovely fresh fruit, locally grown vegetables and freshly squeezed juice.
We are really well provided with restaurants in the area. Particular favorites of ours include Bart’s Bar in Matlacha which is a very traditional Florida waterfront bar/restaurant, quite often with live music. The Waterfront in St James City (misnomer) on Pine Island, Morett’s in Matlacha (both great for lunch with outside seating by the water), and the Tarpon Inn for special occasions. Carrabas, a great Italian is up Pine Island Road (towards I75) as are The Outback (wonderful steaks), Pollo Tropical (Cuban) and of course Ada’s.
	About one to one and a half hours drive away is the Everglades National Park . This is definitely worth visiting and it is also worth taking an air boat tour of the everglades.
We hope you enjoy our house and please spread the word amongst your friends that a visit to Florida is a must! As we can’t be in Florida to greet you, our good friend, Heidi Thornton will meet you and show you around the house and be there at the end of the ‘phone should you have any queries during your stay.