about Venice

Venice, Sarasota’s southern little sister, enchants with a special quality of life and is still an insider tip for tourists. This pretty little town has about 20,000 inhabitants and is located about 32 km south of downtown Sarasota and about 90 km north of Ft. Myers.

Venice was developed in the twenties as probably the first “on the drawing board” planned (masterplanned) city. This is still noticeable today. The town center with its abundance of small stores, antique stores, boutiques and restaurants around the palm-fringed West Venice Avenue, merges seamlessly into residential developments overgrown with tropical vegetation.

The charming Mediterranean architecture is not limited to the downtown area, also called the “Island of Venice”. Also many of the residential buildings in the surrounding area, are characterized by historical and also new graceful Mediterranean architectural style. Since Venice’s beach is directly adjacent to the mainland, it can be easily reached on foot or by bicycle. Thus, Venice is a truly “pedestrian friendly” city.
East of the Intracoastal Waterway, which frames the center of town, are many newly developed residential areas with and without golf courses.

Explore beautiful, historic downtown Venice. Home to over 100 unique and independent stores and restaurants, Venice offers an ambiance and charm unlike any other in Florida. In addition to shopping and dining, you’ll find shady oak and banyan lined avenues, palm trees swaying in the Gulf breezes, miles of pristine beaches, parks throughout the city and an active arts and culture scene.

Venice is home to one of the largest community theaters in the country, the Venice Theatre. The Venice Arts Center changes over ten exhibits throughout the calendar year. If you are looking for music, the Venice Beach Pavilion hosts music events almost every night of the week. Venice prides itself on its historical significance. The entire city plan (designed by respected planner John Nolen in 1926) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Several local nonprofit organizations, including the Venice Area Historical Society and Venice Heritage Inc, work to preserve and maintain the city. Visit the Triangle Inn and the Venice City Archives to learn all about Venice’s fascinating history, including its role in World War II.

The historic downtown is accessible via the Legacy Trail. The trail passes through nearby Oscar Sherer and offers travelers another place to stay (camping!). Venice is a very bike and pedestrian friendly community. Venice is also home to one of Florida’s few dog beaches! If you enjoy the vacation season, Venice is the place to spend it. The Avenues are all decorated and City Hall displays “light sculptures” from Thanksgiving to the New Year. The annual Holiday Parade is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Christmas Stroll is held the first Thursday in December, and the Boat Parade is held the first Saturday in December.

Although the miles of pristine beaches, a land of milk and honey for clam and shark tooth collectors, are certainly the main attraction for vacationers and residents, Venice has something for everyone: grandiose river landscapes along the Myakka River (like “Snook Haven”, a “beer garden” right on the river), the newly opened Legacy Trail is a paradise for cyclists, skateboarders and hikers, and the countless waterways are an Eldorado for all water sports enthusiasts. Numerous golf courses in wonderful nature will please every golfer and for equestrian enthusiasts there are several horse farms.

Arts, crafts, vintage automobiles, prehistoric shark’s teeth and live music, you can admire all this at the numerous festivals, such as the annual Shark’s Tooth Festival, which are held here regularly. Prominent and wealthy residents and vacationers appreciate Venice Municipal Airport, through which they can discreetly fly in by their own private jet.

Collect shark teeth, at the great Venice Beache. A strange natural phenomenon has led to Venice becoming known as “The Shark’s” “Tooth Capital of the World.” These smooth T-shaped prehistoric teeth are usually dark gray and can range from one inch to five inches in size. There are so many in this area that you can even buy them in souvenir stores for a few dollars, but it is much more interesting to have the thrill of finding your own shark tooth.

Why is Venice so special for finding shark teeth? A few species of smaller sharks live in these warm Gulf waters, though it is very unlikely that you will see them within sight of the beach. Millions of years ago, sharks lived in these exceptionally calm waters and their carcasses lay on the ocean floor. Although most of the sharks’ remains rotted, decayed or became fish food, the T-shaped teeth hardened and became fossilized over time. The tides eventually carry these hardened teeth to Venice Beach, especially during winter storms.

The best beaches in Venice to find shark teeth.
There are many opportunities to find shark teeth at the 14 miles of sandy beaches in Venice. Venice Beach is one of the busiest beaches in the area, so it may not be the best beach as many fossil hunters are on the lookout. However, after a storm, you may get lucky and find a shark tooth.
The quieter Service Club Park Beach further south is a better place to start your search. It is located behind the Municipal Airport and has free parking, restrooms, showers and a boardwalk to the beach.
The best beach, however, for finding shark teeth is Caspersen Beach, at the far southern end of Venice’s beaches. This beach is also great for diving, which increases your chances of finding a larger megladon tooth. When the surf is calm, swimmers can snorkel and dive from the beach to comb the sand. By hand, you fan the sand or look into crevices or pockets of sand that have been deposited.

How to search for shark teeth
You will always find passionate searchers who sifted the water on Caspersen. Go in search of the next treasure with your sand shovels and nets. You can use a sand sieve to find the elusive shark teeth among the broken shells. Use a small spade to scoop sand into your net or sieve. Sooner or later you will travel home rewarded with your own prehistoric shark tooth.