Route #78 Anna Maria – Longboat Key – Whitfield – Palma Sola – Holmes Beach

Route #78 covers 45 miles along the barrier islands of the Gulf of Mexico and the urban shoreline of Manatee and Sarasota counties. The journey begins on Anna Maria Island and continues south through coastal communities such as Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Cortez, and Longboat Key, linking historic beaches, former fishing villages, and resort centers that shaped Florida’s west coast.

After crossing Lido Key and the John Ringling Causeway over Sarasota Bay, the route enters the city of Sarasota, known for its architectural heritage, museums, and cultural institutions associated with figures such as Owen and John Ringling. From there, the itinerary turns north through densely developed areas including Whitfield, Bayshore Gardens, and Tara, illustrating the suburban growth that followed the region’s early resort era.

The final section passes through Palma Sola and Perico Island, where ancient Indigenous sites were later covered by modern construction. Moving through nature preserves, historic parks, and narrow causeways over the bay, the route connects pre-Columbian history, European settlement, and contemporary coastal development before returning to Holmes Beach and ending in Anna Maria.

This route can be found in Discovering Florida – Volume 4.