Port Charlotte is on the northern side of picturesque Charlotte Harbor while Punta Gorda is on the southern side. They are joined by the U.S. 41 bridge.
In 1996, Money Magazine announced that this area was the Number Two Best Place to Live in America. Since then, Charlotte County has received other similar accolades, including Number One Best Place to Live in the South and one of America’s Best Places to Sail. Very recently, Golf Digest numbered Port Charlotte the third on its list of the best golf cities.
Charlotte County has a total of 70 parks and recreational areas as well as 12.5 miles of beaches along the length of its barrier islands and spits. In spite of its recent recognition, it is off the beaten path and relatively uncrowded.
Nature explorations include paddling a kayak on hundreds of miles of Calusa Blueways trails, exploring the Peace River and five national wildlife refuges, and experiencing prime birding - and some hunting - opportunities.
For sports fans, the Tampa Bay Rays will make Charlotte County's $46 million rebuilt and expanded sports arena its spring training home in 2009.
The larger area, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, also includes the areas of Boca Grande, Don Pedro Island, El Jobean, Englewood-Cape Haze, Little Gasparilla Island, Manasota Key, Palm Island, Placida, and Punta Gorda.
If you prefer cultural life to wildlife, attend a symphonic or dramatic performance, dine on upscale cuisine, gallery hop through the art-rich communities and shop to your heart’s content.