Birdland South

Sarasota is an oasis for white beaches, fresh seafood, and Orioles baseball.

- Jess Mayhugh

February is right about the time the winter blahs become unbearable. So a quick escape to a sunny clime is just the thing to pull you through until spring. But where to go? Why not take a cue from the birds (both real and otherwise) and fly south to the Florida Gulf Coast?

Since 2010, the Orioles have been playing spring training games in Sarasota, and faithful fans have been flocking to town to enjoy its pristine white beaches, impressive food and drink scene, and waterfront attractions—and, of course, to catch a few ballgames.

The city of Sarasota almost feels like an oasis in the strip mall sameness of Florida. There’s an undeniably upscale vibe to a lot of its shopping districts, and it is starting to cultivate a culinary and cocktail scene all its own. In fact, last April, Condé Nast Traveler ranked it in the top 15 food cities in the country, recognizing its farm-to-table cuisine and quaint Main Street cafes. Plus, Sarasota has all the perks of warm weather and beautiful vistas. So, how lucky are we to have an excuse to make the trek every winter (this year Feb. 26-March 30) to watch the Orioles prepare for the regular season?

To get to Sarasota from Baltimore is easy enough, since Southwest flies direct to Tampa and Sarasota is just over an hour’s drive from there—made even more scenic if you loop through St. Petersburg and the barrier island towns of Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Anna Maria, and Bradenton Beach.