Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores

John Ringling built a horseshoe-shaped boat basin as a turnaround for his yacht. The posh neighborhood which sprung up around that basin in the 1920's was filled by the well-heeled winter residents from the northeast and became Indian Beach and Sapphire Shores.

The streets near the historic Ringling estate are now populated by wealthy professionals and families along with plenty of professors and college students who take advantage of the close proximity of New College of Florida and the Ringling College of Art and Design. Quaint cottages mingle with multi-million dollar estates to give it a special vibe. As an added bonus, The Thomas House in Sapphire Shores is on the National Register of Historic Places.