Cape Coral Overview

Welcome to "Paradise" — the largest "small town" between Tampa and Miami!

In 2005, it was named the second fastest growing city in the US by a national news magazine. Shortly after, it was billed by a business magazine as the best place in the country for finding a job.

Formerly overshadowed by the more cosmopolitan Fort Myers across the bridge, Cape Coral has indeed come into its own. With a wide sandy beach, swaying palms, friendly folks and city-sponsored activities, "the Cape" has a small-town feel despite its quick growth.

With more canals than Venice, Italy, this boaters' paradise is quickly becoming a permanent home for people hailing from all points in the US — and further abroad. The city welcomes about 10,000 newcomers each year as the secret of Cape Coral slips out.

Born of a dream of the Rosen brothers of Baltimore, land in Cape Coral was originally parceled out by mail. Those interested in purchasing their own piece of paradise could pay off their land bit by bit.

Upon retiring — or upon tiring of the Northern weather — people from all walks of life moved to their property in the Cape and began building

The Rosen brothers and their staff embarked on a campaign to bring people to the area, resulting in a city philosophy in which the city gives back to its residents in the form of well-maintained parks and free recreational activities.

In the '60s and '70s, residents could visit the Rose Garden and see the porpoise show, "oooh" and "ah" over Waltzing Waters, or stroll quietly through the gardens.

In 2005, the city celebrated its 35th birthday; many Cape pioneers were in the area long before that, braving mosquitos, dirt roads, and no air conditioning. Pioneers are proud of their contributions to the town that was a dream.

Today, visitors and residents alike can take advantage of the many parks in the area, such as Jaycee Park, Rotary Park, Four Freedoms Park, and the Cape Coral Yacht Club. The Yacht Club, which dead-ends off Coronado, is accessible by car or boat, and with the days upon days of sunshine that Cape Coral offers, everything is accessible by bicycle or walking.

The Yacht Club is one of the city's landmarks, offering visitors 634 feet of beach, a covered picnic area, playground, and a 93-slip yacht basin. It also has a heated pool, racquetball courts, and horseshoe pits.

The William Austen Youth Center and Eagle Skate Park, at 315 SW 2nd Avenue, has a state-of-the-art park for all ages. Dedicated in 2006, the skate park offer youths ramps, jumps and banisters — anything a skate-boarder, in-line skater, or bicycler could want.

For more fun in the sun, Sun Splash Family Waterpark, on Santa Barbara Boulevard, is a city-owned facility that offers giant water slides and pools for visitors.

For those seeking riverfront dining, the Cape Harbour community provides Rumrunners Restaurant, which is accessible by both car and boat. Visitors also can enjoy lunch or dinner at the waterfront shops and promenades at The Marina at Cape Harbour.

Seldom is seen the spot in Florida that neglects the golfer, and Cape Coral is no exception. Golf enthusiasts will find five courses that boast some of the finest greens and fairways in Lee County.

The city continues to expand with population, its circumference continues to expand with the development of formerly distant areas such as Pine Island Road. Restaurants such as Carrabba's and the Shrimp Shack have hit the Cape via Pine Island Road.

As most residents will tell you, it's the large-scale activities that give the Cape its strong community.