Sunshine filled days, miles of canals, and countless opportunities for water recreation that let you take advantage of the great outdoors to experience it all—these are the things that define Cape Coral, and what makes it such a marvelous vacation destination! Our lovely city has so much to offer visitors, whether you’re escaping for a quick weekend or the entire winter. Wake up in the morning to go kayaking through the neighborhood and watch spectacular sunsets with a canal front view. These are just some of the possibilities when you come to vacation in Cape Coral! Combine all that with local restaurants, shopping, and nearby nature preserves, and the perfection of Cape Coral is complete. When you come to stay in Cape Coral, you’ll find a variety of neighborhoods within the city, each with its own unique charm and distinct character, and we’re proud to say we offer rentals all over the city. If you’re interested about the best places to stay in Cape Coral, we’ve broken it down for you below!
Caloosahatchee
Also sometimes referred to as the southeast quadrant of the city, this area is the oldest and most developed. Some might even consider it the soul of the city, as it was here that the first canals were carved into the land, and where the first homes on the island were built. Today you’ll find a mixture of properties, as some of the original lots have been redone with massive properties offering tons of modern amenities. Visitors who stay here will find that the homes in this area have that classic southern Florida charisma, with beautiful landscaping and architecture.
Stay in a home right on the Caloosahatchee River or immerse yourself in a property surrounded by palms that will make you feel like you’re in the tropics—there’s plenty of highlights our properties in this area have to offer. Vacation homes in this area are coveted as they provide easy access to the Caloosahatchee River, and the Gulf of Mexico beyond that. Quite a few vacation homes in this area will allow you to bring your own boat, and if yours is sea-ready, you’ll love a property with quick access to the Gulf. In short, homes in this area truly have it all, especially if you’re looking for a property that enjoys the perks of both being on the canals and never far from the river and Gulf!
Things to do in Caloosahatchee
This area of town is situated along the Caloosahatchee River, giving guests that stay here countless opportunities for water recreation, and canal pathways that lead out to the river as well as plenty of homes with sweeping river views. It’s in this area you’ll find the Cape Coral Parkway toll bridge, which provides easy access to the shopping and restaurants of Fort Meyers, and Sanibel Island, where you can visit tropical Gulf Coast beaches that offer some of the best “shelling” (seashell hunting) beaches in the entire nation. Locally, the Yacht Club Public Beach has a sandy shoreline along the river, and Jaycee Park is a great spot for a waterfront picnic on the river. Four Freedoms Park is another popular spot in this area, with a sandy beach and a playground.
Dining in Caloosahatchee
Luckily if you’re staying in Caloosahatchee, you’ll never run out of dining options, from the strand of restaurants on Cape Coral Parkway to waterfront restaurants. One of the most popular dining choices in this area is The Boathouse Tiki Bar and Grill, which enjoys a prime spot facing out towards the Gulf, with docks where you can park your boat or watercraft—you can even kayak there from many of the rentals in this area. Cape Coral Parkway offers up a ton of restaurants in a conveniently concentrated area, from classic Italian cuisine at Papa Joe’s, to the lively sports bar atmosphere of Ford’s Garage.
Pelican
This area is also known as southwest quadrant of Cape Coral, and naturally was the next area to be developed when the city was founded, making this another part of town home to popular and exclusive neighborhoods. Bordered to the west by the spreader canal that separates the city from the dense mangroves of the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve, this area offers easy access to the best of nature and city combined.
Here you’ll find beautiful homes, many of them new, with amazing canal front views and amenities made for living life on the water, from homes with private docks to those with lanais that host huge private pools. The convenience of staying in this area includes that you can access a lock system that will take you out to the salt water, with restrictions on the size of the watercraft. It’s a terrific area for those who like to fish in the freshwater canals, as well as those looking for a bit of an adventure.
Things to Do in Pelican
From the water recreation of the well-connected system of canals in this area, to the easy access to the excitement of the marina at Tarpoon Point, this area of town offers visitors plenty to do. Kayak out to see the sights of Cape Harbour and see the Chaquita Lock or take your boat out to traverse the lock yourself and head out to the Gulf. The Glover Bight trail is a great activity for nature lovers or to get a bit of walking in, and local parks include Camelot Park and Rotary Park. For those that love boutique and local shopping, don’t miss the shops at Cape Harbour, which include everything from gifts, souvenirs, clothes, and jewelry.
Dining in Pelican
Visitors to this area will find the choice for dining are plentiful, from waterfront restaurants to casual city joints that are perfect for a quick lunch while you’re out on your adventures. Try Rumrunners at Cape Harbour for an upscale steak and seafood dinner, or the Cape Harbour Oyster Bar and Grill for some freshly caught cuisine. There are many more restaurants in the Cape Harbour area, and another cluster of well-known restaurants can be found at the Marina Village at the Westin Cape Coral Resort. At Cape Coral Parkway and Chaquita Boulevard you’ll find several more restaurants, including the popular Lobster Lady Seafood Market and Bistro.
Northwest Cape Coral
As you move north of the Pelican area, you’ll find the northwest quadrant of Cape Coral, home to a number of charming neighborhoods, such as Trafalgar. Many of them boast canal-facing properties, and a well-established network of waterways, including a spreader canal that runs alongside beautiful mangroves and the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. Homes in this area offer up features such as private pools and lanais, spacious yards, and amenities made for enjoying the outdoors.
Pine Island Road runs through the area, connecting you to the Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge, as well as to the other areas of the city. When you stay in this area you will enjoy the convenience of being able to reach major attractions in just a short drive and take advantage of the many lakes dispersed along the canal paths. And vacation homes in Northwest Cape Coral don’t sacrifice on amenities either!
Things to Do in Northwest Cape Coral
You’ll find much to do when you stay in Northeast Cape Coral. As mentioned above, you’ll be able to easily access the Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge, and to the north of this area there’s the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Golfers will find several options in this area where they can book a tee time or two, including the Cape Royal Golf Club, Coral Oaks Golf Course, and the Burnt Store Marina Country Club. Wildlife lovers will adore being in this area, as they’ll be near another nature preserve, the Yucca Pens Preserve. Northeast Cape Coral hosts many popular parks as well, such as the Jim Jeffers Park with its exceptional playground, and the Sirenia Vista Park, where you can find a manatee viewing area, fishing, and a kayak and paddleboard launch where you can explore the mangroves.
Dining in Northwest Cape Coral
Visitors to this lovely part of town will find the dining options are plentiful, from cozy waterfront joints to upscale restaurants with gourmet menus. Try Miceli’s Restaurant off of Pine Island Road for views of the water and live music on the weekends or continue on Pine Island Road into the town of Matlacha for more waterfront restaurants on West Island and Porpoise Point. If you take Pine Island Road east into Cape Coral, you’ll find a bunch of restaurants located off the road, from Mexican cuisine to Texas BBQ.
Northeast Cape Coral
Journey to the northeast of the city, and you’ll find the area that makes up the fourth quadrant, home to neighborhoods such as Hancock. Nature lovers will find refuge in this area of town, as it’s home to an ecological preserve, and the eastern side runs along the Caloosahatchee River. Of course, you’ll find miles more of canals here, as there are few areas in Cape Coral without canal-facing property.
Here you can relax out by the canals in a private sitting area or bring your own boat to a home with a private dock—every vacation home is different, but these are just some of the features you could find in homes in this area. Some networks of canals in this area also lead out to the river, giving you eventual access to the Gulf, as well as the southern part of Cape Coral.
Things to Do in Northeast Cape Coral
A popular sight in this area is the Four Mile Ecological Preserve, a wetland preserve with miles of walking trails, an informative visitor’s center, and kayak rentals depending on the season. Right near the preserve you’ll find the Midpoint Bridge, which will take you to the excitement of Fort Meyers, opening up your dining and shopping options. Of course, you’ll find several waterfront city parks in this area, such as Rosen Park, which features a marina, boat ramps, BBQ grills, picnic areas, and a boat ramp that will allow you river and gulf access once you’re in the water!
Dining in Northeast Cape Coral
If you’re looking to dine out in the northeast part of town, you’ll find you have just as many options as you would anywhere else in the city! Up along Del Prado Boulevard you’ll find tons of local restaurants, from delicious places such as the Twisted Lobster to waterfront spots like First Round Draft. If you’re looking for an elegant night out try Ariani Ristorante Italiano, where casual diners will love Anthony’s on BLVD. These are just a few of the many options you’ll have when staying in this part of the city!
There’s Never a Dull Moment When You’re in Cape Coral
As you can see, no matter where you stay in Cape Coral, you’re likely to have a good time. Each part of town offers plenty to do, see, and eat, while the best part is that it’s easy to visit different areas of town from almost anywhere you stay. Features that are common in our Cape Coral properties include canal views, private pools covered by lanais, outdoor BBQs, private docks, and so much more—it all depends on the property you book, but outdoor amenities are what Cape Coral thrives on. We have a number of lovely properties all over the city, and you can easily pick which area you’d like the most!
Book Your Cape Coral Adventure with Vacanza Rentals Today!
At Vacanza Rentals, we know that Cape Coral is more than just a vacation destination—it’s the epitome of canal-front living, and we go above and beyond to give our valued guests the best of that lifestyle. We know Cape Coral unlike any other rental company and are happy to offer our personal local suggestions and favorite places to visit. If you’re ready to book your Cape Coral vacation, browse our properties online, and give us a call to book yours today!
