Sarasota National at Wellen Park – Venice, FL

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Community Overview

Sarasota National offers a mature, country club setting within Wellen Park, framed by more than 1,300 acres of protected preserves. The result is an open, green environment that feels less dense than many newer communities. Residents live behind staffed, guard-gated entrances and share an 18-hole championship golf course, the Palm Club resort complex, and an established social calendar that works for both full-time and seasonal owners. (Life in Wellen Park)

Construction began around 2007 and continued into approximately 2023, so homes in Sarasota National are generally about 3 to 18 years old. The neighborhood is largely past the heavy-construction phase, with mature landscaping and amenities that have been in regular use for many years. For retirement and long-term buyers, that sense of stability and a proven track record is often an important part of the decision. (HomesByMarco)

Because Sarasota National sits within the larger Wellen Park master plan, residents have convenient access to nearby shopping, dining, medical services, and entertainment, including Downtown Wellen and CoolToday Park. Daily life feels self-contained, yet you are only a short drive from the wider Venice and Sarasota area.

Golf at Sarasota National

Sarasota National is one of only two true bundled-golf communities in Wellen Park. For golfers who expect to be on the course regularly rather than occasionally, this structure matters. Golf membership is included with home ownership, which means you are not layering a separate country club initiation fee on top of your purchase. Instead, golf is built into the financial and social foundation of the neighborhood.

The community’s roughly 2,400 acres include an 18-hole championship course and practice facilities that wind through residential streets and natural preserve areas. Homeowners have access to the course, practice areas, and a staffed pro shop, with events and leagues that support a wide range of skill levels and schedules. (Life in Wellen Park)

When you compare bundled golf options in the Venice area, Sarasota National presents itself as a golf-centered community in which homes, amenities, and social life are organized around the course and club experience.

Amenities and Daily Lifestyle

The Palm Club resort campus is the heart of Sarasota National’s daily life. It brings together golf, pools, fitness, dining, and organized activities in one central location, designed to function well for both year-round residents and those who spend part of the year in Florida.

Golf Facilities

Residents have access to an 18-hole championship golf course, practice range, and other practice facilities, supported by a staffed pro shop. Regular leagues, clinics, and club events accommodate different experience levels and preferred formats. Because membership is bundled with ownership rather than sold separately, golf participation is woven into the life of the community.

Pools, Clubhouse, and Fitness

The Palm Club includes a resort-style pool for relaxed time with neighbors, a separate lap pool for exercise, a spa and hot tub, and a well-equipped fitness center. The clubhouse provides both indoor and outdoor gathering areas that are comfortable for casual meetups, small group events, and larger community functions.

Sports Courts and Outdoor Recreation

Beyond golf, Sarasota National offers tennis courts, pickleball courts, bocce, and indoor spaces used for cards, clubs, and interest groups. Walking paths and nature trails extend through preserved areas, giving residents a quieter, more natural way to enjoy the property and its wildlife.

Dining and Social Programming

A restaurant and bar within the clubhouse, combined with a full-time activities director, support a year-round calendar of events, clubs, and classes. The structure is flexible enough to suit residents who prefer a very active schedule as well as those who want just a few regular activities and time with close friends and neighbors.

Home Types, Sizes, and Pricing

Sarasota National offers one of the most varied mixes of housing within Wellen Park. Behind the same guard gates and sharing the same amenity package, you will find condominiums, villas, coach homes, single-family residences, and estate-style properties. This variety allows households with different budgets and space needs to live within a single, cohesive community.

Typical Home Sizes and Layouts

Condominiums are generally in the range of 1,100 to 1,500 square feet and tend to appeal to buyers who prefer a manageable, low-maintenance home that is easy to lock and leave. Villas and coach homes typically span about 1,400 to 2,000 square feet and often attract residents who like a more single-family feel while keeping exterior maintenance relatively simple.

Most single-family homes range from roughly 1,600 to over 3,200 square feet, with premium golf-front and estate homes at the upper end of that spectrum and beyond. Larger properties may offer expanded guest suites, dedicated office or hobby rooms, and generous outdoor living areas. (HomesByMarco)

Because Sarasota National was developed over an extended period, you will see a wide range of floor plans and interior finish levels. That variety can make it easier to align a home with your preferred layout, outlook, and budget while staying inside the same neighborhood and amenity set.

Typical Purchase Prices (July 2026)

As of July 2026, Sarasota National supports a broad span of price points, from the low $300,000s to more than $1 million, depending primarily on property type, size, and view.

Condominiums are commonly priced from about $300,000 to $450,000, with values influenced by square footage, building location, view, and interior updates.

Villas and coach homes typically fall in the $375,000 to $550,000 range. These properties often suit buyers who want the feel of a single-family residence while having some exterior responsibilities handled by the association.

Single-family homes are most often in the $500,000 to $800,000 range. Prices are shaped by square footage, lot size, golf or preserve orientation, pool and outdoor-living packages, and interior finish quality.

Premium golf-front and estate-style homes typically begin near the upper end of the single-family range and extend to around $800,000 to $1.1 million and above. These homes tend to offer the most desirable views, the largest floor plans, and the most expansive outdoor living spaces.

Across these property types, Sarasota National offers a path to enter the community at a more modest price point and, if desired, move up to a larger or more premium home over time while retaining the same amenities and general lifestyle.

HOA and CDD Fees (July 2026)

Understanding ongoing ownership costs is a key part of planning a retirement or second-home purchase. In Sarasota National, association fees cover typical neighborhood services and also support the bundled golf membership and resort-style amenities. Compared with joining a separate country club, this structure can make your total carrying costs easier to project and manage.

Typical HOA Fee Ranges

As of July 2026, HOA fees in Sarasota National generally range from about $200 to $600 per month, with many homes in the $300 to $450 per month band. Fees tend to be higher for condominiums and for homes with more service-intensive or golf-inclusive packages, and published ranges can reach higher depending on whether the property is a condominium or a single-family home. (HomesByMarco)

CDD Fees

Community Development District (CDD) assessments are also part of the cost structure. In Sarasota National, CDD charges typically fall in the range of about $900 to $1,800 per year, with exact amounts varying by phase and specific location within the community.

What the HOA Commonly Covers

Coverage varies by property type and association, but HOA fees in Sarasota National commonly include the bundled golf membership, use of Palm Club resort amenities, lawn and landscape care for certain home types, gate security and common-area maintenance, and, in some cases, cable and internet service.

For many buyers, an important financial consideration is that a meaningful portion of the HOA fee effectively replaces what would otherwise be a separate golf club membership and initiation cost, bringing those expenses into a single, predictable monthly number.

Location and Surrounding Area

Sarasota National occupies a section of Wellen Park in Venice that provides convenient access to routine services as well as Gulf Coast recreation. Drive times depend on traffic and your exact location within the community, but the ranges below are a practical guide for planning day-to-day life.

Downtown Venice is typically about 10 to 15 minutes away, or roughly 6 to 9 miles, and offers restaurants, shops, cultural events, and waterfront parks.

Nearby Gulf beaches include Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach, each usually about 15 to 20 minutes from Sarasota National. Manasota Key is generally about 20 to 25 minutes away and offers additional beach and boating access.

Reaching Sarasota typically takes about 25 to 35 minutes, depending on traffic patterns and route. This makes it realistic to enjoy arts, dining, and medical services in both Venice and Sarasota while living in a quieter, master-planned environment.

Within Wellen Park itself, residents have access to Downtown Wellen with its restaurants, events, and lakefront setting; CoolToday Park, home of Atlanta Braves spring training; more than 20 miles of trails and greenways; and a mix of established neighborhoods and ongoing development that supports long-term services and infrastructure.

Who Is Sarasota National Best For?

Sarasota National tends to be a strong fit for buyers who want a secure, guard-gated environment in Venice with a clear emphasis on golf, organized recreation, and preserve or water views. Many purchasers are focused on retirement or an eventual full-time move, even if they begin as seasonal residents.

The community is particularly well suited to residents who value an established, golf-centered setting with a balance of social, recreational, and natural amenities.

• Golfers who prefer a bundled membership and reasonably expect to play on a regular basis.
• Buyers who appreciate mature landscaping and a finished feel rather than living amid large-scale construction.
• Individuals and couples, often in the 55 to 80 age range, who are seeking an active lifestyle without an overly busy or high-pressure atmosphere.
• Owners and investors planning to spend approximately $300,000 to over $1 million and who value the option to move up to a larger or more premium home within the same gates over time.
• Residents who like having a restaurant, bar, fitness center, and organized activities within their own neighborhood.

If your top priority is keeping HOA fees as low as possible and you have limited interest in bundled golf or resort-style amenities, another Wellen Park neighborhood may be a better fit. If you are looking for a well-managed, guard-gated golf and resort community with mature landscaping and a long-established operating history, Sarasota National belongs on the short list of communities to see in person.

When buyers compare options, they often include IslandWalk, Renaissance, and Wellen Park Golf & Country Club in the mix. IslandWalk offers extensive resort amenities and a very active social calendar but does not operate as a bundled-golf community. Renaissance is a smaller gated neighborhood with clubhouse amenities but no on-site golf course, which can appeal to buyers who want newer construction without paying for golf operations. Wellen Park Golf & Country Club is the other major bundled-golf option nearby and is newer than Sarasota National, with a somewhat closer-in location to Downtown Wellen. Sarasota National, in turn, offers a more mature landscape and a longer track record.

Next Steps and How to Learn More

If you are planning to invest between approximately $300,000 and over $1 million in a retirement or second home, visiting Sarasota National in person is the best way to evaluate whether it matches your goals. A focused visit that includes a drive through the community, time at the Palm Club, and tours of several different property types will help you compare Sarasota National directly with other Wellen Park neighborhoods and see how it fits your lifestyle and budget.

Many buyers find it helpful to review recent sales, study HOA and CDD obligations in detail, and pay close attention to floor plans, lot orientation, and views before making a decision. Working with a local professional who understands how Sarasota National functions day to day, and how it differs from nearby alternatives, can make the process more efficient and more straightforward.

Explore Other Wellen Park Communities

As you consider Sarasota National, you may also want to explore other nearby neighborhoods in Wellen Park and the greater Venice area. Each community offers its own mix of amenities, architectural styles, and ownership costs:

• IslandWalk
• Renaissance
• Brightmore
• Wellen Park Golf & Country Club
• Boca Royale
• Grand Palm
• OakBend
• Oasis
• Sunstone
• Solstice
• Palmera
• Gran Place
• Esplanade
• Gran Paradiso
• Tortuga
• The Preserve
• Lakespur
• Ashcombe

To discuss your plans, request a tailored list of current Sarasota National opportunities, or arrange a side-by-side tour that includes communities such as IslandWalk, Renaissance, Wellen Park Golf & Country Club, and others listed above, contact Bill Garrison at RE/MAX Palm Realty. Bill provides clear, data-focused guidance for buyers investing approximately $300,000 to over $1 million who want to make a careful, well-informed decision about their next home in Wellen Park and the greater Venice area.