An important location in Southwest Florida, the name means "fat point" in the language of the Conquistadors and is the county's only incorporated city. "Old" Punta Gorda is currently in the middle of a major revitalization and beautification effort. With historic preservation as a priority, the city's Street scape Program is restoring an old Florida atmosphere to its central district streets by adding brick lanes, period street lamps, benches and shade trees. The residential areas feature Spanish style clapboard tin-roofed homes with airy verandas, gingerbread woodwork and raised floors that bear witness to the fishing village architecture of its past. Historic Punta Gorda is experiencing an increasing demand for these quaint properties, with an eye toward restoring them to their historical quality.

Both of these waterfront communities offer boating access to Charlotte Harbor. Punta Gorda Isles development began in 1958. "PGI" and "BSI" both feature concrete seawalls maintained by the city, public water and sewer, enforced but reasonable deed restrictions, 65 miles of saltwater canals at a minimum of 100' wide with access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf. All waterfront properties are in the Canal Maintenance Program, run by the city. You can travel the entire coast of Florida and not find a better value in waterfront properties than PGI and BSI!