Sanford (Florida)

Sanford is a city of 61,000 people (2020) in Seminole County on the northern side of Greater Orlando, known as the "Historic Waterfront Gateway City". Sanford is home to Seminole State College of Florida and the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Its downtown attracts tourists with shops, restaurants, a marina, and a lakefront walking trail. == Understand == Sanford sits on the southern shore of Lake Monroe at the head of navigation on the St. Johns River. === History === Native Americans first settled the area thousands of years before the city was formed. The Seminoles arrived in the area in the 18th century. During the Second Seminole War in 1836, the United States Army established Camp Monroe and built a road now known as Mellonville Avenue. Sanford is about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Orlando. === Climate === Sanford has a humid subtropical climate, with mild weather during winters and hot weather during summers. High temperatures average 64 to 91 °F (18-33 °C) throughout the year. High heat indices are not uncommon for the summer months in the Sanford area. High temperatures can reach mid to high 90s with heat index ranges of 105-115 °F. The highest recorded temperature in Sanford was 103°F in July 1998. It is common for daily thunderstorms to erupt during a standard summer afternoon. These are caused by the heating of the land and water, combined with extremely high humidity. During winter, the area can experience hard freezes during the night. Such cold weather is usually short lived, as the city averages only 15 nights below freezing. The coldest temperature recorded in Sanford was 19 °F on January 21, 1985, a day that still holds the record cold for many locations in the eastern half of the US. Even rarer in Sanford than freezing temperatures is snow. When snow does fall, it usually melts before touching the ground, or upon making contact with the ground. Sanford has suffered less damage from hurricanes than most East Coast cities. Sanford has experienced hurricane or near-hurricane conditions more than a dozen times due to storms passing through the state from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, or passing to the north or south in the Atlantic and brushing the area. Rainfall averages around 50 inches a year, with the wettest months being June through September. == Get in == === By plane === 1 Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB IATA). Smaller airport in the region served regularly by Allegiant Airlines from all over the U.S.; Arajet] from Dominican Republic; and by airlines chartered by tour operators. The airport is connected to Sanford by Airport Blvd and SR-417. The main airport to the region with additional airlines is Orlando International Airport (MCO IATA) 34 mi (55 km) south on SR-417 & 528. (updated Jul 2025) === By car === I-4 serves as the main (toll-free) interstate to connect Sanford to Daytona Beach 39 mi (63 km) to the east/northeast and Orlando 26 mi (42 km) west/southwest. From I-4 there are 3 exits into Sanford (exit 101 - 104). I-4 goes along the western shores of Lake Monroe which divides Sanford (southshore) from Deltona (northshore). US 17 connects Sanford to DeLand at 21 mi (34 km) north and to E Colonial Dr (SR-50) east of Orlando 19 mi (31 km) soutgh of town. Central Florida Greenway goes from I-4 along the southside of Sanford (exit 101A), around the Greater Orlando Metropolitan Area as an eastern loop/beltway, and rejoins I-4 south of Celebration (exit 62). SR-46 goes 19 mi (31 km) west to Sorrento. SR-46 ends at the toll booths of SR-429. Going east it follows US 17-92 and then on E 25th St out towards US 1 north of Titusville. === By train === Sanford is the southern terminus of the 2 Sanford Auto Train Station which carries passengers and automobiles directly between Sanford and Lorton, Virginia, effectively serving as a car-rail link from Florida to the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. The train does not make intermediary stops between Lorton and Sanford. The Sanford station is not as elaborate as its Lorton counterpart: passengers board the train on two tracks in Sanford. However, Amtrak and the State of Florida are working to replace the older station with a new terminal that can accommodate a larger numbers of passengers more comfortably. 3 Sanford SunRail Station, 2720 W SR-46. generally M-F only. Check schedules. The nearest stations for the passenger only Amtrak Silver Service are in Winter Park (20 mi (32 km) south) and Deland (24 mi (39 km)) north. The Amtrak station in DeLand is a separate location from the DeBary SunRail Station in Deltona while the Winter Haven Station is in a shared facility. Cross platform transfer between SunRail and Amtrak are in Winter Park, Orlando Health, and Kissimmee. (updated Jan 2019) 4 Lake Mary Sunrail Station, 2200 W Lake Mary Blvd. is the next nearest station to Sanford, 5 mi (8.0 km) south. It is connected to Sanford by Lynx #45 bus. (updated Aug 2023) === By bus === for a list of intercity bus companies serving the Orlando Metropolitan area from all parts of the state. The 5 Sanford Sunrail (Bus) Station and the 6 Seminole Centre serve as bus stations for Lynx with the following serving as intercity routes: Link 45 International Pkwy/H.E. Thomas Jr Pkwy in Lake Mary - Lake Mary Sunrail Station - Seminole Centre south of town. Lake Mary is the next city/town south of Sanford. Link 103 Seminole Centre - Seminole State College - Fern Park Super Stop on Orlando Ave (US Hwy 17/92). From the Fern Park SuperStop passengers can transfer to the 102 bus which continues towards Orlando on US Hwy 17/92 via Winter Park. Bus 436S towards Orlando International Airport or 436N towards Apopka. Greyhound/Flixbus no longer stop into Sanford. See 'By bus' under get around for an additional list of local bus routes in Sanford. Lynx does not operate cross-county services to Deltona in Volusia County to the north. 7 VOTRAN (Volusia County Transit), (bus stop) DeBary Sunrail Station, ☏ +1 386 761-7700. VOTRAN is the name of the Volusia County public transportation, which connects the Debary Sunrail into Deltona and up to DeLand with the following: $1.75 for one-way fare, $3.75 for day pass. (updated Jun 2017) 31 Debary Sunrail - Orange City - DeLand on Volusia Ave (US Hwy 17-92). Passengers transfer to the #60 bus in DeLand to continue towards Daytona Beach. 32 Debary Sunrail - Deltona Plaza in Deltona 33 Debary Sunrail - Dupont Lakes in Deltona Votrans does not operate cross-county services into Seminole County to the south. == Get around == === By car === Locally Park Ave goes north-south and it divides east from west. SR-46/1st Ave goes east-west and it divides north from south. Lake Monroe separates Sanford from Deltona. US 17/92 comes into town at its junction with I-4 at exit 104. It goes south on Monroe Blvd (County Road 15) to W SR-46. It then follows concurrently on SR-46 into downtown as W 1st St. From 1st Ave in downtown, US 17 goes north-south along French Ave/US 17-92 which is concurrent with SR-46 (see below). W Seminole Blvd comes in from its junction with US 17, N/NW of town, along the southern shores of Lake Monroe and into town as N French Ave. W SR-46 goes east-west between its junction with I-4 and Monroe St. East of Monroe St it goes concurrently on US 17 (but road is named 'W SR-46') into downtown. Going east, SR-46 follows US 17 on French Ave/US 17-92 to E 25th St where it turn east towards Titusville === By bus === Lynx offers public transportation for Sanford and the Greater Orlando Metropolitan Area with the following local routes: Link 34 Seminole Center - Downtown - Sanford Sunrail Station Link 45 International Pkwy/H.E. Thomas Jr Pkwy in Lake Mary - Lake Mary Sunrail Station - Seminole Centre south of town Link 46E Sanford Sunrail - Downtown - True Health Link 46W Seminole Towne Center - Sanford Sunrail on W SR-46 Link 851 NeighborLink (shuttle). Door to door service, appointment required. Sanford 'Trolley' is operated by City of Sanford to shuttle visitors and locals between the Sanford Sunrail Station to Downtown and around downtown. Free. == See == === Art galleries === 1 Gallery on First (Jeanine Taylor Folk Art), 211 E First St, ☏ +1 407-323-2774. Working artist studios, with a focus on art from the Deep South. === Parks === 2 Cameron Wight Park, 5502 Old Geneva Rd, ☏ +1 407-788-0405. This is a 3-acre (1.2 hectares) park used as a boat launching facility into the beautiful St. Johns river basin. It is 5 miles (8 km) east of US 17-92 on State Road 46 at the Lake Jesup Bridge. This park is open daily 24 hours. It has a pavilion, lighting, and paved parking. 3 Lake Dot Park, 100 Lake Dot Drive, ☏ +1 407-788-0405. This is a 15-acre (6.1 hectares) park with benches and a fishing area located at the south end of Sanford. From Sanford, go south on U.S. 17-92, left onto Fairmont Dr., and right onto Lake Dot Dr. It is open 8AM to sunset daily. 4 Lake Jesup Park, 5951 S Sanford Ave, ☏ +1 407-788-0405. This park is a 6-acre (2.4 hectares) park primarily used as a boat launching facility into Lake Jesup. The park is 4 miles (6.4 km) south of State Road 46 at the end of Sanford Avenue. There is a pavilion and paved parking available under shade from the many oak trees. The park is open 24 hours daily. 5 Lake Jesup Wilderness Area, 5951 S Sanford Ave, ☏ +1 407-665-7352. Wildlife lovers will find 3 miles (5 km) of trails in the 490-acre (200 hectares) Lake Jesup Wilderness Area where lakeside benches provide a great viewing platform for spotting bald eagles and alligators. 6 Lake Monroe Wayside Park, 4150 N W US-17/92, ☏ +1 407-788-0405. This is a 3.5-acre (1.4 hectares) park used as a boat launching facility into Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River basin. This park is 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Interstate 4 on State Road 17-92 on the St. Johns River. This park has pavilions and a historical swinging bridge used as a fishing pier. It is open 24 hours daily. 7 Paw Park, 427 S French Ave, ☏ +1 407-330-5688. The oldest off-leash dog park in Central Florida is well shaded with mature oak trees. Features include a small dog alternative play area, a time-out area, bag dispensers for disposal of dog waste, park benches, dog showers, self-watering bowls, historic lighting, and a community bulletin board. 8 Sunland Park, 180 Collins Drive, ☏ +1 407-788-0405. This is a 15-acre (6.1 hectares) park 1/2 mile south of Lake Mary Boulevard on US 17-92. There is a ball field, tennis & basketball court and playground available for public use. The hours of the park are from 8AM to 10PM daily. 9 Sylvan Lake Park, 845 Lake Markham Rd, ☏ +1 407-788-0405. This park is 5 miles (8 km) west of I-4 off State Road 46 on Lake Markham Road. This is a 126-acre (51 hectares) park with a 188-acre (76 hectares) lake adjacent to the park known as Sylvan Lake. Sylvan has become a soccer lover's delight, with a sport training facility and 6 soccer fields. 10 Wilson's Landing Park, ☏ +1 407-788-0405. 387 Malekean Trail. Wilson's Landing is a 19-acre (7.7 hectares) facility developed in 2004 that includes a small pavilion, overlook pier of the Wekiva River, restrooms, and paved parking. This park is in the northwestern corner of the county off S.R. 46 on Malakean Road. Hours of operation is 8AM to sunset seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 11 Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park. An 18,000-acre (73-km²) Florida State Park on 6 miles (10 km) of the St. Johns River in Seminole County. The park forms a wildlife corridor to the Ocala National Forest along the Wekiva and St. Johns Rivers. Among the wildlife of the park are black bears, river otters, alligators, wood storks, and sandhill cranes. There are two sections to the park, north and south. The northern section's entrance is in Pine Lakes, off S.R. 44. This entrance leads to the multiuse trails, primitive horse camping and backpack camping areas. The entrance to the southern section, off S.R. 46 nine miles (14 km) west of Sanford, provides access to 5,000 acres (20 km²) of the park. There is no horseback riding in this part of the park. Neither section provides water access. Although canoeists can travel the Wekiva River through the park, they must launch from outside. (updated Jun 2020) === Museums === 12 Museum of Seminole County History, 300 Eslinger Way, ☏ +1 407-665-2489, blloyd@seminolecountyfl.gov. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. The museum highlights Seminole County, the historical gateway to interior Central Florida via the St. John's River. All artifacts housed in the museum have been donated. (updated Aug 2025) 13 Sanford Museum, 520 E First St, ☏ +1 407-302-1000. The museum collects and exhibits items dealing with the development of the city of Sanford from the time Florida became a U.S. territory to the present and to perpetuate the memory of Henry S. Sanford, founder of the city. === Zoo === 14 Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 3755 NW Highway, ☏ +1 407-323-4450. The Central Florida Zoo is a resource center for wildlife and conservation education. Experience a living classroom where visitors can explore wildlife. == Do == === Boating === 1 Central Florida Airboat Tours, 4650 E FL-46, Geneva (FL-46 at the Geneva Bridge), ☏ +1 407-321-0753. Operating from Jolly Gator Fish Camp, you can board an airboat and travel into the heart and soul of Lake Jesup and Lake Harney. 2 St. Johns Rivership Co. (Rivership Romance), 433 N Palmetto Ave, ☏ +1 321 441-3030, info@stjohnsrivershipco.com. Offers daily riverboat cruises along the St. John's River. Climate controlled. Reservations required. === Golf === 3 Mayfair Country Club, 3536 Country Club Rd, ☏ +1 407-322-2531. 18 holes over 6.400 yards (5.852 m) with a par of 72 (public). == Learn == 1 Seminole State College, 100 Weldon Blvd. One of the many state colleges in Florida (similar to community colleges in other parts of the U.S.). (updated Apr 2025) == Buy == 1 Seminole Centre, 3601-3761 S Orlando Dr (US-17/92). Aldi, Ross Dress for Less, Walmart, Arby's, Boost Mobile, Buddy's Home Furnishing, Cici's Pizza, Cajun Seafood, KFC, Ichigo Ichie Buffet, Yabi Sushi, Subway, Wendy's, etc. (updated Aug 2023) 2 Seminole Towne Center, 200 Towne Center Cir. M-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su noon-6PM. Dick's Sporting Goods, Dillards, JCPenney, etc., in the main mall. Red Lobster, Steak 'n Shake, and Miller's Ale House are in freestanding, separate, buildings between the main Seminole Towne Center Mall and the smaller Towne Center Plaza. (updated Aug 2023) 3 Towne Center Plaza, 100-400 N Entrance Rd (smaller mall in a separate building across from the north entrance (Dillards) to the larger Seminole Towne Center). Each store has a separate entrance and keep their own hours. Joann Fabrics, Shopfitters, Rack's Billards Sports Bar & Grill, Honey Baked Ham Co., Concept Salon Suites, etc. (updated Aug 2023) ATMs can be found throughout Sanford. Usually larger hotels and convenience stores will have a "generic" ATM available; however, be forewarned about hidden service fees and the possibly of illegal card skimming devices installed to clone the user's card information & pin number. == Eat == 1 China Star, 4585 St. Johns Parkway, ☏ +1 407-302-1901. The menu at China Star features entrees, sides and quick bites. The restaurant is off of I-4 near Rinehart Road and adjacent to the Seminole Town Center. 2 Colorado's Prime Steak, 3863 South Orlando Drive, ☏ +1 407-324-1741. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su 4PM-9PM. Steaks and prime rib are on the menu here. There are also ribs, fish and shrimp on the menu and an array of sandwiches to choose from too. (updated Aug 2023) 3 Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe, 205 E 1st St, ☏ +1 407 321-2204. German cuisine. Extensive indoor and outdoor seating, plus a bar, live music, and additional shops. (updated Sep 2021) 4 St. Johns River Steak and Seafood, 550 N Palmetto Ave, ☏ +1 407 878-0980, stjrss@gmail.com. American cuisine. Restaurant is at the far end of the marina, in a small blue-colored building at the loop, with views from the back overlooking Lake Monroe. (updated Sep 2021) == Drink == 1 The Alley, 114 S Park Ave, ☏ +1 407-328-0700. Unique biker bar with a cozy 1930s atmosphere and live blues every Friday and Saturday. 2 West End Trading Company, 202 S Sanford Ave, ☏ +1 407-322-7475. Downtown bar with cheap drinks, live music, and a tropical laid-back beachy vibe. == Sleep == === Hotels and motels === 1 Budget Inn, 3200 S Orlando Dr, ☏ +1 407-321-0690. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. It's close to Sanford International Airport on the highway south of downtown Sanford. 2 Comfort Inn & Suites, 590 Ava Ct, ☏ +1 407-585-1580. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. No smoking or pets. Pool open 8AM–10PM. From $113 per night. 3 Holiday Inn Express, 4750 SR 46 W, ☏ +1 407 638-9300, aaron@hiexsanfordfl.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. The hotel has a pool and gym. Smoking is not allowed. From $104 per night. 4 SpringHill Suites Sanford, 201 N Towne Rd, ☏ +1 407-995-1000. The hotel has a gym and pool, along with buffet open seven days a week for breakfast. === Bed and Breakfast === 5 Hotel Magnolia, 401 S Magnolia Ave, billydeej@aol.com. 19th-century-built hotel south of the downtown area. Smoking is not allowed. Offers long-term room rentals. (updated Jan 2025) == Connect == Ten digit dialing is in effect for local calls in Sanford. The local area codes are 407 and 321. For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area code+number. There are some public pay phones scattered around the city, but they are becoming increasingly rare with the predominance of cell phones. It is not safe to assume you will be able to find a pay phone at any given time. All ZIP codes in Sanford begin with 327. == Go next == Altamonte Springs is another suburb of Orlando to the southwest of Sanford on I-4. Lake Mary is a well-to-do suburb southwest of Sanford. Orlando is the main city of the region. Historically, farms (and particularly orange groves) separated Orlando from Sanford but the growth of both cities has caused Sanford to become part of the Orlando metropolitan area. Winter Park, to the south of Sanford, has a historic commercial district with shops and restaurants.