Approach Citrus County from the east, and you’ll soon see the Historic Old County Courthouse in Inverness. The charming streets around the courthouse have quaint shops and cafes, but as you widen your scope you’ll find a thoroughly modern town with well-established neighborhoods, excellent shopping and the 22-mile Tsala Apopka chain of lakes. Inverness offers history, freshwater fishing, boating, water skiing, golf, upland hunting and some great annual fairs and festivals.

Historically, and even today, Crystal River’s development has been along U.S. Highway 19, which runs the length of Florida’s West Coast. Here, in a concentrated area, visitors find contemporary shopping, lodging, dining and the beginning of many natural explorations and recreations. The Crystal River itself is broad and deep, and hosts boats of every size as well as anglers on their way to the spectacular waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A nine-mile scenic drive west on Fort Island Trail will take you to the public beach and the Gulf of Mexico. Crystal River offers archaeological sites, boating on tidal rivers and the open Gulf, fishing, golfing, manatee encounters, birding and unmatched eco-tourism.

Don’t feel bad if the names confuse you: Homosassa is the age-old fishing village sitting directly on the Homosassa River, including the big spring that attracts so many manatees. Homosassa Springs is the commercial area along U.S. 19. But they’re so close together that it doesn’t matter what you call them. Do yourself a favor and follow any of the roads leading westward from U.S. 19 along the strip of highway that runs past Homosassa Springs and Crystal River. You will find places to stay, out-of-the-way restaurants and great places to launch your boat or wet a line. Homosassa provides manatee encounters, fishing, eco-tourism, birding, waterfront relaxation and a look at unspoiled old Florida.

Pine Ridge Estates is a hidden gem located in Citrus County; it boasts miles of acreage and is a unique upscale development with diverse styles and layouts. While enjoying the beauty of this area, one will occasionally encounter wildlife. Some of the species that have been sighted are the Sherman fox squirrel, black bear, gopher tortoise, bobcat, eagle, and many varieties of hawks. his area is also home to the bluebird. As you drive through the community, you may notice bluebird boxes that are placed in various locations.

Black Diamond is ideally located less than 15 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. It’s just over an hour and a half from Tampa and Orlando, 30 minutes from the horse-breeding town of Ocala and one hour from Gainesville, home of the University of Florida – Black Diamond has much to offer. In addition, Black Diamond’s hometown of Lecanto and surrounding cities of Inverness and Crystal River allow members and their friends and family to slip back to a time when life was kinder and less hurried, and traditional values were embraced whole-heartedly.

Residents of the Villages of Citrus Hills enjoy active resort-style living at a relaxed Florida pace. Whether looking for a home in which to retire, a vacation retreat or a full-time base for work and play, the Villages of Citrus Hills provide a safe, relaxed and beautiful environment to build your home.

Located on 2,000 acres in Citrus County Florida, Sugarmill Woods is the first Deed Restricted community in the United States that was designed on the concept that every home would be built on a greenbelt or golf course. This rural community is bordered on the east by the Withlacoochee State Forest and on the west by the Gulf of Mexico. With a current population of 18,000 people, it is comprised of three “village” neighborhoods with 7,200 homes and approximately 1,000 site-ready lots available to build on. It has to be seen to be appreciated.