Estero Vacation Rentals

History of Estero, Florida: A Look Back

The early days of Estero date back to the Calusa Indians. Their shell mounds can still be seen at Mound Key Archeological State Park today. In the late 1880s, the area was known for citrus farming. Estero was also first incorporated in 1904 by the followers of the Koreshan Unity.

The group’s leader Cyrus Teed had begun settling along the Estero River in 1894. However, the incorporation was dissolved in 1907. Today, 11 structures of the original 300-acre settlement are owned by the State of Florida and operated as the Koreshan State Historic Site. Visitors can still go see them today.

How did the Koreshan’s get to Estero?

Dr. Cyrus Teed convinced more than 200 people to relocate from New York to Florida. The name Koreshan stems from the Hebrew “Koresh,” which means shepherd. He and his followers believed that the entire world existed in an enormous, hollow sphere.

The Koreshans also had a pretty advanced society. The Koreshan village consisted of a sawmill, bakery, printing facility, cement works, boat works, hostelry and store. Education, art and science was also a very important part of Koreshan life.

The Modern-Day Village of Estero

The Village of Estero was officially incorporated on Dec. 31, 2014. The name Estero means estuary in Spanish, and the moniker is reflective of the natural setting the Estero Bay Preserve State Park is known for. The park encompasses the western edge of the village and it was also Florida’s first aquatic preserve. It offers hiking, biking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, geo-seeking, paddling and wildlife viewing.

The preserve‘s purpose is to protect the 10 miles of water, inlets and islands along Estero Bay. They give the wildlife there a much needed habitat for migratory patterns as well as feeding and nesting grounds.

Estero started to become what’s known as modern-day Estero in 2001 when the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) was formed to address residents’ concerns and to hear their suggestions for how the town should continue to grow. The ECCL helped establish much of Estero’s landscaping and architectural guidelines.

In November 2014, 86 percent of Estero residents voted for the town to be incorporated, which meant the 20-square-mile-community officially became the Village of Estero on December 31, 2014. In March, Estero elected its first mayor.

The Estero River: On The Water

The Estero River is designated as a Florida paddling trail, which makes it a perfect adventure for the entire family. The river, which runs from east to west, flows into Estero Bay and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico.

In its early days, the river was used mainly for transportation. Today, eco-tourists enjoy kayaking and boating the local waterway. There is nothing like the prehistoric-esque tropical jungle that is southwest Florida.

Take advantage of the beautiful waterfront views available in many of our Estero vacation rentals. The region is teaming with access to a network of canals, lakes, and the river to enjoy a variety of water sports and the abundance of Florida sunshine. Call us today to learn more!

Shopping near Estero Vacation Rentals

When it comes to shopping, Estero is a hidden gem. Home to two outdoor shopping centers, Coconut Point and Miromar Outlets boast specialty shops, well-known retailers and delicious restaurants.

Coconut Point Mall

Featuring over 140 stores, Coconut Point has everything you could ever need from a Target, movie theater, Dillard’s, Apple Store, Michael Kors, Starbucks and a Barnes & Noble. Explore the shopping center and walk among several acres of lakes with a boardwalk.

Dining options include:

Miromar Outlets

This shopping center is also home to over 140 top designer and brand name stores. Some stores you can look forward to are Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5^th, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store and Neiman Marcus Last Call.

Children will love the the WINK Playland and rock climbing walls. Walkways are covered and pets are welcome. Miromar also boasts numerous events throughout the year from classic car shows to Fourth of July extravaganzas. There’s also a Starbucks, macaron store and Norman Love Confections.

Dining options include:

Sports & Entertainment in Estero

The Hertz Arena is located in Estero and it is a prime entertainment hub in the area known for great concerts and sporting events. The arena is the proud home of the Florida Everblades, an ECHL hockey team affiliated with their NHL counterpart, the Carolina Hurricanes.

And while Florida Gulf Coast University is officially in Fort Myers, the campus of the state’s 10th university is a few miles northeast of Estero. The FGCU Men’s basketball team put the school on the national map in 2013 by advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. FGCU became known as “Dunk City,” and the “Cinderella” team returned to the 2016 and 2017 tournaments.

Estero’s mild weather attracts visitors year round to Southwest Florida and the region is also known for stunning golf courses where the avid golfer or beginner will feel at home. Try the greens at Old Corkscrew Golf Course to experience golf on another level.

Featured Estero Vacation Rental Properties

Finding the perfect rental property or vacation home in Estero is a stress-free experience if you book with Royal Shell. We have Estero vacation rentals on or near the water and they can accommodate a few guests or the entire family. All of Royal Shell’s Estero vacation rentals come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Some house rentals are even located in gated communities with a golf club. Let us know what you’re looking for and any of our Vacation Planning Advisors will be able to help you find your dream rental home.

Estero is also a very family-friendly community and a great place to put down roots. The climate alone is worth the move and Estero’s proximity to the beach and other Estero River is the icing on the cake. Our Estero vacation rentals are located nearby Florida Southwestern State College in Fort Myers and Florida Gulf Coast University is about a half-hour away.

If rentals in Estero sound like an idea you’re interested in, let our Royal Shell agents know! We can show you our favorite places and hidden gems and give you an idea of what living in Estero year-round or part time would be like.

Property Management

If you’re thinking about purchasing one of our Estero vacation rentals and using it as an additional source of income, we can help with that as well. We’ll manage your property and renters so you can offset the cost of owning the Estero rental. If you opt to put your home in our vacation rental program, we’ll take care of it all. Sit back and relax and let Royal Shell do the hard work. You’ll still be able to enjoy your home whenever you want, too.

Royal Shell has been in the vacations, rental and real estate business for over two decades. We are proud to be the biggest rental and real estate company in Southwest Florida. No one knows Estero better than we do and we have an assortment of homes and condos waiting for you to fall in love with.

Helping people find, sell or manage their dream home is what we’re passionate about. Come for a week, a month or stay forever. We make it easy. You make it home.®

Estero Vacation Rentals

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