Crystal River is about an hour north of metro Tampa Bay, in the Big Bend of Florida's Gulf Coast. This slightly rural community hearkens back to Old Florida, a time before interstate highways and suburban developments became the defining feature of much of Florida. Located in Citrus County, Crystal River is home to a little under 3500 residents.

Archaeological finds indicate that the first people made it to this area about 14,000 years ago. At that time, the shore line was almost 200 feet above sea level. Not much else is known about these first groups of people. Later, about 2200 years ago, a tribe of Native Americans established a settlement in this area that lasted until 1400 AD. Their legacy to us is a series of ceremonial mounds, considered to be one of the most imposing on Florida's west coast, and is located at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park. The first white people in the area arrived in the 1810s, but settlement did not pick up until the Civil War had ended. Crystal River, and by extension Citrus County, is rich with history and heritage, with Spanish explorers, the artist Winslow Homer, baseball legend Ted Williams, and even Elvis Presley each taking their place in the folklore of the area.

The close proximity to warm spring waters means that Crystal River is synonymous with manatees, for which the area is most well known. Between the months of November and March, the rivers are full of the gentle giants. There is a reason Crystal River is known as the place "Where Man and Manatee Play". Many visitors to the area don wetsuits and swim around in the areas where these animals live, as long as they obey certain rules of conduct. Crystal River and other cities in Citrus County are very serious about protecting these endangered animals while educating visitors about the plight of the manatees.

The large expanse of undeveloped land that surrounds Crystal River is also ideal for biking along the Withlacoochee State Trail, which attracts bikers from all over the country each year. In addition, forty-six miles of paved roads snake through state and national parks, as well as the Fort Islands Beach Trail, which takes riders along the only saltwater beach in the county, and several off-road trails, for bikers with a sense of adventure. In addition, kayaking is also very popular there, as are most other water sports, like scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing in both saltwater and freshwater.

About 20 minutes south of Crystal River is the Homosassa State Wildlife Park, which is home to such unique protected animals as bobcats, bears, egrets, flamingoes and the rare whooping crane. This state park also houses several captive manatees and many other species of marine wildlife in an underwater "fish bowl" observatory.