Updated: Feb 19
Siesta Key beach is voted a top beach vacation destination year after year, and for good reason! The powdery white, nearly 100% quartz-crystal sand is like walking on air and stays cool under your feet.
1. Explore Siesta Key's perfect sand beach
Siesta beach delights with a recently renovated large covered beach pavilion, new playgrounds for kids and over 900 free parking spaces. This pet-friendly beach includes restrooms, showers, concessions, grills and shaded picnic facilities. Even with ample parking the spots can fill up quickly on a perfect beach day. Arrive early to get your spot or consider one of the other 12 beach access points. Siesta Key beach stretches an impressive 3 miles long!
Related: Vacationing with kids? Check out the top 3 playgrounds on Siesta Key
2. Try the local fare in Siesta Village
Siesta Key is a laid-back beach town that boasts restaurants, bars and shops poised to please all tastes. It’s a walkable town. Take advantage of the free trolley and there is no need to drive. Visit local shops such as the Beach Bazaar for new swimwear, beach toys or Siesta Key gifts. Island Trader Boutique is one of my favorites for beautiful clothing and accessories. Eat around the town and find out which restaurant is your favorite. Stay late and enjoy the live music!
A few of the local's favorite restaurants :
Siesta Key Oyster Bar or “SKOB” as it’s known by the locals is always a fun time! Join the crowd for a “island feel” with beachy vibes and live music. From oyster shooters to a large beer selection this bar delivers.
Gilligan’s Island Bar is a favorite with both locals and visitors. Big open courtyard, cool indoor bar and live music scene. Great for groups and families. My personal favorite are the nachos and a painkiller!
Daiquiri Deck it's in the name, frozen daiquiris will bring you in and the menu will keep you coming back. Look for mouthwatering selections from the raw bar.
The Cottage serves inventive, seasonal cuisine from around the world; utilizing local farms, sustainable meats and seafood. Cozy atmosphere, great for a date night or group gathering. Live music played in an open air courtyard.
Siesta Key Summer House this elegant, relaxed steak and seafood experience is the talk of the town. Plan a special night and enjoy the extensive wine list.
3. Find an activity for every member of the family
No family vacation is complete without the right mix of adventure and relaxation. Play some beach volleyball or join a game on the tennis or pickleball courts. Spend time on the hiking trails, fishing or bird watching from your hammock. Want to take it up a notch? Pick up a boat or jetski rental, parasailing, stand up paddleboard or kayaking.
My daughter loves the newly remodeled beachside playground. All along the stretch of coast there are great kid approved activities. Turtle Beach has a fun pirate themed playground and the intercoastal dock is perfect for manatee viewing. As the name suggests, turtles are a daily sighting. It’s best to look for them at the hottest part of the day, from noon to 3:00 pm. Dolphin sightings are also fairly common, especially on a good fishing day when you are likely to see the dolphins doing their own fishing.
Snorkeling is perfect near Crescent Beach which offers access to Point of Rocks and the surrounding tidal pools and coral reefs. I recommend grabbing a bike rental and taking a trip down to see the point. If you are looking to go farther, try out The Legacy Trail, an 18.5-mile multi-use recreational trail connecting Sarasota and Venice, Florida. It runs along the former Seminole Gulf Railway and has rest stops, parks and other amenities along the way. This is a great option for runners and bikers alike.
We hope to see you on Siesta Key soon. This exquisite white sand beach is sure to be your new happy place! See our rentals availabilities today!
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