Siesta Key: Paradise on Florida's Gulf Coast

Enthralling beauty, spectacular white sand, breathtaking sunsets, and glistening azure waters describe the essence of Siesta Key. This eight-mile barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, consistently ranked as one of the best beaches on the globe, earns the title of America's number one beach, in large part for having some of the whitest, finest sand in the world. Made up of ninety-nine percent quartz, the cool sand invites visitors from around the world to kick off their sandals and indulge in one of the most beautiful beach experiences in existence.

Siesta Key Beach, popular for its beauty, is also beloved for its remarkably wide array of activities which includes options such as, volleyball, basketball, tennis, and yoga on the beach, provides options for every interest. Siesta Key Public Beach is a favorite family destination, offering a community pavilion, concession areas, a shaded playground, picnic areas, and barbeques for intimate gatherings. Those looking for a little more excitement have an abundance of options from which to choose such as parasailing, fishing charters, paddle boarding, jet skiing, bicycle rental, and kayaking, to name only a few.

While Siesta Key Public Beach draws everyone from spring breakers to families on holiday, beachgoers in search of a more peaceful and secluded experience may wish to put their umbrellas in the sands of neighboring Crescent Beach instead. Crescent Beach is within a short walk from Siesta and provides the perfect setting for a quiet day of lounging in the sun with a good book. A little further south is the beautiful and secluded Turtle Beach where visitors are allowed to fish from its shores.

Locals and visitors love the laid-back Siesta Key attitude carried throughout the isle that subtly suggests it is time to relax and recharge. A perfect place for doing so is the charming Siesta Key Village, just north of the public beach area. Siesta Key Village offers upscale boutiques, scrumptious dining, and the best beach-style nightlife around. Most restaurants in the village compliment their tasty cuisine with live musical entertainment creating a most enjoyable dining experience. Locals and visitors of the island also enjoy the Sunday morning Farmer's Market, Sunday evening drum circle, and the annual Many Siesta Key Mast Sand Sculpting Competition.

While the village is the main commercial hub, the key provides many other upscale dining and shopping establishments making it unnecessary to leave the island at all. However, a trip to the mainland is easily accessible via two bridges on the north and south ends of the island. Within a brief fifteen to twenty minute drive, islanders may enjoy the many of the popular surrounding areas including downtown Sarasota, St. Armand's Circle, Longboat Key, and Lido Key.