Home to a spectacular white sandy beach which earned the coveted title of “Number 1 Beach in America” in 2011, Siesta Key is the most family-oriented of Sarasota’s barrier islands. The heart of the key is the relaxed but hopping Siesta Village, jam-packed with outdoor eateries, funky stores and ice cream shops. Visitors flock to Siesta and many maintain that the perfect date is a sunset beach stroll followed by a sundowner at a local watering hole.

Properties range from multimillion dollar waterfront estates to more modest canal-front houses to older mid-rise condominiums lining the two mile beach and on the south end of the island.

There are just under 50 miles of canals and waterways crisscrossing Siesta Key, which is also surrounded by water, the Intracoastal waterway and Sarasota Bay to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Some restaurants offer temporary docking where you can relax and enjoy a meal and a glass of wine before heading back out to the water to watch the sunset.

Siesta Key Sand

The bright white sands of Siesta Key are 99% pure quartz. The sand is always cool underfoot even on the hottest day of the year!

Its crystal white sand, clear, calm waters, stunning sunsets all combine to make Siesta the area’s most popular beach. The main public beach access has lifeguard stands, grills, a playground, volleyball and tennis courts, snack bars, a fitness trail and more. The village offers its own forms of beachside entertainment, including popular restaurants, bars and small shops.

If you’re visiting in May, you will be lucky enough to see the Siesta Key Sand Sculpture Contest where the finest sand sculpture artists in the world show up to work their magic in the sand.

The beach is also home to various running races, triathlons and summer fun runs. The Siesta Beach Drum Circle draws visitors every Sunday night all year round. Early risers will be able to enjoy beach yoga and the best shelling opportunities

Siesta Key is in Zip code 34242