Siesta Key-- The Shining Jewel of Southwest Florida

If the finest white sand, blue pristine water under a sun filled sky is your idea of paradise, then you need to make your way to Southwest Florida's Siesta Key Beach. Siesta Key is the shining jewel of Southwest Florida Beaches. Located in Sarasota about an hour away from Tampa, Siesta Key ranks consistently as one of the top 10 beaches in the "world". Not just Florida, not just the United States....but the "world". It's sands are made of the finest, 99% white quartz anywhere. It stays cool in the 90 degree heat and is soft and powdery. Volleyball enthusiasts love to dig in and roll around in the stuff on the many courts, yards away from the the Gulf of Mexico.  People come from all over the world to see this "wonder" and most are not disappointed.  Year after year Siesta Key Beach is one of the top tourist destinations for young and old, alike!

Siesta Key Beach has many amenities and something for everyone. It has a pavilion with a snack bar and sundries, as well as bathrooms for changing into your swimsuit. It also has volleyball, tennis courts and tables with grills.  The city of Sarasota is actually planning about $12 million in improvements over the next 3 years to enhance the public restrooms and snack bar, as well as increase the parking lot size.  The water is clear and shallow with little wave action or currents. This makes it a safe area for children, as well as non-swimmers, to take a dip and cool off before going back to their sunning. The beach is spacious with plenty of room to spread out. Or you can stay close to the crowd where music and fun is happening all around you. In the early evening hours you can listen to guitar playing or bring your bongo to the drum circle. There is always relaxing fun to be had at Siesta.

Although many people concentrate on the the beach itself when thinking about Siesta Key Beach, the fact is, the water is the best part. The water temperatures are very moderate on the west coast of Florida. It usually ranges form the 80's in the summer down to the 60's in the cold part of winter. Dolphins can be seen swimming only yards from the shore at times and well marked turtle nests are a common sight. Experimental aircraft can be seen over the shoreline on a clear blue day, as well as kite surfers and other recreation seekers.  Sailboats and Hobiecats are a welcome sight on the beach, with an occasional wave runner scooting down the shore line. Beach walkers and joggers abound with so many beautiful sights to see. Relaxation is a premium at Siesta Key Beach.

     Besides the beach itself, Siesta Key has great shopping and exciting dining options.  North of the beach there are many open air restaurants and bars.  The Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Gilligan's and the Daiquiri Deck are all excellent choices, just to name a few.  Live music and fun can be had 7 days a week.  The resorts and hotels are some of the finest in Florida and you cannot beat the art scene in Sarasota.  I am heading down there tomorrow, so maybe we'll see you there!