Siesta Key & Siesta Key Village, Sarasota

Without fail, anyone who comes to Sarasota has heard of the legendary Siesta Key sand, and wants to experience it for themselves. I made my decision to move to Sarasota while standing out on that very sand at sunset during a vacation.

Siesta Key is arguably the most well known of Sarasota's barrier islands. Its most famous attraction is Siesta Key Beach. The sand on Siesta Key is 99% quartz, making it gleaming white, powder fine and always cool to the touch. The beach itself is massive, stretching for several football fields before your toes hit the water. The water is generally a beautiful shade of teal blue/ green,. It is common to spend the day watching boats, jet skiers, kite surfers and wake boarders. The beach also has lifeguards, restrooms, showers and food concession. A large free parking lot usually allows for easy parking, except during season. Sunday Night at dusk, the beach outside the Pavilion becomes the site of the famous Drum Circle, not to be missed by visitors. (Read about other Siesta Key beaches)

Another reason people love Siesta Key is quaint Siesta Key Village, or as locals call it, simply" The Village". Unlike St. Armand;s Circle on Lido Key, the Village is distinct in its beach feel and casual atmosphere. Although a few hidden restaurants provide upscale, fine dining, most restaurants serve up casual meals where flip flops, sandy feet and shorts are welcome. The Village has little shops, souveniir boutiques and ice cream perlors. Kids love strolling the length of the Village, which is less than a mile. At the west end of the Village's main thoroughfare (beyond the Best Western) is Beach Access 5, a well travelled access to the Village from the beach, and vice versa.

A few hidden treasures -try the Blase Cafe and Maximos. And if you are a child of the 80's, don't miss local favorites Men from Mars on Saturday nights at the Beach Club. All your old guilty pleasure favorites played loudly and without apology! Don't leave the Village without trip to the Siesta Key Oyster Bar, one of Sarasota's local favorites.