Siesta Key, Florida

Pictures from Siesta Key.

Siesta Key, Florida is south of Tampa by approximately 60 miles. It is one of the barrier islands west of and just off the coast of Sarasota. With a little over 7,000 full time residents, Siesta Key's population almost triples during the winter season. The island has two concrete bridges, one at the northern tip and the other towards the southern end, which provide easy access to this paradise of water and sand. Virtually all the roads are paved and well marked making it a comfortable tour by car.

It's simple to pick the best part of Siesta Key - just follow Beach Road until you find the parking area for Siesta Beach. Famous for its "quartz sands", the white, powdery-fine grains squeak when you walk. The sandy shoreline is highly compacted and it makes for a great walking and jogging surface. If you're an early morning riser who likes to stroll the  beach at dawn, you'll find plenty of company, here. You won't just walk or run the beach, though, because the entire park area is filled with sports facilities, picnic and play equipment for the kids. This broad, deep beach is a local favorite of the residents of Siesta Key and Sarasota and even though the parking lot holds over 700 cars, get there early or you'll have no place to park. 

Thankfully, even if you can't settle in at Siesta Beach, you can motor south to one of several other beaches. There are beach access points to Crescent Beach and Point of Rocks or you can continue south on Midnight Pass Road (love that name) to Turtle Beach at the tip of Siesta Key. The Turtle Beach park features a picnic and restroom area as well as a large boat ramp for access to the bay.

If you're not too tired from the day's activities, head over to the Siesta Village area on Ocean Boulevard for the evening. You can find your choice of  indoor restaurants or outdoor sidewalk cafes for a delightful evening meal and late night music and drinks. The small clusters of people gathering for restaurant seating, the smells of cooking foods wafting through the air and the music in the streets provides for a carnival atmosphere. A few blocks away from the milling crowds is a beach access point allowing for those romantic strolls on the moonlit sands.

Visitors to Siesta Key, FL can tour many southwest Florida cities in the area by car. Sarasota, the cultural hub of the area, is just across the north bridge. The Tampa-St. Pete area is about an hour, north. Local barrier islands, including Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island and Lido Key - home of the famous St. Armands circle - can be toured with a northerly day drive. A little over one-hour's drive south and you'll find the gateway to Sanibel and Captiva, Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. One-hour and thirty minutes or less south is Bonita Beach and Bonita Springs. Two hours or less driving south will place one in the Naples and Marco Island area. For those with a desire to visit the lower east coast of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Miami can all be reached within 3 hours. This area can be accessed by air travel from the Sarasota Airport.

Siesta Beach

This is a large public beach park and has volleyball on the beach, ball fields, lighted tennis courts and a large area of picnic tables as well as a kids play area with swings, slides and other kid things. Restroom facilities, showers,  food and drink are available.

One of several lifeguard towers.

Concession area of Siesta Beach with rest rooms.

Admin. building and large parking area for ~800 cars.

Siesta Key Condos

Siesta Key condos across from Siesta Beach - great view!

Ocean Boulevard is the main commercial strip. It has sidewalk restaurants and bars, exotic shopping and a beach access area. 

Midnight Pass Road. Runs to south end of Siesta Key. 

Siesta Key Houses

Point of Rocks

Beach access path to Point of Rocks area.

The beach north of Point of Rocks looking north at the Siesta Key skyline and Crescent Beach. This is a public access area.

Siesta Key Streets and Views

Siesta Key skyline.

Crescent Beach condos, just south of Siesta Beach.

Picture of Siesta Key's Grand Canal from the bridge.

Siesta Key is well developed with tropical-looking paved roads and bike paths. 

Siesta Village

Considered the commercial district for Siesta Key, this older area retains its history.

Low-rise condos in Siesta Village.

The old pier.

Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach is a public beach with restroom and picnic facilities. One can walk from Turtle Beach south down onto Casey Key and keep walking to the jetty at Venice!

Bay Island

Siesta Drive runs from Sarasota to Siesta Key across Bay Island, a scenic outpost of residential waterfront homes on Sarasota Bay.

Drawbridge from Sarasota to Bay Island.

Bay Island Waterfront Homes.

View of Sarasota skyline from Bridge (above center & right).