Siesta Key, Florida

While there is the word "Key" in it, Siesta Key actually is not located in Florida Keys, but is a barrier island off of the central western coast of Florida between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, just below Tampa, coordinates 27°16′31″N, 82°33′9″W. Portion of it lies within the city boundary of Sarasota. Siesta Key is best known for its beaches, especially Siesta Beach. There are a few beaches in Siesta Key, all comprising 99% pure white quartz sand with a texture like refined sugar. Visitors says the sand never feels hot. Beaches include Crescent Beach, Siesta Beach and Turtle beach, but the most well known is Siesta Beach. The beach has won for itself numerous awards including being named the “Best Overall” in the "1987 International Sand Contest", the “Best Sand Beach in America 2004” by the Travel Channel, rated one of the best for walking by National Geographic Traveler, ranked third in the Top 10 US beaches in a poll by USA Today.com reader poll ranked and voted Number 3 in its list of Top 10 U.S. beaches Best Beach 2000 by Florida Living Magazine.

Other beaches in Siesta Keys include Crescent Beach and Turtle beach, but they are not as well know or popular as Siesta Beach. Further, there are lifeguards on Siesta Beach all year round, but Turtle Beach has no lifeguard. However, parking is often full in Siesta beach, but you can be sure of find a parking space at Turtle Beach. The sand is also more coarse in Turtle Beach with more shells which may attract beach combers and shell collectors. You may also find petrified sharks' teeth to take home and treasure, especially after a storm. Crescent Beach is harder to access and is more quite and secluded.

Crystal lovers has called beaches on Siesta Key as crystal beaches because the beaches
consists of quartz crystals. These crystal lovers believe that quartz crystals have physical, mental or emotional healing properties. However, these claims are not backed by any scientific studies, so you will have to take it with a pinch of salt.

You can find numerous wild life in Siesta Key with its lush tropical forest and sparkling ocean which is inhabited by wild rabbits, herons, wild parrots and other native birds, gulls, terns, plovers, pelicans, egrets, herons, ibis, spoonbills, storks, cranes, manatees, dolphins and a large varieties of fish species in the Gulf, bays, lakes, rivers and streams.

Getting accommodation for your vacation in Siesta Key is no problem as there are many types of accommodations there, including hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums, beach resorts, houses, cottages and suites.