Siesta Key Florida

Located on the central western coast of Florida, Siesta Key is a beautiful barrier island between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is eight miles long with two bridges connecting it to Sarasota. The gorgeous beach with its miles of fine white sand was voted the best in America last year.

This little island paradise has more than sunny beaches, however. Siesta Key has two shopping and restaurant areas. Stylish shops display fashions, beach accessories and souvenirs for all types of shoppers. Visitors and residents can relax in informal garb while dining in the many restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner. A selection of dining establishments offers everything from delis, cafes, tapas and oyster bars to fine dining on seafood, Japanese, Italian or French cuisine.

The district of Crescent Beach offers upscale boutiques, custom jewelry, a full service grocery store, drug store and post office. Siesta Village, which is north of Siesta Beach, is a pedestrian area where visitors and residents can relax in sidewalk cafes and enjoy its stores, shops and restaurants. There is a drug store and post office here also, and the Chamber of Commerce is in the village center.

The year-round balmy weather is ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities from just strolling along the beach to tennis, volleyball, bike riding, kayaking or even flying a kite. Sailing charters are available to tour the turquoise waters and view the dolphins, manatees and a great variety of sea birds. Fishing charters, jet skiing and parasailing are also popular on Siesta Key. Access to the beaches is numerous, with quaint names such as Turtle Beach and Point O’ Rocks. Siesta Key has beautiful woodlands, wetlands and exotic wildlife.

For lovers of golf, the area near the mainland coast has many top golfing destinations. There are public courses designed for all skill levels.

Siesta Key is conveniently located near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Other airports, Tampa International, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International or Southwest Florida International, are all within easy driving distance.
An Episcopal, Catholic and Presbyterian Church are located on Siesta Key and nearby Sarasota has many denominations of churches, synagogues and other spiritual centers. Siesta Key has a private preschool and elementary school. The Sarasota County School District serves the island community with an elementary, middle and high school, as well as magnet programs and a school for gifted children.

Siesta Key is only minutes from Sarasota, which is considered the cultural center of Florida, where there is an array of museums, art galleries and theaters, including ballets, orchestras and circuses. Also, four hospitals are nearby and Siesta Key is just six miles from Interstate Highway #75.

There is a great selection of accommodations in this vibrant community for both visitors and those looking for either a fulltime residence or a second home. Remember that Florida residents can be exempt from the first $25,000 of their home’s value for tax purposes, which reduces their property tax bill. Condos, single family homes, townhouses and villas, as well as land, are available for sale on Siesta Key.