When driving my Vintage Taxi customers from the Tampa Airport, we have about a hour to chat and when it’s from the Orlando Airport we have 2 hours in the car together.That makes for a lot of Taxi Talk! One of the main topics of conversation is the beaches in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
So lets start with the beach voted #1 in America almost every year!
- Siesta Public beach
This broad, white beach of crystal pure sand has plenty of room for sun and fun. The Public Beach has a shaded picnic area, playground, pavilion, tennis courts and beach volleyball courts, large parking lot, food & drinks, showers, and with in walking distance of Siesta Key Village.https://www.siestakeyvillage.org/
Sunday evenings offer an added treat for the ears and spirit, as the drumming circle gathers on the beach to celebrate sundown.
Four Reasons You’ll Love Siesta Key Public Beach
Here are four reasons you should put this Sarasota Gulf coast beach high on your list of “must see” beaches:
Pure white sand – Siesta Key has the finest, whitest sand anywhere in Florida. But it’s not just any sand. It is nearly 100% pure quartz crystals that are almost as fine and soft as powder. The sand is so pure that it often squeaks when you walk on it. Because the beach sand is so white, it never gets hot, even under the most intense summer sun. And there are no piles of sharp, broken shells, so it always feels luxurious and comfortable on your bare feet.
Calm, clear, safe water for swimming – When you’re on vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is your safety and your kids’ safety. Siesta Key Public Beach is famous for its gently sloping beach. The water stays shallow a long way out and is almost always clear and very calm. This means you can see what you are stepping on and you won’t get knocked down by big waves. While we all appreciate these qualities in a vacation beach, older folks and families with small children feel especially comfortable here.
Long flat beach for walking – Do you like to take long walks on the beach? Sarasota’s Siesta Key Public Beach is the best Gulf coast beach for long walks because the beach is so flat, and because the sand is packed so firmly by the water’s edge. Siesta Key’s nearly three miles of white sand beaches are perfect for riding your bike on the beach, jogging, or even pushing a baby stroller.
All the amenities – Siesta’s Public Beach facility has you covered. Its lifeguards and beach patrol are second to none. A full-service food and drink concession along with covered tables will make sure you get all the nourishment you need without having to leave the beach. If you want to leave the beach for lunch but don’t want to lose your parking spot, just call one of the open-air, free (tips only) electric taxis that serve the entire island. If you are mobility-challenged and need a little help getting across the sand, special beach wheelchairs are available that will easily get you down to the water’s edge. Showers, restrooms, changing areas, volleyball nets, picnic tables, a children’s playground; Siesta Key Public Beach has it all. Where is Siesta Key Public Beach?
Siesta Key Public Beach is located on the northern third of the island, about a mile south of Siesta Village, which makes it convenient to many of the rental accommodations and restaurants in the area. The address is 948 Beach Road.
The mile of beach between Siesta Village’s Ocean Avenue and the main public access also contains convenient well-marked public access trails that lead to a beach that is much quieter than the main public access. The best of these numbered access points are #5 through #10. None has any type of facilities and #10 does not offer parking, but they are a great option for people who want a quieter beach. A few are within walking distance of Siesta Village. The Village is the place to see and be seen, but maintains a family atmosphere.
Places to Eat and Sleep Near Siesta Public Beach
The closest restaurants to Siesta Public Beach are located in Siesta Village. Two of the most visible and colorful eateries are the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar and The Hub Baja Grill with open aire decks overlooking Ocean Boulevard’s constant parade of people and cars. The music is on and bathing suits are acceptable attire. Another great casual eatery, The Old Salty Dog, is a venerable institution of very casual dining on the island. Doggies are welcome in the outside areas.
For something a bit higher on the gastronomic scale, Cafe Gabbiano will satisfy your inner Italian, and Big Olaf will feed your sweet tooth with traditional hand-made ice cream. For breakfast, look no further than Village Cafe where you’ll be joining the locals for your morning meal.
There are so many Siesta beach vacation rental options to choose from near Siesta Public Beach it’s hard to know where to begin. You’ll find rental homes and condos a block or so off the beach, as well as plenty of beachfront vacation rentals right on the brilliant white Gulf beach, especially just north of the public beach access. The Village area doesn’t have big resorts, but the mom-and-pop’s offer a laid-back vacation experience typical of northern Siesta Key. If you’re looking for a high rise condo, you’ll find those just south of the public beach in the area known as Siesta Key’s Crescent Beach.
