Siesta Key
SIESTA KEY
is a barrier island eight miles long, parallel to the city
of Sarasota. Two bridges link the island to the mainland.
The North Bridge, Siesta Drive, provides convenient access
to the culture and nightlife of downtown Sarasota, while the
South Bridge at Stickney Point Road, links you to great discount
shopping.
Renowned for
its powdery white sand, Crescent Beach has been rated as one
of the Top 10 Beaches in the World. Located at
the mid-point of Crescent Beach is a designated public beach
called Siesta Beach. Florida Trend Magazine has named Siesta
Beach The Best Beach in the State of Florida!
From the parking lot, wooden footbridges cross over sea oats
and sea grapes where wild rabbits enjoy a morning feast. The
beach facilities include sheltered picnic areas, restrooms,
concession stands, lifeguards, volleyball courts, tennis courts,
a softball field, tree shaded playground and fitness trail.
At the southern
end of Crescent Beach is Point-of-Rocks where snorkelers are
seduced by the colorful sea life among limestone rock formations.
Farther south
on the island is Turtle Beach, which is a lot less crowded
and a peaceful place to just relax and unwind.
Along Midnight
Pass Road to the south and along Beach Road to the north of
Crescent Beach are several public gulf accesses with minimal
parking for fishing, shell collecting and capturing a sunset.
Vacation rentals
are numerous, offering the visitor a variety of choices in
Resort Accommodations. For the energetic youll find
excellent sail-boarding, fishing, and snorkeling. If you prefer
more relaxation in your vacation, a personalized Sailing Charter
might be more enticing.
There are about
1000 species of fish in the Gulf, bays, lakes, rivers and
streams. You can go deep-sea trolling, drift fishing, surfcasting,
bridge fishing or wading the grass flats. Non-residents need
a fishing license unless youre under 16 or on a boat
charter. There are minimum lengths, limits and closed season
restrictions. Licenses are available at the Sarasota County
Courthouse or at local bait shops and sporting goods stores.
Venturing off
the island, you may want to visit Mote Marine Laboratory &
Aquarium, located at the south end of Longboat Key. It is
a world-renowned marine research center. The aquarium offers
a fascinating array of local sea life for viewing. The 30-foot
Touch Tank and 135,000-gallon Shark Tank and Manatee Center
bring visitors face to face with a variety of shark species,
fish and marine mammals.
Rounding out
the recreational opportunities, theres rollerblading,
bicycling, Golf and tennis. For spectator sports, baseball
is the main attraction. The Cincinnati Reds are here for spring
training in February and March while the Sarasota Red Sox
offer an exciting summer schedule.
Siesta
Key is not only a tourist destination, it is also a prime
residential area. With miles of canals, lush tropical foliage
and spectacular beach and bay views, Siesta Key is the perfect
place for a permanent or seasonal home.
In case you
forgot your bathing suit, need a souvenir or are just in the
mood to browse, youll find a wonderful selection of
boutiques as well as excellent dining. The best breakfast
and lunch can only be found at The Broken Egg.
Out of the
way, out of the ordinary and easily accessible!
Come and be
dazzled by this enchanting paradise!
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