SIESTA KEY: Located on the west coast of Florida overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Siesta Key is situated on what is known as a barrier island. It measures eight miles long, lies just offshore Sarasota.

OTHER PLACES Boca Raton Bonita Springs Bradenton Brooksville Clearwater Captiva Island Charlotte Harbor Cocoa Beach Daytona Beach Daytona Beach Shores DeLand Destin Emerald Coast Everglades Ft Lauderdale Flagler Beach Fort Myers Fort Myers Beach Fort Pierce Fort Walton Beach Gainesville Gulf Islands Hollywood Jacksonville Key Largo Key West Kissimmee Lake Buena Vista Lake City Lakeland Marco Island Marianna Melbourne Miami Miami Beach Naples Ocala Orlando Ormond Beach Panama City Pensacola Plantation Pompano Beach Punta Gorda Sanibel Sarasota Sebring Siesta Key Space Coast South Walton Beaches St Augustine St Petersburg Tallahassee Tampa Titusville Vero Beach West Palm Beach

Two bridges connect Siesta Key with the mainland. These make traveling back and forth to Sarasota’s shopping, dining and cultural options easy, yet also distant enough to maintain its own sense of place – a Caribbean type of charm and ambiance. Siesta Drive bridge is the northernmost bridge and lies within the city limits of Sarasota. This provides easy access to the city, it business and arts districts and also, to Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport via U.S. Highway 41. The south bridge on Stickney Point Road connects you with southern Sarasota and gives a direct route to Interstate 75 and Tampa International Airport. Siesta Key was first colonized in 1846. By 1940, the island’s population had only grown to 300 and mainly consisted of fishing camps. Today more than 12,000 full-time residents live here, enjoying the classic beach town ambiance of Siesta Key Village with its shops, variety of independently owned restaurants and bars and the metropolitan and boating oriented lifestyle of Sarasota. Another 12,000 “snowbirds” fly south to enjoy its mild winter months and approximately 300,000 vacationers visit its sunny shores every year to relax, unwind and enjoy Siesta Key's beaches and warm ocean water. The vast majority of accommodations for visitors consist of family owned and operated efficiencies, guest rooms and suites that offer kitchens and living areas. Residents reside in a mix of low-rise condos, town homes and single-family homes, all with unique island flair. Siesta Key is alive with a vibrant abundance of flora and fauna. Many varieties of palm trees flourish here, along with bright tropical flowers. Bougainvillea, oleander and poinsettia explode with color and in many home gardens you’ll catch glimpses of citrus and mango trees heavy with their sweet fruit. Sea oats, a protected coastal plant, help anchor the beach sand and naturally prevent erosion. The tangled roots of mangroves provide a similar function along the shorelines and bay islands, plus they filter pollutants from rainwater and runoff while providing a friendly habitat for numerous classes of fish and sea life. The island’s vast array of native birds live in harmony with exotic parrots that were once pets. Along Siesta Key's beaches and bays, you will see tern, gull, plover, pelican, heron, egret, ibis, spoonbill, stork and crane swooping gracefully through the clear blue sky. Offshore dolphin and manatees are often spotted in the mild gulf and bay waters. Siesta Key is all about a beach lifestyle, whether you’re a resident or visitor. It offers a quaint, island charm with all the benefits of modern life – just far enough away to let people “escape” yet enjoy the lively ambiance of Sarasota living. SIESTA KEY

Places, Cities and Towns of Florida / Features and Articles About Florida / Annual Events and Festivals in Florida / Florida Hotels and Resorts / Florida Spas and Wellness Oriented Destinations / Florida Beaches / Florida Theme Parks and Family Oriented Destinations / Waterparks / Zoos / Florida Parks / Wildlife in the Sunshine State / Florida Trails / National Historical Landmarks / Florida Museums / Golf in Florida / Fishing in Florida / Shopping in the Sunshine State / Dining in Florida all images provided by VISIT FLORIDA

About Us: Travel Tidings Florida features vacation travel information for the cities and regions of Pensacola, Destin/Ft Walton Beach, Seaside/Beaches of South Walton , Panama City Beach , Marianna , Apalachicola/Port St. Joe , Tallahassee , Live Oak/Lake City , Cedar Key/Steinhatchee, Jacksonville/Amelia Island, Gainesville, St. Augustine, Flagler Beach/Palm Coast, Crystal River, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Tampa, Ocala, Orlando/Kissimmee, Lakeland,Daytona Beach/New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, Fort Pierce/Vero Beach, Sarasota/Bradenton, Charlotte Harbor, Fort Myers/Sanibel, Naples/Marco Island, Sebring/Arcadia, Florida Keys & Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Lake Okeechobee, Miami, and Palm Beach and more than 500 destinations throughout the state of Florida.  Activities, entertainment and speciality interestes include everything from romantic getaways, spas and secluded parks to family themeparks and holiday resorts, busy places popular for adventure, sports and surfing. General topics covered include dining, lodging, shopping, travel accommodations, attractions, hotels and more. Do not hesitate to contact us for further information at info@traveltidingsflorida.com!