If you love live music then head to the Siesta Key Oyster Bar or The Hub Baja Grill and break a leg to amazing pop music and enjoy the fine drinks. Search for Anna Maria Island condos and vacation rentals here. Longboat Key is the northernmost and longest island along Sarasotas coast, boasting 12 miles of shoreline. Is Siesta Key really that special? But this place remodels constantly so its hard to complain about that. After years of getting attention for Americas best beach and winning countless awards, its nice to see that theyve invested in infrastructure that makes visiting it a pleasant experience. Promotes this travel guide of the Florida beach areas of Siesta Key, Sarasota, Longboat Key, Lido Key,Venice and surrounding area. Snow Coaster: Take a ride through a snowy mountain landscape. You can also find mangrove tunnels along Siesta Key beaches but the ones along Lido Key I think are more rewarding with occasional opportunities to sight manatees and bottlenose dolphins. Re: Lido Beach vs Siesta Key 13 years ago Save You should look at a map of the Sarasota area. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Architect Mary Rockwell Hook bought 55 acres on Siesta Key in 1935 for $10,000. Finally, near Caspersen is Sarasota Countys only dog-friendly beach, Brohard Paw Park. Otherwise, youre looking at condos and vacation rentals pretty much everywhere. Search for vacation rentals on Siesta Key here. Longboat Key ~ Photo credit Nita Ettinger, Siesta Beach ~ Photo credit Nita Ettinger. Siesta Key with its soft sugary white sand that disappears into the turquoise-blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico is a paradise for sunbathers, swimmers, and beach lovers of all ages. Which one will you visit next? Another great thing to enjoy in Lido Key is kayaking through the network of mangrove tunnels that are teeming with rich wildlife and marine life. Longboat Key has virtually no public beach access (theres some but its usually pretty hidden and parking is super limited). Get lost amid the labyrinth of mangrove tunnels and explore their unique ecosystem aboard a rented kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Siesta Key vs Lido Key for Vacation? An Honest & In-Depth Comparison If they answer yes, ask them for how long. Beach well cared for. First time there and first time in Sarasota. Is very beautiful place everyone is friendly however disappointed that you have to pay $25 A-day for parking and you can't park anywhere else. Crescent Beach is to the south of Siesta Beach, and it has just one public access road. Enjoy relaxing views of the Gulf Coast of Mexico, smaller crowds and a laid-back vibe on this relaxing destination. There are three beaches on Lido Key: North Lido Beach Lido Beach South Lido Park North Lido Beach is about 0.25 miles from St. Armand's Circle, which offers upscale shopping and dining. Drive south along the scenic Casey Key Road to either Nokomis Beach, or to North Jetty Park. Theres actually two bridges from Sarasota to Siesta Key, one in the middle of the island and one at the very northern end. Caspersen Beach in Venice is one of the longest stretches of beach still in its natural state along Sarasota Countys shoreline. Related post: Siesta Key Vs. Anna Maria Island: Which is BETTER for Vacation? Thats pretty rare in this area where most beachfront property is taken up by condos and vacation rentals. Back to the beacheswhile theres a continuous stretch of sand along the whole island depending on where you stay you may or may not have access right at your place or need to use a public beach access. The restaurant and bar are convenient at the far end, by the main parking lot, where there's a bigger crowd. Have a look below at the amazing beaches of Sarasota, Florida: Siesta Key has more than six glorious miles of beaches. For instance, seven establishments in Sarasota-Manatee landed on Yelp's recently published list of the Top 100 Florida Restaurants. It is littered with sea shells and shorebirds and is one of the most scenic, quiet and relaxing beaches in Florida. This is where you'll find a huge selection of beachfront resorts and vacation condominiums overlooking the placid Gulf of Mexico. They recently remodeled some rooms and the lobby. Lido Key has more of an Old-Florida charm to it with a different vibe altogether from Siesta Key. Best Oceanfront Restaurants? Just south of Anna Maria Island (and connected by a bridge) is Longboat Key. Book your ultimate staycation today by calling 941-260-2552. You'll find white sand, gray sand, black sand, some amazing rocks for snorkeling, enough shells to make any collector jump for joy, the best water for swimming anywhere in Florida, and first-class beach facilities that just keep getting better every year. Siesta Key Village is more casual..think flip flops with a variety of condos/motels to choose from. Anna Maria Island is decent but Longboat seems to be the best. Theres virtually no traffic. Siesta key beachside villas or tropical beach resort? The town is also home to some serious foodie spots and unique shops. The info about red tide in that area can be found online, or over the phones: (866) 300-9399 (if you call inside Florida) or (727) 552- 2448 (if you call from outside Florida). Get the important details on how to enjoy Venice Municipal Beach and south jetty park. You can filter for your wish list (exact location, price, # of rooms, pet friendly, etc.). Siesta Key population has grown steadily from 4,460 in 1970 to 6,565 today. We love Florida and I am sure you do too. It is very sad, but now, we will look for another beach paradise to start my yearly vacation tradition all over again. Lido Key is nestled between Longboat Key to the north and Siesta Key to the south and boasts three beaches: North Lido, Lido Beach, and South Lido. People searching for Floridas best beaches and wanting to avoid the crowded, over touristy beaches of St Pete and Clearwater (to the north) are often drawn here. But it is within easy walking distance of St Armands Circle, which has several public lots with very cheap parking. Parking is easy to find, and the theatre is close to some of Sarasotas best restaurants. Manasota Beach sand dunes and mangroves attract nature lovers;Blind Pass Beach is 60 acres wide between the Gulf and the bay and offers nearly 3,000 feet of sand;Englewood Beach offers grills, picnic tables, pavilions and a range of outdoor sports facilities; and Stump Pass Beach is a state park perfect for hiking and exploring Floridas natural flora and fauna. Subject to Lyfts Terms of Service.See below for more information. They include Service Club Park, Brohard Park and the Venice Fishing Pier, Paw Park, Maxine Barritt Park, and South Brohard Park. Brohard Park Beaches are a series of excellent public beach access points on Harbor Drive South beginning about half-a-mile south of downtown Venice. How far north does the cool white quartz sand go? Visit Turtle Beach: Nature enthusiasts will like Turtle Beach. However it smelled really bad bc of all the birds and parking is impossible in the summer time so I would skip this beach and head to coquina beach instead. The sand is like white sugar (quartz) and its because it has 0 shells in it. Anna Maria Island The northernmost island is technically one long island, but it's split into two distinct parts: Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach. Anywhere. The kayaking tour is a perfect escape for couples to enjoy some quality romantic time. Youll find luxurious homes and vacation rentals on Lido Key. Our family memories will never be forgotten. 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And the Circle has tons of great restaurants and some pretty statues, just be aware that on a Saturday without a reservation, you will likely starve. If youre looking for something a little more low-key, there are plenty of outdoor patio bars where you can enjoy a drink while taking in the views of the Gulf of Mexico. Siesta Key Beach is a Florida and United States treasure and it appears to be getting bigger, can't bet better. Check pricing and read reviews here. An Honest Comparison to Help You Choose! Is beautiful place disappointed in the amintys. Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key or Siesta Key? The park is open 7 a.m. 11 p.m. daily. The turquoise waters of Siesta Key await, so you walk along toward the water on the beach's white quartz sand, put on your snorkel mask and slip on some fins once you're in the water. This area is night and day from the St Pete and Clearwater area just north. You have to ask to have your room cleaned and you're limited to 2 bottles of water A-day. Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key or Siesta Key? Venice Public Beach is right at the west end of Venice Avenue, just half a mile from the heart of quaint downtown Venice. Wendy Shurtleff Google+ AuthorDeveloped by Cheetah Creative. Bungalow Beach Resort: Another little idyllic beachside bungalow inn with a pool. But if youre looking to party until the sun comes up, then youll definitely find what youre looking for here. Rental car vs. public transportation for a family of 6. And there's more! The sand isn't nearly as pristine as Siesta, but it's still terrific. If you like Destin, Panama City Beach, Coco Beach, or Clearwater/St Pete, youre probably not going to like this area. South Lido Park Beach: This unspoiled beach is home to rich wild and marine life that you can witness throughout the year. How long does it take to ride the Legacy Trail? The soft white sand of Lido Key is world famous. It is a popular island for nesting turtles to come ashore and lay their eggs. Sun, sand and water are three things Sarasota has an abundance of, but not all Sarasota beaches are the same. And if youre on a tight budget, youll be pleased to find many options under $100/night. Close to shopping. Legend of Lusca: Explore a sub-sea world and the creatures that dwell in it. Learn a little about each beach in Sarasota, The Siesta Key Yellow Lifeguard Stand at sunset, Rake through the shells and find the perfect one at Nokomis Beach, Catch the big one at the Venice Pier at Brohard Park, Find a spot to relax and unwind at Manasota Beach, Five Family-Friendly Sarasota County Beaches, TripAdvisors' 2023 Top Beachesin the U.S, Explore Sarasota's Pristine Parks & Beaches, Beaches and Bites: 5 things on Longboat Key, Travel Alerts, Beach & Weather Conditions. I have been coming to Lido Beach since 1976. Most of the accommodations are around the Midnight Pass bridge or north of it. We normally stay near Siesta Beach but this time we were on Bird Key, so we spent more time at Lido Beach. Pool check. Over at the Great Lawn, stop at the gazebo to take in the view before heading through the Mangroves and into the Palms area. Is the sand at Lido Key or Longboat Key still the same cooler quartz sand? Siesta Keys sugar sand beaches and clear waters attract tourists from all over the world. You start to swim and put your head under water to see what awaitsand that's when the adventure begins. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. A Challenging Course at the Legacy Golf Club in Bradenton, Discover the Real Florida with Peace River Airboat Charters, 8 Must Do Experiences in Southwest Florida, The word key comes from the Spanish word. Lido is home to many luxurious homes and hotels. Whereas Anna Maria Island/Bradenton is pretty much one long stretch of shops, restaurants, and businesses, everything on Siesta is pretty concentrated into those two areas. Unlike its lively counterpart Siesta Key, Lido Key is known for its quiet and serene white sand beaches that are totally different from the beaches in Siesta Key but are equally gorgeous.