Siesta Key Beach Day Trip

[jphilhower]

is this doable from WDW?
51 days to go!!!:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[magicmouse2]

It is doable. We did this last August. The Beach there is really nice, wide and sand like compact talcum powder. There are lifeguards and there is a beachside cafe, shop and restrooms. Its not as touristy as Clearwater, though there are lots of condos and hotels.

[tripletots]

I was doing research on the computer yesterday about Siesta Key Beach. I saw a travel channel show yesterday on Florida's top beaches and Siesta Key was number 2. It sounds really cool. I must go to see the sand! Does anyone know how far it is? I thought it looked to be some distance. I didn't realize it could be a day trip. How far? anyone?

[dgaston]

I was just going to post about the Travel Channel show too. Miami Beach was #1, but Siesta Key looked a lot better to me.

[ahoward]

I watched that yesterday too and was curious about how far it was to siesta beach for our June trip. I looked it up on Google earth and it came up with 118 miles or 2 hours and 15 minutes. Not sure how accurate that is.

[sarah b]

Yeh I d say its about a 2 hour trip depending on the traffic. We re spending a week in sarasota in July and can't wait to walk on that sand again. It doesn't matter how hot it is the sand stays cools. And the sunsets are FAbulous!!:cheer2:

[orchid]

We always go down to Siesata Key on our trips over, we stay in Davenport and it takes me about 1 3/4 hrs to drive down. We leave early and get there for about 9am then spend few hours on the beach then go to St Armands for lunch and a walk round all the shops and if we stay late we will do dinner at one of the beach front restraunts and sit outside to watch the sun set then drive back up so dont get too much traffic... There are a couple of malls, one just up from Sarasotta and another at Lakeland that you can have a look in to break the drive up a bit... Also you could call in at Tampa power station itself and see the Manatees close up as they come in for the warm water, they have a viewing centre and shop/cafe.

[Pollito916]

Definitely do-able! We went to Siesta Key in 2005 on our last trip, and plan on going again during this year's trip, weather permitting. The drive took a little under 2 hours, but I know DH was driving way too fast most of the way! The beach is just gorgeous, probably the best I have ever been to. The sand is just amazing, it is baby powder soft and doesn't get hot at all! DH also had a blast diving for sand dollars - they were all over the place!

[cjb71870]

Coming from someone lucky enough to live in Sarasota, home of Siesta Key Beach, and also a regular guest to DW. It takes me just under 1 1/2 hours to drive to Kissimmee. And, yes, Siesta key is worth the drive. The sand is like powder, flour. And, Sarasota has Siesta Village, St. Armands and alot more. I've been to ALOT of beaches in FL and Caribbean and Siesta is still top for sand. Come on over to feel it for yourself.

[jerseygal]

Siesta Key is absolutely beautiful..We've vacationed often Siesta Key, Longboat Key area...

Certain times of year are Red Tide..One summer I cancelled vaca there..Horrible Red Tide...Google red tide, siesta key or sarasota and some sites will come up that you can monitor..

Other than that, beaches are beautiful..You will not be dissapointed.

Sand is so soft!:goodvibes

[breezy1077]

I looove Siesta Key. My parents have a vacation home in Bradenton so I've researched the drive and it's very doable (and worth it too).

You might want to check out St. Armands Circle (sp?) too. Such a neat place and I found my perfect pair of "disney" shoes there. They're called Naot's and they're the most comfortable sandles I've ever put on my feet.

I also love a restaurant there called the Beachhouse Restaurant. It's right on the beach and offers great sunset views! Some of the tables are even right on the sand. (I personally love their cuban sandwich)

Have fun!:)

[PamNC]

My favorite place - next to WDW - is Siesta Key. We've done it as a day trip and we've also taken 2-3 days and done a side trip. It is absolutely gorgeous!! Paradise!

PamNC

[ahoward]

If we go there it will just be for a day trip so we won't have the luxury of going back to the hotel to "clean up" before we eat. Are the restaurants there pretty relaxed about that?

[breezy1077]

yes:)

[tripletots]

I'm getting excited about visiting Siesta Key Beach? When I google info I get Sarasota info. For you guys that are familiar with the area - HELP! Can someone narrow down a place to visit for the day (coming from Disney). Are there public bathrooms and/or showers? Is there enough parking and do you have to get there really early to get parking? Do all Sarasota beaches have the powder fine sand?

[mrsklamc]

Subbing! We want to go, too!:woohoo:

[mrsklamc]

When you say your DH was diving for sand dollars, was he scuba diving? or can you just find them anywhere?

[Blessedx3]

I'm getting excited about visiting Siesta Key Beach? When I google info I get Sarasota info. For you guys that are familiar with the area - HELP! Can someone narrow down a place to visit for the day (coming from Disney). Are there public bathrooms and/or showers? Is there enough parking and do you have to get there really early to get parking? Do all Sarasota beaches have the powder fine sand?


I am interested too. This sounds like just what I wanted to do on a rest day. Please someone let us know. Also where are the manatees? Can you see them all year? Please let me know that would be AWESOME.

[tycopj]

I'm getting excited about visiting Siesta Key Beach? When I google info I get Sarasota info. For you guys that are familiar with the area - HELP! Can someone narrow down a place to visit for the day (coming from Disney). Are there public bathrooms and/or showers? Is there enough parking and do you have to get there really early to get parking? Do all Sarasota beaches have the powder fine sand?

Would like to know this also :thumbsup2

[kileybeth]

had planned a day trip to clearwater, but this sounds lovely, looking for more info. . .??? public restrooms/showers? places to eat (lunch on beach and place to sit down for dinner?) any info greatly appreciated.

rental stuff? chairs umbrellas?

off to research

[Blessedx3]

had planned a day trip to clearwater, but this sounds lovely, looking for more info. . .??? public restrooms/showers? places to eat (lunch on beach and place to sit down for dinner?) any info greatly appreciated.

rental stuff? chairs umbrellas?

off to research


Let us know if you find anything. I found the chamber of commerce and that gave a list of places to eat. On another thread someone suggested Old Salty dog and The beachhouse. The beachhouse has tables in the sand. I thought that sounded like fun for dinner. I was thinking of going to aquatica until I found this. We are big key west people the only thing we don't like is there is no good beach. This sounds perfect. Gulf waters, beautiful sand, and all the charm. I am so excited.

[Pollito916]

When you say your DH was diving for sand dollars, was he scuba diving? or can you just find them anywhere?

They were everywhere the last time we went, in early October 2005. I don't know if it is always like this, but I know we weren't very far out, since neither of us are very good swimmers.

As far as some of the other questions, we went to Crescent Beach, which was absolutely beautiful. There was plenty of parking, with public restrooms with showers and changing areas. We also went for a drive towards the "downtown" area, and ate a small cafe/bar, that had at least 20 flavors of margaritas, but I don't remember the name of it. I'll post later if I remember.

[Pollito916]

I think I just found it online, and it's called The Daquiri Deck, so the margaritas were probably actually daquiri's, not that it makes much difference! :rotfl2: Either way, it was a fun beachy restaurant with good food.

[kileybeth]

so Cresent beach is in Seista Key? I am still confused.

I will have one day in Orlando hanging out at a condo while my DH works. Maybe I can get some more info on Seista Beach then.

anyone else with insider knowledge? going to look some more on line will post if I find anything of interest.

[Pollito916]

so Cresent beach is in Seista Key? I am still confused.

I will have one day in Orlando hanging out at a condo while my DH works. Maybe I can get some more info on Seista Beach then.

anyone else with insider knowledge? going to look some more on line will post if I find anything of interest.

Yes, Crescent Beach is in Siesta Key. If you find anything good let us know!

[Terry36]

.....

[Jane E.]

Siesta Key Beach is the public beach with restrooms, parking etc. Crescent Beach is down a bit from Siesta Key Beach and has a narrow alley for parking and NO public restrooms etc. However its a nice spot to go during low tide because its close to Point of Rocks. When my kids were little they enjoyed walking out on the rocks, finding crabs etc.

As Pollito stated The Daquiri Deck is a fun spot for drinks. Its located in Siesta Key Village. People seem to like SKOB - Siesta Key Oyster Bar; although I've never been myself.

Remember to check updates on the Red Tide status. One outbreak can ruin a vacation.

[kileybeth]

only have a minute but we just returned from Cresent Beach in Siesta Key, FL

We loved it! We got into town and crossed over the drawbridge. You then have to pick whether to go right or left at the light. We turned left as it said "S.Cresent Beach and Turtle Beach" We drove all the way to end of road (dead end) Turtle Beach is down that end. Parking was full. We finally found a spot and walked out onto beach. Sand is a greyish color and chock full of shells which my kids loved. I was hoping Cresent was gonna be differnt tho as this was not very impressive to look at altho the water was gorgeous.

Got back in the car and went in search of Cresent. We could not find public access at first, DH getting frustrated, etc.

We passed the road with drawbridge and continued in that direction. Came upon chamber of commerce and got a great map.

found main parking lot for Cresent Beach. It holds about 800 cars and was full. We snagged a spot to just look around. Hint: Front of lot is blocked off with barriers that say lot full. They stayed there for hours that day as people drove in and out and around them and found spaces, us included!

Cresent beach is actually the entire center of th eIsland that is not private access beach. There is parking, concessions, restrooms on one end and showers on other end.

The sand is truly awesome. Super wide beach. gorgeous water. You could walk out so far and still see your feet. Warm water. We had an awesome time. Because this is the Gulf the undertow is almost non existant. My DS5 and DD2 loved it.

Ask away. I'm sure I missed alot. We had pizza and italian sub that was awesome.

gotta run.

[breezy1077]

Glad you loved it:) . Siesta Key is the best in my opinion. Hope everyone else who goes has as nice a time as your family had.:goodvibes

[ahoward]

So glad you had a great time. How far a drive was it from the world and is there any way you could give us directions? Can't wait for June!!!

[kjbarron]

subscribing...i need info too

[disneywithfive]

When you say your DH was diving for sand dollars, was he scuba diving? or can you just find them anywhere?

No reason to scuba dive. When we've found the sand dollars, we swam out to the sand bar and they some were laying on the top. We did have goggles but you really don't need those. If you wiggle your toes just a bit, you can feel them and then dive down and pick them up. We've also found conch shells. One year my niece was diving down and saw a small crab. She nearly walked on water getting to the shore. I still laugh to this day. I remember her jumping out of the water and when I turned to see what was happening, it was like Cousin It coming from the ocean as her long hair cover her entire face. I think it was one of those moments where you just had to be there to find it so funny.

Edited: This was at Turtle Beach.

[mrsklamc]

How do we check on whether or not there is a red tide?

[jadejazzkayla]

anyone have any hotel reccomendations? we're planning to stay for 1 night at the end of may. Just me and hubby.

[angeleigh]

We are also thinking of doing a beach as part of our vacation. We would love hotel recommendations.