Siesta Key restaurant recommendation?

[riu girl]

Although the weather was not the greatest when we were in Siesta Key in Dec, it was much better then what I am used to that time of the year in Ontario.
Plus the pool at the condo complex was heated to close to 90 most days, so that itself was a huge treat.

We will be staying at the same condo for 2 weeks over Christmas and can hardly wait. The week prior we have rented a 2 bedroom unit at Orange Lake Country Club so we are really looking forward to that also.

We live on the water and the view is great, but the water is not swimmable (weeds and stumps) and there is no beach nearby. It must be such a treat for you to have the opportunity to walk to one of the nicest beaches in the world any time you want!!!

Quick question:
Any thoughts on family activites for NYE on Siesta Key? We were thinking about going to the dru circle since it is a Sunday night (if it is going on that night?) and then going into the village and letting the kids pick out a souvie or two (there are some great souvie shops in the village as I'm sure you know). Then onto the D. Deck for dinner (will we need ressies for that night?) and then wander around the village, listen to some live music then back to the condo for a swim (around 10 pm maybe) and then bed. Our kids will be 6 and 9 by then, so that is probably late enough for them.

We will still have active Busch gardens fun cards until Dec 31, 2006 so I thought it might be fun to spend NYE there (to see the fireworks) but DH doesn't want to drive back from Busch that late on NYE.

Any thoughts on family activities NYE in/around Siesta Key would be greatly appreciated.

PS - Get this: the kids want Davidson Drugs gift certificates for Christmas. It was DS5s fav store in the area!!!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

snoopymom, here are a couple of the drum circle:

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as you can see, very kid friendly.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

lillygator, we live in Brandon, a little south of the mall. we can be in SK or Orlando in 45 minutes. life ain't bad. we'll bring our daughter down to the new pool deck and leave the kids. if you guys know the owner of the D Deck we're set, baby. let's do the St. Patricks thing.

so many people come on this board looking for a beach. I doubt 1 out of 100 actually take the time or effort to see SK. it's the most beautiful spot on our west coast.

 

[Snoopymom]

What fun and so beautiful...how the sand and water meet the sky is just incredible. I am printing them, thanks a bunch!!!!

and Lilligator, I'll pm you for the tourist info.

Thanks!!!!

 

[lillygator]

snoopymom, I'll gather some info this weekend and get it out to you Monday!

Oh and maybe we should keep SK a secret.... Don't want it to become like Clearwater!! JK!

 

[GoofyGirlnPrincessV]

I've stayed there too...during Hurricane Charley.

markey, my uncle owns a couple really nice rental condos on siesta key. ive stayed in one before and theyre beautiful. theyre super clean and actually really really spacious..and right on the water with an amazing view. the website is siestaview.com if you wanna check it out

 

[markey]

We have been to quite a few Florida beaches. We stopped going to the East coast, Daytona and Cocoa, after our first visit to a West coast beach. Out list includes, Marco Island, Santibel (chased out by hurricane Charlie), St. Pete Beach 2 different locations, and Clearwater Beach 2 different locations. This year we hope to give SK our visit, saw it on the vacation channel and it just looks beautiful. Checking out the places to stay right now, this is the only part of our vacation left to arrange.

 

[The House of Mouse]

I keep hearing more and more about Siesta Key, I wonder how far it would be to drive from Orange Lake on 192 to Siesta Key? Is it a possible day trip? We usually stop at Daytona on our way into Orlando, but the sand, oh! it looks so nice and tropical!!!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

take I-192 to I-4 West towards Tampa. take I-75 south towards Naples. depending on how fast you drive it's about 2 hours from you.

that travel channel show isn't going to help anything. we got a call from friends in IL who watched it wanting to know if we would take them there this summer. duh... it's our favorite beach, we email pics of it to you.

 

[riu girl]

House of mouse:
according to mapquest, directions from OLCC to Siesta Key:

Start out going WEST on W IRLO BRONSON MEMORIAL HWY / US-192 W / W VINE ST / FL-530 W / W SPACE COAST PKWY toward CAPTAIN KIDD RD. Continue to follow W IRLO BRONSON MEMORIAL HWY / US-192 W / FL-530 W / W SPACE COAST PKWY. 4.2 km Map

2: Merge onto US-27 S toward HAINES CITY. 13.0 km Map

3: Merge onto I-4 W toward TAMPA. 73.6 km Map

4: Merge onto I-75 S via EXIT 9 toward NAPLES. 91.1 km Map

5: Merge onto FL-72 W via EXIT 205 toward SIESTA KEY / SARASOTA. 9.7 km Map

6: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto MIDNIGHT PASS RD / FL-758.



I can't wait to get back to Siesta Key later this year.
We spent a week in Daytona in 2004 and then 2 weeks in Siesta Key in 2005. Can't compare the two beaches.
Siesta Key is simply a treat for beach lovers.

 

[sammi]

We just returned from Orlando this past week and it was really pretty cold down there! But we're heading back in November...... this time 1 week in Kissimmee and then 1 week in Siesta Key at The Calini Beach Club Resort Has anyone here stayed at this resort? I can't wait to walk those gorgeous sands!

 

[lillygator]

I forgot about Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, they are on Phillippi Creek so you can sit outside by the water and they are just a hop, skip and jump off the island. THey have great food too!

 

[Gillian]

We'll be in Siesta Key for Easter week. I'm expecting it to be crazy, but at least we'll be in a beautiful setting.

Has anyone stayed at Long Boat Key club? It looks like they have nightly rentals & it's on the beach.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I forgot about Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, they are on Phillippi Creek so you can sit outside by the water and they are just a hop, skip and jump off the island. THey have great food too!

umm, the address please?

 

[lillygator]

http://www.creekseafood.com/

this should help you out...

LBKC is AWESOME! We tried to have our weddng there but it was booked solid the entire month we wanted! You'll like it! It is on the beach and The Chart House restaurant is close by. And it's close to come in to St Armand's Circle for dining and shopping.

 

[lillygator]

Cindy - haven't heard about the Calini...but there are so many along the Key...will keep an eye out for it.

 

[Gillian]

We aren't staying on long boat key, too bad. But if you have a big budget and only a few nights, it seems great.

We are camping, LOL. There was a choice of a newer campground near the highway or a small old place on the water. Since we only have a small popup and can deal with small sites we chose the one near the water. We figure we'll be taking day trips anyway so it doesn't matter much anyway.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

mmmm, the Chart House. PCOB had better be good Vanessa.

longboat key club is home to big money, but they've got a great golf course you can get a good deal on out of season.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Gillian, if you're camping, have you ever been to Fort DeSoto?

 

[The House of Mouse]

Thanks!

take I-192 to I-4 West towards Tampa. take I-75 south towards Naples. depending on how fast you drive it's about 2 hours from you.

that travel channel show isn't going to help anything. we got a call from friends in IL who watched it wanting to know if we would take them there this summer. duh... it's our favorite beach, we email pics of it to you.