Things To Do In Siesta Key
Transportation Around Siesta Key
You are able to drive and park most areas on Siesta Key but if you don't have a vehicle (or don't want to fight for a parking spot during peak hours), there are a few few free transportation services.
Siesta Key Breeze Trolley is a free trolley that runs from Siesta Key Village to Turtle Beach (see map). The trolleys usually run every 20-30 minutes from 8am to midnight but double check for any delays or changes before you go. We haven't tried the app yet but it is supposed to help track the trolleys and estimate when they will arrive. You can find that here:
https://www.siestakeychamber.com/explore-the-key/getting-around/
Other free or "tip only" ride services can be found here:
https://www.mustdo.com/articles/free-tips-only-rides-on-siesta-key/
Biking
Siesta Key is bike friendly and main roads usually have a bike lane. We like to ride in the morning and explore all the side streets. There is pretty light traffic and few pedestrians at that time.
Biking on the beach is allowed but salt and sand don't go well with bikes. There is a sunset electric bike tour that is popular.
Our bikes are available for you to use. Please check the air. The PSI is marked on the rims.
Close to the condo, you can find rentals for golf carts (street legal), bikes/scooters, 3 wheel motorcycles, electric bikes and more.
Beaches On Siesta Key
Crescent Beach is closest to the condo. It is a short walk across the bridge and be accessed at Beach Access 12 (Between "Siesta Breakers" and "Seashell Condos"). There is very limited parking here so we would recommend walking or biking to this beach. It is possible to drop your car there early in the morning with the beach gear and then walk over later.
Siesta Key Beach is about 2 miles from the condo. There is a large parking lot with about 800 spots at the access point to this beach. You can usually find a parking spot in the mornings but we have noticed that after 11am it gets mostly full. Try to park toward the west end of the lot and you'll have a shorter walk to the beach. This is also where you will find the Siesta Key Drum Circle every Sunday, about an hour before sunset.
Sarasota Beach is about 3 miles from the condo and slightly north of Siesta Key Beach. There are multiple access points with small parking lots, which are likely to be busy during peak hours.
Turtle Beach is about 3 miles south of the condo. There are parking spaces and lots near the access points. This beach is a bit "sportier" and usually has picnic areas, playground, volleyball court, and a horseshoe pit. There is a boat launch and fishing permitted in the nearby Blind Pass Lagoon. This beach also has a lot of shells! There is at least one restaurant you can walk to in the area for snacks or lunch.
Areas To Explore Nearby
Lido Key & Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is just before the bridge to Ledo Key and is next to the Marina. Park and walk over to O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill to get some food and drink to enjoy while over-looking the bay. There are picnic tables near the water for a great view or you can walk the "Marina Jack Trail" around the peninsula. In the Marina, you will find Marina Jacks, which is another restaurant where you can sit indoors, enjoy views of the gulf, and you usually have a good view of the boats/yachts.
Lido Key is just north of Siesta Key and you can get there by driving north to Sarasota and then west on 789/John Ringling Causeway. You can visit Lido Key Beach or (we recommend) South Lido Key Beach Park.
At South Lido Key Beach Park, there is an area to park the car and walk over to the beach. The beach has shaded areas that are great during the hottest parts of the day and there are picnic tables set up in some areas in the trees.
Ted Sperling Nature Park is located on Lido Key and is a great place to see wildlife. If you bring a kayak or paddleboard, you can take off from the free kayak launch.
Sarasota
Venice Beach
Rentals
There are many rental places in the area, but one of the most convenient ones is just across the bridge. CB's Saltwater Outfitters has boats ($300-$500/day), jet skis ($100/hr), charters, golf carts, kayaks, paddle boards, scooters, bikes, and more.
If you need beach gear, there is A-Z Baby, Beach and Bike Rentals on the same side of the bridge as the condo. They have a lot of beach gear that you can rent for reasonable prices.
Live Music
Every Sunday evening, there is a Drum Circle at Siesta Key Beach. It starts about an hour before sunset. You can dance to the music or just sit and watch.
Many of the bars and restaurants on Siesta Key will have live music in the evenings. Captain Curt's has live music almost every night and they have different bands each night from every genre.
Shopping
On the North side of the island, there is an area called the "Siesta Key Village". They say that there about 100 stores, cafes, and points of interest and the area spans several blocks.
There isn't a lot of parking on Ocean Blvd but there are a few parking lots available for certain shopping centers and there is at least 1 public parking lot located 1 block to the east of Ocean Blvd. There is also a free trolley that can take you there if you don't mind waiting a bit during peak times.
