Sarasota Beach on Siesta Key derives its name from the 1907 Siesta Land Company platted development by Harry Higel, Captain Louis Roberts, and E.M. Arbogast forming Siesta Village and renaming the island from Little Sarasota Key and Sarasota Key around 1908, though 1946 government maps still referenced 'Sarasota Key' while the County used Siesta Key designation. This Sarasota County barrier island beach evolved from archaeological evidence of pre-colonial habitation through sparsely inhabited late 1800s-early 1900s fishing settlements, with the county purchasing property for public beach in 1954 through referendum funding Edward J. Seibert's famed Sarasota School of Architecture historic pavilion, expanding with 300 feet of northern beach frontage added in 1965 and southern expansion during the 1970s, serving Florida's Gulf coast heritage ranked #1 Beach in the U.S. and #4 in the World in 2025 by Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards.
The beach offers swimming and sunbathing on 99% quartz-crystal sand dubbed the world's finest whitest sand sourced from Appalachian Mountains with feldspar and mica removed leaving nearly pure quartz remaining cool to touch even on hottest days reflecting abundant sunshine off pristine white surface. Beach volleyball, playground activities at Siesta Beach Public Pavilion, and Sunday evening year-round Drum Circle gatherings an hour before sunset near the pavilion complement parasailing, biking, kayaking, fishing charters, and boat rentals throughout the soft turquoise waves. The annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic attracts over 40,000 spectators while Siesta Key Village provides plentiful dining and live entertainment options, with swimming, sunbathing, and endless water recreation along this famous quartz sand shoreline never getting hot under Gulf Coast sun and tropical weather.
Siesta Key Village dining includes The Cottage for inventive seasonal cuisine utilizing local farms and sustainable seafood with craft passion in the Village heart, Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) as a true Landmark serving locals and visitors with extensive waterfront menu, and Daiquiri Deck at Village heart for endless frozen daiquiri combos, delicious fried grouper and shrimp seafood bites, serving Sarasota County's barrier island community along this world-ranked beach where Siesta Key Summer House offers carefully sourced steaks, fresh seafood and hand-selected wines complementing the family-friendly casual dining atmosphere throughout the Village.
