The white sand beaches of Siesta Key have won beach competitions by travelers the world over year after year. The sand is powder soft quartz and the water is usually the brightest of aqua. You will find vacation properties galore up and down the beach along with condo complexes and outrageously opulent single family homes. Some pretty swanky neighborhoods are dotted with a handful of original old beach residences dating back to the 60s and 70s when the roads were made of sand. The south end of the island has a different type of sand on the beach and is not as flat. It is called Turtle Beach. On the northern end is a town that is so lively day and night you will wear yourself out trying to see it all. Shops, tiki bars with live music, and some really great restaurants. Great places to go for ice cream or gelato too. The home rental market here is very strong and finding a vacation rental is something you have to plan way in advance. Many people vacation here again and again for a lifetime. A typical trip to Siesta Key for me is either heading to town for dinner at SKOB or The Cottage followed by ice cream at Orange Octopus. I always stop into Gidgets while my husband parks. Or we pick up lunch at Anna’s Deli and head to Turtle Beach to sit and eat our sandwiches on the sand with an awesome view of the gulf.