Siesta Key

Comprised of a barrier island off the southwestern coast of Florida, just to the south of and partially overlapping with the city of Sarasota, this key was actually originally called Sarasota Key until it was renamed in the 1920s. A midsize populated area, it is technically unincorporated, though part of the key does fall within the city of Sarasota. You’ll find the atmosphere coastal and fun, if a little on the touristy side. This is a great place for a family vacation or if you just want to party it up on the beach or at one of the many bars and beach cafes. The locals are used to a large tourist population coming and going over the seasons, so you’ll find them welcoming of visitors and ready with answers to the questions they hear every year from a hundred people without fail. You’ll probably find that most of the people you run into will be fellow travelers, if you come during spring or summertime. Like vacationers everywhere, you’ll almost certainly find them amiable and fun-loving – they are, after all, on vacation.