If you’re looking for a fun and sunny road trip, look no further than the Sarasota to Siesta Key drive. This beautiful route takes you along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with plenty of stops for swimming, sunbathing, and sightseeing.
You’ve just finished spending a long day at Sarasota. You might be ready for a break, but the 15-minute drive from Sarasota to Siesta Key has a lot of activities to keep you busy.
You can visit Lido Key, a nearby beach, or try your hand at Parasailing. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll be glad to know that Siesta Key is a great place to go parasailing.
And of course, no trip to Florida would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Siesta Key Beach. So gas up the car and get ready for some fun in the sun!
Siesta Key is a great destination for families
Families looking for a relaxing destination can head to Siesta Key. This picturesque island is home to the famous Big Olaf Creamery, a favorite spot for ice cream in Siesta Key.
During your road trip from Sarasota to Siesta Key, don’t miss out on an opportunity to take a boat tour!
You can experience the sights of the island while watching dolphins, manatees, and other wildlife.
For a beach vacation, you can take the family to Siesta Public Beach. Often named the nation’s best beach, Siesta Key offers great water sports and activities for all ages.
Siesta Beach is open year-round, although the months of March through May are considered prime months. The islands’ charming downtown districts are a must-see for families on a road trip from siesta key to Sarasota Florida.
If you’re driving from Siesta Key to Sarasota, consider stopping off in a town along the way. Palmetto and Bradenton are both small cities but they offer plenty of attractions.
You’ll also be able to explore the Historic Bridge Street Pier, a wonderful landmark for a road trip from Siesta Key to Sarasota Florida.
If you’re a movie buff, you’ll want to check out the Regal Hollywood theater in Sarasota. The theater offers a wide selection of movies, with new releases every week.
You can also enjoy the Monte Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, a fantastic place for learning about over 100 different marine species. Visiting this museum is sure to delight the entire family.
Siesta Key has a fishing pier
While on a road trip from Sarasota to Siesta Key, you can visit the town of Bradenton for sun, sand, and a little shopping. Be sure to check out the art gallery and ice cream shop.
This is one of the many ways to enjoy the beautiful Florida sunshine!
If you love fishing, Siesta Key is home to over a thousand species of fish. The area off the beaches of Siesta Key has the most diverse fish population in the United States.
You can find grouper, snapper, snook, and even speckled trout.
Fortunately, Siesta Key is home to a fishing pier and there are private tour companies for any skill level. For those who like to relax on the beach, there are also several places to find fishing.
You can also head south to find the famous Blind Pass.
This fishing pier is on the southern end of Siesta Key.
Near the Neville Marine Preserve, this location connects to Little Sarasota Bay. Here, you can enjoy some great fishing and some excellent swimming.
You can also find picnic tables and grills to prepare dinner outside while enjoying the view.
Lido Key is a nearby beach
If you’re on a road trip from Sarasota to Siesta Key, Florida, you may want to check out Lido Beach.
This nearby beach is a regular spot for water sports and beach yoga. It’s moderately quiet and has modern amenities, including a concession stand serving delicious lobster rolls.
You might find it livelier during the Fourth of July, when the Sarasota Power Boat Grand Prix races offshore, including all-day beach parties.
Lido Key Beach has great amenities and is less crowded than Siesta Key.
There are plenty of parking spaces, public restrooms, and fun activities, and you can bring your entire family to the beach for a day of sun and sand.
Another nearby beach that’s close to Siesta Key is Lido Key.
Lido Key is considered a hidden gem of the Siesta Key area, so plan to spend a day there and see what the buzz is all about. It’s 20 minutes north of Siesta Key and through Sarasota.
This island is located on the northern end of Longboat Key. It’s not the same as Beer Can Island in Tampa, but it’s close enough to reach by car. Be sure to bring cash to pay road tolls.
During the busy season, parking can be scarce. After 4:30 pm, the roads leading to the beach turn into a tangle of traffic.
Parasailing is an option in Siesta Key
For the adventurous traveler, there is a wide range of water sports available in Siesta Key, such as jet-skiing, snorkeling, and sailing. There are also tours available for sunset cruises and sightseeing charters.
The Siesta Key Watersports Company is consistently rated as the best jet ski and parasailing company in Sarasota.
The beautiful beaches and idyllic small villages are the main attractions of this island, which is located near Sarasota.
If you are visiting the area during the summer, you can take a ride on the Siesta Key Breeze Trolley, which takes passengers from beach to beach.
You can also enjoy a picnic on the sand and a sunset dinner overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Siesta Key is also less than an hour away from other popular destinations in Sarasota County.
If you are looking for a thrill-seeking activity, Siesta Key is the place for you.
The turquoise waters of Siesta Key are stunning and the dazzling breeze off the shore makes parasailing a thrilling experience for thrill-seekers.
While you are on Siesta Key, be sure to stop by Siesta Village. The vibrant local community is a great place to visit, with shops, restaurants, and other activities.
While most parasailing companies accept walk-ins, it is still advisable to make a reservation.
Most companies accept walk-ins, and the cost is generally the same for adults and kids.
Parasailing requires you to meet at a designated meeting point, sign a liability waiver, and pay a small fee. You will board a parasailing boat before being dropped off in the water.
Siesta Key has awesome dining options
You can take a road trip from Siesta Key to Sarasota and enjoy some of the local restaurants.
There are plenty of fun activities to keep you busy on your road trip.
While you’re in Siesta Key, check out The Cottage for a great meal. The Cottage serves traditional American fare and Japanese food. It also features a 1,000-gallon tropical fish tank.
A road trip from Sarasota to Siesta Key Florida will also give you the chance to check out the island’s most unique dining establishment, the Sun Garden Cafe.
The casual atmosphere and excellent service make it one of Siesta Key’s best-kept secrets.
The Cottage is also a popular choice among locals. It features a full dinner menu, as well as an excellent lunch menu.
Is it Better to Stay on Siesta Key Or Sarasota?
There are many reasons to choose Siesta Key as your vacation destination. You can enjoy its stunning sandy beaches, nature trails, and upscale boutiques.
There are also many activities to keep you and your family busy, including kayaking, tennis, and a nightclub scene.
And if you love to shop, Sarasota has some of the most unique shopping areas in the United States.
Regardless of what your reason for traveling to the area is, there are many benefits to visiting both places. Sarasota is a bustling city, so you’ll likely find long lines and higher prices during the high season.
However, if you’re on a budget, Sarasota’s cheaper hotels and restaurants may be a better choice.
If you’re looking for a great road trip, you can also opt for Sarasota, which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S.
The best option for a beach vacation is to stay on Siesta Key.
You can visit Siesta Village, which is the downtown core and is the perfect place for the first-timer to get their bearings and explore the many boutiques and restaurants.
Siesta Beach is also the most popular destination on the island, with the most beaches and water sports providers.
The beaches on either island are popular, and both places are worth considering a visit.
Siesta Key has a wide range of accommodations. If you’re planning a vacation for a week or longer, Crescent Beach Condominiums is a great base.
Crescent Beach is another good option for those who want to explore both Sarasota and Siesta Key. They’re all furnished with full kitchens, and many feature private balconies.
And the best part? They’re both pet-friendly!
Airport options for a road trip from Sarasota to Siesta Key
If you’re planning a road trip from St. Pete to Sarasota, you have several options. If you’re flying into SRQ in Sarasota, you can take Lyft or Uber to get you to the city.
It should take approximately 54 minutes and cost you $27. If you’re driving, you should take about 40 minutes. Gas costs average about $6 per mile and should be covered by the ride.
If you’re driving from St. Petersburg to Sarasota, you’ll want to find an airport near the city.
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is 27.1 miles from St. Petersburg and 43.6 kilometers from Sarasota. If you’re flying, you can look up the distance between the two cities in the Florida Distance Chart.
Driving from St. Pete to Sarasota takes around one hour and eight minutes.
You can also choose to take the train instead. If you plan to fly, you’ll find that the Florida & Gulf Coast Railway’s station is a good option. It’s about a two-and-a-half-hour drive away.
You’ll need to factor in travel time and traffic conditions. Depending on your route, you can expect the trip to take around an hour.
The best way to get to Sarasota from St. Pete is to fly into St. Petersburg.
There are a number of different options for flying into St. Pete, and you’ll need to weigh the cost of each.
Faretrotter, a website that compares transportation options, will show you which option is the cheapest and easiest for your needs.
In Conclusion
After a day of driving on your adventure from Sarasota to Siesta Key, you finally arrive in Sarasota! The first thing you notice is the stunning white-sand beaches.
As you walk along the beach, you can’t help but feel relaxed and refreshed.
The clear blue water is so inviting that you can’t resist taking a dip.
As you swim, you can’t help but think about how lucky you are to be able to experience this amazing place.
There’s no wrong answer when it comes to choosing between Siesta Key and Sarasota. Both destinations offer stunning beaches, great shopping, and plenty of activities to keep you busy.
If you’re on a budget, Sarasota may be the better choice, but if you’re looking for a longer vacation, Siesta Key is the perfect place to stay.
Depending on your budget and travel plans, one destination may be better suited for you than the other. Consider all of your options before making a decision on where to stay during your next Florida vacation.
Whichever destination you choose, you’re sure to have an amazing time!
