1. Lido Key Beach
Lido Key Beach is the closest beach to Sarasota and easily one of the nicest. Reached via the John Ringling Causeway, Lido Key Beach has soft, whitish sand lapped by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Lido Key Beach is similar in nature to Siesta Key Beach farther south in the fact that it’s exceptionally wide.
For a more lively beach experience, park in the main parking lot along Gulf Drive. Parking here is easy and free. The walk to the beach is short, so bring all your gear. This is where most of the crowds congregate, and the Lido Beach «scene,» limited at best, is found. Lifeguards are on duty and take pride in keeping all bathers safe and sound.
At this location, you’ll find a beach pavilion with restrooms, changerooms, and nearby volleyball courts. If all your sun tanning causes you to work up an appetite, swing by the Lido Island Grill. Casual fare is served up on the patio overlooking the beach.
2. Siesta Key Beach
This incredible white-sand beach is consistently ranked as one of the best in North America and for good reason. Soft quartzite sand is the norm here, unlike crushed shells and limestone at other beaches along this shoreline.
Fortunately, access to Siesta Key Beach is easy with an exceptionally large parking lot that can accommodate nearly 1,000 cars. All these cars, packed with keen beachgoers, makes Siesta Beach a lively place on a regular basis. However, don’t worry about finding your own patch of soft sand. The beach is particularly wide and long, ensuring that there’s plenty of space for everyone. The majority of the action is at the main access by the pavilion where you’ll find volleyball nets, washrooms, and showers.
Siesta Beach has two restaurants. Operated by the same group that manages the excellent Sharky’s Restaurant in Venice Beach, the Sun Deck and Sun Pavilion offer more than just traditional beach fare. See if you can grab a patio seat up high for the best view of the beach.
