The 15 best parks and gardens in Siesta Key

Absolutely breathtaking! The beach is a true paradise warm, crystal-clear waters that are so inviting, and perfectly shallow for wading or just relaxing. The scenery is stunning, and the peaceful atmosphere makes it the ideal spot to unwind and soak up the sun.”

— Siesta Key Beach Florida Review — I’ve been here 5 weeks ago. It is the best beaches I have ever been to. I definitely recommend going to this exact beach in Florida if you want Jacuzzi style relaxation. The water is really hot! When it’s sunny and humid, you will have to handle it going into the water will make it worse since it’s really hot. 5 star beach and definitely the best beaches I ever went to. Highly recommend!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!! Siesta Beach is ranked among the top 10 best beaches in the U.S. every year — and of course, our family wanted to see if it really deserves the title. It absolutely does! All the photos online are real — not exaggerated at all. Parking: there are plenty of spots, though I imagine it might be tricky to find one during the busy season. There are also designated spaces for people with disabilities. Before reaching the main beach area, there’s a large shaded zone with a playground, picnic shelters, and showers. It takes about 5–7 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the beach. The sandy area is divided by a small service road where you can easily set up a tent or have a picnic. The sand is truly amazing — pure white, very fine, soft, and cool even on hot days. The ocean is a paradise for the eyes! The water color is stunning, even when there are waves. The entry into the water is smooth and safe, perfect for kids. There are lifeguards on duty and sheriff patrols, which makes you feel even safer. Highly recommend this beach for everyone — families, groups of friends, or couples looking for a beautiful and relaxing spot to enjoy the day. 💙

The sand is truly unique — pure white, incredibly soft, and as fine as powder. The best part is that it never gets too hot, so you can walk barefoot along the entire shoreline without a problem. The water is stunningly clear, with a gorgeous turquoise color and a perfect temperature of around 30°C, making it ideal for swimming or simply relaxing in the shallows. The beach is also very well equipped. At the entrance, you’ll find places to buy drinks, snacks, and light meals, which is super convenient if you want to spend the whole day there. There are free parking areas — although when I visited on a Wednesday, they were almost full, so I can imagine weekends get quite busy. Another big plus is the excellent facilities: there are showers and restrooms available, all very well maintained and clean, adding to the comfort of your visit. On top of that, a pleasant breeze keeps the heat from feeling overwhelming, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, with families, couples, and friends all enjoying the sun, the sand, and the beautiful surroundings without it feeling too crowded. It’s the perfect blend of natural beauty, comfort, and good vibes — a place you’ll want to return to again and again.

Best beaches in the Sarasota area. Get there early if you want to find a parking spot. It is a very popular beach and people flock here. Food is available and there are ample public bathrooms and foot washing station. The beach is a bit of a hike from the parking lot but well worth the walk. Great place to take your family. Plenty of space for grilling, a playground for the kids, and a few covered areas for large parties and to stay out of the sun.

Sand was so soft and water felt nice! Restrooms were clean and it was over all a great beach day! There was an occasional sewage smell but either way I would definitely recommend.

Visiting Siesta Beach was one of the best beach experiences I’ve ever had. The moment I stepped onto the sand, I understood why it’s consistently ranked one of the best beaches in the country—and even the world. The sand is unbelievably soft and cool to the touch, even on a hot day. It’s not your typical beach sand either—this is pure white quartz that feels like walking on velvet. It made just being there feel relaxing and refreshing, before I even reached the water. The beach itself is massive, so even when there are a lot of people, it doesn’t feel crowded. I liked how easy it was to find a spot to settle in without being too close to anyone. The water was calm, crystal clear, and perfect for swimming or just floating around. You could really tell the area is well-maintained, from the clean restrooms and outdoor showers to the lifeguards stationed throughout, giving you a real sense of safety and care. But what really made it special for me was the atmosphere. It’s peaceful, family-friendly, and full of people enjoying themselves without the chaos or noise of more commercial beaches. I even got to stay long enough to catch the drum circle at sunset, which was an incredible experience. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf while listening to live drumming and seeing people dance freely in the sand—it just had this beautiful energy that stays with you. Siesta Beach isn’t just another beach—it’s a destination that feels like a perfect mix of nature, relaxation, and good vibes. Whether you want to play, unwind, take a long walk, or just sit and watch the waves, this place has it all. I would absolutely come back again and again. It’s a true gem of Sarasota and easily one of my favorite spots in all of Florida.

Great location. Bathrooms and picnic tables. Connection to the Sarasota Park on the north side is blocked and possibly under repair.

What a great place to watch the sunset 😎 I’m a local but I still love to visit this park throughout the year. Such a tranquil spot and never that busy

We went fishing here. Beautiful surroundings. Got to watch the drawbridge open for a sailboat. Loved it!

Just ok. A decent spot to boat watch (and probably fish). There are plenty of tables and benches along the water to sit. And you can walk under the bridge to the other side where there is more. The day I was there it was so windy it wasn’t enjoyable.

Awesome stop for a picnic lunch. Great facilities and views

Great sea/bay side park! Very clean! Lots of benches with great views of the water. Good spot to watch boat traffic. Minimal traffic noise even though it's next to the bridge. Minimal parking also, get there early! Dog friendly so bring the pooch! Bonus - if you follow the path under the bridge, there's another section of the park that's usually fairly empty if you want more solitude. Better scenic views also!

I Really Enjoyed My Time Fishing. At Nora Patterson Bay Island. It Not Many Other Fisherman's and Women or Kids. But Would Like See More Families. Out Fishing. At The Drawbridge. Thanks Following My Post. ☝️God Bless🙏 Our World.😊❤️👍

We are in vacation in Sarasota for the first time. We were absolutely taken away how beautiful and clear the water is with gorgeous emerald color. We went during day Tuesday May 20th. Was not packed and plenty of parking in the parking lot on the south end as well as if you desire to go to lido beach on the more northern side. Parking was free on the south end. There is also a wash station and bathrooms if needed. No lifeguards on duty but we watch our children well. Lots of shells for our toddlers to collect. You can wade out in the water as an adult pretty far waist deep. Seen others fishing, snorkeling and sailing on their surf boards. Locals were very kind and friendly that we came across. Water is a lovely warm temperature. So far our favorite beach in the area that we have been too. We prefer less crowded areas.

This beach is more private, but there are a lot of boats here and a lot of jellyfish in the water. Be careful, I got stung by a jellyfish here

This is a great park WHEN you come on an off day. Like a Monday AM or a Wednesday AM. If you come during peak hours like Friday, Saturday, Sunday it's a mess and NOT worth coming too. Lot of craziness, cops, etc. . I can't stress enough the only time to come here is when it's a time people aren't partying. Clean for the most part but some people are just rude with leaving trash around. Clean bathrooms. Nice sandy beaches and clear water. At times I have seen some shady individuals hanging around maybe that's why I see a lot of cops hanging here most of the time. Overall I would highly recommend this place it's super fun and has great beaches. Also has a kids small play park.

Love South Lido beach! - More private / quiet / lowkey - Water is really clear - Sand is a bit rocky but worth the trade for privacy - Parking is easier to find - Restrooms and showers are nearby - Great sunrise location on the channel side

Paradise as our lil kids call it very calm, clear water. Less crowded as well, it is located at the very end of Lido Key.It has its own parking, restrooms,picnic tables, and even playgrounds for your kiddos to enjoy. The walk to the beach is not far at all compared to other beaches. We love the seagulls in the shores. And if you go early, guarantee you'll find so many beautiful shells. Come check this beach, and we promise you, you and your family would love it! Our photos are not professional taken. it's just my cellphone, so the photos are very real, and that's how truly this beach looks like. https://youtu.be/H3kNJYgt-WQ?si=uZYLqFnnCJvNyuaF

Great park, great fishing and boat beaching. I sure hope when it finally reopens that they do a better job at maintaining their parking lots. They have the worst water filled pot holes of any park making it difficult to get to your car without first walking through mud. Park is still closed as of Jan 19, 2025. Update: As of April 1, 2025 this park is still not open. While other community parks and beaches have been cleaned up and refurbished since last year's hurricanes, Sarasota Parks says it's waiting for the FEMA to sign off on it which might be by the end of 2025. A painfully slow process so why did parks with just as much damage or more get reopened so quickly while some of Sarasota Parks are closed with little to no progress. Can anyone please explain why South Lido Beach Park will take over a year to reopen? I've been back out to south Lido. It is open and looks great. Looking forward to visiting it many times. You may need shoes as the beach is very course with shells.

Absolutely beautiful beach! One of my favorite beaches in the areas. Super safe big park with plenty of parking and clean restrooms.

Hospitality goes such a long way here!!! Food was also delicious, not even 10 minutes after ordering, the food was already on our table. What I love best about this place is the patio outside. Sitting between the plants and flowers provides such a tranquil scene. Lots of options on the menus and the sourdough is especially good here.

Cute spot, solid food! It was a good spot to catch up with friends - lively but not too loud for conversation. The food was good and portions perfect. We came on a Sunday at brunch so it seemed very busy but we only had to wait about 15 minutes for a table for 4 luckily.

We decided to stop by for breakfast on a weekday morning. The food is fantastic! We went for Eggs Benedict and an Omelette - we would definitely consider them again. The service was great! We loved sitting outside and taking in the fresh air while savoring the meal. We would certainly consider coming here again.

Came here two days in a row it was so good! Everything was super fresh and delicious - had a Benedict one day and omelette the next and would definitely recommend. Had great service and fun beach vibes :)

Found the place by walking and have to say that the reviews are all accurate, food is fantastic same as the service. We came for breakfast yesterday and decided to come back again today to try other dishes from the menu. The French toasts are a must! And the Mediterranean Revival eggs so good! Defiantly recommend this place!

I rarely give an "all out" review but I can see why this place is top of the list for breakfast here in Siesta Key. The menu isn't too big, and the food comes out quickly. The ingredients in/on my "Bikini Bagel" were fresh and well-balanced. Which I greatly appreciated. The avocado on my dish was cut fresh —for my dish. The fig was for sure my favorite —thickly sliced and placed atop the avocado. I was all for it. We're on a quick pass through on our way to Fort Myers, so we needed something quick. What a treat! Totally unexpected to find such good eats. The price is fair for the portions and the vibe outside is a must.

Such a hidden gem! Do not miss this spot in the village! Amazing food, great coffee, & super quick service! Indoor seating (with AC) or outdoor seating. The staff were all so friendly. We went multiple times during our trip & loved it each time. From breakfast sandwiches, chicken & waffles, oatmeal, biscuits & gravy, shrimp po’ boy wrap. Breakfast or lunch — it’s all amazing!

Bayfront Park is a charming, scenic, and above all, practical spot. Whether you're here to admire the sunset, enjoy a relaxed picnic, spend time with children, or simply be in the moment, the park offers something for everyone. There’s space for yoga, casual walks, or just sitting quietly and taking in the view. Nearby, you'll find local restaurants, public restrooms, and access to sunset cruises and boat rentals. The city center and main street are also just a short walk away, making it a convenient and enjoyable place to visit. A well-rounded, peaceful location worth stopping by.

Very nice park in town. Great views of the water and of Sarasota. There’s a restaurant/bar as well. Nice paved trails. Definitely a popular location. Dog friendly from what I could see.

I love this place. Is my second time comming. Family friendly, pet friendly. Very clean and welcoming. Loved the restaurant. Gorgeous sunset here! And people here are kind and friendly.. will keep comming is a little far from home. But so worth it.

Small but lovely waterfront Park in downtown Sarasota. Clean, safe, and great for a short walk after a beach day. There’s a nice playground for kids, yachts at the marina, and O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill nearby for snacks or drinks. The famous dolphin fountain sculpture - “Dolphin Fountain” wasn’t working in October 2025, but sunset views here are beautiful!

It's one of my favorite spots in Sarasota. It is just beautiful there. My kids enjoy the water splashing park and a playground. Nice to take a promenade. There is also a tikki bar in the corner (we have not tried it, though), overlooking the water.

This park is a hidden gem with a scenic trail that winds around the area, perfect for a relaxing walk. The beautiful banyan trees are truly a highlight, and the park has clean, convenient restrooms. There's even a bar with live music where you can grab a drink and unwind. We caught an unforgettable sunset there—just a short walk from our hotel—and even hopped on a sunset cruise right from the bay. Watching people walk their dogs added a cheerful vibe to the whole experience. I can't wait to come back next time I'm in Sarasota!

Bayfront Park, Sarasota. I have been traveling full-time in my RV for the past few years, which has allowed me to visit many beautiful places around the country. In return, I try to leave reviews for others, especially for those who may not have the same opportunity to travel as I do. This park is very beautiful, clean, and colorful. I truly enjoyed my visit. Thank you to my potential new followers — I appreciate it. ;) Michael

Clean, large beach. Beautiful. I highly suggest the sand castle lesson...found as an Air BnB Experience! Restrooms, food, very nice.

I was there last week, the workers there are really nice and welcoming, prices are affordable and the environment there is amazing and the beach definitely a 5 star👍

Very beautiful and very busy! We drove around for about a half hour looking for parking and didn’t find any lol my husband dropped us off parked at our hotel then got an Uber back to the beach! It is a large beach and has food and a gift shop available. We forgot sand toys so we bought some at the gift shop. The prices weren’t bad (not great either lol) considering where it’s located. Bathrooms were normal as far as “beach type” bathrooms go. It was a little bit of a walk to the water but not bad. The water was beautiful! It really is a great beach but I honestly prefer a less busy beach any day!

The Pavilion at the Siesta Key main Beach and some of the views. Very clean pavilion, tables and gift shop and restrooms and concession area. Great views to the Siesta Beach towards the Green life Guard tower #Scotteronthebeach, follow him on FB he is the main lifeguard here and does a daily FB update from here daily. Parking fills up early by 10-11 am so get here early! Best Beach area in Florida. Drum Circle Sundays also right off the Pavilion between the Pavilion and the green life guard tower, around 6pm. This is a must see.

Tip: Bathrooms are upstairs. Get there early, parking can be tough. This place has bathrooms, a place to wash off feet, a playground & a Counter where you can buy food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages upstairs. There is some seating available on the upstairs deck. The beach access is great at this location and has 4 volleyball courts.

The most beautiful beach in Florida and probably the United States. The sand is a powdery white sugar feel. Similar to confectionary sugar and the water as you can see is a crystal blue and green. the only negative aspect of this beach is the long walk you will have to take from where the cars are parked to the water. Probably three football fields. Be prepared to walk. The good news is if you want to walk barefoot the sand is so wide it won't burn your feet. Have a great time

I can see why they call this the number one beach on the USA. Nice clean sand and clear water. There is a decent walk from the pavilion area to the actual water but it's well worth it

March 28th 2025. First time visit with my partner. I live in Lehigh acres and he is from East coast. We did not have very high expectations but the wild life encountered today was rarmarkable and very surprising. Signage needs a bit of improvement but overall I enjoyed walking through a d taking pictures. I missed some great scenes of birds in flights and catching fish but I cam never forget what I had seen today. I have posted my pictures so that others can view

Nice short trail. Very short walk to the dock over the pond. There are some trail offshoots, but they end up fading out. Cool little local vegetation markers- I learned about some plants. There’s also a playground if you have kids. Pretty views and lots of shade.

This 72 acre preserve has extensive trails both paved and unpaved. Very scenic along lakes,canals and wetlands with some shade. There are picnic tables, a playground, and benches overlooking the water. There are restrooms and the preserve is dog friendly.

Another walking area in Sarasota County offering ponds w wildlife, birds, turtles, gators. Explored most perimeter trails using map my walk to guide me to cover more distance. The pic shows walk w very little backtracking.

Red Bug Slough Preserve is a beautiful, well-maintained natural area just 15 minutes from Siesta Key. The preserve offers peaceful walking trails through oak hammocks, pine flatwoods, and wetlands, with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife like birds, squirrels, and even otters. Great for hiking, birdwatching, or a family picnic, it’s a serene spot to enjoy Florida’s natural beauty.

We love this place. Awesome trails & friendly people & dogs! Tons of different bird species! Too many to list. Favorite thing we did see was the swallow tailed kites!

Pretty, serene park to walk. Shade or sun, walk in the woods or by the pond, very safe. There are birds, turtles, fish, and flowers. Easy parking. Lots of paths to take.

Absolutely loved our boat trip, captain Andrew is the best! I booked this boat trip for my family of 16 very last minute. The inside bar is amazing! The bartender Richard is a nice guy. :) I spoke to Richard over the phone about booking. He was very understanding & nice! Most definitely recommended, I hope to visit again soon. ☺️

The Sunset and Dolphins Tiki Tour was an Incredible adventure, with breathtaking views. The kids loved collecting shells, and our captain was super friendly and knowledgeable. A must try adventure for any age.

Let me start by saying there was a storm before we came causing the water to be a brown color and we didn’t see a single dolphin (luck of the draw because of the storm). We did see a manatee! With that said, my family travels all over the world and the states multiple times a year, and we have never had an experience like this. Andrew was the most incredible captain. Our daughter has bad ADHD and my mom has mobility issues which both made me weary of this. This did not disappoint. The steps to get in and out of the boat were perfect for my mom to be able to exit the boat safely. Andrew did wonderful with my daughter’s impulsions and overwhelming energy. He was knowledgeable and found special shells for my daughter. I would hands down recommend this to any and every one that asks for something to do in the Sarasota area. Great boats with nice seating. Just overwhelming happy with this little excursion. Needless to say Andrew’s demeanor and knowledge is what made the trip unforgettable! Not a single one of us even cared that the water was brown or we couldn’t see a dolphin because Andrew was what made the trip a success.

We did the dolphin and sunset tour with Captain Drew! We had a group of 11 and everyone had a great time! We especially enjoyed finding shells and sand dollars!

100% recommend!! Captain Andrew was wonderful! We took a private sunset cruise! Richard helped get us exactly what we asked for! The bartender in The Forbidden Tiki got us started and set us up with stuff for a cooler! Perfect for our family’s celebration of my dad’s birthday!

Aqua Adventures was amazing! If you are by the Sarasota/Siesta Key area you should definitely go on a tour/adventure with their guide. We even got the see manatees and Dolphins. Thank you for such a great time!

My kids and I took a sunset & dolphin tour with Captain Drew, and had a great time! We loved getting to stop at a private island and sand bar to collect shells, and enjoyed learning about different sights from the captain while on the tour! Captain Drew was kind and knowledgeable! Would highly recommend Siesta Key Aqua Adventures!

This is public parking and public access to the beach. One thing you will have to walk quite away from the parking lot to the water and the beach. They put out cabanas that you can run along with chairs and umbrellas. It was wonderful being there

Wholly inadequate for peak weekend parking. Drove around endlessly and waited almost 1.5 hours to park after deciding if would not pay $10-$15 PER HOUR to the scalpers to Park!

Has plenty of free parking but needs to visit early hours to get one. The visitor center has an outdoor shower to wash off sand. Need more restrooms for the kind of crowd during summer

Perfect place to park for a day at the beach. Parking is free and this lot has easy access to the beach. Can get busy at times especially midday and evening.

White sand, large beach, free parking

GREAT PARKING LOT. Clean area and the picnic areas were great.

If you go early, like 10:00am no problem to find a parking space. Later would be problem

One of the best parks in Siesta Key. So much to do. You can walk, jog, or walk. Great park to exercise or meditate. There's a bench to sit and bird watch. If you're an artist or photographer, this park has plenty of greenery to capture! The activities at Boyd Park are endless! A Must-Do!

We had a really unusual experience as we were passing by Boyd Park today (2/15/2023). My wife noticed a stray dog (beautiful Doberman) running across the road towards the park right in front of my truck. Naturally, I slowed down (actually slammed the brakes 🥹) to avoid hitting him. I pulled to the side of the road and proceeded to get him to come towards me as he heard our dog barking from inside the truck. He was definitely interested in meeting our pup. He had no collar and no tags. After 10-15 minutes of trying to catch him and calm him down I was able to get him into an extra leash we carry in the truck. He kept running in and around Boyd Park. As I called animal control for assistance from one of the benches in the park, a woman called over and asked if I had her dog as tears rolled down her face. She was so happy to have her baby safe and back with her. A great end to an adrenaline filled morning.

NO BEACH! Drove 40 minutes to see, and let our dog have fun. It was like we were on a hidden video for comedy!! There is nothing but a spot of grass the size of a small 7/11 parking lot! A few trees, dirt and one bench. What a horrible disappointment!!

Great beach, playground and public facilities

A little triangle slice of heaven... Sad the city of Sarasota got so much funding for hurricane Ian and still haven't cleaned the park up

No beach, no parking, no playground, no shelter. Just a patch of neglected grass and trees. Whoever wrote the description has never been there.

This less a park and more a tiny triangle of green at an intersection with a decent amount of traffic.

Very nice place for the family to hang out they really did a nice job nice park nice playground for the kids good walking trails nice area to sit and have a coffee or a beer listening to some music or watch them do physical fitness Sarasota get a bullseye with this one it's a nice place everybody go visit

I'm lovin 'it! The bay is very comforting to walk, see the children play, my daughter said I love it, walk on the sand and sit down to enjoy the scenery! 😌

very nice park, free community activities, perfect for families and a beautiful scenery

Fish Moore Charters with Captain Dakota was the best !!!👍