Siesta Key beaches are Sarasota’s finests beaches. From being chosen as “Best Overall” in the 1987 International Sand Contest to being named the “Best Sand Beach in America 2004″ by The Travel Channel, Siesta Key beaches have accumulated numerous awards in recognition of the soft, clean, pure white sand.

Siesta Key is consistently rated in the top 10 beaches of Florida, the U.S. and the world. The sand of Siesta Key is composed of 99% quartz crystal. Unlike most beaches that are made of crushed shells, rocks or lava, this sand is pure white, and as fine as sugar. It has been described as “dazzling” and never gets hot. The quartz attracts many people that come to Siesta to feel the vibration of the sand.

Turtle Beach:

Looking for a more secluded and less crowded beach? A couple miles south on the key you can find Turtle beach. Known for its abundance of sea shells. All the beauty of Siesta key without the crowds. The sand, however, is not as fine as that on the northern beach. The sunsets are just as beautiful though.

* Dunfermline, Scotland
* Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
* Perpignan, France
* Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
* Tel Mond, Israel
* Vladimir, Russia

Golf was introduced into the United States in Sarasota, which became a mecca for enthusiasts of the game. Bobby Jones laid out the city course which is named after him and the SaraBay course in the Whitfield area. Many courses dot the area, including the one originally laid out for the hotel John Ringling planned on the southern tip of Longboat Key.

Sarasota also is home to Ed Smith Stadium, where the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati’s major league baseball MLB team, trains in spring for the upcoming season, and is home to the minor league, Sarasota Reds.