What are you looking for?

Siesta Beach

Font Size: + -

Park Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

948 Beach Road, Sarasota, FL 34242

Siesta Beach continues to rank highly on the “Top Beach” lists curated by worldwide travelers and renowned coastal experts. Its nearly 100% quartz-crystal sand, dubbed the “world’s finest, whitest sand”, never gets hot under the Gulf Coast sun and tropical weather. The recent $20 million-dollar renovation (2016) added a new playground, two concession stands, more restrooms, a half-mile long esplanade, many shelters and pavilions, and a renovated Sarasota School of Architecture pavilion. With 950 free parking spaces, this venue provides the most parking for any public beach in Sarasota County.

Recent awards:

2026 #1 in Best U.S. Beaches by U.S. News and World Report
2026 #1 in Best Places to Visit in Florida by U.S. News and World Report
2026 #1 in Best Beaches in Florida by U.S. News and World Report
2025 #1 Beach in America and #4 in the world by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice™ awards
2020 #1 Beach in America by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice™ awards
2017 #1 Beach in America by Dr. Beach
2017 #1 Beach in America by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice™ awards
2015 #1 Beach in America by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice™ awards
2011 #1 Beach in America by Dr. Beach

View Recent Awards

Siesta Beach received awards such as these for many reasons including the safety of the site with daily around Lifeguards and Sheriffs presence, the quality of the sand, great amenities, plenty of parking, cleanliness, on-site concessions, and the calm clear waters of the Gulf. For these reasons, Siesta Beach is one of the most popular parks in the area and a top tourist destination visited by millions of people each year.

VIDEO: 2015 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award - Siesta Beach #1 PSA

Sun Deck:
Open daily from 10:00 AM to Sunset
View menu

Sand Pavilion:
Open daily 8:00 a.m. to sunset
View menu

Beach Rentals:
Open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
View menu

Retail Store:
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Alcohol

Animals

Beach Wheelchairs

Beach Wheelchairs are available to the public at no cost, year-round, for visitor use from parking areas to the shore. Beach wheelchairs for Siesta Beach can be signed-out at the main pavilion concession stand. To check availability, or to make special arrangements after the concessionaires or lifeguards have closed for the day, please call 941-861-5000. Beach wheelchair users must complete the Beach Wheelchair Liability Form.

For convenience, there are businesses in the vicinity that provide beach wheelchair rentals on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

In addition to beach wheelchairs, Siesta beach also has an access mat that extends 454’ towards the Gulf to assist with mobility.

Changing Rooms

Lifeguard Operations

Lost Items

Parking

Red Tide

Reservations

Special Event Applications

Tents

Transportation

Effective Feb. 1, 2026, a 2.45% surcharge will be automatically applied to all electronic payments made to Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources under Resolution No. 2025-165. Click for more information.