Located around an hour south of Tampa, Sarasota is a town in Florida that is famous for its museums and cultural centers, upscale shopping, and pristine beaches. Sarasota beaches are located on a 40-mile stretch of white sand that extends all the way to Tampa Bay. Nearby Siesta Key Beach is a haven for artists, writers, and others who are inspired by the beauty of Sarasota Beaches. Manasota Beach is another beach in the Sarasota area that is very family oriented and is perfect for picnics and walks. No matter which beach you choose to visit, Sarasota beaches are known as some of the best beaches in Florida.

Siesta Key Beach is by far the most popular of the beaches in Sarasota Florida. The beach has a large picnic area and enough parking spots to accommodate the crowds of families that visit nearly all year round. The sand is made out of a fine quartz which stays cool even in the hottest summer months. The beach is patrolled by a lifeguard and sees a large number of swimmers and snorkelers nearly everyday. The crowds can get quite large at Siesta Key Beach, so if you want more privacy, it's best to visit during the summers and on the weekdays.

If you're looking for some peace and quiet, head to Turtle Beach at the south end of Siesta Key. This family-oriented beach has restroom facilities, picnic tables, volleyball nets, and a large playground. Even though the beach is very popular for family outings, it is considerably less crowded than Siesta Key Beach. Another advantage of Turtle Beach is the fact that you can drive your car right up to the edge of the water. Many people like to drive their trucks or their SUVs right up to the water to have a picnic or a barbeque. One of the most popular of all Sarasota Beaches is Manasota Beach. The beach has covered picnic pavilions and barbeque pits as well as public restrooms and free parking. It is also near a state park with a wildlife sanctuary that is popular for birdwatching and nature walks. The Manasota Beach area is home to 1,500 residents and contains single family homes as well as condominiums with both private and public beaches. Manasota Beach is constantly patrolled by a lifeguard and often holds events such as ultimate frisbee competitions. Most people enjoy enjoy swimming or laying on the beach while reading a book or listening to music.

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Two activities that are popular in Manasota Beach and the other Sarasota Beaches include in-line skating and biking. Paved bike paths run alongside many of the streets in Sarasota and there are many places to rent bicycles or three-wheeled scooters. Some of the rental facilities offer beach chairs and umbrellas, kayaks, and scooters.

Many people consider golfing in Florida to be among the finest in the world. Sarasota is home to several public and private golf courses as well as golf training facilities. Most of the courses are par 71 or par 72 with 18 holes. Boating is an all-time favorite activity for residents of Sarasota. There are many marinas that offer boat tours and sunset excursions around the scenic bay. There are also several sailing clubs that offer rentals as well as private lessons.

With so many beaches and activities to choose from, Sarasota beaches make for a leisurely Florida vacation and a beautiful backdrop for Florida beach weddings. If you're visiting the beaches during the weekend, make sure to make your hotel reservations plenty of months in advance since they have a tendency to fill up fast.