Siesta Key, Florida, is one of the best walking beaches in the USA, by USA Today International Edition; and “The Best of the Best Sand” by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

If you are looking to spend the perfect family vacation, then you have Siesta Key, a barrier island off Florida’s central western coast that boasts beachside picnic areas and playgrounds. Shell collecting, kayaking or hopping on a catamaran are some of the activities you can pursue. For adults who want a more low-key experience, spend a candlelit dinner at a restaurant or rent a cozy cottage for a romantic getaway.

Lifeguards watch over Siesta Key Public Beach all year, and there are tennis, volleyball, softball, and food concession facilities provided. Picnic pavilions are available for groups at a nominal fee. Water sports of every kind add color and excitement to the Siesta Beach scene.

This tranquil beach claims to have the finest white sand in the US. The beach is a big crescent, the sand is like sugar and the sea is emerald green. It’s so calm the surf is measured in inches. A lot of people think it’s coral sand but actually, it’s a quartz crystal, and it stays cool even when the sun’s at its peak. As the name suggests it is a great place for a siesta. People like to get a glass of wine and walk down from the town area to watch the sunset over the Gulf. Those who live there do it almost every night.

At the southern end of Siesta Key is Turtle Beach. The sand there is a bit coarser, but that means the shelling is better. Turtle Beach is also quieter, and although there are no lifeguards or food concessions, families appreciate its comparative solitude and numerous facilities plenty of picnic tables, pavilions with grills, ample parking, and playground equipment.