About the Sarasota Area

Sarasota is located in Sarasota County, on the central west coast of Florida. Its limits include Sarasota Bay and several barrier islands between the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. These islands (known as keys) are famous worldwide for the quality of their beaches. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Sarasota had a population of 54,349 in 2004. Sarasota is a principal city of the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the county seat of Sarasota County.

Longboat Key is a barrier island situated between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. As of the census of 2000, there were about 7,600 people living on Longboat Key. The island has about 1,500 single family homes, 7,000 condominium units, and about 1,000 accommodations for travelers - a far cry from the fourteen families the Sarasota Times reported as residing on the Key in 1915.

Siesta Key is situated just to the south of Longboat Key. Siesta Beach stretches from a site named Point of Rocks, just below the middle point of Siesta Key, north to the Siesta Village region. 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's Siesta Beach has accumulated numerous awards in recognition of its soft, clean, pure-white sand. Harvard University's geology department found the sand of Siesta Beach was 99% pure quartz. Unlike most beaches, which are composed of crushed shells, rocks, or lava, the sand of Siesta Beach is pure white and finer in texture than most refined sugar.

Lido Key is located between Longboat Key and Siesta Key. The island is home to the very popular St. Armand's Circle shopping area. Lido Key has a seasonal nightclub scene, as well as a park called "South Lido Park", which has a beach and a woodland trail. Beautiful Lido Beach is very popular. John Ringling Causeway is Lido Key's connection with the mainland.