Memorial Day Weekend indicates the beginning of summer which means for many Americans, a beach vacation is on tap in the near future. The kickoff to summer also means Dr. Beach, (legally known as Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman), has released his Top 10 Best Beaches in America list and I’m excited to share that Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla., is at the top of the list!Those of us who have visited Siesta Key for decades know (well, it only takes one visit to figure it out) the expansive beach with sugar-like, quartz sand and gentle slope is absolutely fabulous. During the heat of summer, walking on the sand is still cool on the feet, unlike other Florida beaches that absorb the heat and provide the sensation of walking on hot coals.
Growing up, I visited with my parents and grandparents and have many happy memories playing, soaking up the sun and cooling off in the salty Gulf. Several years ago, I’m happy to say I worked for the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau and had the great pleasure of promoting the white sands of Siesta Key and the rest of the beautiful destination.
No matter how crowded the beach is, it’s extremely wide, everyone can find their own space. Parking is free (at the moment) and fills up quickly so arrive early.
For the past two years, Siesta Beach held tight in the number two spot and 2011 is the beach’s year to shine in the twenty-first year of Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Best Beaches in America list. White sand, inviting water, gentle slope ideal for children and necessary amenities are some Siesta Beach’s positives that ranked well with the coastal expert who is a professor at Florida International University. Read more about the beach doctor’s Siesta Beach findings on his website.
Being named number one on Dr. Beach’s list probably means Siesta Beach will welcome more visitors. During his Charlotte County visit earlier this month, Dr. Beach said visitation tends to increase between 15 and 20 percent when a destination is included on his top 10 list. I wonder what it does to a beach when it’s ranks number one?
Sarasota and Siesta Key Beach should be on your must-visit list, you’ll be glad you did!
Following are the rest of the beaches that made the top 10 cut:
2. Coronado Beach in San Diego, California
3. Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
4. Main Beach in East Hampton, New York
5. Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
6. St. George Island State Park, Florida
7. Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina
8. Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
9. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park on Oahu, Hawaii
10. Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida
In case you missed it, read my article describing how Dr. Beach rates beaches.
Is this place not the most beautiful beach you’ve ever seen? I love Siesta Beach. We went for the first time in 2012. I haven’t been able to go back yet but I’m working on it.
Would love to retire there.
Confession: I took a few spoonfuls of sand home to remind me I need to hurry back to paradise.