Siesta Key is barrier island off of the central western coast of Florida. It is situated between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of it lies within the city boundary of Sarasota, but the majority of the key is in Sarasota County. Located approximately 55 miles south of Tampa on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Siesta Key is an eight-mile-long barrier island connected to Sarasota by two bridges. Founded in 1846, there are now approximately 24,000 full- and part-time residents of Siesta Key.


The County of Sarasota governs siesta Key. The Sarasota County Commission consists of five elected commissioners.


Siesta Key is close to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. It is within an easy drive of Tampa International Airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.


There are three churches on Siesta Key, and there are numerous churches, synagogues and spiritual centers located in nearby Sarasota.

• St. Boniface Episcopal Church
  5615 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key 941-349-5616
• St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
  5934 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key 941-349-4174
• Siesta Key Chapel - Presbyterian
  4615 Gleason Ave., Siesta Key 941-349-1166

Siesta Key is served by the Sarasota County School District. Students attend Phillippi Shores Elementary School, Brookside Middle School, and Sarasota High School. The district offers a school for the gifted and several magnet programs, including arts and sciences. Private preschool and elementary school opportunities are available on the key.

• Gulf Gate Library
  7112 Curtiss Ave
  Sarasota, FL 34231
  941-861-1230
• Fruitville Library
  100 Coburn Rd.
  Sarasota, FL 34240
  941-861-2500
• Selby Library
  1331 First St.
  Sarasota, FL 34236
  941-861-1100
• North Sarasota Library
  2801 Newton Blvd.
  Sarasota, FL 34234
  941-861-1360