Beach connoisseurs of the world, unite – and head for Florida. Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida, has been named as the top beach in the USA for 2011.
Sarasota, lying on Florida’s southwestern coast, boasts miles of Bounty-style beaches and is already a hugely popular holiday spot with both Americans and international travellers. Now, visitor numbers are expected to rise by 20 per cent following the accolade from Director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, Dr Stephen Leatherman – also known as “Dr. Beach,”(!) who placed the sandy shores of Siesta at the top of his list of “America’s top ten seaside spots.”
Leatherman compiles the list of top beaches using 50 different criteria, including the look and feel of the sand, average temperature, water quality, facilities and crowds.
“The sand is like sugar. Some people can’t believe it. You have to bring sunglasses because it’s so bright. It’s super soft, super fine. They claim to have the finest, whitest sand in the world, and I can’t argue with that,” he said of his top pick.
Siesta Key Beach is no stranger to awards – it’s already snared a top place in the “America’s Best Beaches” list and was ranked “Third Best Walking Beach in the USA,” by USA Today International Edition as well as being voted “The Best of the Best Sand,” by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. That must be some sand…
Alongside the half mile of award-winning sand, the beach boasts a range of water sports and other activities guaranteed to give you a great day at the beach. Tennis, volleyball and softball facilities are also on offer, along with water-skiing and body-boarding, coupled with a range of tasty eateries, BBQ facilities and picnic tables. There’s also easy parking – with 800 spaces on offer right by the beach.
As for other Sarasota offerings, check out the “open-air sunshiny goodness” down at the Sarasota Bayfront, with a range of charter and sightseeing boat options, kid’s fountain play area, public art displays and water-front dining. If your budget’s big, sample the delights at Marina Jack restaurant with some of the best seafood in the area and fresh oysters at the raw bar. Those with tighter purse strings can chill out at O’Learys Tiki Bar & Grill over a burger and a beer.
Nature lovers will enjoy the birds-eye view over Sarasota from The Myakka River State Park’s canopy walkway – but vertigo sufferers beware – the observation tower is 74 foot high. Chill out at the Warm Mineral Springs in North Port – the largest in the world, and relax in its 87-degree waters.
Back to the beaches – Florida also picked up two other mentions on the “best beaches” list, nabbing top ten places for the Gulf Coast beaches at St George Island and Cape Florida state parks, despite the BP oil spill which damaged parts of the coastline lining the western Florida Panhandle.
Other beaches included in the top ten were Coronado in San Diego – which took the silver medal position – Main Beach in East Hampton, New York and Cape Hatteras in North Carolina. Dr Beach told Yahoo Travel: “The good thing about the United States is we have hundreds of beautiful beaches. I can die before I run out of beaches.” So folks, the message is, check out the USA for your beach holiday this summer. Doctor’s orders. Discover the North Carolina beaches that didn’t quite make it on the list.
Read up on Sarasota at www.sarasotafl.org – you can even download a free guidebook and arts/culture guide to the area online.
