BEACH+PLUS
The Beach Plus Guide

Where to eat, what to do, and when to visit Sarasota's beaches.

Local guides written by people who actually live and host here. Updated bi-weekly.

Siesta Key

Where to Park on Siesta Key Without Losing Your Mind

Siesta Key has free and paid parking options most visitors miss. Here's exactly where to go, what it costs, and when to show up.

May 2, 20265 min read
Siesta Key

Why Siesta Key Is America's #1 Beach Again

Tripadvisor's 2026 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best named Siesta Key #1 in America. Here's what keeps it winning — and how to visit without the headache.

Apr 22, 20265 min read
Sarasota events

Sarasota Film Festival 2026: A Local's Guide

The Sarasota Film Festival runs April 2026. Here's which films to see, which parties to attend, and how to snag passes before they sell out.

Mar 15, 20265 min read
Siesta Key

Siesta Key Spring Break 2026: Dates, Crowds & Parking

Spring break on Siesta Key runs mid-March through mid-April 2026. Here's exactly when it peaks, when to avoid, and how to survive it as a visitor or local.

Feb 18, 20266 min read
Sarasota

What's New in Sarasota for 2026

New restaurants, hotel renovations, and major events are reshaping Sarasota in 2026. Here's what locals are actually excited about this year.

Jan 14, 20265 min read
sarasota events

Sarasota Holiday Lights & Events: December 2025

Selby Gardens, St. Armands, the Ringling, and a Marina Jack boat parade—here's every major Sarasota holiday event in December 2025 plus a one-day plan.

Dec 8, 20255 min read
Sarasota dining

Sarasota Restaurants Open Thanksgiving 2025

Five Sarasota restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner in 2025 — with confirmed hours, price ranges, and honest takes on what's worth booking.

Nov 20, 20255 min read
sarasota dining

Stone Crab Season Is Open: Where to Eat in Sarasota

Stone crab season opened October 15. Here's where to eat claws in Sarasota right now, what size to order, and which docks they come off of.

Oct 18, 20255 min read
hurricane season

Siesta Key in September: Hurricane Season Guide

September is peak hurricane season on Siesta Key—and the cheapest, quietest month to visit. Here's what to watch, where to go, and when to leave.

Sep 9, 20256 min read
day trips

5 Late-Summer Day Trips from Sarasota Worth the Drive

From tarpon fishing at Boca Grande to slow afternoons on Anna Maria Island, here are five Gulf Coast day trips under 90 minutes from Sarasota this August.

Aug 15, 20256 min read
Sarasota

Best July 4th Fireworks in Sarasota & Siesta Key 2025

Sarasota's top July 4th fireworks spots in 2025: Bayfront Park, Siesta Key Village, and Venice Pier—plus parking tips, arrival times, and free vantage points.

Jul 3, 20256 min read
Sarasota events

Sarasota Music Festival 2025: What to Expect

The Sarasota Music Festival runs through June at Holley Hall. Here's what locals actually go to, where to park, and where to eat before or after.

Jun 12, 20255 min read
Sarasota dining

Stone Crab Season Ends May 1: Best Spots in Sarasota

Stone crab season closes May 1 in Florida. Here's where to get the last claws in Sarasota and Siesta Key before they're gone until October.

May 8, 20255 min read