In the late 1800's, Siesta Key was variously called Clam Island, Sarasota Key or Little Sarasota Island, depending on which map you looked at. Early Siesta Key was a beautiful, but hostile, environment—inhabited mainly by wildcats and wild boars. Settling here meant a life of hardscrabble survival for those who dared to tame its challenging landscape. ... more.Early settlers, it turns out, were not initially attracted to the natural beauty of the Key and its surrounding waters. They came merely to raise crops in harsh sandy soil that gave very little back. They came because it was the only available property that hadn't been deeded away to land speculators.
Today's Siesta Key will captivate you the moment you step onto its world-famous powdery white beaches. From sunrise to sunset, Siesta Key's displays its unsurpassed beauty to thousands of residents and tourists throughout the year. Head slightly further inland and you'll discover Siesta Village, complete with eclectic shops, fine restaurants and plenty more to see and do. Venture down Siesta's side streets and you'll find everything from gulf front condominiums, villas and apartments, to magnificent seaside estates.