Husband, self and 3-yr.-old son are thinking of taking a week at beach in May. We've been to various places in Florida including from Palm Beach south to Key West as well as Clearwater and Sanibel/Captiva. This time we are considering the Sarasota area and Siesta Key specifically. Can you tell me anything about this area as compared to other parts of FL? Beaches (esp. Crescent Beach) look great. Is water calm like Sanibel? How about condos and restaurants? Thanks in advance for any info!

Siesta Key beaches, restaurants etc are comparable to Sanibel/Captiva. Sarasota however is a fairly large city, not like the Sanibel/Captiva/Ft Myers area. It's a nice city but lots of traffic, etc.

I live in Venice (13 miles S of Sarasota). Siesta beach is noted for it's clean white sand and (being on the Gulf, has mostly calm water). May is a good time to come as the snowbirds have left and summer visitors with kids haven't arrived yet. As for things to do---Crowley Museum and Nature Center; G. Wiz hands on science museum; Ringling Museum and complex(a little much for a 3 year old probably); Jungle Gardens; Mote Marine Aquarium and Research Center; Myakka River State Park and Wildlife Tours;E-mail me if you decide to come and need restaurant info.

Siesta Key is lovely. We were lucky to have a Granny who wintered there, so went with our kids several times to visit. Crescent Beach has sand like powdered sugar! It is lovely, wide and usually very calm. If you stay in a condo complex, be sure to note their rules about kids and the pool area, and you will be made to feel VERY welcome. The beaches are fun to walk, and the "bay" side is great for fishing or watching boats. Traffic can be hectic, but May should be a pretty good time. Sarasota is a big city -- but Siesta Key is charming.

I almost forgot - there are some good little ice cream shops, pizza places, and enough restaurants where kids are welcome. There was one where magicians stroll from table to table. And of course, a number of places where you can sit outside and watch the water, boats, sea birds, etc.