I thought I concluded my decision of where to go for a beach vacation in May with my teenage son, his friend and my sister. I decided on Siesta Key because I loved it 11 years ago, and I'm mostly interested in kicking back and just enjoying the beautiful beach and ocean. We're from Ohio, and it's 19 degrees today!!! Anyways, after doing reseach on condo, I am having second thoughts because I feel the guys (both 19) will be bored to tears. They know that this will not be like their graduation trip to Mrytle Beach with all the kids. But I'm afraid that it is too quiet for them. Can someone please change my mind, or suggest another area. I'm also starting to research St. Pete's beach. It is extremely overwhelming trying to find a place to stay in both Siesta and St. Pete. I need a condo since I will have my sister and the two guys with me. But I want someting directly on the beach and close proximity to some activity. I really need some suggestions as to where to go and where to stay. I really don't want Myrtle Beach or Daytona. Those have already been suggested to me. Thanks!

We've vacationed in SK, Longboat Key, and St. Pete's with our teenaged sons. I think they liked SK the best. The beach was great. There isnt a whole lot going on at night right in SK, but we would go to St. Armonds Circle or just over the bridge to Sarasota. We stayed at a condo complex that had a tennis court which they enjoyed. A basketball court would have been perfect. Will you have a car that they can drive. If so, you shouldnt have a problem. Also, consider looking at Anna Marie Island (in the same vicinity) Its not quite as nice as SK, but there is more to do there.

Thanks Rachel. Yes, I plan to rent a car, so I know they will cruise around with that. Were there any particular reasons that your boys liked SK the best? Also, do you remember the condo that you stayed and would you recommend it? If we go to SK, I'm looking at Sarasota Gulf & Racquet, which ocean front rooms are around $2,000 for the week. I wish I could find a private owner for this facility, but no luck.

We have been to Siesta Key several times at Easter and it's crawling with teens (with their families) but I don't know if the same is true in May. Probably not, since it's not a time for school vacations. The beach at Siesta is beautiful. I have stayed at Sarasota Surf and Racquet Club and it's nice, but I prefer Siesta Dunes, which is even a little less expensive than Sarasota Surf. I'm not sure, but I don't think that your 19 year old can legally drive your rental car.

Oh Boy! Thanks, KathyK for the heads up. I will have to check out about the car. Why did you like Siesta Dunes better?

Hi, SR.

We have never been to Siesta Key but have been vacationing in St. Pete Beach since 2000 and absolutely love it there! We too are from OH and it's a wonderful change from our cold weather.

We stay at the Alden Beach Resort in a suite (they have several sizes of suites to choose from) right on the beach and look at the beautiful Gulf of Mexico sunsets every evening. We've also stayed at the Sirata Beach, a few hotels down from the Alden. Nice but a little pricey and they have less actual gulf front balcony rooms.

Have been there in February, March, May & September. In May, it was less crowded, and there were some teens and college students there also. Many hotels on St. Pete Beach have restaurants and some have beach bars.

There seems to be lots of activities and restaurants to choose from. John's Pass a little north of St. Pete Beach is a favorite. Each on the bay, watch the dolphins, ride waverunners, sailboat cruises throughout the day. Fishing tours, catamaran rentals, parasailing, etc.

Last but not least, we highly recommend The Frog Pond restaurant in St. Pete Beach and a sunset cruise with Dolphin Landings.
http://www.dolphinlandings.com/

Here's a great website for St. Pete Beach info.
http://www.floridasbeach.com/

Enjoy your trip wherever you go!

We stayed at the El Presidente in SK. Not as big as Siesta Dunes, but it worked out better for us. siesta dunes looks really nice though, and is a much bigger complex. I dont think you will go wrong with either. I actually did better renting from El Presidente management than from the owner (for the exact same unit). the condo management didnt charge a cleaning fee but the private owner was going to. You 19 y.os will not be able to drive a rental car, unless you pay an enormous daily fee (at least $25/day/driver) to add as a driver. You might have to drop them off, and pick them up instead.

My suggestion if you are interested in keeping your teens active and occupied is to find a place towoard the northerly end of the key, closer to Siesta Village. That area has loads of young people and there is a lot going on most of the time, especially evenings. There are also a couple of public beaches from the larger Siesta public beach as well as a couple of beach accesses which would give them the chance to do what most teen age boys like to do when visiting the beach----meet girls.

Thanks all for your responses.

cruise93 - I will check out Alden. Thanks much for all the information.

samschark - When you say northerly end of the key, is there a road or beach name that I could use as a reference point? As I research condos, I'm not sure where they are located.

Sarasota Surf and Racquet has a large tower and I believe 3 five story buildings plus a few other buildings in the back. The pool and beach were very crowded because of the number of people staying there. It was very hard to make use of the grills and tables on the water, you had to reserve them. At Siesta Dunes, the units were nicer (more modern and better cared for), and all of the buildings are 2 or 3 stories therefore there are not nearly as many people staying there, hence the pool and beach were not as crowded. We also really liked the sun deck right on the beach, where there were grills and tables that we were able to use several nights.

Thanks KathyK, I'm talking to owners at both facilities. Hopefully I can find something that accomodates our needs.

SR
Hi...I'm born and raised here in Sarasota. Let me say that unfortunately there is not much to do for teenagers at night in Sarasota or Siesta Key. A PP mentioned The Village (Northern part of Siesta key near the main part of the beach where all the small shops and bars are) the problem is it's great IF you are OVER 21!!! The beach will be great for them during the day. The PP is right about the rental car. 19 yr old cannot legally drive a rental car.. As far as things to do in town ...again not too much. My teenage years were spent in frustration and in hopes that I would leave to find things to do. Now as an adult...there is always something here to do. Again during the day they will have a good time. Also might I suggest..if the main part of siesta key is really crowded and you and your sister (maybe not the kids) are looking for a quieter beach. You can head to turtle beach. It's on the south end of Siesta Key. If you drive down by the south bridge pass it...go past Crabby Curts...and drive past 7-11...on the right is a smaller beach..Turtle beach...Not too big...still beautiful and PEACEFUL if you are looking for that for YOU and your sister. The kids will love the main part of siesta beach. Warning though...parking is SOOOO difficult ...so if you are staying close by...I would walk
I hope I wasn't too much of a bummer....
Oh..Longboat is nice..kinda far off...but near Mote...St.Armands is nice...but pricey...and again...great BARS..for over 21. Not a lot of places will allow minors..(over 18 but not 21)...If they like to dance..there are clubs they can go to..but they are NOT on SK. Downtown is good too...near Marina Jacks... still bars... I really think that maybe St. Pete would be more fun for teenagers..but that's just my opinion.

Thanks Mimix3 for your honest input. We have finally, after much research and great suggestions from this board, decided on St. Pete Beach. We are going to stay at the Tradewinds Grand resort. It will give my sister and I the beach and pool to enjoy and enough action around for the boys. I truly want to visit Siesta Key some day, but I will do that when I don't have to worry about entertaining two teenagers. Thanks again everyone.