With the help of this forum, I have narrowed down a vacation plan for January to Sanibel or Siesta key but can't decide which one. I am looking for a place with nice beachs, but an area that has a quaint downtown area with restaurants/shops (similar to Delray). I am going with my husband and 3 year old daughter. While I don't want to go back to Delray again, when we visited we stayed at a hotel that was in walking distance to the downtown and the beaches. I know I can't have the same experience but looking for something close!

Anna,

While I'm not familiar with Delray or Sanibel, I encourage you to choose to Siesta Key! Siesta Key has a charming "Village" about a mile from Siesta Key beach. You could stay within walking distance to both. The "Village" has a wide range of restaurants and numerous shops. A short drive away from Siesta Key is downtown Sarasota, which offers an incredible variety of restaurants, shops, theatre, opera, a farmers' market, etc.

Enjoy!

Anna, we love Sanibel and Siesta Key! Either one you choose will leave you smiling. Siesta Key Beach is the one beach I encourage everyone who visits here, to see and enjoy. Sanibel Island is just as great - we have stayed at Song of the Sea many times - facing the water. Perhaps you could stay at Siesta and take a day trip down to Sanibel Island - it really isn't that far.

I've been to Delray and Sanibel. Sanibel has a few restaurants and shops but no where near as many as Delray and it doesn't have the lively urban atmosphere of Delray. Sanibel is very much a quiet little suburban neighborhood. Sanibel is good for just quiet time on the beach shell hunting and reading a book. If you want something more lively than that, I would go elsewhere. I've never been to Siesta Key.

I will second what montereybob writes. If your requirement is a quaint walkable downtown, where the beach, shops, restaurants and lodging are all in one, pedestrian-oriented place, Sanibel does not meet this requirement. "Not Walkable" being the key concept here. You need a car on Sanibel--there is no town center where everything is located. I've never been to Siesta Key, so can't comment. I do love Sanibel, and it has a lot to offer in terms of quietness, relaxation and nature, but it isn't what you describe.