If you are beaching on a budget Sarasota offers world famous white sands.  Siesta Beach gets a lot of play.  Not just sun and sand.   
Every Saturday night folks gather with drums, maracas and tambourines and fill the evening air with wonderful sounds.  Beach goers, musicians, dancers, and of course the regulars gather round the Siesta Key Drum Circle.

Bring a blanket, or dance with the sand beneath your feet.  Grab a bite or a drink or you can even pack a beach picnic.  The annual Siesta Fiesta takes over the Village each spring.  A favorite of locals, the celebration and good bye party for snowbirds is a free weekend block party.  It also features art, food and live music.  Oh and best of all it’s free.

Nokomis, Sarasota’s oldest public beach is family friendly.  Rest and relax on the cheap in the gulf breezy Florida air.