Travel Tuesday: Siesta Key named the Dr. Beach’s best beach again

Florida beaches beckon tons of visitors each year. Once again, Siesta Key named Dr. Beach’s best beach for 2017.

Finding a perfect beach for a family vacation, quick getaway or just a weekend escape doesn’t have to be difficult. Every year, Dr. Beach announces a list of the top 10 beaches in the United States. For 2017, Siesta Key was named the Dr. Beach’s best beach in the United States.

Located on Florida’s western coast, Siesta Key is known for its white sand. The ultra-fine sand draws beach lovers and photographers to it. Overall, the water is relatively calm. More importantly, the water is very clean. Swimmers, loungers and active types enjoy the year round beach.

In addition to the gorgeous beach, Siesta Key offers an active restaurant and shopping scene. In the downtown area, families, couples and snowbirds can spend an afternoon browsing. Small boutique shops offer perfect vacation souvenirs.

Restaurants and bars line the main downtown area. From the popular Daiquiri Deck with its flavorful frozen cocktails to Siesta Key Oyster with its fresh seafood, the downtown area is a constantly bustling. Most of the restaurants are casual, which is perfect for this beach area. Most importantly, Siesta Key offers a free shuttle around the area.

Dr. Beach best beaches, beach photo by Cristine Struble

The 2017 Dr. Beach’s best beach list offers a total of 10 U.S. beaches that beach lovers will want to visit. Beaches on the 2017 list are:

"1. Siesta Beach Sarasota, Florida2. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii3. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina4. Grayton Beach State Park Florida panhandle5. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts7. Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida8. Hapuna Beach State Park, Big Island, Hawaii9. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California10. Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina"

Florida beaches seem to dominate the Dr. Beach ‘Best Of’ list. Dr. Beach’s criteria is based on 50 factors. In addition to the beach’s beauty, safety factors like riptide, lifeguards and public safety are taken into account. This annual ranking is announced at the beginning of the summer.

Next: Volcano Bay, Universal's water park

Summer is here and it’s time to hit the beach. No one cares if you are beach ready or the next swim suit model. Make plans to visit your favorite beach or Dr. Beach’s best beach, Siesta Key. Don’t let summer slip away!