A beach vacation is a time to get away from the stresses of your job and life and spend some time relaxing and having some guilt-free fun by the sea.

Many beach rentals don’t allow pets which means leaving beloved four-legged furry friends behind. Pet cams are great, but don’t you wish they were with you to enjoy all of the same things on vacation?

Admit it, everyone is happier when there is a wagging tail nearby.

Siesta Key is a Pet-Friendly Beach Town

You might assume that it’s too difficult to take your pet with you on vacation because many nice accommodations often don’t allow them. It can be difficult to justify going on vacation and leaving your furry friend behind, and even harder to bring them along unless you know what you’re getting into.

We want to assure you that Siesta Key is a dog-friendly island with plenty of sidewalks, miles of white sand beaches and pet-friendly businesses. Just grab the leash and head out your door to see and explore in the mornings when it is cooler, or take a starry night stroll in the evenings. It is a simple activity that not everyone can do in their regular life. Whether you’re too busy or you live in an area not great for taking a walk with your dog, carve out some time here on Siesta Key and get the lay of the land.

Where To Stay

Reserving one of our pet-friendly rentals on Siesta Key is the first step to planning your beach vacation. We are happy to accommodate your family and offer luxury homes with incredible amenities from rooftop decks to resort-style pools. You won’t have to leave your vacation rental to have a good time with your pet or your kids. Just relax by the pool in the sunshine while they enjoy splashing and swimming.

While on vacation, be sure to think about ways to keep your dog occupied, happy, and feeling safe. Just because you know you’re in paradise doesn’t mean your dog won’t be a little intimidated by all the new surroundings. Here are some ways to make the rental feel like home-away-from-home for your pet.

• Bring your dog bed from home and maybe a blanket – this means your dog will have a familiar smell nearby.
• Try to incorporate routine into your vacation stay.
• Have new toys on hand to keep your dog occupied.

Let’s talk more about incorporating a routine into your vacation. Fully equipped kitchens with upgraded appliances make cooking fun, and give your furry friend a bit of normalcy by helping to clean up the crumbs. We know you don’t want to cook every night, but working in a couple of at-home meals is easy and not too terrible when we provide patio barbeques and large kitchens where the family can enjoy being together.

What To Do

While you are here enjoying the best part of Florida, there are lots of places we recommend that you can visit with your beloved pup.

Dog Parks & Beaches

• In Sarasota you can enjoy a few fenced-in, off-leash areas. 17th Street Paw Park is one of the more popular areas to unleash pets and let them enjoy being outside in the sunshine. There is also Arlington Paw Park near downtown Sarasota.
• Brohard Paw Beach on Venice Island is an area intended specifically for dogs to enjoy the sand and the ocean. Equipped with just about anything your dog could want – drinking fountains, showers, leash posts, fire hydrants, enclosed play areas for both large and small dogs – you can run along the beach or play in the water until human and canine hearts are content. Venice Beach is about 22 minutes away from Siesta Key, so it is easy to do a quick visit.

• Over on Lido Key, Bird Key Beach is another place your dog can accompany you although leashes are required. Located at 200 John Ringling Causeway, this is a great place to unwind and take in the sites. Or you can bring the whole family and the kids can kayak, your husband can fish, while you walk or bike with the pup. Depending upon the season, you can spot dolphins and manatees there.

• Close to Sarasota Bayfront Park, there is Centennial Park, a lovely green space with plenty of trees and shade for leashed dogs and their owners to enjoy. There is a splash fountain for younger kids and a sandy spot on the water and plenty of picnic tables. Nearby, there is also the pet-friendly O’Leary’s where you and your dog can enjoy some liquid refreshments together.

No matter where you go and what you do, we ask that all pet owners properly supervise their dogs and dispose of waste. Being a good neighbor is important to our community, and keeps the area beautiful and clean for everyone. Please obey leash laws and consider the health and well-being of your pet and those around you.

If you do need help monitoring your pet, we love to recommend Siesta Key Dog. They will walk/run with your dog and pet-sit for families who want to visit one of the larger attractions like Sarasota’s museums or the Mote Marine Aquarium.

Shopping With Your Dog

Treat your pup with an extra special field trip to a nearby pet shop. From dog bakeries to a nice bath after a day at the beach, these are local pet boutiques worth the trip.

If you head into Sarasota to explore the attractions, then stop in Wolf Gang Bakery and Grooming. This is a pet store of your dreams. Bright pink adds a touch of fun to the space and your dog will love the goodies from dog-approved donuts to pretzels.

Check out Bark and Bath for even more food and fun. If you want to stop by for dog food they have all the healthiest brands, and it saves some space if you are traveling on vacation just to get the food when you arrive.

Where To Eat

When you get famished, you won’t have to leave your dog at the rental house to find food. There are plenty of Siesta Key dog-friendly restaurants that offer a cool place to hang out and enjoy the seafood you’re craving. The Salty Dog and Village Cafe are among two of the more popular places to eat because they offer outdoor patio areas perfect for dogs.

Vacation should be a time of complete and utter happiness. If you are interested in finding the perfect pet-friendly rental in Siesta Key for the whole family to enjoy, you can find dream beach house rentals with luxury amenities and fantastic location.