<P> Siesta Key is a barrier island off the southwest coast of the U.S. state of Florida . It is situated between Roberts Bay and the Gulf of Mexico . A portion of it lies within the city boundary of Sarasota , but the majority of the key is a census - designated place ( CDP ) in Sarasota County . After the probable Amerindian name of Zarazote for the area and the bay , the key was originally named `` Sarasota Key '' by European cartographers during exploration beginning in 1513 . That name can be seen on maps from the early 18th century as well as on all local maps drawn before the name change to `` Siesta Key '' in the 1920s . The population was 6,565 at the 2010 census . </P>
where is siesta key in florida on map
situated between Roberts Bay and the Gulf of Mexico