I've heard Sarasota was a good place for sand dollars and shells.
Sorry to hear that about the camera and the phone. The same thing happened to me. I left my quilt on the beach when I went in because I didn't want to shake it out while the sunbather's were still out there all buttered up. When I went back out that afternoon to get the quilt it was wet but the gulf hadn't carried it away yet.
Didn't know that Sarasota was a good place for sea shells but have heard that it's has a great beach. The water is shallow and clear and you can walk way out into the ocean and still be wading.