"My husband and I hired an RV and toured Florida for our honeymoon. We drove
in the mornings when it was cool and spent our afternoons lazing around on
beautiful beaches.
..." Zoe R, Portsmouth Read more
Discover Why St. Petersburg/Clearwater is Florida’s Beach
Glorious sunshine, award-winning beaches and warm, gentle surf. It’s no wonder the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is known as Florida’s Beach.
Clearwater Beach
With 56 kilometres of beaches and an average temperature of 23°C, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area offers year-round swimming, boating, fishing, shelling and sunbathing. But the beach is just the beginning. You’ll also find nearly 50 golf courses, over 80 art galleries and museums, several major performance venues and seemingly endless opportunities for shopping, dining and nightlife.
Cultural attractions
At the Salvador Dalí Museum in downtown St. Petersburg, you’ll be fascinated by the comprehensive collection of works by the famous Spanish surrealist. A guided tour reveals the joys and sorrows that inspired his extraordinary art. The six masterworks, most more than three metres tall, leave an especially powerful impression. At the Museum of Fine Arts, discover an eclectic mix of art and sculpture as well as permanent exhibits from the Tudors, Elizabethans and others.
Nearby Tarpon Springs is a small Greek fishing village with historic sponge-diving boats and authentic restaurants and shops. The community celebrates its Greek heritage with religious, music and food festivals throughout the year. Neighbouring Dunedin is a small town with Scottish flair, featuring a charming, old-fashioned Main Street. Its Meranova Guest Inn, a Victorian-style bed and breakfast, offers personalised, first-class service.
As the sun sets, the stars come out. In St. Petersburg, the Mahaffey Theater hosts everything from A-list singers to Broadway productions, while the Palladium Theater puts on local productions with style. In Clearwater, Ruth Eckerd Hall presents an array of performing arts events and music concerts, from jazz to contemporary. Around the area, enjoy these productions as well as comedy shows, live music and dancing.
Outdoor adventure
The area offers more than 55 parks and nature reserves. If golf is your game, consider the public golf courses at the Belleview Biltmore, the
Golfing in St. Petersburg
Renaissance Vinoy or the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club – all world-class resorts.
Boaters will delight in the more than 60 marinas and yacht clubs that provide sightseeing, deep-sea fishing and dinner cruises. Star Dancer and SunCruz Casino offer cruises with dining, entertainment and gambling.
The area’s sun-drenched shores are among the most memorable in the country, and the calm Gulf waters are among the safest for children. Beaches range from pristine island hideaways like Shell Key Preserve to lively, amenity-rich stretches of white sand like Clearwater Beach. Many offer showers, restaurants, gift shops and water sports rentals.
Two of the area’s top-rated beaches are Caladesi Island, a secluded beach known for its rich wildlife, and Fort De Soto Park, a popular beach offering diverse amenities and activities.
Shopping, dining and accommodation
The area offers more than 70 shopping centres and malls, featuring everything from name-brand clothing and designer jewellery to local art and souvenirs. You can find almost any type of cuisine and dining experience, but don’t leave without trying a grouper sandwich – fried, grilled or blackened, it’s an area favourite.
Waterfront John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach is a colourful collection of unique shops, galleries and restaurants. Across the county in downtown St. Petersburg, BayWalk features boutiques, specialty stores, restaurants, bars and a cinema in an open-air entertainment complex dotted with palms. More shopping and dining can be found on Central Avenue, which bisects the bustling downtown.
No visit would be complete without a trip to The Pier, downtown St. Petersburg’s signature landmark. The five-storey, upside-down pyramid crowns the end of a pier that extends nearly half a kilometre out over Tampa Bay. It has an aquarium, restaurants, galleries,
Gulf sunset
shops, boat tours and entertainment.
At Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball team, catch a game during baseball season and pet real rays in the arena’s touch tank aquarium. If you’re craving the adventure of theme parks, Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando are just 90 minutes away by car.
Accommodation ranges from the magnificent Mediterranean-style Don CeSar Beach Resort (the Gulf-front ‘Pink Palace’) to cosy family-owned bed and breakfasts in the heart of St. Petersburg – and everything in between. Whatever your pleasure, you’ll find it on Florida’s Beach.
5 must-see beaches in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area
#1: Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto Park was ranked America’s #1 beach in 2005 by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, also known as ‘Dr. Beach’. Kayak through shady mangrove tunnels, admire the diversity of wildlife (from dolphins to shore birds) and climb the stairs of the historic fort to see antique guns and cannons along with beautiful beach views.
#2: Caladesi Island
Named America’s #2 beach for the past two years by Dr. Beach, Caladesi Island is famous for its natural beauty and quiet seclusion. Accessible only by boat, the island is ideal for swimming, kayaking, fishing, shelling, picnicking and wildlife viewing.
#3: Clearwater Beach
Expect beachside fun and action all year long on Clearwater Beach. Be sure to take time out from surfboarding and volleyball to enjoy a fresh seafood lunch at Frenchy’s. The nightlife here is casual and energetic.
#4: St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach, a picturesque beach town lined with majestic palms, offers a variety of fun activities and world-class accommodation. The city is home to the Don CeSar Beach Resort (affectionately called the ‘Pink Palace’), a historic hotel known for its luxury, prime beachfront location and stunning architecture.
#5: Pass-A-Grille Beach
With its charming bungalows and quaint historic district, beautiful Pass-A-Grille Beach is ideal for a relaxed beach getaway. Savour the fresh seafood and fiery sunsets.
For more information on planning your trip to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, telephone 00-1-877-352-3224 or visit www.FloridasBeach.com.
VISIT FLORIDA® is a registered trademark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation.
