Beach Towns

St. Pete Beach

Finding your way around St. Pete Beach is easy – hop aboard the Beach Trolley, and keep in mind that this beach town is anchored by the Don CeSar Beach Resort, affectionately known as the Pink Palace. The town’s rightfully famous beaches front the Gulf of Mexico and are sprinkled with nostalgic Old Florida motels and inns.

From the lively shops and restaurants along St. Pete Beach, to the longest undeveloped stretch of public beach in the county at Pass-a-Grille Beach, visitors will find a niche that matches their chosen pace.

Visit the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, site of the first church built on the county's barrier islands. Explore Historic Corey Avenue and its variety of funky shops, galleries, restaurants and the historic Beach Theater.

Treasure Island

Bordered by John’s Pass to the north and Blind Pass to the south, Treasure Island is a unique blend of laid-back beach community and internationally known family vacation destination.

Treasure Island got its name from an early hotel owner who buried, then "discovered" a couple of wooden chests on the beach. The hotelier claimed that the chests were filled with "treasure," news of the discovery spread quickly and people began calling the area Treasure Island. The name stuck. Early visitors relied on sporadic ferry service; in 1939, a bridge linking the island to the mainland was built.

New hotels, restaurants and attractions have been added, but the main draw for today’s visitors is still the town’s three miles of white sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Go swimming, shelling, sunning, snorkeling, golf, parasailing and more. Walk the beach after dinner and enjoy memorable sunsets.

Madeira Beach

You can’t visit Madeira Beach (known colloquially as Mad Beach) without making a stop at John's Pass Village & Boardwalk. An outdoor shopping and dining complex, it has more than 100 stores and restaurants (including Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.), many sporting tin roofs and featuring water views. Go deep-sea fishing, take a dolphin-watching cruise or rent WaveRunners.

Cross the road, and enjoy the sun, white sandy beaches and emerald-turquoise waters that invite swimming, sunning and diving. Be a beachcomber for the day, or just sit and watch the action from the shade of a beach umbrella.

Known as the Grouper Capital of the World, Madeira Beach hosts the annual John’s Pass Seafood Festival, held the last weekend in October. Taste fresh grouper and other seafood; arts, crafts, and entertainment round out this popular event. Dig out your eye patches and pirate hats for the annual John Levique Pirate Days, a three-day pirate-themed event that includes costume contests, a treasure hunt and the Pirates Ball.

Indian Rocks Beach

Indian Rocks Beach is the place to bask. Sure, you’ll find restaurants and resorts lining Gulf Boulevard, but the real joy is lolling on the barrier island’s wide, white-sand beaches. Nestled between mile markers 16 and 18 along Gulf Boulevard, this 2.7-mile-long stretch of beachfront is part of a barrier island set in the Gulf of Mexico, with waterfronts facing either emerald Gulf waters or the Intracoastal Waterway.

At various points, this small island narrows, allowing for spectacular water views on both sides. Here, you can enjoy both sunrises and sunsets reflected on the water. Find creature comforts at Indian Rocks Beach County Park, with its paved parking, changing and showering facilities and wheelchair accessibility.

This small beach community offers a wide variety of options when hunger pangs set in. Featured on the Food Network’s "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show, Keegan's Seafood Grille is a longtime local favorite. Try the original recipe gumbo or mouth-watering ceviche. Another legendary seafood establishment is Crabby Bill's. Just look for the giant crab on the roof. The relaxed atmosphere, family-style picnic tables and fried soft-shell crabs are always a hit. At Guppy's on the Beach, renowned Chef Scott puts a new twist to old seafood favorites. Sample the Jerk rubbed Atlantic swordfish with coconut habañero cream/mango salsa.

Accommodations include quaint beach cottages sprinkled between lavishly appointed beach condos. You won't find any large chain hotels along this part of the beach, but there are plenty of other choices.

Indian Shores

Indian Shores is a quiet beach community south of Clearwater Beach that’s popular with to snowbirds and seabirds. With the town’s residential quality, visitors to Indian Shores feel right at home. Indian Shores is also home to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, one of the largest not-for-profit bird hospitals in the United States. Dedicated to the care and release of injured birds, the Seabird Sanctuary is open daily, and admission is free.

Indian Shores has more than two miles of sandy beaches to enjoy, whether your preferred activity is swimming, shelling, sunbathing or fishing. With a variety of shops, restaurants and accommodations, there are plenty of choices for visitors.

Pay a visit to Town Square Nature Park and take a stroll on its 800-foot boardwalk, which winds through beautiful, natural Florida landscapes on its way to a fishing pier. Or visit Mayor Bob McEwen Veterans Park, located on the Intracoastal Waterway. The park has picnic benches, barbecue grills and excellent fishing.

Tiki Gardens public beach access, formerly a well-known tourist attraction, is directly on the Gulf of Mexico. While Indian Shores was initially developed in the 1920s as a weekend destination for wealthy inland residents, today this community is a popular getaway destination for visitors from around the world.

Tierra Verde

Head south, all the way south, and you’ll reach the boating community of Tierra Verde. Surrounded by water, the community sits at the juncture of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

The highlight of the area is Fort De Soto Park – 1,136 acres of award-winning beaches and more set on five islands. It was named the nation’s best beach by TripAdvisor in 2009. The park has plenty to keep your family entertained for a full day and more – a historic fort, three miles of white sand beach, two fishing piers (one on the bay, one on the Gulf), a dog beach, a 6.8-mile-long paved recreational trail, a large family camping area, snack bars and bike, kayak and canoe rentals.

From Fort De Soto, take a ferry to Egmont Key State Park, an uninhabited (unless you count the scores of gopher tortoises, sea birds and other creatures) barrier island at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Accessible only by boat, Egmont serves primarily as a wildlife refuge. A lighthouse that has stood since 1858 still guides ships past this island, which played an important role during the Third Seminole War, the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. Wander among building ruins and down weed-strewn red brick roads. Then head to the water for swimming, fishing, shelling and snorkeling.

North Redington Beach

Looking for a relaxed vacation near a big city? Pristine beaches and sparkling waters draw residents and visitors alike to the community of North Redington Beach, which is close to all major cities and attractions in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. Visit the museums, art galleries and boutiques of St. Pete from your home base in North Redington Beach.

The pace is slow and friendly here. Visitors will find local shops, restaurants and accommodations set on almost a mile of beautiful beaches sloping gently into the Gulf of Mexico. Two playground areas and two tennis courts are available for residents and visitors. And, with a nice mix of condominiums, apartments, hotels, motels and dining venues, there are plenty of welcome mats for visitors in North Redington Beach.

Redington Beach

One square mile of fun, Redington Beach has great neighbors: The town is bordered by North Redington Beach to the north, Madeira Beach to the south, the Intracoastal Waterway on the east and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets are a major attraction and, like snowflakes, no two are alike. This small beach community has a residential ambience, but everything a visitor would want – shopping, restaurants, fishing, boating and attractions – is close at hand.

Eager to leave the car behind? Ride the Beach Trolley and use the fish mile markers posted throughout the beach communities to find your way to the town’s four parks, five public beach accesses, causeway with benches for relaxing and fishing and community recreation area with basketball courts and a large playground.

Redington Shores

Wide white sandy beaches, abundant fishing, boating, parks and plentiful wildlife – find it in Redington Shores. This lively beach town is close to shopping, watersports, recreation, golfing, boating, arts, attractions and theme parks, and convenient to both area airports.

Come watch the sunrise over Boca Ciega Bay, and enjoy the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Go shelling along the shoreline, or check out the well-known Redington Long Pier, a 1,021-foot-long haven for fishermen, sightseers and seabirds including pelicans, herons and terns. Find a bench and sit a spell, taking in the fabulous surroundings.

Pass-a-Grille

Looking for a glimpse of Old Florida? You’ll find it here. Though officially part of St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille begins where Gulf Boulevard passes the Don CeSar Beach Resort. The road to this laid-back beach community doesn’t continue on to anywhere else, and those who know and love Pass-a-Grille wouldn’t have it any other way.

There’s plenty you won’t find here: high-rises, crowds, shopping malls. Four miles of undeveloped public beach along Gulf Way on the Gulf of Mexico wraps around the end of the key to meet Boca Ciega Bay on the harbor side.

Savor the laid-back, relaxed vibe of this community. Go on a shelling or snorkeling excursion to Shell Key, an uninhabited barrier island. Watch the dolphins play and enjoy gentle sea breezes on a sunset cruise. Stroll down Eighth Avenue, where you’ll find small galleries, boutiques and restaurants, including the Hurricane Restaurant, renowned as a place to savor the area’s spectacular sunsets.

Belleair

The residential town of Belleair is perched on the gentle slopes of Clearwater Harbor, with quaint cottages, stately mansions and elegant tropical homes snuggled under canopies of grandfather oaks.

Primarily a residential community, Belleair hosts seasonal residents who spend part of their year in condos or vacation homes here. The town has unique shops, fine dining and three 18-hole golf courses and is close to lively Clearwater Beach and other fine beaches.

Belleair is home to the historic Belleview Biltmore Resort, one of the largest wooden structures in the world. The historic hotel is currently closed for renovations and is scheduled to reopen in January 2012, in time for its 115th anniversary.

Built by railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant, the hotel opened in 1897. It is one of three grande dames of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, along with the Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach and the Vinoy Resort in downtown St. Petersburg.

Belleair Beach

Full of old-fashioned neighborhood charm, the City of Belleair Beach is an upscale residential community that’s set on a barrier island. A variety of folks call it home, including families with children, empty-nesters, retirees and seasonal residents. The town is known for its relaxed atmosphere on two waterfronts – the Gulf of Mexico and Intracoastal Waterway.

With such a beautiful setting, recreation is a natural. Belleair Beach maintains a considerable number of park facilities, including 4,500 feet of beach with four beach access points, 11 public parks, including Morgan Beach Park, the Causeway beach area, a boat ramp, two tennis courts and a municipal marina. Residents and visitors can enjoy shopping, sporting events, dining and entertainment within a short drive.

Belleair Bluffs

At just under three-quarters of a square mile, Belleair Bluffs is tiny. Perched at the water’s edge just south of Belleair, Belleair Bluffs is home to some 2,200 residents. The community provides a wide range of living choices and shopping opportunities which, while small, serve the needs of both the city and its neighboring communities. Set at the foot of the Belleair Causeway, which leads out to the barrier island and its communities, Belleair Bluffs is a gateway to the Gulf beaches.

Belleair Shore

Diminutive Belleair Shore is perhaps the smallest town in Florida in both geographic size and population, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in appeal. Imagine living where your front yard is a private white sandy beach with uninterrupted views of the Gulf of Mexico. In all, just 61 waterfront properties are nestled along a one-mile-long stretch of beach.

The entire town (all .4 square miles of it) lies west of Gulf Boulevard, the two-lane road that runs the length of the island. Belleair Beach is the neighbor to the north, and Indian Rocks Beach sits just to the south.

You won’t have to wander far afield to find beach boutiques, fine dining and informal beachfront eats – the activity and excitement of Clearwater Beach are just four miles north of this serenely tranquil town.