Romantic Vacation Ideas in St. Pete/Clearwater

A getaway together is just the recipe for rekindling the fire in your relationship. Luckily, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area offers plenty of great ways to plan a vacation that will bring you closer together.

Sand and Sunsets

Sometimes a simple stroll is just the thing, and there's no better place for a romantic walk than on the soft sands of one of our beautiful beaches. Head to one of our less-populated beaches, starting at Belleair Beach and running southward for more than 10 miles to Redington Shores. Here, condos and large hotels give way to smaller beach motels and residential areas. The beaches are quieter, less commercial and more intimate. The pace slows but, if you’re walking hand-in-hand with the right person, your heart may beat faster.

How about relaxing with your significant other on an out-of-the-way beach? Try Sunset Beach, on the southern tip of Treasure Island. Just head to the end of West Gulf Boulevard, and grab a scenic spot. You can bring beach chairs or, even better, spread out a blanket. Pour an adult libation (alcohol is legal on Sunset Beach, but no glass bottles, please.) The feeling is of quaint “old Florida” – a mix of smaller motels, plus private homes built on stilts – and this stretch of strand isn’t likely to be crowded.

Another excellent option is Fort De Soto Park. Named America’s top beach in 2008 and 2009 by TripAdvisor’s online community, the county park on the southern end of the Gulf beaches in Tierra Verde is full of natural grandeur. Try the far tip of the North Beach, with its wide expanse of fine, white sand and panoramic view of the Gulf, a gorgeous vista rimmed by trees that lend a feeling of remoteness. Depending on the time of year, you might find yourself pretty much alone with your loved one. Hand-in-hand, you can gaze at the Gulf from the top of the century-old fort, enjoy a quiet paddle together in a kayak among the mangroves or take a leisurely pedal along one of the park’s paved bike paths.

Dining Waterfront

If you’d prefer cocktails and dinner overlooking the water, St. Pete/Clearwater offers dozens of wonderful spots.

On Clearwater Beach, try Caretta on the Gulf, the Sandpearl Resort’s signature restaurant. This is fine dining, but dress is resort casual. There’s comfy outside seating as well as big bay windows to allow inside diners a luxuriant view. Inside, ask for one of the booths, perfect for gazing into each other's eyes and pretending the rest of the world doesn’t exist.

With a lovely view of the Intracoastal Waterway, Salt Rock Grill in Indian Shores is a regular destination for locals and tourists alike. Here, fresh grilled fish, hearty steaks and other satisfying fare are on offer. It’s “upscale beachy,” with two tiers of dining and a patio bar. The gentle sounds of lapping water and the sparkling lights of the Intracoastal Waterway make for relaxing, magical moments together.

For a truly casual night out and a menu with plenty of seafood offerings, try the Hurricane Seafood Restaurant on Pass-a-Grille Beach. This supremely beachy institution has a rooftop bar that offers a 360-degree view. Pull each other close and survey the Gulf and the Intracoastal – a lovely tableau. Have a drink in the open air and then grab a table for two on a tiny upstairs balcony.

Other Romantic Dining Ideas

If an elegant meal is what you desire, dine at Cafe Ponte in Clearwater. Owned by Chris Ponte, one of the area's pre-eminent chefs, the restaurant features innovative contemporary American cuisine with French, Asian and Italian influences. The atmosphere is cool and modern. You may find fine food and wine the ideal aphrodisiac. Perhaps sipping a 100-year-old Grand Marnier after dinner will warm the mood even further.

Another luxurious fine-dining experience awaits at the Black Pearl of Dunedin. Only the freshest ingredients are used to create the restaurant’s signature New American and French cuisine, prepared by the classically trained French chef Adam LaRoche. Cozy up in a booth in the elegant dining room with its soft jewel tones and upscale table settings.

On Eighth Avenue in St. Pete Beach, you’ll find a number of small shops and eateries, including the Black Palm Restaurant, with its cozy courtyard and Spanish-influenced tapas menu. What could be more romantic than sharing “little dishes” with someone you love?

Just a couple of blocks from St. Pete Beach, close enough to smell the salt air, sits Food Fetishes Fine Dining, an eight-table eatery with white-tablecloth elegance that will cater to your every whim (here, “fetishes” refers to food indulgences, says owner Bruce Caplan). Darkened windows and gentle cove lighting remove you from the beach bustle outside. And the creative menu is sure to seduce. A top-flight wine list might stoke your ardor; Fetishes is a multi-recipient of Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence.

Not far inland from St. Pete Beach is the small town of Gulfport, a bastion of quirky culture that also happens to offer an array of quality restaurants. Stroll hand-in-hand down Beach Boulevard, lined with cafés and restaurants, galleries, B&Bs, shops and private homes. The businesses are locally owned, and many are housed in converted Florida bungalows. Stop for drinks and tapas in the courtyard at Bellini Italian Restaurant or go swanky and have Brazilian churrasco at the adjacent La Fogata. A couple of blocks south is Pia's Trattoria, with its distinctive old-world charm and authentic Italian cuisine. Yes, you’re in Florida, but a fantasy trip to Italy can only fan the fire.

If you’re feeling an urge for urban, try downtown St. Petersburg’s Beach Drive, bracketed by restaurants and shops. There’s also tree-lined Straub Park for a dreamy stroll after dinner. Around the corner from Beach Drive on Fifth Avenue NE, stop in the luxurious Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club and have a drink on the veranda or dine at one of its several restaurants. Marchand's Bar and Grill has a lovely view of the nearby marina and bayfront. The Vinoy complex has lots of corners and crannies perfect for whispering sweet nothings to your special someone.