From action-packed beaches to peaceful, protected paradises, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area serves up some of the state's best shores.
When I first moved to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, sight unseen, I'd imagined its beaches to be Florida's typical slice of sand and surf. But it's been 12 years, and I still marvel at their unique beauty, number and diversity.
Because these beaches are only a 90-minute drive from Orlando and just four hours from Fort Lauderdale, my friends and family have been able to discover them with me. Not surprisingly, we've seen several of these beaches regularly end up on coastal expert Stephen Leatherman's (a.k.a. Dr. Beach) national top 10 list.
There's more than one to fit your mood, but here's a sampling of my favorites in no particular order.
1: Fort De Soto Park
A giant American flag waves in the beach breeze as kayakers paddle along the mangrove shoreline. A young couple pedal along a winding palm-lined bike path, and a family with twins unloads their chairs, cooler and pink and orange floats for a day on the sandy beach.
It's a typical Saturday morning at Fort De Soto Park, where you'll find just about everything except hotel rooms and snow skiing. The 1,100-acre county park, which in June 2011 was named America's best family beach by Parents magazine, is accessible by car. It includes a campground with waterfront sites, three miles of beautiful beaches (including one for dogs), a massive historic fort, a six-mile paved bike trail, kayak rentals, boat ramps, two fishing piers, hiking trails, a concession, bathhouse and picnic pavilions.
It's equally popular among visitors and beach experts: TripAdvisor's community chose it as No. 1 for 2008 and again in 2009.
2: Caladesi Island State Park
Pristine island + inaccessible by car + gently sloped sandy beaches + clear blue Gulf = romantic getaway. If it sounds cliché, there's a reason for it. Caladesi Island State Park, just off Honeymoon Island near Dunedin, has been a haven for romantics for more than 70 years. Its sand quality and untouched flora have ranked it America's No. 1 beach.
Reach it by ferry or private boat. Although you can find a private spot on one of its beaches, it is not entirely primitive - there are chair and umbrella rentals on the main beach, and there's an island marina, kayak rentals, bathhouse and rustic cantina.
3: St. Pete Beach / Pass-a-Grille Beach
St. Pete Beach was recently voted TripAdvisor's No. 1 Beach in the U.S. and No. 5 in the world for 2012, based on millions of traveler reviews. The more developed and broader end of the beach begins just north of the Loews Don CeSar Hotel (the stunning Mediterranean-style "Pink Palace"), where Gulf Boulevard widens to four lanes and is lined with resorts, motels, restaurants, beach bars, surf shops, grocers and homes. This beach town still has a retro ambiance and its downtown, a vintage theater.
When I'm in the mood to relax on the beach sans high-rises, but want a grouper sandwich within walking distance, I head to the old beach community of Pass-a-Grille at the southern tip of St. Pete Beach. Here, you're never more than two short blocks from the Gulf or the Intracoastal, and you can drive along it with a direct view of the beach. This quaint and beachy neighborhood is home to the legendary Hurricane restaurant (grouper sandwich mecca), charming shops, other local restaurants and a couple of bars. There are a handful of small motels and an eclectic mix of rental cottages but the cozy community is primarily residential.
4: Shell Key Preserve
There's something liberating about being on a primitive island with no structures - only man-high sand dunes, pines and palms, and white sandy beaches covered in shells.
It's here I've seen giant sting rays scurry away across the ocean's floor and the most entertaining yellow-footed birds waddle along the shore. Shell Key is a favored nesting spot for more than 200 species of birds and a popular hang-out for local boaters and ferry passengers.
Recently the county ruffled some feathers by forbidding dogs and alcohol on the island, but the decision only aims to preserve the island's natural beauty and protect the feathers of its natural inhabitants (the new rule went into effect in spring 2008).
5: Clearwater Beach
There are times to watch birds, and there are times you'd rather watch people. When I prefer the latter, I head to Clearwater Beach.
Densely developed with hotels, restaurants, beachwear shops and a marina, the beach town has everything you might want within walking distance. Pier 60 is the nucleus of the beach's energy.
By day you can often catch a championship volleyball game and at night watch craftsmen make tourist trinkets of glass, beads and shells. The nightly sunset festival with caricature artists, balloon sculptors and artisan wares is a big hit with families.
Couples and singles party down on the dance floors of Shephard's Beach Resort and to live music at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill and the Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar. In classic St. Petersburg/Clearwater style, this beach truly offers something for everyone.
