The sun is bright. The breeze is balmy. You just can’t wait to get out on the sand and into the water. But first… where to park? A little bit of planning with the help of this quick sampler can enhance your beach visit by allowing you more time on the sand.
Except where free parking is mentioned, lots are either metered or park-and-pay. Many of the larger beachfront hotels offer day parking for a fee, usually at a flat rate that’s costlier than public parking--but sometimes it's worth it for convenience. If you decide you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, try the Suncoast Beach Trolley or the Jolley Trolley... or take to the waterways with the Clearwater Ferry or the Tampa Bay Ferry!
Clearwater Beach
One way to avoid parking congestion at this top beach is to find a spot north of the roundabout at the end of Memorial Causeway. There's loads of parking south of the roundabout, but this area by the marina is usually more crowded. Park your car conveniently and in the shade at the North Beach Parking Plaza; hourly and daily rates are available. Two metered lots are situated beachside, north of Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, totaling roughly 200 spaces. The Pier 60 lot ($3.00/hr.), with its 139 spaces, is in the thick of it all, just southwest of the roundabout, beachside. A few blocks south, where Gulfview Boulevard bends, you’ll find a small parking lot corner of Devon Dr. and Hamden Dr. ($1.25/hr.) and just west of that lot, directly north of the Hyatt Regency is a private parking lot that's also open to the public--it's tucked between S. Gulfview Blvd. and Coronado Dr., north of Second Street.
The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa also offers a parking garage with public parking available. Street parking can be found throughout Clearwater Beach, both north and south of the roundabout--many of the spots are just a block away from the beach.
On a smaller scale, visitors who don’t mind hoofing it a bit can find a small amount amount of parking along the north side of the Memorial Causeway, right after crossing the bridge onto Clearwater Beach. There are also two small lots north of the Causeway, between Mandalay Ave. and Poinsetta Ave.--one is south of Papaya St. and one is to the north of it (all are $1.25/hr.). Adjacent to the beach, west of Mandalay Ave, is a 145-space lot at 4 Rockaway St. ($2.50/hr.) and a 79-space lot on the south side of Esplanade, east of Mandaly Ave.
Sand Key
You should have no problem finding a spot here. The beautifully landscaped Sand Key Park has roughly 700 spaces with direct access to the beach. There are automated pay stations with daily parking fees of $5.
Belleair Beach
Free parking is available at the Belleair Beach Marina, on the east side of Gulf Boulevard. Park your car, cross the street and walk about 200 feet south to find the beach access.
Elsewhere, you might say the Morgan Park lot is hidden in plain sight. It’s located right on the beach, across from Morgan Drive and its16 spots are free.
Indian Rocks Beach
The Indian Rocks Beach Access Park, with 80 spots (a fee is charged), sits beachside just north of 17th Avenue.
Several Indian Rocks Beach avenues also offer small, free lots if you follow them all the way west to the end. The one on Eighth Avenue has a single lane of marked parking spots and a lovely, lush path to the beach.
Indian Shores
In Indian Shores, the nicely landscaped Tiki Gardens/Indian Rocks Beach Access County Park at 196th Avenue sits across Gulf Boulevard from the beach and has 170 spots (a fee is charged).
Redington Shores
The Redington Shores Beach Access Park, with 170 spaces (a fee is charged), is on Gulf Boulevard across from the Friendly Tavern and about a block from the beach.
Redington Beach
In Redington Beach, which has limited parking, there’s a hidden gem at 164th Avenue and First Street East. Adjacent to a playground, it’s a block east of Gulf Boulevard, two blocks from the beach. The small gravel strip, which can accommodate about a dozen vehicles, has no signs that limit or prohibit parking.
Madeira Beach
Three large public lots dominate the main road and are situated beachside: Archibald Memorial Beach Park (where Madeira Way meets Gulf Boulevard); Madeira Beach Access Park with104 spots a few blocks south at 145th Avenue (a fee is charged); and City of Madeira Beach Parking and Beach Access at 130th Avenue. Other Beach Access lots are located on the west side of Gulf Boulevard at 131st, 133rd, 134th, 135th and 136th Avenues.
John's Pass Village & Boardwalk
There's parking galore here--a public lot at 129th Avenue across Gulf Boulevard from the beach and plenty of metered on-street parking in the John's Pass Village & Boardwalk complex, including a multi-level parking garage adjacent to Hubbard's Marina.
Treasure Island
The City of St. Petersburg Municipal Beach lot is smack dab in the heart of Treasure Island at 112th Avenue beachside. At 104th Avenue, just south of the Bilmar Beach Resort, Gulf Front Park has a lot with 62 metered spots. You'll also find 34 metered spaces at the Ring-Billed Gull Lot at 81st Avenue, plus several smaller beach access points spanning from 126th-120th Avenue and 103rd-99th Avenue. Explore the island's popular restaurants and shops by parking at the City's Community Center parking lot with 99 metered spaces located at 106th Avenue and Park Place.
Immediately south of the John’s Pass Bridge sits a small sand lot on the western end of 127th Avenue with free parking. A similar hidden gem is at 101st Avenue, just south of the Jefferson Motel Apartments.
Sunset Beach
Heading south on Gulf Boulevard, veer right at the 7-Eleven (just past 98th Avenue) onto West Gulf Boulevard, and you’ve arrived at Sunset Beach. There is one primary beach lot located at 77th Avenue with 52 metered spaces. Farther down West Gulf Boulevard are several small lots at 79th, 80th and 81st Avenues. Additionally, Caddy's Waterfront is a popular restaurant/bar that’s right on the sand and offers paid and valet parking.
St. Pete Beach
Turn west from Gulf Boulevard onto 71st Avenue, go three blocks to Beach Plaza, turn south and you’ll see Upham Beach Park (a fee is charged). Farther south is the huge St. Pete Municipal Beach Access lot (a fee is charged), on Gulf Boulevard between 46th and 48th avenues, across from Dolphin Village Shopping Center.
Pass-a-Grille Beach
Street parking begins on Gulf Way at 22nd Avenue and extends south to 1st Avenue. You’re more apt to find available spaces in the far northern and far southern areas of Pass-a-Grille Beach. Most of Gulf Way features angled spots on the beach side (note that the spaces on the east side of the street will be open to residents only). There are pay stations at the walkways onto the beach.
Parking along Pass-a-Grille Way is closed, except for the area between 7th Ave. and 9th Ave. which will be open for business and shopping use only.
Side roads throughout Pass-a-Grille may tempt beachgoers, but parking there is for residents only.
