Fort De Soto Park's North Beach has won multiple awards – and it's easy to see why.

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Budget-Friendly Ideas for Your Florida Vacation

Good times on vacation don't have to mean a big strain on your wallet. We've gathered some fun ways to stretch your vacation dollars in the Tampa Bay area. Here we go!

America's Best Beaches: Beautiful and Friendly on Your Wallet

Soft, sugar-white sands. Tranquil, emerald-green waters. Brightly colored cabanas and gorgeous golden sunsets. Doesn't it sound amazing? America's Best Beaches are right here in St. Pete-Clearwater, and they're our number one idea for how to have a fabulous vacation while also keeping your travel costs down.

It's wonderful to stay right on the sand in a beachfront hotel or resort. But if that's not in the cards for this trip, rest assured that you'll find many reasonably priced places to stay within close proximity to our beaches (some within walking distance, others just a short drive away).

You might even find that staying "off-beach" means you'll be more inclined to explore several of our beaches and islands, which all have their own unique vibe. Parking is particularly easy at Fort De Soto Park and Honeymoon Island State Park but our beach parking tips will help you find a spot no matter where you are, or you can take the beach trolley or the SunRunner).

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your best Florida beach vacation yet!