Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL

VisitSPC.com/ClearwaterBeach • We dare you not to fall in love with award-winning Clearwater Beach. Sink your toes in its soft sugar-white sand and float your troubles away in serene, shallow waters. As you stroll Clearwater Beach’s shore, little sanderlings zigzag in graceful whooshes along the water’s edge. Dolphins pop out for a quick hello as sailboats drift by. Of course, Clearwater Beach has its well-documented wilder side, too. Sunsets at Pier 60 kicks off the evening with a showcase of artisans, fire dancers and other performers against a backdrop of twilight-drenched sky. For a lavish dinner with a view, try Caretta on the Gulf at the Sandpearl Resort. In the morning, rent WaveRunners and parasails from Clearwater Watersports. Looking for something different? Shiver your timbers aboard Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise. After working up an appetite, hightail it to Frenchy’s Original Cafe for their famous grouper sandwich.

VisitSPC.com/StPeteBeach • Crystalline shorelines, powdery sand — but wait, there’s more. Much more. Like the aquarium dining at RumFish Grill, charm and novelty haven’t gone out of style in St. Pete Beach — just part of the reason why Tripadvisor reviewers voted it No. 1 U.S. beach in 2021. As you drive along Gulf Boulevard, internationally owned eateries and shops rub elbows with vintage landmarks. The Bon-Aire Resort invites parents and kids to play an easygoing bout of shuffleboard. Serving guests since the 1920s, The Don CeSar, the beach’s iconic, 4-star carnation-pink hotel, conjures the grandeur of a resort hideaway for royals. For a view that literally moves, Spinners Rooftop Grille at Bellwether Beach Resort dazzles with 360-degree views in a revolving dining room. Polynesian Putter putts us back to the ’60s with a mini-golf course constructed during America’s road-trip heyday. Today, locals are excited about the reopening of the remodeled Beach Theatre. Say oui to brunch at La Croisette, and walk off the calories at the Corey Avenue Sunday Market. From the all-encompassing TradeWinds Island Grand Resort to the surf hideaway of the Postcard Inn, St. Pete Beach endures as a classic and contemporary vacation destination.

VisitSPC.com/Honeymoon • Magnificent views, lush mangroves and a surprising array of wildlife compete for your attention at Honeymoon Island State Park. Hike or bike through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests. Look up — you might see bald eagles and osprey soaring above. As you navigate the island’s nature trails, watch for great horned owls lurking in the shadows or gopher turtles crossing your path. On the north shore, Pelican Cove provides a spellbindingly peaceful hangout for hundreds of shorebirds. Relax with a book on Oasis Beach, or keep the kids entertained at a playground nestled in a palm tree grove. Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten the picnic basket. Cafe Honeymoon and the South Beach Pavilion Cafe feed hungry beachgoers on the island’s southside. A few barks away, dogs romp and swim with their humans at the Pet Beach. Fun trivia fact: Honey-moon Island got its name from a Life Magazine contest for newlyweds in 1939. You can see photos of the winning lovebirds at the island’s Rotary Centennial Nature Center.

VisitSPC.com/Caladesi • Escape (for real) to Caladesi Island State Park. The perennial Dr. Beach winner can only be accessed by boat (*see exception below) and is well worth the extra time and effort. Its lush canopies, wildflower-dotted meadows and 4 miles of glistening shore might tempt you never to return to the mainland. For a transcendent experience, row the crystal-clear waters of the Mangrove Trail. You can rent a kayak from the island’s café. Venture into the brush on a 3-mile loop that winds to the early 19th-century Scharrer Homestead Ruins. Or, stretch out on the island’s pristine beach. Camping is not allowed on the island, but boaters can dock overnight; a reservation is required. The Caladesi Island Ferry docks at Honeymoon Island if you need a way there. *Locals tip: There’s a remote land bridge if you’re willing to take a long walk from North Clearwater Beach; just make sure you pay the park’s admission fee after arrival.

VisitSPC.com/SandKey • As you stroll Sand Key Park’s boardwalk along the beach, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the sugary sandscape and shimmering shore through a field of gold feathery sea oats. Boulders and Australian pines accentuate a gorgeous view of Clearwater Pass and the Clearwater Pass Bridge. Inside the park, shorebirds loiter in a salt marsh as if posing for an artist’s landscape. Take in the scene from one of the nearby benches. Picnic areas, a playground, and a dog park help you make a day of it. The Sand Key Beach Grill food truck serves up cheap eats right on the beach. If you’re in for a quick dip, the park’s ample parking assures you’ll always find a spot. Just a 6-minute walk away, the Shoppes on Sand Key offers dozens of stores and eateries. Go big and go boating with the guidance of the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, located just outside the park. Just a few hundred steps away, the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites help you rest your bones in comfort and style.

VisitSPC.com/IRB • Breezy, beautiful. Maybe it’s Indian Rocks Beach. Maybe, it’s Indian Shores. These laid-back, neighboring communities whisk you to pristine shores and classic Florida trappings, surprising you with something new to do any time of the day. In the morning, say ooh la la to the decadent French pastries and nosh at Cafe de Paris Bakery. South of the causeway? Indian Shores Coffee Co. roasts its beans and bakes homemade goodies. For lunch, head to the Original Crabby Bill’s, where you can chow down on some of the tastiest crustaceans and enjoy live music on the patio seven days a week. With the kids? Putt around at the locally famous Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, or go nuts at the Splash Harbour Water Park (connected to the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Harbourside). Get out on the Gulf with the help of Island Marine Rentals. Back on land the Indian Rocks Historical Museum offers local lore, or channel your inner Picasso at the Beach Art Center. Commune with wildlife at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary and the Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve.

VisitSPC.com/TheRedingtons • Lush sea-grape tunnels give way to sensational views of sparkling blue-green surf and vast walkable shores in the three low-key beach communities named after real estate mogul Charles Redington. Less concrete means limited parking in Redington Beach. Locals tip: Arrive early, late afternoon or on non-holiday weekdays. Look for public parking along Gulf Boulevard or at Redington Beach Town Park. As you head toward North Redington Beach, retro motels and vintage cottages recall an earlier place and time. Located right on the beach, Far Horizons enchants with its Mediterranean archways. Follow the lovebirds to the Hilton DoubleTree Beach Resort in North Redington Beach for a stay with more amenities. Make some time to sneak away to Sweet Sage Cafe & Boutique, a favorite for breakfast, teas and coffee.

VisitSPC.com/MadeiraBeach • Quintessentially Floridian, Madeira Beach is like a pretty pirate lass who’s not afraid to let her hair down. The laid-back community lures locals and visitors alike with vintage and contemporary places to play and stay at all price points. Fun fact: The town owes its place on the map, in large part, to the aftermath of a hurricane-created waterway, now known as John’s Pass. Named for ex-pirate John Levique, who sailed the waterway’s first passage, John’s Pass is still a mecca for anglers. John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, one of Florida’s most enduring roadside attractions, pays tribute to those saltier days. The exterior resembles a sea shanty on steroids and splits between both sides of the pass. The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center, located on the north side of the village, houses more than 60 rescued and surrendered American Alligators. Lively but never too wild, Madeira Beach scores big with families looking for low-key fun. Perhaps, that’s why Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine selected the community among their “Favorite family-friendly beaches” in 2021, and it’s Tripadvisor’s No. 9 best beach in 2021.

VisitSPC.com/TreasureIsland • Casual and eclectic. Breathtakingly scenic, too, Treasure Island reminds us that the good life comes with a healthy sense of humor. Florida’s touristy past winks from just about every corner. The Thunderbird Beach Resort, Treasure Island’s most iconic landmark, beams retro charm from a gigantic neon sign. A little more subdued, the Tahitian Beach Resort and Arvilla Motel feature low-key vintage accommodations with modern updates. For upscale pampering, treat yourself to the amenities of the FUSION Resort. As distant as 800 feet from the shoreline, Treasure Island’s Municipal Beach features a winding paved trail that traverses one of the Gulf beaches’ broadest coastlines. With plenty of space to run, play and take a casual walk, the enormous sugary-white stretch has become a mainstay for kitefliers, who put on a festival there every winter. Not to be missed, the Sanding Ovations sand sculpture exhibition amazes beachgoers every fall. As for the kids, they will love zooming down giant inflatable waterslides west of the beach parking lot at 104th Avenue. Feed the hungry pack at The Floridian, a Tripadvisor favorite for Cuban sandwiches. Or, grab some grub and order adult beverages, beachside, at Sloppy Joe’s or Caddy’s on Sunset Beach.

VisitSPC.com/PassAGrille • Billowy sea oats and swaying palm trees wave you over to a sparkling surf in Pass-a-Grille Beach. Offshore, a self-guided walking tour dishes out all the backstories, or you can fetch a free brochure at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, formerly a 1917 church. Before venturing out, grab a hearty breakfast at The Seahorse, a local favorite for 80 years. Pass-a-Grille’s Historic 8th Avenue Downtown quarter mellows you out with strung lights and locally owned establishments. The Berkeley Beach Club, a chic Key West-style boutique hotel with a rooftop bar, offers sweeping sunset views. For cigars and fashions, pop into Paradiso. Top off your afternoon with frozen treats at Paradise Sweets.

VisitSPC.com/FortDeSoto • A 7-mile-long keychain of estuaries, pine-shaded recreation, and undeveloped beaches, Fort De Soto Park leaves visitors with memories to cherish for a lifetime. Start your day there by taking in a view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at the park’s East Beach. At the confluence of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the area’s crosscurrents make it a popular spot for kiteboarders. A few yards away from the Bay Pier, Fort De Soto’s Dog Beach invites a scenic romp with your best buddies. By the Gulf Pier, you’ll find the park’s Historic Fort. The bastion got its name from Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, erected in 1900 under threat of the Spanish-American War. No shots were fired, but you can see some of its artillery and learn about the fort’s history at the Quartermaster Storehouse Museum. Follow up with a shady stroll at the Arrowhead Picnic & Fishing Area. The pinnacle of Fort De Soto is its North Beach, where pine-shaded picnic areas give way to white-sandy beaches with glistening tide pools. Shoreline mangroves and jagged driftwood add an extra pow of natural beauty. Rent kayaks from the Topwater Kayak Outpost and row past the Soldier Hole cove into the Gulf. Rent seated two-person cycles or traditional two-wheelers and ride the paved, 6.5-mile Fort De Soto Island Park Trail. Last but not least, Fort De Soto offers waterfront campsites beloved by outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Reserve these coveted spots early!

VisitSPC.com/StPete • St. Pete pays the good life forward. Its pristine bayfront parks ooze classic tropical charm and contemporary stylishness. Palm trees, flaming-red hibiscus and purple jacaranda trees colorize the city’s landscapes, and people of all ages (and their pets) enjoy their outside time in “the Burg.” Add the recently revamped St. Pete Pier, and you’ll see why SmartAsset voted the city No. 1 Best Place for Outdoor Enthusiasts to Live and Work in 2021. Above all, St. Pete pulsates with art and culture. Local pride reverberates throughout the city in its inventive eateries, bars, breweries and retail. The positivity of Florida’s Sunshine City is simply contagious.

A mecca for many moods, this district is the largest waterfront recreational complex in the Southeast, encompassing 26 acres of cleverly designed, organically integrated relaxation and recreational areas. Young ones scamper on a splash pad or get up close to marine life at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center and Wet Classroom. For a family-friendly meal along the waterfront, try Spa Beach Bistro. While at the Pier, take some time to stretch out on a blanket under the billowy Bending Arc, a public art installation by Janet Echelman. Locals tip: Nighttime is the best time to see the netted masterpiece, which gets illuminated after dark.

Like jewels on a necklace, the number and proximity of world-class museums in this dazzling district amazes and delights. The Museum of Fine Art features a permanent collection of masterworks, antiquities, and photographs. A short stroll away is the St. Petersburg Museum of History that tells the story of St. Pete’s past. If you work up a hunger or thirst, enjoy the euro delights of Cassis or elevated-casual staples of Parkshore Grill along Beach Drive. The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Arts is right around the corner and worth a look. Don’t miss the Mahaffey Theater, where internationally renowned headliners take the stage. Next door, the Salvador Dalí Museum houses the largest collection of the famed surrealist’s original works in North America.

Stroll the 300-700 blocks of Central Avenue and you’ll encounter a unique mix of historic buildings and urban construction. The district comprises artists, galleries and studios (Chihuly Collection, Morean Arts Center, Studio@620 and several galleries). The 600 block, a creative hotbed and spawning ground for the city’s massive art scene, features some of St. Pete’s most beloved, longstanding murals. Ushering the district’s tradition of live music into a new era, the Floridian Social Club is a swanky performance venue and craft cocktail lounge. Aside from the thriving art scene, the Central Arts District includes the all-too-important Florida Holocaust Museum, and it has some great options for live music and dining at all price points including Pacific Counter for inexpensive poke bowls, or Brick & Mortar for upscale gourmet.

A vibrant, evolving community clustered around historic 22nd Street South, the district known as the Deuces celebrates St. Pete’s rich African American heritage. Live on the Deuces events engage the community and visitors with a wide range of entertainment and local shopping events. The Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum explores the intersection of fine art and heritage, and the historic Manhattan Casino, first established in 1925, now houses the 22 South Food Hall. With a name inspired by the jersey number of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers/businessman Vincent Jackson, the new hotspot serves barbecue, Jamaican food, vegan favorites and more.

300 and counting: That’s the number of artists who have taken over a onceindustrial section of downtown St. Pete. The Warehouse Arts District features artists in all media and at all stages of their careers. Its artists join other downtown arts districts every second Saturday of the month for the monthly Second Saturday Art Walk from 5 to 9 p.m. New to the neighborhood, Fairgrounds St. Pete takes you through an immersive world with 60-plus narrative installations that celebrate weird, wacky and wonderful Florida.

Who else but The Edge would make the audacious claim that they’re “Florida’s Best Neighborhood”? Well, they might not be far off the mark. Located in Downtown St. Pete, east to west between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street and 16th Street, and north to south between 1st Avenues North and South, the Edge entices a stroll outdoors via some of the most walkable sidewalks, where you’ll find a contingent of the best restaurants in the Tampa Bay dining scene. Say “Mamma Mia!” to the coal oven maestros at Bavaro’s Pizza and open wide for the gourmet burgers at the elevated sports bar fave Engine No. 9.

Creative and colorful, St. Pete’s Grand Central District picks up where downtown used to end between 16th and 31st streets along Central Avenue, 1st Avenue S, and 1st Avenue N. Home to colorful, shady streets dotted with stylish shops, beaucoup eateries and a flourishing LGBTQ business community. Two establishments immerse you in furry love: The Dog Bar and Sunshine Kitty Catfe. Artsy in every nook and cranny, the district features murals and the new Woodfield Fine Art Gallery, which displays some of the highest-profile art in the region. Speaking of haute date nights, The Crane and Taverna Costale contribute Grand Central’s already impressive dining roster with authentic, worldly cuisine.

VisitSPC.com/Clearwater • Much more than a beach town, Clearwater charms with its colorful flora, diverse culture and scenic panoramas. Plus, it’s grown culturally at an exponential rate. Explore the city’s downtown and scenic waterfront aboard the Jolley Trolley and you’ll see why. The Cleveland Street District’s sculptures and interactive murals never fail to impress. While there, grab a single-origin coffee just off the main strip at the Restoration Cafe. Concerts have brought life to the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre. Venture toward Clearwater Beach, off Memorial Causeway, to pop in on the sea critters at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where you can spend quality time with dolphins, manatees and river otters. If you're in the mood for baseball, head over to BayCare Ballpark, spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Congo River Golf scores a hole-in-one with mini-golfers of all ages. The adventure-themed course takes you past waterfalls to gator feedings, scavenger hunts and arcade games. Follow up with some pie at Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza and homemade gelato. For big nights out and impromptu matinees, Ruth Eckerd Hall features A-list headliners and Broadway shows in its 73,000-square-foot theater.

VisitSPC.com/TarponSprings • Get absorbed in the Mediterranean heritage of Tarpon Springs’ Sponge Docks, where white stucco gift shops and outdoor cafes transport you to the cobblestone streets of the Greek Isles. Scenic cruises aboard the St. Nicholas Boat Lines drench you in charming scenery and local history. Later, say opa to traditional bouzouki serenades and belly dancing at Mama’s Greek Cuisine. The pastry case at Hellas Restaurant & Bakery is an attraction all on its own. Fun fact: Tarpon Springs is home to the largest Greek-American community per capita in the U.S.

VisitSPC.com/Dunedin • The Sister City to Sterling, Scotland, resembles an Old Florida postcard much more than the misty moors of its older sibling. Sky-high palm trees line its scenic corridor, Edgewater Drive. The watercolor-worthy Dunedin Marina entices you with a stroll on a wooden pier before heading out to the lively Main Street Historic District, a district that intersects the Pinellas Trail and bustles with popular restaurants, shops and drinking establishments. Public beaches line the Dunedin Causeway, which leads to the beach and nature paradise of Honeymoon Island State Park. Cheer our neighbors to the north at the TD Ballpark’s Toronto Blue Jays spring training games.

VisitSPC.com/SafetyHarbor • Shaded by giant old mossy oaks, Safety Harbor boasts foodie-approved eateries and unique gift shops, which occupy old storefronts and refurbished bungalows. The Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, located on the banks of Upper Tampa Bay, is famous for its world-class pampering. Mellow out to a folk music show at the one-of-a-kind Safety Harbor Art & Music Center or experience the quirky wonders of the internationally renowned WhimzeyLand, aka the “bowling ball house.” The Safety Harbor Farmer’s Market pops up every Sunday, and the Third Friday Music Series brings out the locals for festive times and live entertainment.

Visit SPC.com/Gulfport • Rough-and-tumble smugglers and homesteaders once settled the shores of Florida’s Gulf Coast. In Gulfport, you’ll find a merry band of outsiders but of the artsy and bohemian kind. They have slapped pastel paint on the town’s bungalows and converge at the town’s monthly Art Walks and markets along Beach Boulevard, where thousands show up for GeckoFest, an annual Mardi Gras-meets-family fun festival. Before the event, locals sculpt colorful lizards displayed throughout Gulfport’s neighborhoods and downtown. The Gulfport Casino, a minty green dancehall built in the 1940s, can be found right on the town’s picturesque shore. In fact, the landmark still hosts ballroom, salsa and swing dances every week. If you enjoy shopping, dip into BoTiki and Stella’s Sundries for stylish and whimsical souvenirs.

Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL - Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL 2022

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Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL 2022