Clearwater Beach – Tampa Bay Area
Our “go to” sunshine escape in recent years is Clearwater Beach near Tampa Bay / St. Pete for a few reasons but mainly because:
- we have direct, frequent and cheap flights to St Petersburg / Clearwater (with Allegiant) from Cincinnati and less than 2 hours flying
- St Petersburg / Clearwater is a relatively small airport with good facilities and short walks to terminals & planes
- there is plenty of white sandy beaches to choose from and like its namesake describes it’s “clear Gulf of Mexico water”
- broad selection of hotels and rental accommodation
- good value for money seafood restaurants on the beach with live music
- no need to rent a car as everything is close by, and there is trolley bus public transport, if necessary Uber is available & quicker than taxis
City of Clearwater
Clearwater is the smallest of the three principal cities in the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater metropolitan area, most commonly referred to as the Tampa Bay Area.
“Clearwater Beach is part of the city of Clearwater, but is separated from it by the Intracoastal Waterway. Cleveland Street is one of the city’s historic avenues, and the city includes BayCare Ballpark and Coachman Park. The Church of Scientology owns the majority of property in the Clearwater downtown core district”
The name “Clear Water” is thought to have come from a fresh water spring flowing from near where the City Hall building is located today. There were many other freshwater springs that dotted the bluff, many in the bay or harbor itself.
During the second world war Clearwater was a training center for troops getting prepared for going to Europe. Sand Key was used as a target by U.S. Army Air Corps fighter-bombers for strafing and bombing practice.
BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater is the spring training home of Major League Baseball’s Philadelphia Phillies, as well as their Low-A affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers
Jolly Trolley Public Transport Routes
Jolley Trolley is a partnership with Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority to provide scheduled public routes available at a low cost to travel within the Clearwater Beach area and beyond.
The Beach routes offer destinations up and down the beach, with two routes; the North Beach route, and the South Beach route.
South Beach Route we used from Sand Key into the center or Marina
Starting at the southern most point to the center of Clearwater Beach the stops are as follows, note it stops at Marriott Suites and the Sheraton at Sand Key.
- Bay Park (Southern most point)
- Shoppes on Sand Key
- Marriott on Sand Key
- Surf Style (Parkway Drive)
- Crabby Bills
- Hyatt
- Clearwater Marina
We then take a trip across the Causeway Blvd Bridge into Downtown Clearwater to join up with our Coastal Route, before coming back across the bridge and stopping at the following locations as we head southbound back down the beach.
- Clearwater Marina (North side of Causeway Blvd)
- Pier 60
- Beach Walk
- Shepherd’s Beach Resort
- Sheraton Sand Key Resort
- Bay Park
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium opened in 1972 is a non-profit aquarium and is most famous for Winter the dolphin. Rescued as a calf in 2005, Winter was one of the first dolphins to have been fitted with a prosthetic tail after losing it due to entanglement in a crab trap.
The aquarium is also home to other dolphins, otters, pelicans, nurse sharks, and turtles among several species of fish and other marine life. CMA also assists in animal strandings and other emergencies regarding sea life. Animals that have stranded are rehabilitated, and if possible, released back into the wild once they have made a full recovery.
Winter was a bottlenose dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida, United States, and was widely known for having a prosthetic tail. Winter was the subject of the 2009 book Winter’s Tale, the 2011 film Dolphin Tale, and its 2014 sequel.
Accommodation
The main beach hotel strip includes all your favorite chains, but they are close together and crowded on either side of Pier 60
We have tended to stay at the quieter Sand Key location, south of the main drag but on the trolly service into the center of Clearwater.
At Sand Key we have stayed at both of the main hotels.
Sheraton Sand Key
On its own beach and sunset view.
Relatively small pool, shuttle cart to the water’s edge and cabanas.
Beach bars and bar food served, watch out for seagull pirates!
Marriott Suites Sand Key
Across from the Sheraton on the Bayside is the Marriott Suites hotel. The suites are sufficient for our 4 night stay in February.
With a large pool and therefore popular with families, it has limited space as there no beach and sunbeds are reserved by towels early in the morning.
Poolside bar is pleasant and serves bar food snacks, be careful the local seagulls also swoop down on the Bayside.
Clearwater – Our Favorite Beach Restaurants
Palm Pavilion
The Palm Pavilion is a great “old style” beach bar with a sea food menu, live music and perfect sunset view (and less travel & cost than Santorini).
As their website proudly says it’s where the locals hang out and………. “Here everyone’s somebody and nobody cares”.
The food selection is something for everybody, the house speciality is Grouper, my recent favorites:
El Cubano “Tampa Style”
Gulf Shrimp Tacos
Hurricane Combo
While I find receiving the beers served in plastic cups irritating, the service is quick and the generous servings of margaritas compensate more than adequately.
Boomer Alert: There are No reservations at the Palm Pavilion, and the bar & tables start filling up well before sunset.
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill
The alternative to the Palm Pavilion is Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is next door, beyond the sand dunes & parking lot.
It’s a younger crowd and the music is louder, but it’s still the same great sunset, and they have seating on the sand (but watch out for sandflies).
With the Palm Pavilion competition close by they also serve an extensive menu of sandwiches, burgers, tacos, seafood and salads. I enjoyed the chargrilled octopus last time we visited.
Sunset Cruises from Clearwater Municipal Marina
The StarLite Majesty Dining Yacht is a 115-foot vessel featuring dining areas surrounded by large picture windows. Docked at the Clearwater Beach Marina, this ship offers three-hour dinner/dance cruises and two-hours luncheon/sightseeing cruises Tuesday through Sunday.
25 Causeway Blvd.
Clearwater Beach Marina
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Schooner CLEARWATER
- Clearwater Beaches MOST Environmentally Responsible Boat Tour
- New Custom Built 52’ Steel Schooner
- U. S. Coast Guard Certified Top Safety Rating
25 Causeway Boulevard
Boat Slip #20
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Salvador Dali – Art Museum – St Petersburg
If time allows the Dali Museum in St Petersburg is well worth a visit.
The museum includes 96 oil paintings, drawings, book illustrations, prints, sculptures, photos, manuscripts and documents.
From 10 feet or closer, the head of the bull is evident to the casual observer of the Salvador Dali painting The Hallucinogenic Toreador. Step back to look at the painting in full and the bull becomes the bedazzled jacket of the toreador.
– Kevin McGeever