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St. Petersburg/Clearwater
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Gulf Coast Wonderland |
More than 12 million
vacationers can't be wrong. That's the number of visitors who spend time
each year on "Florida's Beach", the region stretching along
the state's midwest coast.
The area, encompassing 280 square miles of semi-tropical splendor and
345 miles of shoreline, is bordered on the east by Tampa Bay and on the
west by the Gulf of Mexico. Not only is the region famous for its beautiful
beaches, but it also offers easy access to some of the state's favorite
attractions. Busch Gardens in Tampa is no more than 30 minutes away by
car and exciting Orlando is an easy day trip just 90 minutes west in Central
Florida.
They say that Florida's Beach enjoys more sunshine than Honolulu, Hawaii.
In fact, the Guinness Book of World Records credits St. Petersburg with
the longest run of consecutive sunny days - 768 days from Feb. 9, 1967
to March 17, 1969. Even if a little rain does fall, visitors can still
enjoy approximately 361 days of sunshine each year, average air temperatures
of 73 F and average water temperatures reaching 75 F along the beaches.
Getting There
The St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (www.FLY2PIE.com)
allows easy access into the area with plenty of flights from Canada and
cities throughout the Midwest & Northeast. Best of all, the airport
is located only 20 minutes from 35 miles of white-sand beaches in which
three are among the top-ranked beaches in the entire USA.
Visitors traveling by road can plot a route along Interstates 75, 275
and 4, or US Highway 19 to get there as well.
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| The region is home to more than 2,200 restaurants |
From luxury hotels and condominiums to economic oceanfront motels, Florida's Beach promises the ideal getaway for all types of travelers. Recent statistics list the area's accommodations at 54 hotels and 434 motels, not to mention the vast choice in rental condominiums and short-term apartments. Depending on location and amenities, lodging costs range from $30 to $100 per night with prices slightly higher during peak season, running from January to April.
The 220-suite Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key, Florida's first and only all-suite Marriott, opened in February 2004. The former Radisson Suite Resort on Sand Key has undergone a multi-million-dollar re-branding and renovation, offering a one-of-a kind "suite" experience overlooking Clearwater Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
The $25-million Hilton St. Petersburg at Carillon Park opened last fall, overlooking the Carillon Office Park's wildlife preserve in north St. Petersburg. All the amenities expected at a luxury resort, including a heated pool and spa, large restaurant and concierge level, are available.
TradeWinds Island Resorts recently completed an $8.5-million renovation. They also added a new Redbeard the Pirate show as part of their year-round children's program, the KONK Club.
The Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club updated its 360 guest rooms and suites with a $4-million renovation.
The Sheraton Sand Key Resort is proud to show off the results of a three-year, multi-million-dollar renovation to the guest rooms and suites, facilities and meeting space.
The all-suite Alden Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach spent $100,000 to renovate its 27 Bermuda suites and tennis courts.
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| Experience the laidback outdoor lifestyle |
If the eclectic assortment of accommodations isn't enough to boggle the mind, just consider the plethora of dining establishments. The area is home to more than 2,200 restaurants with seating for more than 200,000 guests. Including everything from elegant cuisine to barefoot dining to moonlight dinner cruises, Florida's Beach dishes up more savory fare than you could ever hope to sample. Better yet, the prices are just as widespread with averages listed at $4.25 for breakfast, $6 for lunch and $10 for dinner.
The area is best known for its incredibly fresh yet reasonably priced seafood. Sample shrimp, grouper, red snapper and a myriad of other fish caught in the nearby Gulf of Mexico. For those fortunate enough to be visiting the area between Oct. 15 and May 15, famous Florida stone crabs and lobster will be available on most menus.
If seafood isn't your cup of tea, there's a wide variety of cuisine just waiting to be explored - from French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese to Thai, Indian, Caribbean and Eastern European.
Surf's Up
They don't call it Florida's Beach for nothing. According to Florida International University's Dr. Stephen Leatherman, also known as "Dr. Beach", St. Petersburg/Clearwater is home to the best beach in the continental U.S. The pristine sands in Fort De Soto Park were named the No. 2 beach in the nation behind the top contender found in Hawaii. Caladesi Island State Park earned a No. 5 rating on his world-renowned list. In addition, Clearwater Beach was listed as the No. 1 city beach in the Gulf region.
St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Though 26 communities make up the Gulf Coast region known as "Florida's Beach", the area's two best-known cities are undeniably Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Located just a short coastal drive from each other, these charming, tourist-friendly beach destinations offer all the ingredients necessary for that ideal vacation getaway.
The Wild Side
Look beyond the urban excitement and laidback beach life of St. Petersburg/Clearwater and you'll discover a vast wealth of natural attractions for all ages. Well-known for its sunshine and hospitality, the area has also received both national and international recognition for its nature-based tourism and environmental programs. Wildlife preserves, the largest wild bird hospital in the U.S., a marine rescue facility and one of the most extensive parks draw eco-tourists from around the world.
Here's an opportunity to explore one of the area's wildest retreats! The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, opened last summer, is an 8,500-acre wildlife preserve found just northeast of Clearwater. The $9-million, 17,600-square-foot center features a 3-D theater, herbarium and fascinating exhibits. Visitors can even climb through a gopher tortoise burrow to see how animals share habitats. Free nature hikes and a scenic six-mile horseback trail ride round out the experience.
The Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center offers free guided hikes and canoe trips. Hikes, held once a month, take visitors through the Preserve's boardwalk and open areas. Canoe trips, scheduled twice a month, wind their way through the mangrove habitats. The Weedon Island Preserve is comprised of a group of low-lying islands in north St. Petersburg whose history dates back 10,000 years when early inhabitants such as the Timucuans and Manasotas made the area their home.
Culture
Long known as a beach destination, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is gaining new respect as one of Florida's premier cultural centers. A variety of museums, art galleries, performing arts centers and cultural-related special events offer a year-round taste of the arts.
Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater underwent a $28-million renovation last year, expanding the lobby, restrooms and concession areas, and upgrading the audience chamber. Music lovers will enjoy an eclectic mix of performances ranging from Tony Bennett to Alice Cooper in this acoustically incredible, 2,200-seat venue designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
St. Petersburg's Bayfront Center, featuring the 2,000-seat Mahaffey Theater and an 8,250-seat arena, plays host to many of the area's cultural activities. County and community parks are regular sites for art shows and open-air concerts like the Clearwater Jazz Holiday held in October. There's no end to the area's cultural diversity provided by the 15 community theatres, four professional theatres and more than 15 museums found throughout Florida's Beach.
Fun in the Sun
There's no question that visitors flock to St. Petersburg and Clearwater for the sun, surf and sand. The beaches and climate are ideal for year-round swimming, sailing, water-skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, diving and shelling. More than 300 species of fish can be caught in the area waters, noted as one of Florida's premier fishing spots. Top-notch facilities offer year-round golf and tennis for all levels of play. In fact, some of the best golfers arrive from around the world to compete in the PGA tour's Chrysler Championship held in October.
If you consider yourself a spectator rather than an athlete, spend a few hours (and maybe win a few dollars) at one of the fast-paced greyhound or thoroughbred racing tracks. Professional sports fans can cheer to their heart's content, whether they prefer major league baseball's Tampa Bay Devil Rays who play in St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field, the National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning or Arena Football's Tampa Bay Storm in nearby Tampa. The area is also known as baseball's spring training capital with nine teams warming up within an hour's drive, including the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin and the New York Yankees in Tampa.
Shopping
The BayWalk Entertainment Center in St. Petersburg has become a hot spot for shopping and nightlife. The 150,000-square-foot, open-air themed plaza is anchored by a 20-screen Muvico Theater complex, as well as bars, restaurants and retail outlets.
The landmark Pier in the heart of St. Petersburg is a unique piece of Florida architecture that offers visitors a chance to experience the waterfront along Tampa Bay. This five-story inverted pyramid features shops, restaurants, its own aquarium, live music and even boat docks. Most shops are open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Countryside Mall in Clearwater is a modern facility with nearly 200 shops and more than one million square feet of space. Anchor stores include Burdines, Dillard's, JCPenney and Sears.
Plan Your Vacation
For more information, contact the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau on the Internet at www.FloridasBeach.com or phone 727-464-7200 or 1-877-352-3224.