By Nanette Wiser
Staycay, or vacay, Pinellas County’s 35 miles of sugar-sand bliss has a best beach for every activity, from sunbathing to paddleboarding. Paradise shines, with three of TripAdvisor’s Top U.S. Beaches right here in the Clearwater/St. Pete area.
St. Pete Beach was named the #1 Beach in the U.S. for 2021 by TripAdvisor and Caladesi Island was named #2 Beach in the U.S. by Dr. Beach in 2022! From north to south, here are some of our faves.
HONEYMOON ISLAND STATE PARK This undeveloped 385-acre barrier island off Dunedin has four miles of sandy beaches, hiking trails and bird-watching opportunities along the Osprey Trail and a nature center; there’s a popular dog beach.
CALADESI ISLAND STATE PARK You can only get here by boat or ferry, even rent a kayak, and tour the mangrove trails. Natural beauty meets modern amenities with an on-site concession, showers and changing rooms.
CLEARWATER BEACH Wide sugar-sand beaches, beach walk shops, dozens of bars and seafood restaurants make this a popular spring break destination. End the day at Palm Pavilion for music and tiki drinks.
SAND KEY PARK Popular with surfers and beach strollers, this 95-acre county park is a great picnic and fishing spot with convenient bath houses and parking. Explore the trails and boardwalk that wind through a salt marsh, then stop for a meal at Columbia Restaurant nearby.
INDIAN SHORES/INDIAN ROCKS Get a taste of Old Florida while shelling and soaking up the rays from any of the 27 beach access points, some with little free libraries. For a taste of Florida cuisine, head over to Crabby Bill’s or JD’s.
THE REDINGTONS Brilliant white sand and peaceful sunbathing make Redington Shores, North Redington Beach and Redington Beach a beach lover’s mecca. Hoist a few at The Friendly Tavern, sip wine at Stan’s Tapas or dine at Conch Republic.
MADEIRA BEACH This beautiful two-mile long stretch of Mad Beach was named the #9 Beach in the U.S. by TripAdvisor in 2021. Park at Archibald Memorial Beach Park or Historic John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, with 100 shops and restaurants and a perfect post-beach afternoon.
TREASURE ISLAND Three miles of sparkling beaches with dozens of bars and live music (Ricky T’s, Sloppy Joe’s, Ka’Tiki, Caddys) as well as shops and some of the best Mex food at VIP.
ST. PETE BEACH This is party central, with miles of beaches, surf shops, beach bars and restaurants from RumFish to The Saint Hotel’s 82 Degrees. On Sunday, the Corey Avenue market is the hot ticket, followed by Blood Mary’s at The Toasted Monkey.
PASS-A-GRILLE Find your bliss on these four miles of beach. Boasting old Florida charm, you can browse the Eighth Avenue Historic District, fish off Merry Pier and enjoy breakfast at Paradise Grille or dinner at The Dewey.
FORT DE SOTO PARK This popular 1,136-acre county park stretches over five islands with numerous beaches and fun for all – kayak and bike rentals, picnic areas, a seven-mile paved trail, historic fort, and a fishing pier. Catch the ferry to Egmont Key or paddleboard/kayak to Shell Key.