Clearwater Vacations - Florida

Clearwater & St Petersburg>>>  20 miles (32 km) south west of Tampa, 84 miles (135 km) south west of Orlando

Clearwater & St Petersburg

The Clearwater - St. Petersburg area enjoys a reputation as Florida's sunshine capital. These two adjacent towns are located on the Pinellas Peninsula, one of the most densely populated areas in Florida.

Little wonder, when the western shoreline of the peninsula overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, boasts 35 miles (56 km) of some of the best beaches in the world and the eastern coast fronts onto Tampa Bay.

The Gulf shore comprises a series of small beach communities and islands starting from the well known St Pete Beach at the southern tip of the peninsula, through Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Clearwater Beach and ultimately Tarpon Springs at the northern end.

St. Petersburg, with a population of about 250,000, is located approximately in the middle of the peninsula and about 10 miles (16 km) from St Pete beach. The city boasts many art galleries and museums, including the Florida International Museum which displays a permanent President J. F. Kennedy exhibit.

St Petersburg has a picturesque downtown area with a waterfront promenade and the famous pier provides bay views.

Clearwater Beach boasts some of the most beautiful, broad beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast. It is the home port for the largest recreational fishing fleet on the west coast of Florida.

Pier 60 is Clearwater's well known sightseeing and fishing pier and is the focal point of the beach. Pier 60 Park is home to "Sunsets at Pier 60", a nightly festival celebrating the setting of the sun. The Gulf sunsets across the fleet at anchor provide the perfect end to magical days. 

About 15 miles (24 km) north of Clearwater Beach is Tarpon Springs, once the center of a sea sponge industry.

The industry is no longer viable but the Greek communities who were originally attracted to the area left a lasting landmark in the lovely Greek Orthodox St Nicholas Church located in the Tarpons Springs Historic District. The town continues to have a Greek influence through its restaurants, bakeries and shops.

The Clearwater/ St. Petersburg accommodation options include luxury resorts and condominiums, hotels, a variety of inns and vacation rentals along its 35 miles (56km) of ocean front. The St Petersburg hotels offer a great selection of family accommodation and there are several golf courses attached to their parent resorts.

Getting There & Getting Around

Tampa International Airport is the major air gateway to this area. (The St. Petersburg Clearwater Airport has limited service) Most major airlines serve Tampa International, including Air Canada,  AirTran, America West, American, British Airways, Continental and Delta as well as several of the economy carriers.  

Amtrak operates a service to and from the Tampa Amtrak Station. 

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority runs trolley service along Gulf Boulevard between St. Pete Beach and the Sand Key Resort where it connects with the Jolly Trolley which continues through to Clearwater Beach.

  Clearwater & St Petersburg vacation highlights

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