A Guide to St. Pete Beaches
📍 Don CeSar Hotel, St. Pete Beach
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I don’t know if it always comes across here, but I am a born-and-raised beach bum. The idea of spending all day at the beach, in the salt and sand, seems like heaven. Since I grew up in the St. Pete area, I’ve also had the pleasure of visiting every local strip of sand that dots the Gulf of Mexico. These pristine beach towns have been a huge tourism pull for years and there’s no sign of slowing down. If you are new to the area or have plans on visiting, here’s a guide to my favorite beaches in the St. Pete and Pinellas County area. Because I’m a stickler on details, I want to clarify that these are all separate towns from St. Pete. Some, primarily Clearwater Beach and Honeymoon Island, are quite a drive away, but absolutely worth the trip. Make one your soul destination or beach hop to your heart’s content.
Fort De Soto Park
This is the perfect destination if you want to feel off the grid and get in touch with nature. Fort De Soto is a county park. While it doesn’t have the restaurants and hotels as other local beaches, that doesn’t mean the beaches are any less beautiful. For one thing, it’s dog-friendly. Feel free to pack up your puppy for a fun day in the sun that the entire family will enjoy. David and I like to launch our kayak from here and explore the two-mile canoe trail. Once we even saw an entire flock of bright pink spoonbills. My favorite option at Fort De Soto Park is to simply pack a lunch and do nothing! There’s no wrong choice in how to spend your day.
Pass-a-Grille
I hate to say it, but this has become my favorite beach in St. Pete. Well, at least it’s the one I visit the most often. Pass-a-Grille Beach is the southernmost part of St. Pete Beach and it’s my ideal escape. The beaches are simply stunning, plus there is a nice range of restaurants and shops so you can fully take advantage of your trip. Start your day with breakfast at The Seahorse. This institution has been serving Pass-a-Grille for over 80 years. From there you can explore the shops on 8th Avenue, lovingly known as the “World’s Smallest Main Street.” For finer dining, I recommend making a reservation at The Dewey and grab a sunset cocktail at the Rooftop Bar.
St. Pete Beach
Most recently, St. Pete Beach has been ranked as the Number 1 beach in the United States and Number 5 in the World. Those are so incredible accolades and something that locals are very proud of. The first thing I have to mention about SPB is, of course, the Don CeSar Hotel. Originally opening in 1928, it is lovingly known as the Pink Palace. The stunningly pink stucco and palm trees make it one of my favorite places in the area to explore. I take any chance to spend a day here. Further north, you’ll also find one of my favorite beach breakfast places, the Frog Pond. The menu is almost French-inspired, so definitely order the quiche. They are decadent! If there’s a line, and it’s a good chance, stop next door for coffee at Grove Surf & Coffee. You can get caffeinated with their fun menu options or grab supplies for your beach day. After a day in the sun, cool day at one of my favorite local breweries, Mastry’s. There are so many drink options to match anyone’s preference and taste.
Madeira Beach
Just north of St. Pete Beach is the little gem of Madeira Beach. The beaches are sweeping and there’s so much to do. You’ll love visiting John’s Pass Village. What started as a pirate-founded fishing village is now a favorite tourist destination with over 130 shops and restaurants. You’ll find quintessential tacky tourist shops, of course, but don’t skip over boutiques that sell Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines. Mad Beach Brewing is a favorite place to stop for local food and an extensive tap list. If you haven’t noticed about the St. Pete area, breweries are a running theme. Nearly all are worth visiting.
Clearwater Beach
I think this Clearwater Beach is still the most iconic in the area. It’s the most developed for restaurants and resorts, plus is a straight shot from the airport. Before the bridges changed, I went to this beach a lot. After school, weekends, holidays, I was here with friends. Over time, I learned about the best secret places to park and grab lunch. Things have drastically changed in recent years, but I still love some of the staples in this beachside town. Frenchy’s is always a favorite. There are several locations for this local chain of restaurants. Tourists will typically pick the Rockaway location because it’s right on the beach and has the best view for sunsets. I prefer the Original location a few blocks away. This whole-in-the-wall was a regular date night spot when my parents first met. Order the Grouper Sandwich, but don’t forget to start with an order of the Smoked Fish Dip. While I never actually stayed on Clearwater Beach, I would love to have a stay at the Hotel Cabana for a quick getaway.
Honeymoon Island
This final beach is pretty far from St. Pete proper but is another favorite from my childhood. Similar to Fort De Soto, Honeymoon Island is a State Park and is a place to unwind. Thankfully, there are no resorts or restaurants, except for a small food shack. I recommend turning off your phone, packing a good book, and stroll past the families for your own slice of paradise. While you’re in the area, be sure to visit sweet Downtown Dunedin for a great array of food and shopping options.
Which beach should you visit? There’ really no right answer. Each town and beach has its own sense of pride and style. No matter where you book a trip, be sure to treat the community with every ounce of respect that it deserves. Clean up after yourselves and be kind to the locals you meet along the way!
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.