Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To Sarasota, continue on I-275 south over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which connects
with I-75 and US 41 (Tamiami Trail).
To St Pete Beach, take I-275 to exit 17, and follow US 682/Pinellas Bayway. Or take
Central Ave due west to Treasure Island Causeway or turn south on 66th St to the Corey
Causeway.
To Clearwater Beach, go north on US 19 (34th St in St Petersburg) to Gulf to Bay Blvd;
turn west and follow signs.
St Pete Beach & Barrier Island Beaches
Just 20 minutes from downtown St Petersburg, the legendary barrier-island beaches are the
sandy soul of the peninsula. This 30-mile-long stretch of sun-faded towns and sun-kissed
azure waters is the perfect antidote to city life and the primary destination of most vaca-
tioners. Winter and spring are the high seasons, particularly January through March. Dur-
ing these months, readiness is all: book rooms far in advance, and get up early to beat the
traffic and to snag sometimes-elusive parking spaces.
While St Pete Beach is the biggest town, a string of communities offers variations on a
theme.
Sights & Activities
Barrier-island beaches are almost uniformly excellent in terms of their quality. Rather, they
are distinguished by how amenable they are to day-trippers: some have much more public
parking, better access, commerce and hotels, while others are largely residential. From
south to north this stretch of beach passes through the sun-faded towns of Pass-a-Grille, St
Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira, Redington, Indian Shores, Indian Rocks and
Belleair. Limited public parking at Bellair keeps day-trippers away, who are better served
just north at Sand Key and Clearwater.
Parking meters cost $1.25 per hour; some lots have pay-and-display kiosks.
Fort DeSoto Park PARK, BEACH
(
727-552-1862; www.pinellascounty.org/park ; 3500 Pinellas Bayway S;
sunrise-sunset)
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