Clearwater beach located on the west coast of Florida is one of Americas finest beach resorts. The soft sand beaches, warm waters and quality of the amenities have lead to Clearwater being ranked as one of Florida’s best beaches time and time again.
Easily accessible form Tampa via the inter-coastal highways, the beach resort is in easy reach for most travelers already in the Orlando and Tampa Bay Area. With any visit to Florida, a day trip here should be added to your itinerary.
Once you’ve arrived, Pier 60 is a good place to start and is surrounded by a good selection of shops, restaurants, clean toilets and showering facilities as well as children’s play areas for the younger members of the group.
The main beach area south of the pier includes a spotlessly clean Boardwalk lined with open showers and foot washes along with a snack bar, restaurant, toilets and a shop selling beach wears. During the evenings in the summer the Boardwalk comes to life with various street performers including fire jugglers and musicians.
Every Saturday evening during the summer months the pier plays host to a market with locals artists selling crafts, handmade home wares and jewelry. Once the sun has set the pier comes even more alive with the addition of a free open air movie.
Clearwater beach is home to endless activities both on and off the water. The marina opposite the pier is the base for Fishing day trips, Jet boat rides out into the gulf, Para-sailing, dinner cruises and even a pirate ship adventure with Captain Memos Pirate Cruise. For experiences on land there is Clearwater Segway adventure tours which will guide along the streets, around the marina and highlight some of the features and historic landmarks. Full tuition is given.
On the main road, Gulf view boulevard which runs parallel to the beach there are numerous shops as well as a small selection within the main marina car park. Directly opposite the board walk there are some large beachwear and sports shops one of which has a full size indoor surf simulator.
The Clearwater area also offers some fabulous dinning especially seafood. Restaurants like Crabby Bills within the Marina and Frenchys South Beach Cafe are well know and highly recommended for their local seafood dishes. All along the main road there are numerous other snack bars, cafes and other restaurants including Hooters and McDonald’s.
For Shopping then head north from the roundabout at the center along Mandalay Ave which is lined with boutique style shops and the famous Ron Jon Surf shop as well as useful stores like CVS pharmacy, handy if you need to grab some extra sun screen. The street is also the main street if you looking for something to eat home to some 20 restaurants and bars. ATM’s and a few banks are also located along the avenue.
To get yourself to Clearwater beach, the easiest route if arriving from Tampa by road is taking the state highway 60 W Courtney Campbell Causeway across the Tampa Bay which starts next to the Tampa International Airport. After crossing the Causeway continue to follow highway 60 which will lead you through Clearwater, eventually crossing the Clearwater Memorial Causeway until you arrive at a round about ( a novelty in the American road system ) directly opposite the pier and near several car parks. The majority of large hotels in the area are also close by with the Hilton Clearwater Beach next to the pier and the Hyatt Regency Beach Resort and Spa to the left of the junction.
Events and Highlights:
- Annual Road Race
- Free Movies from pier 60
Popular attractions:
Hotels:
- Hilton Clearwater Beach
- Pier house 60 Marina Hotel
- Hyatt Recency Clearwater beach resort and spa
- Barefoot Bay Resort and Marina
Parking:
There are two main carparks close to pier 60 at each end of the Boardwalk with pay and display parking. There is also a private car park between the Hyatt and the pier 60 car park. If you can get into one of the authority run Pay and display car parks.
Nearby Locations and points of interest:
- Fort de Soto State Park – 38 miles 60 mins
- Honeymoon Island state park – 13 miles 35 mins
- Tampa – 20 miles – 35 mins
- Indian Rocks Beach – 6 miles 16 mins
External Links:
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