Clearwater Beach...where EXACTLY to go?

[Lucky'sMom]

We are doing one beach day on our July vacation. I think Clearwater Beach sounds like the nicest area. Where exactly do we go there? I assume that's a large area. My ideal beach would offer: restroom/shower facilities, maybe rentals of some sort-like beach chairs and umbrellas, maybe something else to do there, too, like walking trails, nature sites, possibly concession. Thanks a bunch!

 

[lotus14]

I'm looking for this info, too. We will be doing a day trip and want to make it memorable for the kids. Being able to walk to a restaurant would be a plus but not at all required.

 

[scard192]

We are doing one beach day on our July vacation. I think Clearwater Beach sounds like the nicest area. Where exactly do we go there? I assume that's a large area. My ideal beach would offer: restroom/shower facilities, maybe rentals of some sort-like beach chairs and umbrellas, maybe something else to do there, too, like walking trails, nature sites, possibly concession. Thanks a bunch!

Pier 60. If you Google there is info about the activities they have at sunset. The beach near there was nice and some restaurants within walking distance,

 

[Lucky'sMom]

any other beaches to recommend?

 

[newdrama12]

any other beaches to recommend?

Siesta Key

 

[GirlDreamer]

Sarasota Beach is beautiful, the sand there is very fine I've been to one other beach too, but can't remember which one

 

[janeyb]

We have just returned home after our holiday to Florida and last Tuesday we spent a wonderful day (my 40th birthday in fact) at Anna Maria Island. We took a gamble having never been there before and it certainly payed off, it was beautiful. It took just over 2 hours to get there from AKL.

We have been to St Petes beach before and also Clearwater, both were lovely but Anna Maria Island was special.

Jane.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Thanks everyone! I will look into all of these...

 

[belle0216]

Pier 60 can be fun on weekend nights like mentioned above. Also, there is a pizza place called Post Corner Pizza that is located very close to there that is a great place to stop in and have some lunch or a casual dinner. Another fun place to eat is Crabby Bills which has great seafood that is reasonably priced. There is also plenty of places across the street to rent waverunners or go on boating/sightseeing/fishing trips (even a Pirate themed cruise). I have gone to Clearwater Beach on vacation for 20 years now and I'll be heading back again this summer after my Disney trip!

 

[Beccabunny]

Sand Key is just over the bridge at the southern tip of Clearwater Beach. Very nice beach, part of a state park (or county, not sure), quieter than Clearwater beach.

Caladesi Island is accessible by ferry from Honeymoon Island, which is just north of Clearwater in Dunedin. Haven't been there, but the beach looks pretty in pictures, and I believe there are nature trails.

North Beach in Fort DeSoto Park is my favorite! Gorgeous beach, usually not crowded on weekdays. There is a concession stand, and you can rent umbrellas and beach chairs there.

 

[Art 1]

I don't care for Clearwater beach. I know that many do but not me. I would go just a little further and head to one of the keys off of Sarasota.

 

[greenclan67]

Sand Key is just over the bridge at the southern tip of Clearwater Beach. Very nice beach, part of a state park (or county, not sure), quieter than Clearwater beach.

Caladesi Island is accessible by ferry from Honeymoon Island, which is just north of Clearwater in Dunedin. Haven't been there, but the beach looks pretty in pictures, and I believe there are nature trails.

North Beach in Fort DeSoto Park is my favorite! Gorgeous beach, usually not crowded on weekdays. There is a concession stand, and you can rent umbrellas and beach chairs there.

We r thinking of doing Fort Desoto for the day when we head that way for a hockey game! How long can you spend there? What is the concession like, and how much for rentals? Any info you can lend I would love!

 

[disneydeal]

we've only been to clearwater beach once, like 10 years ago. we did like it very calm water, few restaurants close to the water and we did catch a glimpse of a few dolphins a ways out near the BRIDGE on the southern part. Other beaches i've been to in florida are on the east side of Fl. they are daytona area and cocoa beach area.... if you want calm water go to clearwater..if you want old run down but active go daytona..if you want simple beach with waves go cocoa..

 

[Beccabunny]

We r thinking of doing Fort Desoto for the day when we head that way for a hockey game! How long can you spend there? What is the concession like, and how much for rentals? Any info you can lend I would love!

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm Here's a link with some info on Fort DeSoto. I didn't buy any food there, so I can't tell you what that's like. Really can't remember what it cost for an umbrella rental, but I'm thinking under $20. You have to carry the umbrella and chair down to the beach yourself, unlike Clearwater where they're already set up.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

I am interested in this as well. Last time we went to Lori Wilson park beach at Cocoa beach. It had free parking, restroom area, and a nice walkway to the beach. It was also very uncrowded!

We would like to try calmer
gulf waters this time, so can anyone recommend a very uncrowded area at Clearwater or another gulf beach that is close to WDW?

 

[crazy_cremello]

Clearwater Beach was hyped up to our family back in 2004 and we decided to stay there for 2 days and include our Busch Garden's day on the way home. To be quite honest, it's a beautiful beach and the sunset on pier 60 is gorgeous, but there wasn't a lot else to do there. We felt as though we'd lost a day by going there, although we are not beach holiday people. I'd say if your not desperate to go to Clearwater then don't, however it's something nice to check off on a list of places Here's a picture I took at Clearwater.