St Pete Beach or Clearwater beach help?

[rdevine10]

Hi,

We are in the process of planning anotehr getaway (likely the 2nd week of June 2008). We want to do SeaWorld and a few days on the Gulf. We have never been to St Pete beach or Clearwater.... which one would be better with young kids (5 and 2)? Any hotel recommendations???? We would like to be on the beach, if possible.

thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My parents and I always go to Clearwater Beach every year either before WDW or after WDW every year since 1996 and we enjoy it a lot. We always stay at the Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites On Sand Key, so here is a link to their website. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-rooms/tpams-clearwater-beach-marriott-suites-on-sand-key/ However they are not located right on the beach, but they do have a service where they drive you on a mini cart to the beach. Although right across the street from the Marriott is the Sheraton Sand Key Resort which is located on the beach, so that maybe the place your looking. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=914 Personally I would choose the Marriott because my parents and I went to visit the Sheraton and we were not that impressed with it. However I will say again if you want to be on the beach, then the Sheraton is the place for you and your family.

 

[vacation dreamer]

I prefer Clearwater over St. Pete. We stayed at the Sheraton for just one night last October. We loved the service we recieved but could hear everything going on in the rooms around us. I have never had this happen before and we stay in lots of hotels. The only other hotel I have stayed in was the Best Western (Sea Wake...???) and it was OK. Most of the time we stay in a condo. You can rent a condo for a few nights.

 

[tropical depression]

I don't know anyone in our area that goes to Clearwater Beach anymore. it's very nice, but too touristy. all of the overnight functions we attend are usually at the Sirata, Tradewinds, or the Don Cesar. the southern end of the Pinellas beaches are more laid back.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

We lived in Tampa for years before moving to Georgia and even when we lived there we always preferred St. Pete over Clearwater any day. Clearwater is so touristy. St. Pete is so much better for kids and in fact, now that I have kids, I would vote St. Pete hands down now. Pass-A-Grille is the place we liked. I think it's still a great area.

 

[Kcross3625]

I gotta agree with the two previous posters and put my vote in for St Pete Beach. We find Clearwater too much of a "party crowd" and too touristy. With small children, I would definitely look at St Pete over Clearwater


Kim

 

[vacation dreamer]

I don't know anyone in our area that goes to Clearwater Beach anymore. it's very nice, but too touristy. all of the overnight functions we attend are usually at the Sirata, Tradewinds, or the Don Cesar. the southern end of the Pinellas beaches are more laid back.

when we rent a condo we stay in Maderia or Indian Rocks

 

[MN_Gal]

Check out Treasure Island. It's fairly centrally located between St Pete & Clearwater. Not as touristy and John's Pass is a short drive.

Depending on your length of stay-check out renting a condo. Rates are comparable to hotels. Many on Treasure Island are right on the beach.

 

[suzannews]

We stayed at the Sheraton on Sand Key this past July and loved it! It was on the beach but you will see from the picture on their website, the beach is huge and its a little bit of a walk down to the water. We really liked that though. It was very quiet. On day we just hung out on the beach, rented beach chairs and an umbrella. We also rented a jet ski which was alot of fun. There was also a girl who would take your order if you wanted drinks or snacks from the pool bar and bring it to you.

http://www.sheratonsandkey.com/index.php

 

[dyna]

Just returned last week from St Pete Beach an Clearwater Beach it was our 1st visit to the GULF side an we liked St Pete Beach far better than Clearwater. WE did not care for the shells on the beach at either location. Clearwater was way to populated an touristy for us too.

We stopped at a city park (beach) on Treasure Island an we might try staying there some time.

 

[tropical depression]

when we rent a condo we stay in Maderia or Indian Rocks

we have a condo on Indian Rocks that we use about a dozen times each year, it's a nice location.

 

[DisneyCrazy2]

Any tips on how to find nice quality condos for weekly rent?

 

[Lisa P.]

Timeshare condos rent by the week. Check the classifieds on TUG (see my sig) or RedWeek.com or MyResortNetwork.com, even eBay.

 

[madisonsmom]

Any tips on how to find nice quality condos for weekly rent?

I always use www.vrbo.com (vacation rental by owner) and have always found the prices and fees to be better then going through a true rental agency. I have rented on Indian Rocks before through this website, but it was just my sister and I, so we shared a 1 bedroom.

Clearwater is touristy, but there are some really fun activities there too...the Capt. Memo's Pirate Cruise(great fun, espec. for kids), the Clearwater Aquarium - it is a rehab aquarium and you can do a behind the scenes tour which is fun and educational...my DH6 still talks about kissing the dolphin!

I prefer to stay at Indian Rocks or Maderia and then drive over to Clearwater for a day for some fun and good eats...Frenchy Rock-a-way grille is really good and right on the beach. And then are able to drive to St. Pete for different activities too, like Ft. Desoto, Dali Musuem, the pier, etc. But to drive from St. Pete to Clearwater is pretty lengthy..about 45 minu-1 hour depending on traffic.

 

[BiGGy]

We stayed at the doubletree beach resort on north reddington beach last year and it was fantastic. It isn't far from Treasure Island. The doubletree was a fantastic hotel, really clean and the staff were fantastic. Our teenager loved the beach and my husband and i took a lovely walk on the beach at sunset.

Hope this helps

Doris (BiGGy's wife)

 

[loveysbydesign]

Just returned last week from St Pete Beach an Clearwater Beach it was our 1st visit to the GULF side an we liked St Pete Beach far better than Clearwater.

We're planning to srive to the beach for the day and was wondering what the best route is to take to get to either of there beaches...unsure which one we should try. We just want to go for the day and let the kids play in the sand and the water!!!

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

Living in Tampa (I'm familiar with both beaches). I highly recommend Ft. Desoto Beach in St. Pete. It is a large county park with beautiful beaches, snack bar, restrooms, etc. It is not a 'touristy' area, so if you are looking for souvenir t-shirt shops, etc. - go to Clearwater.

The other advantage of this beach is that its straight highways, until you get to the Ft. Desoto exit. If you go to Clearwater beach, expect lots of red lights and traffic!

Below is a link to the park.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

 

[loveysbydesign]

Living in Tampa (I'm familiar with both beaches). I highly recommend Ft. Desoto Beach in St. Pete. It is a large county park with beautiful beaches, snack bar, restrooms, etc. It is not a 'touristy' area, so if you are looking for souvenir t-shirt shops, etc. - go to Clearwater.

The other advantage of this beach is that its straight highways, until you get to the Ft. Desoto exit. If you go to Clearwater beach, expect lots of red lights and traffic!

Below is a link to the park.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

TYVM!!! Do I take Rt 5 from the Orlando area to get there?? We're staying at Windsor Hills off of Rte 192 and are close toRt 4.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

You can mapquest the driving directions from your hotel to Ft. Desoto's address for 'exact' directions. Their address is:

3500 Pinellas Bayway S.,
Tierra Verde, FL 33715


It's really easy to get there... Take I4 West to Tampa; once in Tampa I4 will merge into 275. Continue on 275 across the bridge towards St. Pete. Take the last exit before the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and follow the signs to Ft. Desoto.

 

[queen_bee]

If you could choose the gulf side at St. Pete or Daytona which would you do? This is coming from someone who has not been to Florida before.