Sand Key JUST MI N U T E S F ROM T H E h u stl e an d b u stl e of C l e a rwat er B e a c h , S a n d Key Par k i s a h i d d en gem w i t h a w i d e , s a n d y b e a c h, an d sp ectacul ar gulf vi e ws. A 95- a c re cou n t y par k , San d Key h as all t h e am e n i t i e s n e e d e d for a g reat fam i l y d ay at t h e be ac h – p l e n t y of p a r ki ng , shad ed p i cn i c p av i l i o n s, ba t h h ou s e s , a p l aygro u nd , co n cessi o n and o n e of th e a re a’s on l y roc k j etti es. The trai l s pro mi s e g l i m p s e s of s h o reb i rd s, d o l p h i n s and a va ri e t y of ot h e r w i l d l i fe. TIP : G ul f - f ro nt She rat o n S a n d Key a n d b ay- f ro n t Mar r i o tt Suit e s offe r b e s t of b ot h wor l d s: l ow-key rela xa t i o n w i t h e a s y a cce ss t o b ustl i ng Cle a rwat e r Be a c h j u s t a c ross the b r i d g e.
Belleair Beach & Belleair Shore O P EN THE BEACH CHA IR , put up the umbrella an d p u l l out tha t novel: T his s ma ll gulf-front co m m u nit y offers a quiet bea ch perfect for m el ti ng away the s t ress es of t he day. Don’t let the i m p ressi ve wa terfront ma ns ions s ca re you away; p ar k at M orga n Bea ch Pa rk a long Gulf Bouleva rd to f i n d your own pa t ch of s a nd a nd s ea . Genera lly, th e m ai n a ction here is gulls s tea ling chip ba gs , whi ch are bes t hidden benea t h bea ch towels . T IP: It’s o n l y 10 minutes t o Clea rwa ter Bea ch if you need to sha ke it off a nd find s ome a ction.
Indian Rocks Beach & Indian Shores T HIS LONG, CU RVED RI BBON of na r row ba rrier is la nd offers ne a r ly 20 be a c h a cce ss point s lea ding to s ome of t he pre t t ie s t a nd quietes t bea ches a round. Fo r co nve nie nce , fa milies s hould look for a s pa ce a t t he ma in India n Rocks public bea c h pa r k ing lo t , w it h it s res t rooms a nd ba t hho us e . Alo ng G ulf Bouleva rd, condomini ums , be a c h re s o r t s a nd s ea s ide cott a ges s ha re t he be a c hfro nt w it h s ma ll hot els a nd mot e ls , ne ig hbo r ho o d ba r s a nd a va riet y of res taura nt s . Tr y G uppy ’s o n the Bea ch or Sa lt Rock G r ill fo r fre s h s e a fo o d a nd a friendly vibe. If o ne s ize fit s a ll, t his bea ch might be it . TIP : D o n’t miss t he Suncoa s t Sea bird Sa nc t ua r y, a re ha b c linic a nd home to injured pelicans a nd o t he r s ho re birds .