Clearwater: A Beautiful Florida Beach…If You Can Find Parking!

One of Florida’s most iconic beaches, Clearwater, is the liveliest beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast. This beautiful wide, white sandy beach offers a more upbeat vibe than many other Pinellas County beaches. My favorite aspect is definitely the shear amount of space available. After spending time at many other narrow Gulf coast beaches, I was pleasantly surprised with this beach layout. 

You can actually spread out and enjoy some personal space here. While there is a lot of space available, it is also one of the more heavily visited by tourists. Also, the parking lots are almost always full even if you arrive early, so you often have to drive around forever to find a spot.

The beach is nicely landscaped with plenty of palm trees. I feel that the vibe is a bit more tropical here which is one of the reasons it draws so many tourists. Plus, there are plenty of hotels located directly on the beach and lots of restaurants and shops nearby. It’s convenient, scenic, and loaded with amenities. It’s basically what you think of when someone asks “what is a great Florida beach vacation destination?”

At Clearwater, you will find the smoothest, whitest sand in the Bay area. You will not find many broken up shells or cigarette butts lying around here – just smooth, pristine sand. The sand is mostly comprised of quartz crystals. The sand’s origin is actually from the Appalachian mountains. The crystals washed down the rivers which led into the Gulf of Mexico. The sand is cool to the touch, so you won’t burn your feet as soon as you toss off the flip flops! You won’t find many colorful beach shells here, but the tradeoff is sand so wonderfully smooth that it feels more like snow than sand!

The water is so clear and warm. So warm in fact, that I felt like I was standing in a bathtub. During the summer months, the water at Gulf beaches can honestly feel too hot. My favorite time to swim is late spring. Note that the winter months are usually way too cold to swim – both in terms of the air and water temp. You need to time your visit just right. Fall and early winter is best time for sunbathing and beach strolls, while late spring and early summer are the best months for swimming.

So many crowds… so much to do!

Compared to other Bay beaches, Clearwater reminds me the most of beaches I used to frequent in Southern California. Here, you will find many of the great aspects found at most SoCal beaches: volleyball nets, a boardwalk, restaurants, a pier, and ongoing yearly events.

There is a nice active vibe here, especially with the boardwalk and pier. Although the boardwalk (called Beach Walk) is not long enough for a bike ride at a mere half mile, it is long enough for a nice stroll. You will find a number of restaurants and touristy shops in this area. Overall, this beach is probably my top pick for anyone looking for something more exciting than simply beach strolls and sunbathing.

Don’t get me wrong, this beach is a fantastic choice for relaxing, listening to the waves, and enjoying the clear water ahead of you and the smooth white sand under your feet: just not on a busy weekend! Don’t expect to enjoy a quiet, relaxing weekend day.

The Parking Nightmare

Finding parking was an absolute nightmare! Metered parking spaces are extremely limited and everyone is fighting for a spot. Parking lots fill up quickly on weekends. Holiday weekends – don’t even bother as there are no spaces and the parking rates are extremely jacked up. I avoid the beach at all costs during spring break.

We circled around for almost an hour before finding a spot almost a 1/2 mile away. Visiting on a weekday morning is the best time to ensure fewer crowds, and hence, an easier time finding parking. Or better yet, take the Jolley Trolley and avoid the hassle altogether.

Although, I enjoyed the lively setting, it was almost too crowded to enjoy the fun. Maybe Saturday night wasn’t the best choice. The boardwalk and pier were both too crowded to walk without bumping into someone. It may have been more crowded due to the screening of “The Goonies,” on the beach as part of the nightly festival.

On the bright side, the wide beach offers more than enough room for everyone. We took a quick walk around the water, then proceeded to enjoy the “Sunset at Pier 60” festival (details below).

Pier 60

Pier 60, a 1000+ foot pier, is open year-round (except for Christmas), and is a well-known hotspot for fishing, sunset photography, and year-round festivals. The nightly “Sunsets at the Pier” celebration features vendors, live music and entertainment, and street performances.

On Friday and Saturday nights, the jumbo screen is set up for “Sunset Movies on the Beach.” This week, they were screening 80’s classic “The Goonies.” This is one of my favorite movies and it was definitely fun to watch one of my all time favorite movies in the unique beachy setting. A great idea, although placing the screen directly in front of the playground was probably not the wisest decision. Make sure to arrive at least an hour in advance to get a good seat.

From what I have seen so far, this beach seems to be the most popular choice for tourists. You can enjoy a bit of everything here including: relaxation, sunbathing, cruises, festivals, and even nearby dining and shopping.

Cruise Options: A Great Alternative to Sunbathing

Taking a cruise is another must-do while vacationing in the area. There are plenty of options, including: sunset cruises, dolphin cruises, lunch and dinner cruises, and even a pirate themed adventure.

We just booked one of the sunset cruises for this Friday – so be sure to check back for details on our experience!

Update: the cruise was great despite the stormy weather. The Tropics Sunset ride is one of the best in the area. It’s affordable with a free champagne toast. We enjoyed the opportunity to sightsee, learn some historical facts, and just take a break from all the commotion.

We also recently took a ride on the Sea Screamer “the world’s largest speedboat” at 72 feet. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed on this one so it is a great deal. Dolphins love to play in the wake of the boat and will do a little show for you – do bring a video camera and take a seat in the back for the best view!

More to do

Update: Since moving to the area and originally writing this post, we have been back to this beach multiple times. Yes it is always crowded and frustrating to find parking, so it’s not our top choice. We do love the beautiful setting and many amenities so we try to plan a trip here every month or so.

There’s is so much to do off the beach too which is why all the tourists make their way over here. Here, you will also find great shopping, waterfront restaurants, and attractions such as the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Check out my must-dos for more ideas to add to your vacation itinerary.

A few tips to make your visit more enjoyable…

*Finding parking here is miserable. I have never seen so many cars driving around looking for a spot at the ame time (and this went on up until we left at around 11pm). Start your trip off on the right foot by taking the Jolley Trolley as opposed to driving yourself, or better yet, book a hotel directly on the beach.

*An unlimited trolley pass is available with reduced rates for seniors. There are several locations throughout Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, and Palm Harbor area. Check the Trolley schedule for full details and updated info.

*Bring with plenty of water and sunblock if visiting during the hot afternoon hours. Also a few snacks is always a smart idea. A morning or late evening visit is recommended due to the insanely hot afternoon temps and crowds. Of course, off season would be your best bet if you don’t want to lie around in the heat. On the other hand, it’s too cold to swim in the winter. Late spring/early fall would be my top picks.

*Book a hotel within walking distance from the beach for easy access. The Sandpearl is a highly regarded resort with great amenities.

*Visit on a weekday morning if you are looking for a more laid back, relaxing experience.

*Check Groupon for cruise discounts.

*Great breakfast options in the vicinity include: Ryan’s Island Cafe and Clear Sky Beachside Cafe.

*Great lunch options include: We the Pizza (serving quick service pizza & salads) and Marina Cantina (Tex Mex with a view). The food is pretty good her for a tourist town (I was expecting much less, but was pleasantly surprised).

Location & Parking Information

I would put the address for Pier 60 into your GPS (1 Causeway Blvd. Clearwater, Florida) and try to find parking from there. Both metered street parking and lots are available. Check the City of Clearwater site for a detailed map of all parking. If you drive far enough away from the beach, you may be able to find free street parking early in the mornings (typically, I get to the beach around 8-9am and easily find free spots). Just check the signs.