Just over the bridge from Isla del Sol are the sugar sand beaches and warm gulf waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Enjoy a ride up Gulf Blvd to experience the nuances of each little beach community.
Just over the bridge from Isla del Sol are the sugar sand beaches and warm gulf waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Enjoy a ride up Gulf Blvd to experience the nuances of each little beach community.
St. Pete Beach
Where: Gulf Blvd at 47th Avenue. There is a traffic light at the entrance. Right across the street from the Dolphin Village Shopping Center.
Parking: Metered parking, $1.25 per hour or $5.00 per day.
Hours: Open 7am till dark. Gates close after dark.
Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor shower to rinse off.
Lifeguards: Unfortunately, there are NO lifeguards.
Food concession: No.
Pass a Grill Beach
Where: Located on the southern end of St. Pete Beach, south of the historic Don Cesar Hotel, Pass-a-Grille stretches for about 22 blocks, beginning at 22nd Avenue and going all the way to the end of the island.
Parking: Metered parking, $1.25 per hour or $5.00 per day. Enforced from 8am to 8pm every day. So, if you come after 8pm, parking is FREE!
Hours: Doesn't close.
Beach Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor shower to rinse off, food concession, and beach supply store. Restrooms located at 10th Avenue, across from the Hurricane Restaurant.
Lifeguards: Unfortunately, there are no lifeguards.
Food concession: Yes, the Seaside Grille (pictured below) is located right on the beach and has outdoor seating in the form of concrete tables and benches with umbrellas. It also has a small beach supply store. The food concession is located right across the street from the Hurricane Restaurant on 10th Avenue.
Upham Beach
Where: Located off Gulf Blvd at 68th Avenue. Drive west to Beach Plaza Road. Upham Beach stretches from from about 67th Avenue to 71st Avenue.
Parking: Metered parking, $1.25 per hour or $5.00 per day. Enforced from 8am to 8pm every day. So, if you come after 8pm, parking is FREE.
Hours: Beach doesn't close.
Beach Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor shower to rinse off, food concession.
Lifeguards: Unfortunately, there are no lifeguards.
Food concession: Yes, the Seaside Grille is located right on the beach and has outdoor seating in the form of concrete tables and benches. Serves breakfast and lunch, 8am to 4pm.
Fort DeSoto Park
Where: Located off 54th Avenue South in St. Petersburg. From Interstate 275 take the 54th Ave South exit, just north of the Skyway Bridge. From St. Pete Beach, take the Pinellas Bayway S.R. 682 (at the Don Cesar) east. Turn south on S.R. 679 and drive south for about 5 miles to Fort Desoto County Park. There is a 50 cent toll on the Bayway, and another 35 cent toll to get to the park.
Entrance Fee: There is a $5 per car entrance fee. An annual parking pass is available. Cars with a valid disabled perking permit or tag do not have to pay the entrance fee. Pedestrians and bicycles entering the park do not have to pay the entrance fee.
Parking: Plenty of FREE parking inside the park.
Hours: Park is open 7am until dark. The fishing piers are open 7 am to 11 pm and admission is free.
Beach Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor showers to rinse off, food concession, 2 fishing piers, cool fort with cannons, hiking trails, canoe and kayak rental, bike rentals, beautiful waterfront campground, boat launch ramp with lots of parking, ferry to Egmont Key, hundreds of picnic tables, historic stuff, nature stuff.
Lifeguards: Sometimes has a lifeguard on East Beach and on North Beach. Not always.
Food concession: Yes, there is a food concession right next to the Gulf pier, and another one just north of the Fort, near the bike rentals.
Egmont Key
Where: Located in the mouth of Tampa Bay, just south of Fort Desoto Park (Mullet Key). Accessible only by boat.
Parking: No cars, no roads. Nothing to buy. Nothing to eat or drink.
Hours: 8am till sunset, typical Florida State Park hours.
Beach Facilities: Sand. No restrooms. Check to see if your boat has a head (toilet, loo, servicio, can).
Lifeguards: No.
Food concession: No, but if you take the ferry or a charter boat to the island, the boat may sell junk food, soft drinks and beer.
Sunset Beach
Where: Located on the southern tip of Treasure Island.
Parking: Metered parking, $1.oo per hour. Enforced all the time. No freebies. Bring yer quarters. Change machine located at the beach pavilion.
Hours: Beach closed between 1am and 5am. Restrooms open 8am till sunset. Vending machines available 12 noon till sunset.
Beach Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor shower to rinse off.
Lifeguards: No.
Food concession: Vending machines with drinks and snacks accessible from 12 noon till sunset.