Clearwater, FL

Clearwater is a city on the Pinellas peninsula best known for Clearwater Beach, a wide stretch of white sand on a barrier island across the Intracoastal Waterway. Beyond the beach, the mainland city has a bayfront downtown, spring training baseball and easy access to the rest of Pinellas County.

Where is Clearwater?

Clearwater is in Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay region, north of St. Petersburg. From Tampa, take the Courtney Campbell Causeway (SR 60) across Old Tampa Bay; US 19 is the main north-south road through the county. St. Pete-Clearwater International (PIE) is about 20 minutes away, and Tampa International (TPA) is about 30 minutes. To reach the beach, follow the Clearwater Memorial Causeway west from downtown. Parking at Clearwater Beach fills early on weekends and during spring break in March, so arrive early or take a trolley from downtown.

Things to do in Clearwater

Pier 60 is the hub of Clearwater Beach, with a nightly sunset gathering of street performers and artisans. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation center, became famous through Winter the dolphin and the Dolphin Tale films. For a quieter stretch of sand, head south to Sand Key Park, a Pinellas County park, or take the ferry from Honeymoon Island in neighboring Dunedin to undeveloped Caladesi Island State Park. Downtown, Coachman Park hosts concerts on the bayfront. From late February through March, the Philadelphia Phillies play spring training games at BayCare Ballpark. The beach is busiest from February through April and on summer weekends.