Day 1
Exploring Clearwater Beach, Florida during the winter months is a must! There used to be a commercial, I forget what it was for, that depicted a stormy, wintry day. Wind howled, and snow whipped around cars on a highway. Rear red lights brightly lit the foggy charcoal colored sky. Brr. I lounged on the couch, transfixed on the tele, my bare legs, like popsicles, sticking out into the humid air, my skin sticking to the couch, slurping as I moved to grab the remote. 'Why? Why do you have to ruin this summer day,' I thought. No one wants to be reminded of the chill of winter when the birds are chirping through the open windows, and the smell of the neighbor's BBQ chicken sits thick in the air. The effect this commercial had on me was like a weather-shock to my system.
Driving from the cold winter of Canada to the warm, sunny skies of Clearwater Beach, Florida had the same weather-shock effect on me, although reversed. When Tas, her friend, Lila, and I left early in the morning to drive the 2362 km to Clearwater Beach, we didn't get very far before we were stuck in a traffic jam that saw no vehicles moving. Hours slowly passed, our enthusiasm with it, until the painful reminder of needing to go to the washroom gave me the courage to do a U-turn through the icy ditch. I figured that if we got stuck, there would be plenty of people, who had nothing to do but sit in their vehicles and watch, give us a push. Many pit-stops, hours on the road, and one quick layover later, we arrived in sunny Clearwater Beach.
Day 2
Photo copied from: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/list/best-things-to-do-clearwater-beach
Naturally, we hit the beach the next morning, setting up a home-base area that the girls could return to after shopping along the strip. They soon discovered that the Ron Jon store was only a small portion of the size of the one in Cocoa Beach. As Cocoa Beach is known for its waves, surfers flock there. Tas and I were fortunate to be at Cocoa Beach the previous year during Ron Jon's Beach 'N Boards Fest. The cold Atlantic water was not for me. Hence, when our cab driver described the white sands of Clearwater Beach, we planned on making it our next southern trip. Clearwater Beach is known for its calmer waters and attracts many swimmers, parasailers, boaters, and sunbathers. The beach is one of the best in the United States.
After shopping and eating, the girls and I went to a hotel to visit a friend of mine. While there, we discovered parasailing available right at the beach from Clearwater Watersports.
Up, up and away. The girls ventured over to try out the parasailing and loved it!
Day 3
A rainy day means no beach for me so we planned a shopping trip instead. International Plaza and Bay Street in Tampa has numerous stores and great deals.
That night we walked about the Clearwater Beach area, including Pier 60, where local artisans sell their creations. Tas and Lila bought 'wave' rings and I bought numerous candles. Pier 60 is also home to free, daily performers, an event known as Sunsets at Pier 60.
Our motel, Sta 'n Pla, was a 2 star motel that was close to the beach and other amenities. The rooms and decor were simple and basic. We really enjoyed the in-ground pool and the bikes that could be signed out, at no extra cost.
Day 4
After an affordable and filling breakfast at the Beach Shanty Cafe, we borrowed the bikes from Sta N'Pla and attempted to ride them to John's Pass Village and Boardwalk (one of my 'big ideas'). It began smoothly, riding along Gulf Blvd, bopping with the tunes playing from Lila's backpack, but then we made a detour along the way when we took a path to the beach, and then there were bike rides on the beach, and then there were swims in the water, and then there were photos on the beach, and then back onto the road, until another pathway was discovered, and it was repeated all over again... When we rode up to the Kooky Coconut at Indian Rocks Beach mid-afternoon, and decided to eat lunch, I think we all silently agreed this was our turn around point. We had made it about one third of the total 16.1 mile distance. If you get a chance make sure you eat at Kooky Cococut or sample their homemade ice cream.
Click this link to see a cute map of the beach towns along the Gulf of Mexico in the Pinellas County, published in the 2018 Gulf to Bay magazine, which inspired my 'big idea' bike ride: https://issuu.com/timescreative/docs/2018_gulf_to_bay_issuu/16
We arrived back at Clearwater Beach just in time to watch another sunset.
Day 5
Today we attempted to see dolphins by going on one of the many tour company boats available along Causeway Blvd/Coronado Dr, located next to Pier 60 park. If you are driving, you can park at this free parking lot located across from the strip of companies. Driving in Clearwater Beach is getting very congested so I suggest walking, biking or hop on the Jolley Trolley. Buying tickets ahead of time is recommended, but there are plenty of tour operators to choose from and if there is available space you can walk up and pay there. Our experience was not the greatest as the boat was packed with people crowding the best spot to see the one dolphin that appeared. Read further on to learn about another, much better alternative.
From the touring company we walked over to The Baithouse Tackle and Tavern for lunch, as it is located in the marina, at the tip of Causeway Blvd. Its outdoor dining that overlooks Clearwater Bay is the most authentic experience we enjoyed with pelicans perched on wooden posts, boats docked or traveling by, and even dolphins swimming in the area. You can not make a reservation, so be prepared to wait for a table or plan to arrive between lunch and dinner. Daily seafood specials, along with a fixed menu and local craft beer are available. I ate the 'Drunken Shrimp' after it was recommended and it was delicious!
Day 6
For our morning breakfast we were happy to find a different restaurant that I will definitely return to one day. Clear Sky Beachside Cafe, is nestled between the Sandpearl Resort and Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa. Only steps away from Clearwater Beach, this cafe is not to be overlooked. With hardly any options missing from the menu, it was hard to choose, but once I saw crepes listed I stopped reading! We took advantage of the 'Big Chair' located outside the cafe for some photos.
While scanning the internet for fun things to do, I came across and booked the Anclote Key Snorkeling and Shelling tour from ParrotDise Express Boat Tours. Jeff, the owner, called and profusely apologized. Apparently, I had booked through a thread on the internet, which Jeff was unaware still existed. He was apologizing because there was not enough time, or other clientele for the tour that I had booked. The girls and I were crushed, even though we understood. Jeff felt horrible for the mishap and offered a Sunset Dolphin Tour, instead. I held my hand over the phone and asked the girls if they wanted to go. Both of them quickly responded, no, as we had such a bad experience the previous day. Jeff could hear us debating and quickly chimed in, reassuring us that we would not be disappointed, even offering the tour to be complimentary. When I told the girls it was free they still said no, but with the help of Jeff, I convinced them.
The tour boat was docked in Dunedin so we drove from our hotel. Had I known that there would be free parrot rum punch, or other beverages, I may have booked an uber. Nevertheless, Captain Jeff and his mate were thoroughly entertaining. A conch shell was passed around, challenging us passengers to make a noise. Lots of stories were shared. Laughs were plentiful. It didn't take long for the dolphins to start following the boat, jumping and rolling in the waves. The beautiful setting sun made this an incredible ending to our trip.
Day 7
The impending rain drove us to leave early. I took one final walk along the beach before departing. We definitely fell in love exploring Clearwater Beach and hope to return one day.
Photo Credits: Most of the photos on this blog were taken by Lila, unless otherwise credited. (I accidently deleted all of mine.)
Tips:
If you don't need to drive around Clearwater Beach, don't! Friends of ours attempted to take a cab to Tampa to watch a game, and after an hour sitting in the cab, without even getting off the island, they abandoned their mission and went to a sports bar instead.
There are plenty of 2 and 3 star motels to choose from, and also an abundance of higher end hotels.
We ate out a lot, but I also drove to a grocery store in Clearwater to have lots of fruit, vegetables and snacks on hand.
Carry your own water bottle to save $ on bottled water - we would just ask staff at restaurants to fill them up.
There are public washrooms available at the beach
Clearwater Beach can be so crowded, but there are lots of other beaches with wide open spaces not far from the main beach
Helpful Websites
Visit Tampa Bay: https://www.visittampabay.com/things-to-do/tampa-beaches/
St. Pete Clearwater: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/communities/clearwater-beach Gulf to Bay Magazine: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/online-guide
Florida Travel Information: https://www.stateofflorida.com/travel-information/
Pinellas County: https://www.pinellascounty.org/
Overview of beach towns running north to south along the west side of the Pinellas
County Islands from Fine Properties St. Petersburg blog: https://www.baconrealtygroup.com/blog/a-guide-to-homes-and-lifestyle-in-the-beach-towns-of-pinellas-county-fl/
Transportation: https://visitclearwaterflorida.com/getting-around/
Blue Jays Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida Information and Tickets: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/spring-training
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