Best Local Beaches
Fred Howard Park
1700 Sunset Drive Tarpon Springs
Tucked into the northwest corner of Pinellas County is a 155-acre park located right on the Gulf of Mexico. Driving into this park you will find playgrounds and picnic tables shaded by 200 year-old oak trees. A white sand beach can be found at the end of a mile long causeway that is perfect for spending a day playing in the sand with your kids. Go early on the weekends to get the best spot on the beach.
Wall Springs
3725 De Soto Blvd Palm Harbor FL
This is a day at the water’s edge without getting wet. Wall Spring is the namesake of this 195- acre park. Over 2000 gallons a minute flow out of the spring. And although you can't swim in it, it is a great place to spend the day. The park includes boardwalks, nature trails, covered and shaded playground and a 35-foot observation tower. Mangroves line the shore and provide kids with the opportunity to see a tidal swamp area that is so important in the ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico
Indian Rocks Beach
1700 Gulf Blvd Indian Rocks FL
I've spent the last two weeks driving up and down the west coast of Pinellas County scouting out beaches and I have to say that I pick Indian Rocks as the best community to share their part of the Gulf of Mexico. Small free public parking lots are located about every half mile with beach access. They also have a public beach with facilities. Great shelling and great opportunity for parking make this a great spot for the day.
Upham Beach
6850 Beach Plaza Drive St. Pete Beach
On the south side of Blind Pass is a great local beach. Tucked away from crowds you'll find everything you need for a wonderful day at the beach. The SeaSide Café offers lunch and snack food so you won't have to lug the cooler. Sand erosion has caused a “cliff” that little boys spend all day jumping off trying to fly like superman. Near sunset dolphins can often be found playing and feeding in the waters where the pass and gulf meet. Just north of the Trade Winds Hotel you can walk down and for about $5.00 let your kids have a turn sliding down the three-story blow up slide right on the beach. You go home smiling after a day here.
****Clearwater Beach is reinventing itself right now. And I am sure it will be amazing. But the construction has traffic backed up and parking is a real nightmare. And unless you really have to go to Clearwater I'd stay away from the beach for now. Try Sand Key but come in from the south or you'll get stuck in traffic.
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