Beaches
Best Florida Family story and photos by Marisa Langford of tampamama.com and IG: @TampaMama
Let’s all go the beach beach...let’s go to the beach! We are lucky to live like we are on vacation every day here in Tampa. Florida has 825 miles of sandy beaches, so the real question becomes: “Which one?” Let’s dive into our favorites. We’ll even share some of our secret spots that you can explore with the family this summer.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND | 66 Miles from Tampa
Why: Seven miles of beautiful beaches that locals know are among the best in the state.
An
na
r Ma
ia
Isl
an
PASS-A-GRILLE BEACH |
d
38 Miles from Tampa
Why: A perfect day beach with plenty of parking and fewer crowds. Bring your best beach set up and relax as the waves and clouds pass you by.
How: Find yourself a quaint Airbnb or book a 2–3-bedroom suite with a fully equipped gourmet kitchen at the Mainsail Beach Inn. The free air-conditioned Anna Maria Island Trolley will drop you off right at the beach. Dine at the Sandbar Restaurant where you win a free bottle of champagne if you guess the correct time of the sunset!
How: Head out to the beach early to beat the traffic. Or stay in the Don CeSar, which puts you just slightly north on St. Pete Beach.
What Not To Miss: Doughnuts from The Doughnut Experiment; burritos from Poppo’s Taqueria; and a visit to Beach Bums for a bike, paddle board or golf cart rental (car parking is in high demand on the island).
216 Miles from Tampa
Why: Glamor, glitz and golden sands.
The Palm Beaches
THE PALM BEACHES |
What Not To Miss: Breakfast on the beach at Paradise Grille to start your day and million-dollar after-dinner views from the rooftop deck at The Hurricane to end it.
CLEARWATER BEACH | 30 Miles from Tampa
Why: With a sugar-fine and ultra clean beach, cotton candy-skies, crystal blue waters and a Gulf beach vibe, Clearwater Beach reigns supreme.
How: Book a room at The Breakers and soak up the iconic vibe of staying in one of Florida’s first beach resorts built by the father of Florida tourism himself, Henry M. Flagler. Shop in style on Worth Avenue and dine al fresco at the La Goulue.
Cl
What Not To Miss: Visit the Palm Beach Zoo, climb to the top of the Jupiter Lighthouse or learn to blow glass at the Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts.
La Ft .
How: Stay at the Pelican Grand Beach Resort or the W Fort Lauderdale. Relax by day on their private beaches, go paddleboarding with SUP PUP or even learn to surf with Hang Loose Surf School. Las Olas Boulevard is your destination for leisurely brunch and shopping. What Not To Miss: A Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi ride for a bird’s eye view of Millionaire’s Row with detailed stories about all the mansions along the waterways.
20
TampaBayParenting.com JUNE 2021
ud
er
le da
Be
How: Book a Gulf view room at the Opal Sands Resort or Sandpearl Resort right on Clearwater rw a te Beach to soak up every last ray of sunshine rB ea during the day. Take a walk down the ch Pie beach to find the perfect seashells, r enjoy a grouper sandwich from Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill and end the night with Sunsets at Pier 60. What Not To Miss: A private charter with Daisy Mae Charters whose captains will take you out to explore the deep blue gulf and all it has to offer.
FORT LAUDERDALE | 275 Miles from Tampa Why: Laid-back luxe in the “Venice of America,” which boasts 300 miles of inland waterways under electric blue skies—and guarantees 300-plus sunny days per year.
ea
ac
h
CALADESI ISLAND |
24 Miles from Tampa
Why: Only accessible by boat, ferry or kayak, this pristine little island has views for miles and will allow you to escape from the world for an afternoon. How: Hop on the Caladesi Island Ferry from Honeymoon State Park and enjoy the three miles of beaches, nature trails and picnic pavilions. What Not To Miss: The Caladesi Discovery Center has an observation deck with the most gorgeous panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Bring your water/walking shoes to take full advantage of the island for the day.
THIS IS ONLY PART OF OUR LIST OF BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY BEACHES IN FLORIDA. FOR ADDITIONAL COVERAGE, HEAD TO TAMPABAYPARENTING.COM.
