Clearwater Beach, Florida
Home > Clearwater Beach Vacation Rentals > Clearwater Beach Vacation Information

Clearwater Beach Vacation Information

Consistently ranked among the best beaches in America, Clearwater Beach lives up to its name – as well as the hype. Part of the Tampa Bay Area and located along the Gulf Coast in Western Central Florida, the beaches at this favorite vacation spot are bright and beautiful; and the waters are crystal clear all the way to the bottom. Cities like Clearwater Beach are the reason why Florida is known as the Sunshine State, as the semi-tropical climate of this area lends to year-round outdoor activities with its nearly-250 days of sunshine per year, on average.

Natural beauty and manmade structures blend seamlessly and stretch across the miles of pristine beaches. This is what has led Dr. Beach – Stephen Leatherman – to bestow the honor of “Best City Beach on the Gulf” onto Clearwater Beach, which is actually on a barrier island surrounded by the Gulf on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway and Tampa Bay on the other side.

While the warm temperatures and cool tropical breezes are ideal for sunbathers to work on a perfect tan, the Clearwater area has been complemented by a multitude of attractions that make it perfect for family trips as well.

Young ones, as well as the young at heart, will love learning all about sea life through hands-on experiences at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Those who have seen the Dolphin Tale movies will recognize Winter – the bottlenose dolphin that starred in the movie! To take in the sites through a unique perspective, take the Jolley Trolley to dining overlooking the Gulf; or bring along the bikes and explore nature and coastal wildlife in the adjacent Caladesi Island State Park.

Endless hours can be spent walking along Pier 60 and the Beach Walk and bouncing between the beaches and an eclectic mix of restaurants, shopping, entertainment and nightlife. Kids can burn off energy at the playground and snack bar at Pier 60, while parents take in the artisan shops, local culture and constant festivals that frequent this refreshing location.

Feeling lucky? Charter a boat at the Clearwater Marina and see if you can catch your own dinner on a deep-sea fishing expedition. Pirate ship cruises are always a family favorite packed with fun and adventure.

Clearwater Beach is clearly a favored choice when it comes to family vacations. It’s a fantastic place where you can swim with dolphins, find amazing hand-crafted gifts and work on your tan – all before dinner! Come to Clearwater Beach and recharge the batteries with a beach vacation you won’t soon forget.

Shadow Bar
Shadow Bar

Plan Your Trip to Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach Florida Restaurants

Restaurants

Dine on the bounty of the sea at a reasonable price in beautiful surroundings at the restaurants of Clearwater. Be sure to try a Clearwater specialty, gulf grouper. This flaky, delicious white fish can be served up in dozens of imaginative ways. No matter what you're craving, you'll find a variety of dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients. Clearwater restaurants feature daily fresh catches from the diversity of the Gulf of Mexico. You'll also find a variety of cuisines beyond seafood, including Continental, casual American and more. Enjoy a glass of wine from an award-winning bistro or sip an icy cold beer on an open-air patio. Either way, you'll find that the food and spirits of Clearwater are as awe-inspiring as the sunsets over the white sand beaches.
More about Clearwater Beach Restaurants
Clearwater Beach Florida Golf

Golf

Amateur and experienced golfers alike will find dozens of semi-private and public courses in Clearwater for a pleasurable 18 holes. Clearwater has some of the PGA's favorite courses, designed by some of the world's best course designers to be both challenging and beautiful. These courses feature lush fairways, tricky water hazards and gorgeous scenery. Not feeling up to par? At some of Clearwater's golf resorts, you can even get golf instruction from talented professionals. For those golfers looking for a more relaxed time or wanting to work on their swing, most Clearwater courses offer driving ranges and putting greens. And complete your day of golf (or get it started) with a stop at one of Clearwater's premier golf shops.
More about Clearwater Beach Golf
Clearwater Beach Florida Fishing

Fishing

Set sail for a fishing adventure in Clearwater. Clearwater and the Tampa Bay area feature more calm sea days than just about anywhere else, which makes it especially attractive to sport and deep-sea fishermen. Anglers can get their hooks into grouper ( West Florida is the grouper capital of the world), mackerel, marlin, amberjack, mahi, barracuda and more. Whether you want a deep sea fishing charter for a full day or just want to spend a few hours reeling them in, you'll find a variety of charter fishing boats with friendly, professional service to suit your needs. Best of all, Clearwater's charter fishing boats are updated and modern, with all the conveniences you need for a fantastic fishing trip. Even if you're not an avid angler, a charter is great for dolphin watching and sightseeing along the beautiful Gulf. On a Clearwater charter fishing boat, you can enjoy the best of the sea.
More about Clearwater Beach Fishing
Clearwater Beach Florida Shopping

Shopping

Treat yourself to a day of shopping at Clearwater's best shops and boutiques. Browse luxurious home furnishings and accessories and stock up on gifts for the whole family. Spend some quality time at any of Clearwater's fashion and jewelry stores for something beautiful for yourself. Grab a snack at a café and pick up candy, gourmet treats or wine at a specialty shop. Is your shopping list a little long? Enlist the help of a shopping concierge service at Clearwater's Westfield Countryside Mall to get it all done. End your day at a bookstore or music store to unwind and buy some reading or listening material for a relaxing afternoon on the beach. From well-known department stores to small and friendly locally owned boutiques, you'll find everything you need in the shops of Clearwater.
More about Clearwater Beach Shopping
Things to do in Clearwater Beach Florida

Other Things To Do

Clearwater, Florida is home to some of the state's best nature-based attractions. Clearwater is in Pinellas County, a county that boasts thousands of acres of maintained recreational areas. The area features many state parks where you can camp, canoe, hike, fish, swim or have a picnic. Some trails are paved, so visitors and residents can enjoy skating and biking as well. All the fun isn't just for land lovers. Get out on the water for a harbor tour or a dolphin watching cruise. At Clearwater's famous fishing pier, Pier 60, take in the sights and sounds of the Sunsets at Pier 60 daily festival. This family friendly event takes place, as its name suggests, every day from two hours before sunset to two hours after the sun goes down. Artisans, craftsmen, street performers and musicians make this festival a must for every Clearwater Beach visitor.
More about Things to do in Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach Photo Gallery


Related Stories

dolphin from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Top 10 Things to do in Clearwater

Clearwater Beach is the stuff that postcards are made of — but there is much more to this key community in the Tampa Bay area than its award-winning beaches.

Tips to Buying Travel Insurance

Buying Travel Insurance

What would happen to your beach vacation investment in the event of a tropical storm, an illness or some other unforeseen event?

Seashells found in Destin Florida

Seashell Wonders

Endlessly fascinating, no two seashells are alike. And did you know that some of the best shelling beaches in the country can be found along the Florida Gulf Coast? Learn more about seashells and which beaches are the best for shelling.