At the southernmost tip of Pinellas County, white as sugar sandy beaches meld with Old Florida style in the historic communities of Pass-A-Grille and Tierra Verde.

Beauty and history coincide in these beachfront neighborhoods.  Beaches, piers, shops, and museums, are only a few sandy footsteps away from each other.

Dust the sand off your feet, slip on your flip flops, and take a leisurely stroll along Pass-A-Grille’s Historic 8^th Avenue District.  Here, you can enjoy a meal at the water’s edge at the (aptly-named) Seahorse Restaurant, renown for its campy atmosphere, Old Florida postcards and memorabilia, and tranquil open water view.  There’s indoor and outdoor patio seating, an array of menu items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the service is oh so good.

From here, keep cruising to check out Pass-A-Grille’s quaint and delightful shops, which are full of reasonably-price Floridiana, beachwear, custom-made jewelry and artwork, and much more!

Stop along the way for coffee or ice cream at any one of the many beachfront purveyors.  Residents like to say that we live on “Island Time.”  With this in mind, take your time . . . relax!  Slip into a comfy and brightly-colored Adirondack chair to enjoy some people or bird watching, and then skip across the street to Seaside Grille.  It’s the perfect place to visit when needing to replenish your supply of beach accessories, food, and chilly libations.

After a swim, some sandcastle building, shell collecting, dolphin watching, or a game of beach volleyball, beat a path to the Hurricane Restaurant.  The Victorian-style architecture of this place is a delight.  Climb (there’s an elevator for the less adventurous) to the rooftop to visit the crow’s nest bar.  The views over the Gulf of Mexico from this perch are breathtakingly beautiful-especially at sunset!  The Hurricane is a fun place to enjoy an icy beverage or fresh fish sandwich.  And no visit would be complete without indulging in a tangy slice of scrumptious Key Lime Pie.

Food and shopping aside, Pass-A-Grille is home to many historical markers, historic Don CeSar Hotel, the Sunset Bell, and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum.

Located at 115 10^th Avenue in St. Pete Beach, FL, the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum is situated in the first church that was ever built on the barrier islands of Pinellas County.

According to the Museum’s website, exhibits trace the history of the County’s barrier islands through photographs, news clippings, and artifacts, dating from the 1500s through modern times. The Museum collects artifacts and archival material to help preserve the cultural history of the islands. Many of Pass-A-Grille’s pioneer families and long-time residents assist in this endeavor. Special educational tours can be arranged for clubs, schools, churches, and civic organizations. Historical lectures, changing exhibits, fundraising events, and children’s activities round out the Museum’s calendar of events.

According to local history, lore, and legend, the last group of Native Americans to settle in Pinellas County were the Tocobagas around 1000-1700 A.D. The area was visited by Europeans in 1528, when Spanish explorer, Panfilo de Narvaez, anchored off Pass-A-Grille Pass. Afterwards, the area was used as a camp ground for fisherman to obtain freshwater and to grill their catch.  It is thought that Pass-A-Grille derives its name from the French, Paees and Grilleare.

In 1857, John Gomez, who identified himself as the “last of the pirates,” began bringing excursionists here from Tampa, which gave the area the distinction of possibly being the oldest resort on Central Florida’s West Coast.

The town of Pass-A-Grille Beach was incorporated into the City of St Petersburg Beach in 1857 and in 1989 a section of Pass-A-Grille was declared a National Historic District.

Neighboring Tierra Verde, an island community joined to the southern tip of Pinellas County by a two-lane drawbridge, is home to one of the nation’s consistently top-rated beaches–North Beach at Ft. De Soto Park.  The tiny enclave is also home to the Ft. De Soto Park Museum and serves as a pick-up and drop-off location for ferry rides, offering a historical tour of nearby Egmont Key and the Egmont Key Lighthouse.

The Ft. De Soto Park Museum building is an authentic replica of a structure from the Spanish-American War ear.  The Park boasts self-guided nature trails and has a number of war-related relics, including cannons and battle reinforcement areas.  Parts of the original fort encampment are open to the general public.

So, here we are, having enjoyed a glorious sunrise, beach fun, good food, and some local history, legend, and lore.  As the sun slowing sets in a profusion of golden hues, it is time to relax and ring the Sunset Bell on Pass-A-Grille Beach.

What a way to end another day . . . in Paradise Found!

PHOTO CREDITS:

Photography provided courtesy of Pinellas County Communications Department.

Pass-a-Grille Bell by Lila.  Photo gallery online at picasaweb.google.com