- Community Stories (108)
- Belleair (1)
- Belleair Beach (2)
- Belleair Bluffs (1)
- Belleair Shore (1)
- Clearwater (8)
- Dunedin (1)
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- Indian Rocks Beach (2)
- Indian Shores (2)
- Kenneth City (1)
- Largo (5)
- Madeira Beach (2)
- North Redington Beach (2)
- Oldsmar (1)
- Palm Harbor (2)
- Pinellas Park (1)
- Redington Beach (2)
- Redington Shores (2)
- Safety Harbor (1)
- Seminole (1)
- South Pasadena (1)
- St. Pete Beach (7)
- St. Petersburg (42)
- Tarpon Springs (3)
- Tierra Verde (17)
- Treasure Island (3)
- Consumer Information (4)
- Gems of Pinellas County (25)
- Photo Galleries (27)
» beach
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Belleair Beach
The 1,600 or so residents of Belleair Beach enjoy a relaxed lifestyle on a barrier island, proud to have preserved their peaceful town as one of the last purely residential beaches in Pinellas County. Aside from a motel and a couple of timeshares, Belleair Beach is strictly residential and its citizens have every intention of keeping it that way.
Two miles of white sandy beach front and man-made fingers of land extending into the Intracoastal Waterway offer magnificent Gulf sunsets and superb water access to those fortunate to call Belleair Beach home.
Because the city is but two miles long and less than a mile wide, every resident either lives on the water or within an easy stroll of the water. While many Belleair Beach residents maintain private boat docks, a city boat ramp and municipal marina provide access to all who wish to take to the sea. Walking paths through the town or along the beach make outdoor life here truly enjoyable. The city also maintains tennis courts, a basketball court and eleven public parks.Property Search:
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Factoids:
Population: 1,614
Land Area: 0.58 Sq.
Miles Median Age: 52.4Points of Interest: Municipal marina, Walking paths through the town or along the beach, Tennis courts, Basketball court and eleven public parks.
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Dog Days of Summer
August has arrived and we have entered the season referred to as “The Dog Days of Summer.” Although the term has more to do with astronomy (and the “Dog Star,” Sirius), here in the South Gulf Beaches area and throughout Pinellas County, dogs, and pets of all kinds, reign supreme at this time of year.
Canines, companioned by human friends, have the luxury of carefree romping at County parks and beaches designated as being “pet friendly.”
The Dog Park and Beach at Ft. De Soto Park in Tierra Verde is one example.
“Paw Playground” at Ft. De Soto Park offers spacious fenced areas for large and small dogs, with watering and shower stations, and funny little hydrants painted to look like people. There are park benches situated in the shade of leafy trees for people and pets to enjoy.
There’s always something to see and smile at. On my last visit, I saw an Irish Setter running to catch a flying disc, three long-eared, slow-moving Bassett Hounds, a ball-chasing Spaniel, a lap-hugging Yorkie, a giant black Schnauzer, a merry mixed breed rolling in the grass, and my own shelter-adopted miniature Dachshund, who sat in the shade of my shadow.
There are dogs of every size and color, some with spots, some with long coats, short coats, or wire-haired coats. As far as amenities go, the Dog Park provides dispensers with bags for disposing of “presents.” The park is clean and open to the public (donations are accepted).
The Dog Beach is a short, sandy trail walk from the Dog Park. Situated on a sunny strip of white sand beach along the open waters of Tampa Bay, it affords beautiful views of open water, wildflowers in bloom, palm trees, and nearby Bay Pier. Bring a beach umbrella and a lawn chair or beach towel, or sit on one of the conveniently-located park benches near the water’s edge and enjoy the free entertainment.
The dogs put on quite a show! They swim, fetch sticks and tennis balls, and busily hustle and sniff their way along the shoreline. There’s lots of running, playing, some digging in the sand, and plenty of tail wagging.
Even though the season is named for the Dog Star, Sirius, it’s the perfect time of year for our feline friends, too! The South Gulf Beaches area of Pinellas County is home to numerous pet boutiques, pet day care centers and spas, groomers, pet sitters, veterinarians, and pet-oriented retail stores. Furry feline friends can be pampered luxuriously (and, really, don’t they demand this attention and love it?).
Pinellas County is a pet-friendly community. Dogs , by ordinance, are welcomed in many public places, including some area restaurants.
What’s that you say? You don’t have a four-legged friend? Have no fear . . .
. . . SPCA Tampa Bay is here!
The shelter recently dedicated its beautiful, new Edward D. Foreman Adoption Center and Gift Boutique. SPCA Tampa Bay offers cats and dogs, kittens and puppies (and bunnies and so on . . .) for adoption. They have a farm animal sanctuary, provide pet-related training and seminars, and offer spay and neutering services.
At SPCA Tampa Bay, you can adopt a furry friend (more correctly, a pet in need of adoption will surely win your heart and adopt you). Once the adoption process is complete, visit SPCA Tampa Bay’s Gift Boutique to acquire the accoutrements needed to pamper your new family member and introduce him/her to your home.
Think of it this way . . . SPCA Tampa Bay has adoptable pets for every season!
Don’t squander “The Dog Days of Summer.” With or without a pet, visit a dog park or beach in Pinellas County today!
You’ll be entertained!
It’s all part of another fun day . . . in Paradise Found.
Thanks for visiting!
Photos taken by Connie Langhorst during the Dog Days of Summer at Ft. De Soto Park Paw Playground.
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The Bridge of Sighs
Aaaah, It’s so good to be home…sigh. That’s how the Tierra Verde Bridge became known as The Bridge of Sighs .” They say you can feel your blood pressure go down and you stress melt away when you cross that bridge…and if you still have your tie on, you’ll certainly take it off and wiggle your toes as you cross those sparkling blue waters.
Click herefor information on Tierra Verde
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Treasure Island
When Treasure Island residents cross over one of the three bridges to their barrier island homes, the tropical light, colorful foliage and the sound of seabirds in the air let them know they’ve arrived someplace very special.The three and a half-mile beach that fronts the Gulf of Mexico makes up the western boundary of Treasure Island. Narrow at both ends and wide in the middle, locals claim that it’s the widest beach on the Gulf Coast. At the north end is John’s Pass, with Madeira Beach on the other side, and at the south in is Blind Pass, both accesses to the Gulf of Mexico from inland waters. In fact, Treasure Island is an island.
Hotels, motels and condominiums occupy most of the beach front property while most of the town’s residents live along canals on the landside of the island. The proximity to the Gulf and the canal houses with boat slips make it a great place for boaters.
In addition to its marina and three very busy public boat ramps, the town also provides wonderful land-based recreational facilities. The Treasure Island park system was designed with the goal that every resident would be within walking distance of a park. The Treasure Island Golf & Tennis Center includes a 9-hole golf course, 10 tennis courts, plus facilities for volleyball, basketball, horseshoes and shuffleboard.
Life’s a Beach
The town’s 7,500 permanent residents and 12,000 annual visitors enjoy an easygoing, flip-flop lifestyle. They have the advantages of living in a small, but well-serviced community where they essentially are on vacation every day of the week. Treasure Island features a lively restaurant and bar scene along the beach, catering to locals as well as the high number of annual visitors from near and far.A Beach Party
An annual highlight of living in Treasure Island is the Sun, Sand and Swing festival held every May on the beach. A group of bands play most of the day and into the night, from 3 till 11 pm . It’s also a family event with activities like skim board contests for the kids.“Treasure Island was a really nice place to grow up. As kids we fished, went waterskiing and played on the beach and kids can still do that here. And you’ll not find better neighbors. We stick together and really care about our community.” Butch Ellsworth, lifelong resident.
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Factoids:
Population: 7,450
Land Area: 1.59 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 52.4
Statistics are an estimation onlyPoints of Interest: The Sun, Sand and Swing festival, Beaches, Skim Boarding, Swimming, Fishing, Marina and three very busy public boat ramps, The Treasure Island Park System, The Treasure Island Golf & Tennis Center includes a 9-hole golf course, 10 tennis courts, plus facilities for volleyball, basketball, horseshoes and shuffleboard.
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Tierra Verde
At the southern tip of Pinellas County, where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, is a string of islands collectively called Tierra Verde. This exclusive, unincorporated area is home to some 5000 residents, with a little more than a third living in single family homes and the balance residing in condominiums and townhomes.
Residents enjoy all the luxuries and conveniences right here with a wide range of restaurants, specialty shops, spa services, boutiques and more. The Tierra Verde Marina is a full-service facility catering to the many boaters who live nearby. The waterways, 150 to 350 feet wide and some 15 feet deep, have been especially engineered to allow the Gulf of Mexico’s tidal actions to help sweep them clean.
At the southern tip of Tierra Verde is one of the world’s most pristine and famous beaches, Fort DeSoto Park, designated as the #1 U.S. Beach in 2005.
A morning stroll on soft white sand, an afternoon of fishing, or an evening out at a fine restaurant can all be found “at home” when home is Tierra Verde. But should you want to venture out, St. Petersburg is only 15 minutes away, and downtown Tampa can be reached in 35 minutes.
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Factoids:
Population: 3,574
Land Area: 1.5 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 48Statistics are an estimation only
Points of Interest: Fort De Soto Park – At the southern tip of Tierra Verde. Tierra Verde Marina.
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St. Pete Beach
The numbers tell the story of St. Pete Beach: of the some 20 square miles that comprise this barrier island community just a little over 2 square miles is land. The rest is water. Needless to say, this is a paradise for anyone who likes to sail, swim, fish or just enjoy the tranquility of waterfront living.
Island Time
Three bridges lead to this beautiful island with its soft white sand beaches, beautiful city parks, and an array of retail, restaurants and hotels that serve residents and accommodate the many visitors who are drawn here. The most famous St. Pete Beach icon is The Don Cesar, Florida’s legendary “Pink Palace” luxury resort and an area landmark for nearly a century.About 10,000 people live year-round in St. Pete Beach yet the number of residents doubles in the winter, when seasonal residents from other parts of the U.S., Canada and Europe come to stay. About 28 percent of the homes here are in fact second homes.
Activities
The warm Gulf waters and 4 ½ miles of beach afford plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities. But St. Pete Beach also has one of the most active parks and recreation programs anywhere. The Family Aquatic Center is a popular destination for locals, and offers classes and swim teams along with the opportunity to just relax around the pool. Residents might partake in a painting class at the Cultural Arts Center or a hip hop class at the Community Center. Sports leagues are popular among adults and kids.
Special Time
Every April people from all over the county come to St. Pete Beach for the Beach Goes Pops event on Pass-a-Grill Beach. It’s free to the public with jazz on Friday and full orchestra pops on Saturday. In November the city puts on the Annual Fish Broil and Auction which started in the 1930s as a way to raise money for schools. This popular event features mullet charcoaled over open pits.“St. Pete Beach is an island, a small place that’s not going to get any bigger. Those of us who live here love it and feel fortunate to be a part of it. Truth be known, I hate leaving the island for anything.” Danny Walker, resident since 1973.
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Factoids:
Population: 9,929
Land Area: 2.25 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 53.7Points of Interest: Sailing, Swimming, Fishing, Waterfront living, White Sand Beaches, City Parks, The Don Cesar, Outdoor Recreation Opportunities. The Family Aquatic Center, The Cultural Arts Center, The Community Center, Sports leagues.
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Redington Shores
The island community of Redington Shores offers sunrise views over Boca Ciega Bay to the east and breathtaking sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico to the west.Residents live in modern beach homes, luxury condos, or in lovely apartments or cozy cottages on quaint inland streets in an area covering only 200 acres.
Surrounded with wide sandy beaches, 2,500 residents enjoy a lifestyle understandably focused around the water. In fact, a glimpse of water is literally never far away from just about anyone in Redington Shores, beckoning sunbathers, swimmers and shell-gatherers. The turquoise water is certain to attract boaters and fishermen. The popular Redington Shores Beach Access boasts a successful dune establishment program, where boardwalks protect the seashore grasses and plants that thrive in this delicate ecosystem.Children gather at the playground in one of three neighborhood parks, all available with an easy stroll from most homes. Anglers fish the coastal waters from one of the city docks. Neighbors greet each other as they stroll along the beach at sunset. The Lobster Pot, a local landmark, attracts folks from near and far for fantastic seafood meals.
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Factoids:
Population: 2,467
Land Area: 0.39 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 55.3Points of Interest: Beaches, Sunbathers, Swimmers, Boating Fishing, The Lobster Pot, Parks, City Docks, Three city parks Tennis courts, Boardwalks.
Statistics are an estimation only
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Redington Beach
This small residential community maintains a laidback atmosphere with plenty of private beaches and quaint neighborhoods. 1,700 residents enjoy four town parks, a community recreation area and a causeway that’s a favorite of fishermen. The city prides itself on its “triangle” parks, small areas of colorful flowers and native foliage that adorn many city intersections.Measuring just one square mile in size, the city is surrounded by water – the Intracoastal Waterway on the east and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. It is a haven for boaters and beachcombers.
With very limited commercial development, residents enjoy a tranquil atmosphere. Housing is primarily single-family dwellings and low-rise condominiums.
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Factoids:
Population: 1,700
Land Area: 0.36 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 49.9Points of Interest: Four Town Parks, Community Recreation Area, Fishing, Native Foliage that adorn many city intersections, The Intracoastal Waterway, The Gulf of Mexico, Boating and Beachcombing.
Statistics are an estimation only
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North Redington Beach
North Redington Beach is a small island town known for the friendliness of those who live there and the beauty of its beaches.If you want to live surrounded by water, North Redington Beach will suit you well. Four land “fingers” extend into Boca Ciega Bay on the eastern side of the island, giving residents on each side of the streets a waterfront home, many with private boat slips in their own backyard. White sand beaches meet the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico on the western side of town.
About 1,500 residents of North Redington Beach enjoy an easy beach lifestyle. City tennis courts and children’s playgrounds provide additional recreation. The beach is also an important nesting site for turtles, and the folks of North Redington Beach take great care to protect the turtle nests.The area has a Hollywood connection as the site of the famed Tides Bath Club, a vacation destination of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, and other sports and show business luminaries. The Tides Bath Club is now gone, but the magnificent beachfront site is now home to luxury condominiums, townhouses and private homes.
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Factoids:
Population: 1,503
Land Area: 0.30 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 57.8
Points of Interest: Boca Ciega Bay, Boat Slips, White Sand Beaches. The Gulf of Mexico, Fishing, Sailing, Swimmng. -
Madeira Beach
Madeira Beach is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other. Its residents either live on the water or within walking distance of it. In fact, watch the daily migration of people as they wander down to the water each night to view the spectacular sunset.With a population just under 5,000 people, Madeira Beach has a small town atmosphere and a largely residential feel. Families are in the minority here, as many Madeira Beach households are retirees or empty nesters.
The main attraction of the city is St. John’s Pass Village, a quaint fishing village with unique shops and boutiques, a fishing fleet, cruise lines, boat rentals, parasailing and jet skiing, and a variety of restaurants. If deep sea fishing is of interest to you, several charters are available right here at John’s Pass. As you walk along a waterside boardwalk you will most likely see dolphins in the water below. Want a close-up photo with you and a pelican? Then John’s Pass is your best bet.Residents and visitors alike enjoy Gulf views from the white sand beaches, as well as the beauty of the Intracoastal along the 1,100 foot boardwalk.
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Factoids:
Population: 5,000
Land Area: 1.03 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 48.4Points of Interest: St. John’s Pass Village, Fishing, Restaurants and shops. Gulf views from the white sand beaches, The beauty of the Intracoastal along the 1,100 foot boardwalk.
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