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Clearwater Beach has some of the best areas to stay in Florida. It is known for its beautiful crystal-clear beaches, white sand, and warm climate. Year-round, people travel to Clearwater to experience its movie-esque charm. Whether you’re interested in good eats, beach activities, or nightlife, this sunny beach town has it all.
If this is your first time planning a trip to Clearwater Beach, you may need some advice on choosing the optimal location for your stay. Because of all the different attractions and beautiful surrounding areas, your choices can get overwhelming. To make things simple, we’re going to talk about four areas; Clearwater Beach South, Clearwater Beach North, Downtown Clearwater, and Sand Key Park are some of the best areas to stay in Clearwater Beach.
Clearwater Beach South- the hub
Since Clearwater Beach is a long, thin island, you have easy access to the beach from any location within the area. That means any hotel you end up choosing will be close to the dazzling waters. However, the best areas within Clearwater Beach have varying characteristics.
Clearwater Beach South is for people who want to be in the hub of it all. Being the bustling half of Clearwater, the south has an array of cafes, restaurants, outdoor activities, rentals, hotels, and bars.
Many people come here for parasailing, jet skiing, and stand-up paddleboarding in the calm waters of Clearwater Beach. On-land activities include cycling and rollerblading down the promenade. Many of these activities can be done in Clearwater Beach North as well.
The center of a lot of the excitement in Clearwater Beach South is Pier 60. Extending over 1,000 feet into the Gulf Of Mexico, this spot is a favorite for many tourists. Every evening (weather permitting), there’s an event called Sunset at Pier 60 where vendors, artisans, and musicians gather to celebrate. This has been a fun tradition since 1995. They also host special events such as the Sugar Sand Festival, Fantasea Of Lights, Caribbean Christmas Art show, and more.
Are you a big foodie? If so, you’ll love the endless food options in the area. One of the most popular seafood joints in the area is called Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill. Frenchy’s has been around since 1981 and became famous for its Super Grouper Sandwich. The Rockaway location opened in 1991 and has been bustling ever since. Locals say if you’re going to Clearwater, you’ve gotta go to Frenchy’s.
Another popular attraction for adults and children is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Founded in 1972, this aquarium is non-profit and is committed to rescuing and rehabilitating injured sea creatures. It’s a great place to take the kids, as they have hands-on exhibits and friendly staff. If you aren’t driving your vehicle, you can get there via Jolley Trolley and Florida Free Rides.
If you’re on a budget, it may be a bit tough to find affordable accommodations in Clearwater Beach South. Since it’s close to all of the excitement, the price points tend to be higher. However, you can always search for short-term vacation rentals where you might get more for your money in comparison to a pricey hotel.
Overall, Clearwater Beach South is the best area to stay if you’re looking for attractions and entertainment for all ages.
Clearwater Beach North – a tranquil experience
If you’re looking for a laid-back, more secluded option, Clearwater Beach North might be for you. There are fewer attractions, eateries, and hotel accommodations on the north side, causing the number of people in the area to thin out.
The good thing about Clearwater Beach North is that if you’re looking to engage in the attractions on the south side, Pier 60 is only about two and a half miles away. That means it’s typically no longer than a 10-15 minute drive with traffic.
Although Clearwater Beach North isn’t as lively, it’s still just as beautiful. The price points in this spot are still high, so if you’re looking to save money, this might not be your ideal area. For a secluded area at a lower cost, you might want to check out Sand Key Park.
All in all, Clearwater Beach North is the best area to stay if you’re looking for some peace in the sunshine.
Caladesi Island State Park through Clearwater Beach North
From Clearwater Beach North, you can get to Caladesi Island. Caladesi is a 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island, but it’s also within walking distance from the north side of Clearwater Beach. It’s not a short walk, but it’s good exercise with beautiful views. It’s suggested that you bring sunscreen and a snack for your trip.
What makes Caladesi unique is that it’s one of the few untouched islands along the gulf coast. Here, you can take a walk along the pristine beaches or kayak through the mangrove forest.
If you’re interested, you can book overnight camping in Caladesi or spend the night on the marina on your boat.
If you’re looking to take the trip to Caladesi via ferry through Honeymoon Island, you should check out what Honeymoon has to offer. It’s another gorgeous island where you can fish, swim, shell, hike, and bike ride. There’s even a three-mile trail through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests.
Downtown Clearwater- fun on a budget
Because of the demand, finding accommodations in Clearwater Beach for a low price can be tough. However, cheaper rates are easy to find right across the bridge.
Downtown Clearwater has its own unique culture to offer locals and tourists. It has an urban ambiance while being only a 15-minute drive from the buzzing Clearwater Beach. It’s not the beachside stay some people may prefer, but it still has its own charm and reasons to attract newcomers.
Downtown Clearwater is between Tampa Bay and Clearwater Harbor. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, there’s plenty to see and do such as diverse shopping, entertainment, delicious restaurants, and art galleries. For upcoming events and general info, visit the Downtown Clearwater website here.
Faced with a rainy day unsuitable for the beach? Downtown Clearwater has you covered. In the heart of downtown, there’s a 4,000 square-foot entertainment center called SimCenter Tampa Bay. SimCenter offers a variety of virtual reality experiences and simulators for both adults and children. You’ll be sure to have a blast.
On downtown’s Cleveland street, you’ll find Capitol Theater. Capitol Theater is reminiscent of a classic Hollywood theater. It’s famous for having some of the best natural acoustics in the southern United States. They have different performers here every month; you can find their events calendar here on their website.
If you’re interested in culture and art, Downtown Clearwater might be the best place for you to stay within the range of Clearwater Beach. With its public art walk tours and live music, you won’t miss any fun staying across the bridge.
Sand Key Park- off the beaten path
Sand Key Park is not technically part of Clearwater beach, but it’s only a few minutes away and has accommodations at a lower price. It’s a getaway from the bustle without actually going away. With acres of pristine undeveloped beachfront, its multi-million dollar views keep tourists coming back time and time again.
Sand Key Bridge makes it possible to go between Sand Key Park and Clearwater Beach with ease; you won’t miss out on anything Clearwater Beach South has to offer.
Sand Key Park has a vast, perfect white-sand beach that’s just as beautiful as Clearwater Beach. Its peacefulness attracts big families and couples looking for a more tranquil experience, similar to Clearwater Beach North but with less of a price tag. You can find some lovely vacation rentals in this area at a lesser cost.
Aside from the beautiful beach, Sand Key Park also has picnic areas and offers opportunities for recreational wildlife watching. Housing many different bird species, it’s suggested that you bring a pair of binoculars so you can sit back and relax while watching the owls and herons.
If you’re going with children, note that there are family-friendly playgrounds with games for kids to enjoy.
Despite its off-the-path location, Sand Key Park still has a variety of restaurants. The list isn’t as extensive as Clearwater Beach, but if you’re looking for a few good-eats close by, you have some tasty options.
If you’re looking for fun attractions at your doorstep, Sand Key Park might not be the best area for you to stay. However, it’s a wonderful alternative for people who enjoy quiet time and don’t mind a short drive to the busy hub.
Book Your Stay
All in all, Clearwater Beach is a fun, gorgeous place for anyone looking to go on a dreamy beach vacation. Each section of Clearwater has its own unique charm, meaning there are no bad places to stay. However, when you choose based on your budget and interests, you’ll find the best area of Clearwater Beach that suits you!
Whether you’re looking for excitement, relaxation, art, culture, or wildlife, Clearwater and its surrounding areas have it all.
