Pinellas County, Florida is a vacation paradise in the Tampa Bay area. Late winter is the busiest time of the year in the county, as northerners flock to escape the harsh elements. Home to around 960,000 residents, it is the most densely populated county in the state. It is also the county we have called home since 2021.
Clearwater and St. Petersburg are the most popular vacation destinations in Pinellas County. But beaches and resorts are only a fraction of what makes this a unique holiday getaway. A plethora of diverse restaurants and a huge variety of birds are a couple additional draws.
Getting to Pinellas County
Two airports serve the greater Tampa Bay area. The majority of flights arrive into Tampa International Airport located in Hillsborough County. St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is located 9 miles north of downtown St. Petersburg and 7 miles southeast of Clearwater in Pinellas County.
Many visitors travel to Pinellas County by car from around the country and state. I-75 and I-4 are the two large interstates to travel before branching out. I-275 from Tampa to St. Petersburg is often the quickest route.
Best Time to Visit Pinellas County
Weather wise, March is one of the best months to visit Pinellas County. But it is also the busiest, with spring break and spring training baseball in full gear. That means higher hotel prices, larger crowds, more congestion on roads and fewer available parking spaces during peak times.
Summers are hot, humid and rainy with average daily high temperature in the low 90’s Fahrenheit (32 Celcius). Storms are frequent and it is also hurricane season. But the hot weather is also a great reason to cool off with a swim in the Gulf of Mexico. Summer is low season so hotel prices are cheaper and there is less traffic compared to the winter months.
Tarpon Springs
Tarpon Springs is known as the “sponge capital of the world.” The town of around 29,000 residents is also home to the largest per capita Greek population in the United States. Along the streets of Dodecanese and Athens, signs are marked in Greek and English. Combining a variety of Greek and international restaurants, along with boutique shops, the sponge docks offer a slice of Mediterranean life in Florida.
The shores of Tarpon Springs feature multiple sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Fred Howard Park is a notable beach highlight with kayaks available for rent. During the cooler months manatees flock to the bayou in Craig Park. Sunset Beach is also great for beach activities, picnics and free parking.
Festivals are a big draw in the community, as downtown Tarpon Springs turns into a block party on the first Friday of each month. Live music, food trucks and many local vendor stands are hallmarks of every First Friday. We often ride our bicycles and enjoy the lively atmosphere. A local tip is to swing into the AHEPA chapter for First Friday lamb shanks or their weekly Friday night fish fry.
In addition to delicious restaurants, Tarpon Springs is also home to several tasty and fun craft breweries, a distillery and wine bars. You can read great local tips in our Tarpon Springs guide. This is where we have called home since 2021!
St. Petersburg
Nicknamed “Sunshine City,” St. Petersburg is picturesquely located across the bay from Tampa. Golfing, boating, fishing and lounging on the beach are popular pastimes in St. Pete. Its waterfront promenade features great restaurants, boutique shops and the famous Dali Museum.
St. Pete is home to a vibrant arts scene in Pinellas County. The Dali Museum houses the works of famed surrealist painter Salvador Dali as well as special exhibitions. St. Pete is also home to the Museum of Fine Arts, with works ranging from contemporary to ancient pieces. Additionally, Mahaffey Theater houses the Florida Orchestra.
Downtown St. Pete has a huge choice of great cafes, breweries and bars. There are a variety of clubs and bars with live music and DJ’s where you can dance the night away until late every night of the week. It is probably the most happening nightlife scene in Pinellas County on a nightly basis.
St. Petersburg is also home to the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. So many visitors pop into town to see their favorite major league baseball team play at the Trop, especially division rival fans of the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Orioles.
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club offers a luxurious stay in St. Pete. The historic hotel offers an on-site spa, health club, multiple dining options and golf access.
Clearwater
Clearwater is home to a vast powdery white sand beach popular for fun in the sun. There are many resorts ideal for comfortable family and couples beach getaways. Casual seafood restaurants, cafes, bars and shops line Clearwater’s beachfront promenade. Clearwater is one of the most popular Florida gulf coast destinations.
The calm gulf waters offer a playground for jet-skiing, parasailing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Clearwater’s beachfront promenade is ideal for strolling, cycling and rollerblading. Pier 60 hosts a nightly festival with craft vendors and impressive street performances.
Clearwater Beach is often busy, especially on weekends. The beach draws a solid mix of families, along with younger groups of friends out to swim and sun tan in their bikinis and swim suits.
If you’re looking for a fun time with cocktails and meals along the beach, Clearwater fits the bill in Pinellas County. If you want a quieter time more in tune with nature, you are better off going to Fort de Soto Park, Indian Rocks Beach or Honeymoon Island State Park.
Opal Sands offers a luxurious stay in Clearwater Beach. The contemporary beachfront property features waterfront dining and a full service spa. It is an idyllic oasis for poolside cocktails during a romantic couples getaway.
The Clearwater Jolley Trolley connects Clearwater with Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs. The coastal route runs every hour, 365 days a year. The trolley’s main stops include Clearwater Beach Marina, The District in Downtown Clearwater, and the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. Trolleys can seat up to 35 passengers and are accessible. Some trolleys have air conditioning.
Dunedin
Dunedin is a vibrant and charming town along Florida’s Gulf Coast in Pinellas County. Downtown Dunedin is home to a variety of great restaurants, bars, ice cream parlors and boutique shops. It’s a great place to enjoy fresh seafood and craft beer.
Founded in 1996, Dunedin Brewery is the oldest distributing craft brewery in Florida. The Living Room on Main is one of our favorite restaurants for an atmospheric date night in Dunedin. Another favorite spot is along the marina at Olde Bay Cafe, which serves tasty seafood dishes in a casual setting.
Honeymoon Island State Park is ideal for beach activities and bird watching. Caladesi Island State Park features mangroves that you can kayak through. The Pinellas Trail also runs through Dunedin, which is popular for both cycling and walking.
Dunedin is also the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays. Every March, Dunedin is packed with Canadian visitors who visit to support their favorite baseball team. As a lifelong Blue Jays fan, I enjoy checking out a game each spring!
Safety Harbor
Safety Harbor is a picturesque town located along the west shore of Tampa Bay in Pinellas County. It is home to a variety of great restaurants, bars and boutique shops. Safety Harbor is an idyllic spot for couples looking for a more relaxed time away from the hustle and bustle of Clearwater and St. Pete.
Parts of Paris is one of our favorite restaurants in Pinellas County. The charming Safety Harbor restaurant pairs excellent French cuisine with friendly service and a cozy ambiance. It is idyllic for a romantic night on the town.
The charming pier in Safety Harbor offers lovely views across the harbor, with the Tampa skyline in the backdrop. It’s also lovely to walk across the boardwalk through the mangroves. From there you can enjoy bird watching and other wildlife.
Phillipe Park is one of our favorite parks in Pinellas County. The vast green space features a large Indian mound and sweeping views across the bay. It is a wonderful spot for fishing, picnics, children’s playgrounds and large gatherings under its covered outdoor venues.
Visitors can stay in a quaint bed and breakfast or the popular Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. Safety Harbor is idyllic for a fun couples getaway a short walk from many great restaurants, hip bars and quaint cafes.
Pinellas County Recap
Some of Florida’s most popular vacation destinations are located across Pinellas County. Visitors flock to the region for fun in the sun year round. March is the busiest month of the year as idyllic temperatures are the perfect draw for spring break and spring training baseball crowds. If you enjoy the heat, summer offers good value in a variety of great destinations across the gulf lined Florida county.
If you have questions about vacationing in Pinellas County leave a comment below and we will respond!
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