Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater is situated on the western shore of Florida's Pinellas Peninsula, on the Gulf Coast. The city is located 18 miles (29 kilometers) northwest of St. Petersburg and 23 miles (37 kilometers) west of Tampa. Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County, and home to 108,787 residents.

Naturally, beautiful white sand beaches are Clearwater's biggest attraction. Clearwater Beach was ranked number one for city beaches in the Gulf of Mexico area, and nearby Caladesi Island was ranked the number four overall beach in America. Only accessible by boat, Caladesi Island is one of Florida's last pristine barrier islands, and provides an ideal site for swimming, diving, fishing, picnics, and nature-viewing. Local residents are only a short drive away from the finest beach in the USA, Fort De Soto Park in St. Petersburg, which offers 35 miles (56 kilometers) of white sand beaches, eight major barrier islands, and plenty of recreational activities for everyone. In addition to boat slips, the Clearwater Municipal Marina offers tours to Caladesi Island, dolphin encounters, and deep-sea fishing charters. For a leisurely outing, head to Sand Key Park, which offers a fantastic beach and a park area that's ideal for family BBQs. Another great destination is Pier 60. This 1,050-foot (320-meter) pier is the most western point on Clearwater beach, and offers fantastic fishing, sightseeing, and a nightly "street" festival featuring local artists, musicians, and performers.

Another top attraction is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, one of the few aquariums authorized to rescue and rehabilitate marine animals. Here visitors can see, touch, and learn all about bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, stingrays, fish, coral reefs, and all the other inhabitants of the local waters.

Looking for some fun on dry land? The Clearwater/St. Petersburg area offers more than 50 spectacular golf courses, which are sure to challenge and delight any player. You can also head to the Moccasin Lake Nature Park to discover a variety of native plant and animal species, or explore the beautiful Pinellas Trail on bike or foot. For a change of pace, visit Murielle Winery, which offers more than 20 wines and free weekend tastings.

Clearwater has a lively arts and culture scene, and the Ruth Eckerd Hall is the city's cultural hub, and hosts outstanding music, dance, and theater performances. The city is also home to the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, a major regional festival that attracts world-class musicians and tens of thousands of visitors each year. Want more cultural delights, family attractions, or sandy beaches? Remember that St. Petersburg and Tampa are only a 30-minute drive away.

Personally, I think a city like Clearwater should come with a warning label: "Once you set foot on its warm sandy beaches, you may never want to leave again!"

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