These picks come directly from our St. Petersburg city guide — updated regularly with local intelligence on the best spots, when to go, and what locals actually order.
Top Picks
St. Pete Beach
Consistently ranked among America's best beaches with sugar-white sand that stays cool even on the hottest days. The Don CeSar hotel's pink towers create a fairy-tale backdrop for sunset photos.
Pass-a-Grille Beach
A charming historic beach town at the southern tip of St Pete Beach where time moves slower and the shelling is exceptional. The 8th Avenue strip has that old Florida charm that developers haven't touched.
Treasure Island Beach
A more laid-back alternative to St Pete Beach with equally beautiful sand and fewer crowds. The Wednesday sunset festival brings live music and local vendors to the beach.
North Shore Park
A hidden gem on the bay side where locals go to swim in calmer waters and watch manatees play. The large pavilions and grills make it perfect for family gatherings away from tourist crowds.
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Spa Beach Park
A small bayside beach downtown where you can swim in Tampa Bay with the city skyline as your backdrop. The shallow waters warm up quickly and the sunsets paint the sky in impossible colors.
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Upham Beach
A quieter stretch of Gulf beach between St Pete Beach and Treasure Island where parking is easier and the atmosphere more relaxed. Local families have been coming here for generations.
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Known locally as 'Mad Beach,' this Gulf-front stretch offers excellent fishing from the shore and a more casual vibe. The nearby Johns Pass boardwalk adds shopping and dining without the high-rise feel.
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Vinoy Park Waterfront
Not a swimming beach but a gorgeous waterfront promenade where locals jog, walk dogs, and practice yoga as boats drift by. The green space transitions seamlessly from downtown to bay.
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Bayboro Harbor
A working marina and University of South Florida campus waterfront where you can watch marine science students at work. The pier offers great views without the crowds of other waterfront spots.
Redington Beach
A residential beach community with wide, uncrowded shores perfect for long walks and shell collecting. The lack of high-rise development keeps the old Florida beach town feeling intact.