by Barbara Ann Weibel of Hole In The Donut

St. Pete Beach is a wide expanse of sugary pinkish-white sand fronting the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Spanning much of the length of a six mile long barrier island, St. Pete Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast. St.Pete Beach’s reputation as a first class beach destination has as much to do with the wide variety of recreational activities available as it does with its beautiful, wide beaches and crystal clear waters. A short stroll down the beach will provide opportunities to rent waverunners and beach buggies with giant wheels, or to sign up for parasailing, scuba diving, and fishing. Traditional wooden chaise lounges line the beach and are available for a nominal daily fee.

For those who prefer a more secluded beach, a 10-minute ride on a catamaran provides access to lovely Shell Key, an 18-acre undeveloped barrier island known for its shelling and birding. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy the unspoiled beach or the quiet lagoon behind the island.

On the southern tip of St. Pete Beach lies the historical district of Pass-a-Grille. Inhabited long before the rest of the island, Pass-a-Grille began life as a fishng village and has evolved into an Old Florida artists’ colony. Today, its galleries, restaurants, bed-and-breakfasts and shorelines draw tourists from all over the world.

The Don Cesar Beach Resort, locally referred to as the "Pink Palace." Photo courtesy of Don Cesar.

No visit to St. Pete Beach is complete without a stop at the famous Don Cesar Beach Resort. Located at the south end of the beach, this stately old hotel describes itself as “A flamingo-pink, Mediterranean landmark chiseled into the blue Florida sky, accented by Moorish bell towers, imperial turrets, clock tower, sun-splashed terraces and rows and rows of Palladian windows encased with French doors.” Now a National Historic Landmark, the Pink Castle is known for its famous guests such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Al Capone. Tours of the Don’s beautiful botanical gardens are available at very reasonable rates. If you’re looking for a hotel slightly less stately, St. Pete Beach has the highest number of hotel/motel rooms of any community along the Suncoast.

Photos not otherwise credited courtesy of Barbara Weibel