Florida is a breathtaking and scenic place. With the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, as well the lush beautiful Everglades, there is plenty to take in. We also have some of the best beaches you’ll possibly come across and lots of them. In this article, we’ll be looking at the beaches on Central Florida’s West Coast. We’ll dive into their history and discuss some of what’s around them.
One of the attractions on the west coast is Honeymoon Island. Honeymoon Island was created by a hurricane back in 1921. It’s located off the coast of Dunedin. In the 1940s, huts were built on the island and tourists were promised a romantic getaway. There’s even talk of the Wizard of Oz cast using the huts and bringing attention to the amorous retreat. However, during World War 2, the place fell out of the public eye due to lack of use. However, in the 1960s the island saw resurgence and by the early 70s it had a strong reputation again and continues to thrive to this day. Some of the activities you can do on the island are: fishing, hiking, sunbathing, picnicking and visiting the nature center. It’s open between 8am and sundown.
Clearwater beach is another very popular and booming place to vacation while visiting the Peninsular State. What started as an outpost during the Seminole wars, has transformed into a bastion of relaxation. They have fantastic hotels such as the Sandpearl and Parker Manor Resort. They also have fine attractions such as the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Armed Forces History Museum. If you are in the mood for a bite, they have all that covered as well. They have a very diverse dining selection like the Kiku Japanese Restaurnt and Sushi Bar, Rusty’s Bistro, which serves contemporary American, and Natures Food Patch Market and Cafe. Clearwater abounds with choices, allure and tranquility.
If you head to the very south of St. Petersburg, you’ll come to Pass-a-Grille Beach. Pass-a-Grille gets its name from the French, Passe aux Grilleurs. It has been occupied by pirates, Native Americans, Spanish Explorers and many more. It is considered to be the oldest resort on the central west coast. There is so much to do in Pass-a-Grille. For example, you can deep sea fish aboard the Miss Pass-a-Grille or go to The Merry Pier and fish for fresh Florida sea life. You’ll also want to go to the Salvador Dali Museum. There are lots of great places to eat in Pass-a-Grille as well. The Black Palm restaurant serves South American and Caribbean cuisine. The Brass Monkey has wings, burgers, pizza and wraps for you to enjoy. The accommodations in Pass-a-Grille are second to none. The Don CeSar Beach Resort is one of the best hotels in the entirety of Pinellas County. It’s the only four diamond local beach resort in the area. It’s the perfect mixture of luxury and simplicity.
There are many more beaches all up and down the west coast of Florida but these certainly give you something to consider. That’s one of the best parts of the Sunshine State, all this fun to be had and you’re only scratching the surface!
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