Clearwater Florida Local Amenities

Clearwater and its island beaches are among Florida's most popular destinations.

Clearwater boasts world-renown beaches, the largest recreational fishing fleet on the gulf coast, nature-based attractions, an endless variety of restaurants, and accommodations to fit every budget and taste.

Clearwater Jazz Festival: Clearwater hosts the largest free-admission jazz festival in the Southeast every October. Other jazz festivals and concerts take place throughout the year.

Pinellas Trail: The 47-mile Pinellas Trail offers cyclists (and sturdy joggers and walkers) a fascinating journey through towns and countryside all the way from St. Petersburg through Dunedin and on into Tarpon Springs. Access to the paved trail, which is particularly rewarding for bird watchers, is available almost anywhere along its route, so you can choose where and for how long you want to spend enjoying the urban, suburban, park, forest and ocean views.

The Scottish town of Dunedin is known for its antiquing and twin island state parks of Honeymoon and Caladesi, both beacher havens.

Busch Gardens-Tampa Bay where you can practically feel the breath of wild animals on the monorail safari through the "African Plains" is only a short drive from Clearwater.

Golfing: Dozens of public and semi-private courses challenge even the most experienced or amateur golfer. Professional and professional-amateur tournaments are held yearly at several of our fine courses including the Westin Innisbrook Resort, Saddlebrook, and Cheval Polo and Golf Club. Golf instruction from some of the best PGA professionals is available in the area at the Belleview Biltmore's 1925 Donald Ross-designed course.

Tennis: If tennis is your game, Clearwater is the place to play. The United States Tennis Association (USTA), the national governing body of tennis, has named McMullen Tennis Complex one of the Top Three Facilities in the country.

Boating / Fishing:

Baseball: If you are a baseball fan, spring-training venues that are within easy driving distance include the Philadelphia Phillies training camp right in Cleawater, as well as in nearby communities: Lakeland (Detroit Tigers), Tampa (New York Yankees), Dunedin (Toronto Blue Jays), Bradenton (Pittsburgh Pirates), and St. Petersburg (Tampa Bay Devil Rays)

Racing: Racing competitions of all types are common throughout the area. Numerous road races, bicycle races, triathlon events, swimming, canoe/kayak races and marathons are held throughout the year. International yacht racing is common off Clearwater's coast with the Clearwater Cup Regatta and the South Ocean Racing Conference. The Clearwater Sailing Center is the site of many exciting competitions.

Restaurants: Clearwater's restaurants offer a fascinating variety of good, reasonably priced food served in attractive and equally varied surroundings. Because the Gulf of Mexico is home to a multitude of seafood and fish, enjoy those familiar and those new nightly specials. Enjoy our amazing sunsets while dining in an open-air patio overlooking the water or sharing a more elegant candlelight dinner.

Theaters / Concerts:

Clearwater Beach is the Best City Beach on the Gulf of Mexico according to Dr. Stephen Leatherman ("Dr. Beach"), a Florida International University professor who has been ranking America's beaches for nine years. USATODAY.com readers ranked Clearwater Beach in their 2001 Top 10 list of Best Beaches from Maine to Hawaii. Clearwater Beach is headquarters for beach volleyball competition and site of the nightly upbeat sunset celebration on Pier 60 with entertainers and crafts vendors.