A New Beginning: Vacation Saga - Trip to Clearwater FL

This blog is not about Anand, our life or saree story, it is just a travelog but decided to post it here so can help anyone planning a trip.

Mr. Husband and I are doing things we couldn't do before. using our time to do random things. I had decided that I need to travel little bit more so the right balance is one solo trip and then one couple trip :) I dont enjoy winter and specially this year I needed to keep my head above water so trip to warmer places came highly recommended. I still have to write about our Cancun trip ( other than those saree stories - Hope you read them). I was missing the beach so decided to go to other side of FL. A direct Delta flight took us to Tampa and it was a short drive ( 25 miles took 45 minutes).

Things to know in advance - Tampa airport is a lot bigger than Boston Airport. We took two sky connect ( rail) to reach the Car rental. It was busy but very fast. The Woman at the counter was very helpful and gave us a map. She asked where we were planning to go and then suggested we don’t need the toll pass for all days. Reminder- Take EZ pass from your car. We did use the toll road and now we will get the bill in the mail.

So it took almost an hour to get out of the airport. The airport is almost at the end of the city towards CW so it was easy. Our Air BNB person said they will let us know when it would be ready so we stopped at Costco (I love going to Costco anywhere) a liquor store and ate something and drove to the place. When I texted she sent me the entry instruction right away. Another lesson - I could have gone there directly and found a place nearby to eat. Note to my self if we use Airbnb again.

The place was 3 mins walk from the shore and it was just perfect and cozy. The beach is beautiful, fine sand, picturesque view, waves were just beautiful. Reminded me of Goa (India) and Old Silver beach in Falmouth, MA ( but miles longer)

We spent the evening at Pier 60 , a carnival and fun. A beautiful sunset that’s what I needed. And my vacation was made.

Day -2 we drove south and that was the best thing we did - we drove by the shore ( DON’T follow the GPS) and drove all the way to Anna Maria Island, through Siesta Key. You have to add various destinations along the way otherwise GPS will pick the fastest route.

I do plan my sightseeing with Google Map, not only with Trip Advisor. Some times it’s a hit other times it is a disaster. I have both the stories this time.

The trip to Anna Maria took a whole day. We started in the morning with a simple breakfast at home and drove to Indian Shore. The whole route along the ocean has a lot of vacation rentals and Motels. At certain point we wonder if there were any residents at all in those towns, so many boards about rentals .

So here is my take - If I go back again I will stay in one of those towns. Beautiful beaches and same sunset but lot quieter and cheaper too. And many places parking was free too. ( Seminoles, Bay pines, treasure Island, Largo, Belleair Beach, North Redington, Madeira Beach, Tierra Verde) look for places in Pinellas County)

The one thing about Pier 60 or Clearwater was high cost of parking.It was around $4.50 per hour and with max hour limit. We had a rental car and designated parking spot at the airbnb and so close to the beach so it didnt bother us much.

So if I do it again, stay in those nearby towns and just take a trolly to Clearwater Beach one day to hang out on the pier 60.

The CW beach strip is less than a mile walk. Like any other beach town, shops and restaurants both sides overlooking beach. I walked back and forth from the Airbnb multiple time.

The parking in those towns are expensive too but lot of those dead end street had beach access and free parking, a street after every block. It was Thursday so I am not sure how busy it would be over the weekend but there are always paid parking lots too.

So we drove to Indian shore rocks, treasure Island. St Pete’s beach, Libo key, Siesta beach and finally Anna Maria island. On the way back we didnt do the big loop , took a highway to go to St. Petersburg. One of the best downtown I have seen. Very well designed. A beauiftul evening walk and lot of options for dinner. If I go next I will make sure to spend more in the downtown.

The Third day was one of those disasters of Google Map. We drove up North. The idea for that day was do a 3 miles walk from CW beach to Caladasi Island. But it was a rainy day and I didn’t want to walk with Mr Husband alone, that walk would have been so much fun with a group of friends. You sure can walk to the island, just watch for the high tide. Carry some snack and water and you are good to go.

So we drove to Honeymoon Island and then I dragged Mr Husband to Robert K Rees memorial park. That placed looked so perfect on the map, free parking, picnic tables and play area. The view was awesome but not much area. Lot of the it was blocked for environmental safety. But the worst part was it was full of bugs and mosquitos. We drove this far for not much different view. On the way back we stopped at Sunset beach in Tarpon Spring. and I loved that place but again you don’t have to drive north for that view.

Day 4ths was take it easy day, we drove to Tampa , walked around city, Skywalk, Downtown, and then went to Ybor City. It was again a less than mile strip , It is famous for its cigar. Cuban influence. We ate at Gaspar's Grotto one of the best sandwich and fries. I wish I was hungry and could eat something else too. Regretted having breakfast that morning. We were there for a quick lunch. Plan your day that way to have a full meal. I wonder what is the night scene there.

A quick trip to the Hindu Temple of FL in Tampa - It is big and the statues of the Gods are beautiful. The decoration was silvery. I had to stay far from the deities as I was wearing a knee showing dress. If you want to take part in the prayers then wear clothes that cover your legs fully. The woman on the counter who stopped me was feeling sorry for me, She didnt know I wasn’t there for the prayers, I was there to “see” inside and around the temple and it was good enough for me.

I went to the beach again on my last night, it was pouring and it was empty and quiet. I loved my night walk, It was fun, quiet and very wet. I realized how hard it must be for all those bollywood heroines to shoot in the rain and dance and act.

I will update this post soon if I remember something. Enjoy your trip.

Day -1 Pier 60, sunset and Frenchy's Rockaway Grill ( my togo place for a drink)

Day - 2 All the way to Anna Maria Island

SandBar Cafe in Anna Maria Island, the wine made me forget the pic of the Entree :)

Then back to Frenchy's for dinner date - a wet evening

Day -3 Honeymoon Island, Roberts K Pass Memorial Park and Tarpon Spring

Morning at Clearwater Beach

Robert K P Memorial Park

Back to Clearwater for Lunch

Loved this place a quick seafood platter with some beer wonderful host and food.

Sunset @Clearwater Beach

Day - 4 Tampa

No - 12 moved to FL so we decided to visit the stadium. It was no where close to Patriots place

River walk Tampa , Drawbridge - Anand loves them had to take this pic.

April 2nd - It was Autism Awareness day for me - someone was raising awareness about Child Abuse.

Ybor City

Gaspar's Grotto

Best Sandwich in town :)

Hindu Temple of FL

Back to Clearwater Beach

Beach was amazing, Serene , It was kind of nice to have the beach to myself.

and how could I not have one last drink in French's, it was Coffee this time :)

some random information

https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/things-to-do/beaches

Free Rides Clearwater Beach

If you’re near Clearwater Beach, check out Florida Free Rides, a company that operates colorful minivans. Many visitors use the service so that they can enjoy a cocktail with dinner, or arrive at the beach without worrying about a parking spot. Even though this is a free service, it’s customary to give the driver a nice tip.

Night club ( Latin) St Pete - Dirty Laundry -Dirty Laundry, 1742 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Ka'tiki. 8803 W. Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island, FL 33706 Happy hour 4 to 6 PM

Fat Cat Tavern. 16080 U.S. 19 N Clearwater, FL 33764 Happy Hours: 4pm-7pm and from 10pm-close

Treasure Island http://www.treasureislandflorida.org/index.html

-10400 Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island, FL 33706

St Pete Beach, Florida 4700 Gulf Blvd.
St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

Siesta Key, Florida 34242 free parking

Lido Key

Crescent Beach Siesta key, FL

There's a parking lot and walking pathway that leads out to Crescent Beach. $10 parking

John’s Pass Village

Anna Maria FL ( Sunset)

The City Pier Grill and Bait Shop 100 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria, FL 3421 - cheap food awesome view

Bean Point Beach some street parking

Free parking lot in Holmes Beach, Florida

Anna Maria church parking

Caladesi Island State Park 1 Causeway Blvd ( rent a kayak)
Dunedin, FL 34698 admission - free

Honeymoon Island ( 12 miles north) -#1 Causeway Boulevard
Dunedin, FL 34698. Entry Per Vehicle $4 - $8 https://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland/. $4 per vehicle: Sunset fee, starting one hour prior to park closing

Caladesi Island is accessible by private boat or via the Caladesi Connection ferry service. Cost for the ferry is $16.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. Kids below five years old are free. Trips depart every half hour beginning at 10 a.m. Ferry passengers are allotted a four-hour stay on the island.

You can get to the island via the Caladesi Island Ferry, (727) 734-5263, which departs from Honeymoon Island and runs from 10:00 am to 5 pm, The ferry departs every hour beginning at 10am

You can take a 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island or you can walk to Caladesi Island from Clearwater Beach, Florida! Yes, you can walk from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island. The two islands weren't always connected, but they are now. The islands used to be separated by Dunedin Pass

http://www.beachhunter.net/caladesi-island-ferry.htm

https://beachresortcondos.com/clearwater-beach/walk-to-caladesi-island-state-park/

Ben T Davis Beach, 7740 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607 Free admission

Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Dr, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 ( 20 miles from CW) Parking $5

Indian Rocks Beach -1700 Gulf Blvd.
Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

Fort De Soto Park Parking $5 3500 Pinellas Bayway S.
Tierra Verde, FL 33715

A $5.00 per day parking fee is in effect at Fort De Soto, Sand Key, and Fred Howard Parks

Sand Key Park just south of Clearwater. 1060 Gulf Blvd
Clearwater, FL 33767 free admission

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/beaches.htm

https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/things-to-do/beaches

Top 10 Best free beach parking in Sarasota, FL