Pinellas County:
Six small towns in the county that contains Indian Rocks Beach and St. Pete/Clearwater are distinctive destinations. The 'hip' town of Pass-a-Grille, 'literally an appendage' of St. Petersburg, is topped by the old Don Cesar Hotel, one of the few remaining 'pink palaces in the state ... like a big sand castle on the water.' Gulfport, to the east, has 'become a cool hangout, in a quiet way.' Safety Harbor, famed for its eponymous spa, 'is a wonderful town for walking around.' To the north, Dunedin's old railroad bed has been turned into the nearly 40-mile Pinellas Trail, used by 1 million people a year. The 'sane, small-scale' Indian Rocks Beach is 'the best beach town' of all. Finally, the trail leads up to Tarpon Springs, an 'old Greek fishing community' still 'redolent with character.'
Beaches:
Each sunset over the Gulf of Mexico paints a scene as unique as the beach communities that line the shores. Places for solitude amidst a coastal glory, small towns with surf shops and outdoor ice cream parlors, on the shores just outside your door.