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Clearwater Beach

ReliableOstrich

ReliableOstrich

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What to do, where to stay, what to eat?

What's the scene like, old, young, out of towners, locals, etc...?

I know nothing about this place but am going anyway.

Also, how's the Hilton? Their tripadvisor reviews are pretty bad, even for a Hilton.
 
I stayed at the Hyatt on Clearwater Beach and it was very nice. I believe all the rage now is the new resort, Opal Sands (I think that's it).
 
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ReliableOstrich said:
Why is it better?

I know nothing about these beaches. I want to enjoy the beach without a bunch of kids, teens, or insightly old folks ruining my views.
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If you tell more about age, who you are traveling with, what you are looking for, budget, etc. I can provide more info.

I'll sum up the area beaches like this:

Clearwater Beach: Beautiful, but touristy, commercial, expensive and crowded depending when you go. Chain hotels and condos/local hotels to rent

St. Pete Beach: Nice, touristy, less expensive and crowded than Clearwater Beach. Chains/unique and local hotels

Indian Rocks Beach: Cool to chill, not too touristy, but only a couple chain hotels to stay at. Rent a condo. Beaches will be the least crowded, especially if you stay away from the main public access parking down around 17th ave.

There are a number of places between IRB and St Pete Beach that are cool and more like IRB where you will need to rent a Condo.

For Clearwater Beach restaurants, try one of the Frenchy's (Rockaway on the beach is best), Palm Pavillion, Island Way Grille.

Try the seafood ... I'll be here all week.

Tribe has influenced me too much, but I'm totally not Tribe, so that's all you get for now.
 
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Gonolz said:
If you tell more about age, who you are traveling with, what you are looking for, budget, etc. I can provide more info.
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Thanks! Very helpful! We're not particularly attached to CWB, so could def change to St Pete Beach or IRB.

Traveling w/ the gf, looking to mainly chill on the beach (maybe secretly drink a bottle or two of wine while we're at it), grab a couple nice dinners (at something non-chain). We're in our 30s, not looking to rage but def want to get drinks at a couple nice (non-crowded) bars or mixology places if such places are nearby.

Hoping to just uber around and not rent a car bc I plan to permabuzz for the weekend.

My price range on hotels is kinda skewed as I basically use a friends & fam discount at anything in the Starwood/Marriott, Hilton, or IHG families of hotels - as such, I generally max out at $250/night, less than which I was able to put a room on hold at the Hilton Clearwater, though their reviews on Tripadvisor look far, far less than stellar, so considering ditching that.
 
My suggestion is to take a drive from CWB to the end of St Pete Beach one afternoon and grab dinner at the Hurricane. Have the grouper and a couple of drinks and either watch the sunset from the top deck there or on the beach. Then drive back along the beach. Depending on your mood and what strikes you, stop a time or two either way at whatever catches your eye - can catch a private small beach access and have some beach to yourself or hit up Johns Pass and be surrounded by tourists in touristville or anything in between.
 
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ReliableOstrich said:
What to do, where to stay, what to eat?

What's the scene like, old, young, out of towners, locals, etc...?

I know nothing about this place but am going anyway.

Also, how's the Hilton? Their tripadvisor reviews are pretty bad, even for a Hilton.
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The Hilton is one of the older ones on the beach with all the new developments. I have not been there in years but since I live in Clearwater no reason to. Last time I did a staycation on the beach I stayed at the Hyatt Regency and it was awesome... Hella expensive though.

Eat, I always recommend Frenchy's Rockaway Grill for the view and the best grouper. You can get good grouper at any one of the what 5 Frenchy's on the beach but none of them are right on the sands like that one.
 
Gonolz said:
If you tell more about age, who you are traveling with, what you are looking for, budget, etc. I can provide more info.

I'll sum up the area beaches like this:

Clearwater Beach: Beautiful, but touristy, commercial, expensive and crowded depending when you go. Chain hotels and condos/local hotels to rent

St. Pete Beach: Nice, touristy, less expensive and crowded than Clearwater Beach. Chains/unique and local hotels

Indian Rocks Beach: Cool to chill, not too touristy, but only a couple chain hotels to stay at. Rent a condo. Beaches will be the least crowded, especially if you stay away from the main public access parking down around 17th ave.

There are a number of places between IRB and St Pete Beach that are cool and more like IRB where you will need to rent a Condo.

For Clearwater Beach restaurants, try one of the Frenchy's (Rockaway on the beach is best), Palm Pavillion, Island Way Grille.

Try the seafood ... I'll be here all week.

Tribe has influenced me too much, but I'm totally not Tribe, so that's all you get for now.
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We said about the same you said more. I will add one restaurant If you want a high end steak house go to Salt Rock Grill Indian Rocks Beach.
 
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peezy28 said:
We said about the same you said more. I will add one restaurant If you want a high end steak house go to Salt Rock Grill Indian Rocks Beach.
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I'll second Salt Rock. We usually stay at the Ram Sea condos in IRB/Redington and Uber to Salt Rock. They've got a great wine selection, great steaks, and great sea food.
 
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There is a Doubletree right on the beach in Redington you may want to look in to for points. I will also vouch for Salt Rock but the best place on that stretch of Gulf Blvd is the Kooky Koconut. Walk over to grab a quick Cuban and beer then right back to the beach.
There is a shuttle that runs up and down Gulf Blvd you can ride from place to place. I know there is also a fun bar crawl/passport program starting at the Guy Harvey resort in Treasure Island. That's also a great place to have beers on the beach.
 
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Salt Rock Grill in Indian Shores is outstanding upscale food. 1200 Chophouse in St. Pete is just as good on the food but a more casual small place. Can't believe someone on the board actually found the Kooky Coconut in IRB. It is great food, literally in a hut and basically takeout. It is so casual that I think swimsuits are optional.

Near there, Keegan's Seafood is casual, great seafood. For an outdoor bar near there, Crabby Bill's has live music. The food is decent, but not great compared to all the other great places. Best food secret along the beaches is 18 On The Rocks, which also has an open air bar with live music. Best bar directly on the beach is Caddy's On The Beach in Treasure Island.

As DQ mentioned, there is a trolley that runs up and down Gulf Blvd all day long (not late night). Hop it and hit up a bunch of places.

As far as places to stay, I don't have a lot of recommendations because I had a condo in IRB, so never stayed in any of the hotels. If you can short-term rent a condo from IRB down to Redington, you will be in a less crowded, less touristy area in the middle of the stretch of beaches. If you want to be in the middle of touristy action, pick a hotel in Clearwater or St. Pete Beach. Postcard Inn was mentioned. I think Cman has stayed there. It is right near the action in St. Pete Beach.
 
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Very helpful insights folks. Many thanks.

One more question, it's likely dumber than my first set of questions...

Which of the beaches mentioned (CWB, IRB, St Pete Beach, Redington, Sand Key) has the best beach - ie powder white sand, clear water, not a ton of shells in the first 20-30 yards of water?
 
ReliableOstrich said:
Very helpful insights folks. Many thanks.

One more question, it's likely dumber than my first set of questions...

Which of the beaches mentioned (CWB, IRB, St Pete Beach, Redington, Sand Key) has the best beach - ie powder white sand, clear water, not a ton of shells in the first 20-30 yards of water?
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Nothing is a dumb question but as far as the *Clear Water* part your not in luck... Best bet for that is find the least populated section but the whole Gulf is pretty much green. As for Powdery sand I would say Pier 60 side of Clearwater beach.. The Sand Key side is less busy but the sand is not white and a bit shelly. St. Pete Beach is good too with the Powdery sand.
 
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Gonolz said:
Salt Rock Grill in Indian Shores is outstanding upscale food. 1200 Chophouse in St. Pete is just as good on the food but a more casual small place. Can't believe someone on the board actually found the Kooky Coconut in IRB. It is great food, literally in a hut and basically takeout. It is so casual that I think swimsuits are optional.

Near there, Keegan's Seafood is casual, great seafood. For an outdoor bar near there, Crabby Bill's has live music. The food is decent, but not great compared to all the other great places. Best food secret along the beaches is 18 On The Rocks, which also has an open air bar with live music. Best bar directly on the beach is Caddy's On The Beach in Treasure Island.

As DQ mentioned, there is a trolley that runs up and down Gulf Blvd all day long (not late night). Hop it and hit up a bunch of places.

As far as places to stay, I don't have a lot of recommendations because I had a condo in IRB, so never stayed in any of the hotels. If you can short-term rent a condo from IRB down to Redington, you will be in a less crowded, less touristy area in the middle of the stretch of beaches. If you want to be in the middle of touristy action, pick a hotel in Clearwater or St. Pete Beach. Postcard Inn was mentioned. I think Cman has stayed there. It is right near the action in St. Pete Beach.
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Crabby Bill's is terrible food. Used to be really good. Last few times I've been it sucked bad. I'd rather eat at the 7/11 on Redington.
 
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mcgrawfsu said:
Crabby Bill's is terrible food. Used to be really good. Last few times I've been it sucked bad. I'd rather eat at the 7/11 on Redington.
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2nd Crabby Bills... have not been there since the remodel... Building looks nice unfortunately if they are still serving frozen food it won't matter.
 
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peezy28 said:
2nd Crabby Bills... have not been there since the remodel... Building looks nice unfortunately if they are still serving frozen food it won't matter.
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The last time we were there my son ordered king crab legs. They were still frozen when they served them. It's a shame. I used to really enjoy eating there.
 
mcgrawfsu said:
The last time we were there my son ordered king crab legs. They were still frozen when they served them. It's a shame. I used to really enjoy eating there.
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I ate there MANY YEARS AGO and it was as bad then as it is now...
 
ReliableOstrich said:
Very helpful insights folks. Many thanks.

One more question, it's likely dumber than my first set of questions...

Which of the beaches mentioned (CWB, IRB, St Pete Beach, Redington, Sand Key) has the best beach - ie powder white sand, clear water, not a ton of shells in the first 20-30 yards of water?
Click to expand...

If the above is what you're looking for go an hour south to Lido beach in Sarasota....white sugar sand, very few people, great eating and shops( St. Armand circle).....book a room at Lido beach resort....then if you want the crowds and peple watch take a 15 min drive to Siesta Beach...top rated beach in the country
 
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peezy28 said:
Nothing is a dumb question but as far as the *Clear Water* part your not in luck... Best bet for that is find the least populated section but the whole Gulf is pretty much green...
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Sorry for the tangent, but why is that? My MIL has a place on Marco that we visit -- beautiful, white sand but that water. Man if you could have the east coast's blue water with the west coast's sand!
 
BlizzardNole said:
Sorry for the tangent, but why is that? My MIL has a place on Marco that we visit -- beautiful, white sand but that water. Man if you could have the east coast's blue water with the west coast's sand!
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Have no clue it's been like that for as long as I remember maybe higher algae or sediment content in the gulf or something.
 
I thought Crabby Bill's kinda sucked, and I'm from frigging Iowa. Walk 8 blocks north and go to Palm Pavilion. Awesome views and a great grouper sandwich.
 
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Would you believe I once worked for the St. Petersburg Times and traveled about every road in Pinellas County?

The comments here bring back some good memories, the area is on a nice upswing.
 
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On Iowa said:
I thought Crabby Bill's kinda sucked, and I'm from frigging Iowa. Walk 8 blocks north and go to Palm Pavilion. Awesome views and a great grouper sandwich.
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Crabby Bills was great - 25 or so years ago. Nowadays, you'd be better off buying a Michelinas frozen dinner, nuking it, then freezing it, then thawing it out & nuking it again.
 
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SeaPA said:
Crabby Bills was great - 25 or so years ago. Nowadays, you'd be better off buying a Michelinas frozen dinner, nuking it, then freezing it, then thawing it out & nuking it again.
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I'd equate it more to Red Lobster. Crappy seafood and watered down drinks in "collectible" plastic cups.
 
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