When I think of St. Pete Beach, the first image that comes to my mind is of white sands, clear water, and beautiful skies. I guess it’s pretty obvious to say the beach is located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Less obvious is the fact that it has been in existence since 1957. It is actually described as Florida’s top coastal destination. Not making this up, TripAdvisor once named it the No. 1 Beach in the U.S. So there you have it!
But on a more serious note, forget ratings and all the hype that comes with it, this beach is beautiful and deserves the praise it receives. If you follow my articles, by now you will know that I enjoy vising different beaches across the U.S. Checkout some of my other beach reviews here.
In this article, I will provide some fun facts about St. Pete Beach and talk about what it’s like to visit this gorgeous white sand beach!
Fun Facts About St. Pete Beach
- Definitely one of the most popular places on St. Pete Beach is the Don CeSar. It is the iconic “Pink Palace” hotel and chances are you may have seen an image of this hotel if you search for St. Pete Beach. The hotel opened in 1928 and drinks are pricier than most places in the area but the drinks are worth it.
- St. Petersburg averages 361 days of sunshine a year, which earned the area a Guinness World Record. Just think about that now 361 days!
- If you are like me and enjoy a bike ride, then you would love this beach. I almost always make it a point to ride my bike or take bike tours if the opportunity to do so by the beach presents itself. At St. Pete beach, you can drive or bike along Gulf Boulevard, which stretches the entire beach and connects several beach towns.
Admission and Visiting Details
- Admission: Visiting the beach is free, but you will pay for parking.
- Hours: Public beach access is available from 7am to Dusk.
- Parking: Metered street parking and public lots are available throughout St. Pete Beach. Prices vary but average around $2.75/hour.
What It’s Like to Visit
It really all depends on what you would like to do but at St. Pete Beach, you can sunbath (no nudity is allowed), collect seashells, paddleboard, or sit back, relax and enjoy a sunset. It is honestly an ideal spot for unwinding and enjoying nature.
You will notice a lot of families, solo travelers, and couples. Pay close attention to how clean this beach is and remember to keep the tradition as you leave.
Most people, myself included, start off on the public access on 4700 Gulf BLVD. I think I can say with confidence that this area is the most popular spot on St. Pete Beach and is surrounded by great dining, shopping, and loads of beach bars.
This area can actually be easily accessed by SunRunner, which is a bus that has about 30 stops and runs all the way to downtown St. Pete. It’s a great way to avoid paying for parking and removes worries about where your car is located. With that said, it used to be free but it changed in October of 2013. Now it cost $2.25.
Tips for Visiting
- Go Early: Parking fills up fast, especially near beach access points.
- Don’t Skip Pass-a-Grille: The beach here does not have the beautiful white sand but parking here is better and it’s a great spot for kayaking. It’s about four miles from the access point and is quieter and filled with local shops and art galleries.
- Stay for Sunset: Gulf Coast sunsets are spectacular and absolutely worth the wait.
- Bring Shade: You will find umbrellas and pop-up tents for rental since shade is limited.
- Use Beach Trolleys: While at the beach, one inexpensive way to get around without a car or bike is the Suncoast Beach Trolley. Although it is not free, it’s a fun way to get around without moving your car.
Nearby Attractions
If you are going to be visiting for multiple days, I would recommend that you combine your visit to St. Pete Beach with some of the places below:
- Corey Avenue District – This area is more popular amongst the locals and is about four and half miles from the Beach Access Park. Most people think of St. Pete Beach as just the stretch of white sand but there is more to it. For locals, Corey Avenue District is great for shopping, dining, and local art galleries. If you happen to visit on a Sunday, there will be a farmer’s market going on. You will feast your eyes and your belly would be happy!
- The Don CeSar Hotel – The hotel is open to visitors for dining, spa services, or just sightseeing.
- Shell Key Preserve – Take a kayak or boat tour to this remote island for incredible shelling and wildlife viewing. You can actually take a tour at Pass-a-Grille from Merry Pier.
- St. Pete Pier – One of my favorite places in St. Petersburg is St. Pete Pier. I wrote an article about visiting this destination. I would say if you are in the area, try to add this destination to your itinerary.
- Gulf Beaches Historical Museum – Located in Pass-a-Grille, this free museum tells the story of the area’s early days.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit St. Pete Beach is during spring (March to May) and early fall (September to November) when the weather is warm, but the crowds are thinner.
If you know anything about Florida, then you should know that Summer time is when tourists are at their peak and the weather is also a lot more humid. Winter time, you would have mild weather, plenty of sunshine but the beach may be breezier.
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