If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. A trip to this can't-miss beach town is all about fun and sun. A leader in the travel and tourism industry, Kara Franker has served in executive leadership roles for several destination organizations. Few beach towns have it all, but Clearwater is one of those rare and precious jewels. Nestled on Florida's west coast near Tampa , the area averages fabulous days of sunshine per year.
And it even holds the record for consecutive sunny days at —that's more than two years of straight sun! It's no wonder why visitors from around the world—especially snow birds—flock to Clearwater to swim in—you guessed it—crystal clear water.
A constant supply of warm weather temperatures range from low 70s in the winter to low 90s in the summer and close proximity to two airports St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Tampa International Airport make planning a vacation here a no-brainer. Main attractions include lots of free and family-friendly waterfront activities, fresh-from-the-Gulf seafood, great beach bars , an exciting year-round events calendar, a selection of hotels that fit any budget, and of course, miles and miles of drop-dead-gorgeous beaches.
Just steps from hotels and nightlife spots, you can enjoy the emerald sea and the sugary beaches like a local. Stroll the half-mile Beach Walk pictured above , where you can spend a day frolicking in the water, checking out the surf shops, hunting for the perfect souvenir at a touristy boutique, or grabbing a bite to eat along the waterfront. While Clearwater Beach is the heart of all the action, nearby Sand Key Park is a hidden slice of paradise. The 95 acres of salt marshes and spacious sandy beaches are begging to be explored.
Just a short jaunt from Clearwater, Honeymoon Island is Florida's most-visited state park. The roughly acre barrier island is home to four miles of completely undeveloped beaches and while the island draws quite the drove of beach-goers on the weekends, if you go on a weekday, you'll have the place all to yourself.
