Don't look for Ozona on most maps, because many gloss right over this watery dot of paradise, deferring to Dunedin or Palm Harbor. Technically, Ozona isn't a city, which, as someone who once define Hell as a city council meeting, I can say is a good thing. That doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do in downtown Ozona (they call it dozona) — there's at least 10 ways to amuse yourself along this hamlet at the northern edge of St. Joseph Sound.
1. Find your way to Ozona along the Pinellas Trail.
First things first: There's a few ways to get to Ozona other than by car, like biking the Pinellas Trail into the area. It's a peaceful strip of the trail and the restaurants are markedly less crowded than Dunedin, whose awesome downtown basically became awesome because of the Pinellas Trail.
2. Boat into town and dock at the Home Port Marina.
If you have a boat — or better, friends with a boat — this may be the easiest way to get to Ozona, which is totally walkable and, for the most part, dog-friendly. You could also dock at Ozona Fish Camp, of course, or, if you don't have a boat...
3. Catch some fish with an Ozona Fish Camp charter.
Ozona Fish Camp has six different charter captains and while it's doubtful you can walk up and get a charter, odds are you'll be able to book a captain at some point for the weekend. And, if you don't catch anything, you can still...
4. Get seafood at Molly Goodheads.
Two words: Raw bar. And not only oysters, but clams, ahi and mussels (OK, those aren't technically raw, but they're still delicious). Feeling fancy? Try the sushi martini. Sushitini, anyone?
5. Dine waterside at Ozona Blue Grill.
OK, so you missed the happy hour buffet (Mon.-Thurs.), but you can always go out to eat mid-week. Until then, satisfy yourself with their ice-cold oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp and she crab soup. Did I mention you can dine waterside? Saturday night, the Rob K. Duo will play from 3-8 p.m.
6. Not into seafood? Get a pizza at Ozona Pizza.
They have more than pizza — you can get the standard Italian-American bowl of spaghetti, eggplant parm or chicken parm. But the pizza's the main draw, of course, or else they'd call themselves Ozona Eggplant, which is my new girl band name. Bonus: They have vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free pizzas. Hopefully not all at the same time. I mean, how much stuff do we have to give up?
7. Or eat some 'cue at the Ozona Pig.
For a postage-stamp sized place, Ozona has lots of good choices for eating. At the Pig, get southern barbecue. They call it "Ozona style" barbecue, and they also have Brunswick stew, plates of tamales and Dixie salsa. But enough with the food, traipse over to some of the shops.
8. Find a treasure at Ozona Antiques.
The cool thing about antique stores is how they're different every time you go there. Ozona Antiques, of course, is no different, and they're pretty good about posting their new finds on their Facebook page, so you'll have a good idea of their inventory from there. If there isn't enough for you there, pop over to...
9. Check Antiques and Uniques.
This isn't one shop, but a dealer mall with over 40 dealers. Think more vintage and hand-painted reclaimed furniture. The building itself's pretty interesting to see, too. And if you need proof that it isn't all antiques, well, you can...
10. Go coastal with KCM's beach and coastal decor.
Think seahorses, mermaids and bright colors, and you've got the right idea.
Actually, that's a pretty appropriate way to think of Ozona itself. There's other stuff packed into this little village I didn't mention — go discover it for yourself.
Where should we go next weekend? Let us know in the comments, or email Cathy.
