REDINGTON BEACH, Gulf Boulevard at 182nd Avenue, Redington Shore (in Pinellas County). Quiet and secluded, this beach is great for reading a book without interruption or getting it on with your honey. The beach is in a residential area, so visitors need a pass to park. Passes are free, though, through Redington Beach Town Hall, 105 164th Ave., and good for a month. Call 727-391-3875.
SAND KEY PARK, 1060 Gulf Blvd., south of Clearwater Beach, Clearwater. A quieter alternative to the rowdy Clearwater Beach, Sand Key is a good spot for families. Umbrellas and cabanas can be rented, and the 65-acre beach features picnic shelters and restrooms, but no food concessions. Metered parking costs $1 per hour ($1.25 on Saturday and Sunday), and the beach is open from 7 a.m. till dark. Call 727-588-4852.
SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA ISLANDS, 23 miles WSW of Fort Myers, off I-75. These barrier islands, approximately two hours south of Tampa Bay, are well worth the drive. The island beaches are reached via a toll bridge on the Sanibel Causeway for $3 round trip. Rated among the best shelling grounds in the world, these islands boast some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. Bowman's Beach, on Sanibel's northwest end; Gulfside Park, off Casa Ybel Road; and Lighthouse Park, at Sanibel's southern end, all offer public access. Sanibel is the more rustic of the two, while Captiva has more rowdy beach bars and restaurants. Parking costs 75 cents per hour on Sanibel Island beaches, at Captiva Beach and Turner's Beach. Pets are not allowed on Captiva beaches. Call 941-472-1080.
SIESTA BEACH, Beach Road on Siesta Key. This 40-acre park is roughly an hour south of Tampa Bay, and contains nature trails, concessions, soccer and softball fields, tennis and volleyball courts, playground and picnicking facilities, and year-round lifeguards. And even though there are 800 parking spaces, you better get there early if you want one. Siesta's pristine white sands are 99-percent quartz, pulverized to a fine powder; the sand's so reflective it feels cool on even the hottest days. Call 941-316-8041.
SOUTH LIDO PARK, on Ben Franklin Drive at the southern tip of Lido Key. Visitors come to catch a view of the downtown Sarasota skyline, and to walk along a scenic nature trail. In addition to the trails, amenities include rest rooms, picnic tables, cooking grills and a volleyball court.
SUNSET BEACH, West Gulf Boulevard, St. Petersburg. This beach, located between Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach, runs along a small road (West Gulf Boulevard) that continues after Gulf Boulevard turns toward St. Pete Beach. Beach Nutts (9600 Gulf Blvd.), one of a trio of bars that line the entrance to Sunset Beach, makes a good landmark. The beach's charm and popularity as a surf spot is partially attributed to its inaccessibility and difficulty to find. There's a public access parking lot but no facilities. But it's a relaxed beach community, so if you need a bathroom, just buy something at one of the nearby bars and restaurants; it's all good.
ST. PETE BEACH, along Gulf Boulevard. St. Pete Beach offers a 1-1/2-mile-long beach located just north of the Don CeSar and conveniently situated near a variety of popular beach bars and restaurants. A favorite spot with the locals. Parking meters cost $1 per hour. Call 727-367-2735.
ST. PETERSBURG MUNICIPAL BEACH, 11260 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. The municipal beach is one of the widest in Florida, stretching a quarter mile from the water to Gulf Boulevard. The beach has 10 volleyball courts, concessions, showers, picnic tables and restrooms. Call 727-360-3278.
TREASURE ISLAND BEACH Gulf Boulevard and 112th Avenue. Treasure Island's beach is wide and busy. It offers a snack bar, showers, cabana rentals and volleyball, along with a selection of restaurants and shops. It feels like a little piece of the Jersey shore right here in Florida. Call 727-547-4575.
TURTLE BEACH, located on Midnight Pass Road near the south end of Siesta Key. Picnic shelters, free boat ramps, rest rooms, dune walkovers, volleyball, playground equipment and more available. Walk for miles down the beach all the way to Casey Key. Prehistoric petrified sharks teeth buried in the sand make nice little souvenirs. No lifeguards on duty. Call 941-316-1172
VENICE BEACH, at the west end of Venice Avenue one mile west of Business Route U.S. 41. Scuba divers flock to a reef located a quarter mile offshore containing fossilized materials. Amenities include rest rooms, picnic tables, volleyball courts and concessions.