PASS-A-GRILLE, Gulf Way between First and 22nd avenues, on the south end of St. Pete Beach. This gay-friendly stretch of sand is one of the nicest beaches in the Bay area, and it's right across the street from the popular Hurricane restaurant. Restrooms and concessions are available, including a snack bar with great grouper sandwiches. Metered parking costs $1.25 per hour, $5 for all day. Call 727-363-9247.
PICNIC ISLAND, 7404 Picnic Island Blvd., Tampa. Despite its location in an industrial area near MacDill Air Force Base, this beach is quite peaceful. The small stretch of sand is seldom busy and offers a great view of the Bay. There's a small fishing pier (not that you'd want to eat anything you caught), grills and shelters. Call 813-931-2121.
REDINGTON BEACH, Gulf Boulevard at 182nd Avenue, Redington Shore (in Pinellas County). Quiet and secluded, this beach is great for swimming or reading a book without interruptions. 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.), are good for two weeks and can be renewed for another two. 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 lifeguards are on duty every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 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. Leashed and curbed dogs allowed on Sanibel beaches. Parking costs $2 per hour on Sanibel, Captiva and Turner's beaches. Call 239-472-1080.
SIESTA BEACH, Beach Road on Siesta Key. This 40-acre park is roughly an hour south of Tampa Bay, and contains a nature trail, concessions, soccer and softball fields, tennis and volleyball courts, showers, 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 sand is 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.
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 costs $1.25 per hour, $5 for the day. 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 five 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. Parking costs $1.25 per hour, $5 for the day. Call 727-547-4575.
Visit http://gulfbeaches.com and http://tampabaybeaches.com for updates.
ADVENTURE ISLAND, 10001 Malcolm McKinley Drive, near Busch Gardens, Tampa (813-987-5660). This waterpark's 30 acres of consumer-friendly, faux-tropical surroundings are quite tranquil. The slides wind, corkscrew and free-fall. There's a waterfall, wave pool, children's water playground and other family amenities, such as picnic and sunbathing areas and a white-sand volleyball complex. Admission (all children must be accompanied by an adult) costs $29.95, $27.95 for kids. Parking costs $5. One-year passes cost an arm ($84.95); two-year passes cost an arm and a leg ($129.95). Hours vary. www.adventureisland.com.
