Beach Getaways 2008 - (Page 36) NW NC NE TAMPA BAY AREA Miles of beaches near big city lights Mention Tampa, and most people think of such big-city luxuries as shopping, hip restaurants and nightlife. However, Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico provide miles and miles of shoreline for this area – in particular, the family-friendly beach parks of Anclote River Park and Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park. Catch a stunning sunset at Robert K. Rees Memorial Park, located on an island west of New Port Richey. At E.G. Simmons Park on Tampa Bay, the beach is surrounded by mangroves and nearby swamps, which provide plenty of opportunities to check out local flora and fauna. 7 SARASOTA/BRADENTON CW C CE Quartz sand and sharks’ teeth 6 ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER Clear, cerulean and calm best describe the beaches of Sarasota and Bradenton. Family-friendly fun can be found at the amenity-packed (north to south) Manatee County Beach, Lido Beach and Siesta Beach, known the world over for its blindingly white, velvety soft quartz sand. In the south end of the barrier island chain that is strung along this beachy region is a not-to-be-missed beach spot – Casey Key’s North Jetty Park. Venice-area beaches are treasure troves of prehistoric, fossilized sharks’ teeth and shells. If it’s seclusion you seek, consider the very picturesque (north to south) Anna Maria, North Lido Beach and Blind Pass Beach. SW SE Pristine islands and top-rated beaches Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (a.k.a. Dr. Beach) ranked this region’s Fort DeSoto Park the top beach in the continental U.S. Besides unspoiled sandy beaches, the park has biking trails, camping areas, a historic fort, fishing piers and kayak rentals. St. Petersburg/Clearwater is also where you’ll find Caladesi Island State Park, Egmont Key and Shell Key – islands with pristine, gorgeous beaches accessible only by boat. On the other end of the beach spectrum is the wildly popular and lively Clearwater Beach/Pier 60 Park. Note: The pier is a fantastic place to watch famous Gulf of Mexico sunsets. CHARLOTTE HARBOR Isolated beaches on quiet islands This area is also known for its breathtaking beaches bordering the Gulf of Mexico. The shoreline is perfect for shelling and wandering the nature trails that wind through subtropical vegetation. Manasota Key has great beaches, and lots of locals’ restaurants. At Stump Pass Beach State Park, undeveloped, secluded shores await. Family-friendly Englewood Beach features a wide, sandy beach. Keep an eye out for the iguanas on Gasparilla Island, which overlooks one of the world’s best tarpon-fishing locales. And don’t forget the quiet un-busy beaches of Don Pedro Island, Englewood-Cape Haze, Little Gasparilla Island and Palm Island. Experience Charlotte Harbor itself at the well-equipped Port Charlotte Beach Park. 7 6 36 VISITFLORIDA.com/beaches http://VISITFLORIDA.com/beaches
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