Beaches North of Clearwater
Jan 13th, 2000 | 01:06 PM
#2
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Marion,
You don't really want to go as far north as Pasco County. It's just totally dead up there, beaches notwithstanding. Some good alternatives for you would be Dunedin (pronounced Done-ee-din, not Doon-din), which is just north of Clearwater. A sleepy little town with great beaches, restaurants and a funky little downtown (at least the last time I was there. Also, consider Tarpon Springs. Tarpon Springs is pretty far north in Pinellas County but it has a large Greek community and a great tradition of sponge diving, nice beaches and outstanding restaurants. I used to live and work in Clearwater but I spent a lot of time in points north, including Dunedin and Tarpon Springs.
You don't really want to go as far north as Pasco County. It's just totally dead up there, beaches notwithstanding. Some good alternatives for you would be Dunedin (pronounced Done-ee-din, not Doon-din), which is just north of Clearwater. A sleepy little town with great beaches, restaurants and a funky little downtown (at least the last time I was there. Also, consider Tarpon Springs. Tarpon Springs is pretty far north in Pinellas County but it has a large Greek community and a great tradition of sponge diving, nice beaches and outstanding restaurants. I used to live and work in Clearwater but I spent a lot of time in points north, including Dunedin and Tarpon Springs.
Jan 13th, 2000 | 02:29 PM
#3
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Marion...from the beach standpoint only, you won't find anything as nice as Clearwater (very broad, very white) until you reach the Panhandle.
As mentioned above, Dunedin is a cute little town, doesn't have the congestion of Clearwater, but their beach isn't on a par with it either...OK, nice, but quite different.
Have you thought about going further south? Anna Maria Island is nice... quieter, but again, their beach though nice, can't hold a candle to Clearwater's. Or...Pass-a-Grille--quieter than Clearwater, smaller beach, sand not as white.
Perhaps someone who has been to Cedar Key will comment. Have yet see that.
As mentioned above, Dunedin is a cute little town, doesn't have the congestion of Clearwater, but their beach isn't on a par with it either...OK, nice, but quite different.
Have you thought about going further south? Anna Maria Island is nice... quieter, but again, their beach though nice, can't hold a candle to Clearwater's. Or...Pass-a-Grille--quieter than Clearwater, smaller beach, sand not as white.
Perhaps someone who has been to Cedar Key will comment. Have yet see that.
Jan 13th, 2000 | 02:58 PM
#4
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What about Caladesi Island? A few years ago we went there (getting there is half the fun: you go on a pontoon boat from Honeymoon -?- Island, dock at Caladesi and hike across the dunes to get to the beach) Access is limited to 4 hours, I believe, and it is a state park. The beach was great!
Jan 13th, 2000 | 06:51 PM
#5
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Karen...you can also get to Caladesi by land now! It used to be a true island but a storm closed off the southern cut so it can now be reached by foot from Clearwater. My husband and I run up there sometimes, starting north of the pier its about 6 miles roundtrip judging from the time it takes us. It is beautiful with the stretch between Clearwater and the boardwalk at Caladesi being almost totally unpopulated except for crazies like us, out to exercise. The boat still goes from Honeymoon Island for those not inclined to do 6 mile runs. 
