we'll be staying for two days in Clearwater proper and want to spend some time on the Clearwater Beach... is there free parking easily accessible to that beach?

I don't think there's much free parking in Clwr. Beach, but there is a lot of paid parking. I don't think it's too outrageous -- maybe someone else knows how much.

Parking on the street in a metered space is .75 cents to a dollar an hour, depending on the time of year. The parking lots by the pier are $2 dollars an hour, or 10 dollars for the entire day. A ticket is $15 bucks. Cut and paste this link for more info. http://www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/dep...king_beach.asp

We visited WDW over the past 2 weeks from the UK and on Saturday 17th April we decided to visit Clearwater Beach. Big mistake!! The traffic was absolutely dreadful. A trip that supposedly should have taken an hour and a half, took three hours via I4 and when we eventually got there there was nowhere to park. I went in the Virgin Holidays office next to the Hilton and she said drive go in the Hilton entrance, go under the building and into the car park next to the Hotel. I tried and the bellmen wouldn't let me do that.
Were we just unlucky going to Clearwater on this day, please tell me it's not normally like this.
Neil

I've been going to Clearwater beach for 20 years at different times of the year and have never had trouble finding a parking space. During busy times(winter and spring break) I try to get there before 10. Neil couldn't have hit a busier time- Saturday of Spring Break, and I can't even imagine heading down I4 at that time. The beaches should be less crowded now. If you go on a weekend, I still would get there before 11- shouldn't be any problem.

Neil, traffic has been bad year round with the new bridge construction between Clearwater and Clearwater Beach. Beach traffic which used to approach the bridge from two major directions now approaches from only one due to construction re-routing. Now with serious cracks found in the pilings supporting sections of the new bridge, they are trying to determine if they can be repaired or if those sections will have to be demolished and begun again. The end is no where in sight, unfortunately, and the new bridge should have opened this month.

Your experience of being unable to find parking, though, is a Spring Break phenomena. We too have driven out, only to turn around and come back home, but in our case we were only driving from Tampa. We quickly learned, as Beatle says, to get there extremely early, no later than 10 and earlier if possible, if going during that period.

Now with the bridge construction, we have quit using that beach altogether, and go to Ft Desoto State Park where .35 gets you into the park which has practically unlimited and free parking, and long and relatively uncrowded stretches of beach. No more worries about the meter running out! There are no cabana or umbrella rentals, no chairs etc, so you must bring your own, but it's a beautiful area and away from the hustle and bustle.

To Oliveoyl- or anyone- Where is Ft. Desoto State Park from Tampa? Thanks...

Just stay on I-275 South all the way into St. Pete. You'll take the exit that says Gulf Beaches -- if you miss it then you'll be on your way to Bradenton via the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Stay on that road -- the Pinellas Bayway -- heading toward the Gulf beaches. You'll come to an intersection with signs to Tierra Verde. Go in the direction of Tierra Verde, but go past Tierra Verde. You will begin to see signs for the park and for the Fort (yes, there is an actual Fort DeSoto). Go past the fort for the best beaches and for the shelters, restrooms, showers, and grills.

Olive, how was that? Have I forgotten anything?

Thanks Tandoori for the directions, and thanks Oliveoyl for mentioning the Park. I've been coming to the Clearwater, St.Pete area for many years and look forward to checking it out.

Nope...TG, no stone was left unturned and in a mere 9 minutes after the question was asked no less! Can't get much better service than that.

One point I should emphasize, Beatle, is that you are looking not just for the Gulf Beaches exit, but the one that says Pinellas Bayway/Gulf Beaches. There is at least one other exit further up 275 that also says "Gulf Beaches" (different beaches).

Once you are on the Bayway, your turn (left) to get Desoto is marked by a sign that says "Ft Desoto" as well as Tierra Verde. You won't miss it--it's at a light and there is a left turn lane for the light.

You'll eventually go through a toll both for the park, then the road T's at the beach. Go right and drive as far as you can north--it ends in a little circle. That's the best area IMHO...has the grills, showers, bathrooms, picnic tables that TG mentioned. Other sections closer to the Fort have no facilities at all.

Great beach if you enjoy getting off the beaten path.