Is either January or February a bad time of year to go to Clearwater and stay close to the beach area? I have a teenage granddaughter I would like to take there for a vacation and she would like to go around that time of year. Thanks!

That can be a great time. Before Spring Break crowds & weather is usually mild. Water is still too cool for us natives but lots of northern folks love it. Try our newspaper site for info on area;
http://www.sptimes.com/

Clearwater in Jan/Feb will likely be too chilly to sit on the beach in a bathing suit. My wife and I were down there for Thanksgiving one year and had 2 days where the temperature reached 75 degrees which was just warm enough to sit on the beach for a couple of hours. Who knows though? You could get lucky.

For a better chance at warmth in a similar beach setting, consider Ft. Myers Beach a couple hours south.

We were in Clearwater in March & plan to return in Oct -- our grandchild lives near there. If yours wants to go in Jan or Feb to fit her school holidays, don't hesitate. Take a pair of "sweats" for walking the beach (rather than sitting and baking!). There's lots to do in the area -- St. Pete's pier, visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium (see their site), The Wagonwheel Flea Market on Sun . There's really lots to do and see in the area.

Was in Clearwater first week in February earlier this year, it was between 78 and 82 each day. Be aware of the dates of the Gasparilla Festival, the ships sail into Tampa Bay and every hotel room from St. Pete up to Clearwater is sold out.

We used to visit Granny and Pops in Sarasota, Florida during the winter when our kids were little. Sometimes we'd go in February and the weather would be 70s but not beach-like. "Shoulda been here last month it was wonderful" So the next year we'd go in January. Grey skies until the day we left. Seems like about 4 years in a row we just couldn't hit it right. But have to admit, we enjoyed the break from cold wintry weather and not wearing coats. Ever since, however, we have since had terrific luck over Christmas vacations and Spring breaks.

Stayed on the beach in mid-February of this year -- no complaints!!

Walking on the beach was interesting because there was every version of clothing -- people in bikinis, people in T's and shorts, and people in sweatshirts and slacks. Being from a northern climate, we were completely comfortable in T's and shorts. Sometimes the mornings felt cool, but by noon was wonderfully warm.