By Plotkin Homes
St. Petersburg sits on a peninsula flanked by Tampa Bay to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, which means the beaches here are never far. The Gulf-facing shores offer the warm, clear water and white sand that make this stretch of Florida coastline one of the most celebrated in the country. These three are the ones worth exploring, each offering something a little different from the others.
Key Takeaways
- Discover Pass-a-Grille Beach, four miles of powder-soft sand with a sunset celebration every evening and the iconic Don CeSar hotel as its backdrop.
- Learn what makes Upham Beach one of the best sunset-watching spots on St. Pete Beach, with sugar-white sand, lighter crowds, and a hidden garden at the north end.
- Find out why Caladesi Island State Park is the area's most extraordinary beach escape, accessible only by ferry, kayak, or a long walk from Clearwater Beach.
Pass-a-Grille Beach
Pass-a-Grille sits at the southern tip of St. Pete Beach and delivers four miles of powder-soft sand along water that runs a striking shade of aquamarine. What sets it apart from most Gulf Coast beaches is how little development sits directly on the sand. The shoreline feels open and unhurried, more like a tropical escape than a busy public beach.
What Makes Pass-a-Grille Worth the Drive
- The Paradise Grille sits right on the sand and is the kind of casual beach restaurant that becomes a regular stop once you discover it, with food and drinks served steps from the water.
- A sunset celebration takes place on the beach every evening, drawing locals and visitors who gather to watch the sun drop into the Gulf in what has become one of the area's most beloved daily rituals.
- The Don CeSar Hotel, the famous pink resort that has anchored this stretch of shoreline since 1928, is visible from the beach and worth seeing up close at least once.
- The beach's location at the southern end of St. Pete Beach gives it a quieter character than the more heavily trafficked sections further north along Gulf Boulevard.
Upham Beach
Upham Beach is located off Gulf Boulevard at 68th Avenue and is part of the broader St. Pete Beach area, but it has a distinctly different feel from the surrounding stretches. The sand here is sugar white and the crowd is noticeably lighter, making it one of the more relaxed Gulf beach experiences available without driving far from the city.
What to Know About Upham Beach
- Upham Beach faces west over the Gulf, which makes it one of the most reliable sunset-watching spots on this entire stretch of coastline.
- Paradise Grille has a location here as well, positioned near the restrooms and providing the same easy beach food and drinks that makes the Pass-a-Grille original so popular.
- The north end of the beach has a small hidden garden that is lovely to walk through and adds an unexpected bit of greenery to what is otherwise a classic Gulf beach experience.
- The lighter crowd and easy parking make Upham a practical choice for a weekday morning swim or a late afternoon visit timed for the sunset.
Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island is in a different category from the beaches above. Getting there requires a ferry from Honeymoon Island, a kayak, or a very long walk from Clearwater Beach, and that barrier is exactly what makes it worth the effort. The island is largely untouched, and the beach reflects it.
Why Caladesi Is Worth the Extra Effort
- The hourly ferry from Honeymoon Island is the most convenient way to reach Caladesi, running throughout the day with the park open from 8 AM to sunset every day of the year.
- The beach is known for shelling, with the Gulf waters regularly depositing a variety of shells along the shoreline that reward anyone who takes time to walk the water's edge.
- Kayaking into the mangroves on the island's bay side is one of the more peaceful outdoor experiences available anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, with wildlife throughout and calm, protected water suited to all paddle levels.
- Multiple nature trails wind through the island's interior, giving visitors a chance to explore beyond the beach and experience the full character of a barrier island that development has not touched.
Pets are not permitted on the ferry, so dog owners will need to make alternate arrangements before the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are these beaches from downtown St. Petersburg?
Pass-a-Grille and Upham Beach are both on St. Pete Beach, roughly 30 to 40 minutes from downtown St. Petersburg depending on traffic along the causeways. Caladesi Island is further, approximately an hour from downtown, with the ferry departing from Honeymoon Island near Dunedin.
Is there a fee to visit these beaches?
Pass-a-Grille and Upham Beach are public beaches with free access, though parking fees apply. Caladesi Island State Park charges a per-vehicle entrance fee at Honeymoon Island, and the ferry to Caladesi carries a separate round-trip ticket cost. Checking current fees before the trip is worth doing, as state park pricing is subject to change.
What is the best time of day to visit Pass-a-Grille or Upham Beach?
Late afternoon is the sweet spot for both. The heat of the day has passed, the light turns golden over the Gulf, and the evening sunset celebration at Pass-a-Grille gives the visit a natural and memorable conclusion. Arriving an hour or two before sunset leaves enough time for a swim, a meal at Paradise Grille, and a comfortable spot on the sand before the sky changes.
St. Petersburg's Beaches Are Part of Why People Love Living Here
Access to Gulf beaches is one of the things St. Pete residents value most about where they live, and proximity to the water shapes how people think about their address in this city. We specialize in St. Petersburg real estate and help buyers find homes that put them close to the lifestyle they came here for. If you are thinking about making St. Pete home, reach out to Plotkin Homes and let us show you around.
