St Petersburg's beaches: The northern beaches

Much of the northern section of Sand Key , the longest barrier island in the St Petersburg chain and one of the wealthier portions of the coast, is taken up by stylish condos and time-share apartments. It ends with the pretty Sand Key Park , where tall palm trees frame a scintillating strip of sand. Among the nearby high-rises that somewhat mar the view is the Sheraton Sand Key Resort , venue of the liaison between TV evangelist Jim Bakker and church secretary Jessica Hahn in 1987, which led to the media preacher's fall from grace and, for a time, greatly boosted the hotel's business.

Sand Key Park occupies one bank of Clearwater Pass , across which a belt of sparkling white sands marks the holiday town of CLEARWATER BEACH , whose streets still retain an endearing small-town feel. The staff of a well-positioned hostel here will help plan excursions around the area. HI-Clearwater Beach , 606 Bay Esplande (tel 727/443-1211, emagillr1@juno.com ; up to $35/$50-75), has dorms and some private rooms. Regular buses (#80 and #60) provide links to the mainland town of Clearwater - across the two-mile causeway - where you'll find connections to St Petersburg and a Greyhound station.

St Petersburg's beaches

• St Petersburg's beaches
• The southern beaches
• The northern beaches
• Beach practicalities

Florida cities


All U.S. city guides