A big white sand beach that is popular but not too crowded. I came here in the winter six years ago and loved how the weather was warm (80 degrees) and sunny. My memory of the shops in the area is vague, but I do remember that the Salvador Dali Museum (a must-see) was close by.

nothing can beat a clearwater sunset!

  Lived in the Tampa Bay area for years on the Pinellas side.  OK area. A bit backward and, as pointed out by other posters, quiet.  You can sleep in the middle of the main drag after midnight and not get hit by a car.  If, like me, you have reached a point where you are a little serious about life and realize the most important things have nothing to do with hanging out late at night, partying and drinking, there is nothing wrong with quiet or Saint Petersburg.

Beaches are pretty good but can be touristy - junk and t-shirt shops, etc.  For me, the best beaches were out at Fort DeSoto State Park.  Sand may not be the best and it can be very windy there, but you have room to breathe!  The other beaches can be crowded with tourists and noisy kids.  At DeSoto you can surf cast, walk long strecthes of beach without stepping over other people, dodging frisbees, etc. and enjoy the water for swimming.  

awesome beach. hot women.

Clearwater is pretty if you can get through the traffic jams to get there. And on the mainland you may run into uniformed groups of scientologists who creep me out!

Clearwater beach is nice enough,and St Petersburg is a place with a lot going on.Antique shops,nightclubs,the works.Also in St.Petersburg is the Salvadore Dali Museum,which gets 5 stars at least!Some of his paintings really need to be seen "in person" to get the full effect.

Clearwater is a great beach! Nice and wide, great for sand volleyball and football. Night life sucks though, they roll the sidewalks up at 7p

I live in St. Petersburg. It is one of the prettiest cities around. The sky is full of gorgious colors when the sun goes down. On St. Pete Beach, specifically Pass-A-Grille, the beaches are pure, white sand. The water temperature in the summer reaches the 80s and the water temp in the winter reaches the 70s. Not to mention how clear and beatiful the waters are. Totally Perfect conditions.

Clearwater Beach can get crowded, but it is a huge beach and is great for people watching and always has alot of things going on. The beach I like the best though is to the south, Pass-a-Grille, alot of people mistakingly think it's a gay beach, which is not the case. The water is perfectly clear, the sand powder white and it is never crowded. The surrounding area has a small town atmosphere and there are no high rise condos or hotels built on the beach.