Home to America’s Best Beaches, St. Pete-Clearwater is the ultimate winter sun destination for the whole family. After the joy and excitement of the Christmas season, combat the cold and dark days of the European winter with the perfect trip to soak up some sun and fun!
Wash away those winter blues and visit the ‘Sunshine City’ – St. Pete-Clearwater – which boasts an average of 361 days of sun per year. Travellers from the UK and Europe can relish in much needed sunshine on award-winning white sugar sand beaches, enjoy a round of golf on luscious green courses, experience a robust and eclectic arts scene, and get active paddleboarding and kayaking around biodiverse state parks.
CEO & President of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, Brian Lowack says: “St. Pete-Clearwater has so much to offer – from beautiful nature reserves like Weedon Island Preserve, to art and cultural experiences at The Dali Museum, and powdery soft sand at the iconic Clearwater Beach. Our range of activities on offer means there is something for the whole family. We are proud to say that our slice of paradise weathered recent hurricanes and is Still Shining brightly – eager to welcome our most popular overseas market to our shores for some winter sunshine.”
2025 is the perfect time to visit St. Pete-Clearwater with the highly anticipated opening of the beachfront hotel Opal Sol, the 100th anniversary of the historic Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, and the exciting opening of Elliot Aster restaurant. Read on for more reasons why St. Pete-Clearwater should be your family holiday destination of choice this winter and beyond.
Home to America’s Best Beaches
St. Pete-Clearwater is home to 35 miles of award-winning beaches. Clearwater Beach was recently voted #1 Beach in the South by USA Today and among the Best 15 White Sand Beaches in the world by Travel + Leisure. The powdery soft sands, emerald gulf waters, and hive of activity makes Clearwater ideal for families seeking an active beach experience. Parents will enjoy mornings lounging on the beach before heading to Clearwater Marina where kids will delight at the rescued residents of Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the playful dolphins who jump through the boat wake of Little Toot Dolphin Tours, noted as one of the top boat tours in America by USA Today. For those wanting a bit more of a relaxing beach experience, alternative nearby beach communities include Indian Rocks Beach and Maderia Beach, slightly south of Clearwater.
Plethora of Outdoor Adventures
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy scenic waterways in the company of playful dolphins and gentle manatees with a paddling adventure at Fort De Soto Park, expected to re-open by the end of November. The gulf waters are teeming with ocean life, providing a great chance to glimpse turtles, cormorants, leaping mullets, and more. If you prefer to keep both feet on the ground, the park’s seven-mile paved trail brings in runners, cyclists, and strollers for exploration along the shorter nature trails that meander off the main paved path.
Thrill-seeking adventurers can try their hand at windsurfing or kiteboarding with a lesson by Elite Watersports in South St. Pete or North Beach Windsurfing. The protected areas of Sunshine Skyway causeway combine flat waters and steady breezes which are ideal for kiteboarding action.
A leisurely cruise around the Gulf is the perfect way to round out the day. Cruise at dinnertime aboard the 115-ft yacht, StarLite Majesty, or hop on Captain Memo’s Original Pirate Cruise for a family-friendly adventure.
Top-quality Golf Experiences
With more than 40 courses to choose from, St. Pete-Clearwater offers something for every golfer’s preference. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club is a top choice amongst visitors and locals. Featuring a full-service course, it’s great for those seeking a touch of luxury in downtown St. Pete. Plus, Elliott Aster, a waterfront steak and seafood restaurant led by Michelin-star Chef Lee Wolen and the Boka Restaurant Group is set to open in the new year and will provide an exceptional meal following a day on the green.
For those looking for a range of courses to play, there is no shortage of public and semi-private clubs. Beginners and leisure players will enjoy Mangrove Bay, a par-72 municipal course with well-maintained greens and a straightforward design. Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, home of the PGA Valspar Championship, is a favourite amongst professional golfers and travellers with its exciting design and sprawling greens.
Arts & Culture Highlights
Not just a beach town, St. Pete-Clearwater is home to a variety of museums that cater to the whole family. This includes The Dali Museum, featuring the most prolific collection of Salvador Dali artwork outside of Spain. This museum offers visitors the chance to enjoy art representing every moment and medium of Dali’s renowned career – the Dali Alive 360 exhibition is an immersive and multisensory art experience which envelopes visitors in sound and light.
Art spills out onto the streets of St. Pete and neighbouring cities with more than 600 murals from artists around the world, with the vivid art scene turning the destination into a kaleidoscope of striking colours and shapes. From giant dinosaurs to feel-good inspirational sayings, everyone in the family will have a blast hunting the seven mural districts for their favourite new street artist.
See in 2025 in the best way possible with a winter sun escape to St. Pete-Clearwater. For more information, visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com
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For further press information please contact:
Charlotte Wright | Peter Gregory
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About Visit St. Pete-Clearwater:
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (VisitSPC) is the official destination marketing organisation of Pinellas County in Florida and covers 24 municipalities in the area. The region is located on the peninsula on Florida’s west coast, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Tampa Bay to the east.
The area offers 35 miles of award-winning white-sandy beaches, exotic nature trails, culture and arts. It is home to independent restaurants, boutique shops and a unique craft beer trail running from Tarpon Springs to Treasure Island showcasing 40+ local breweries’ fresh artisanal beer. Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are consistently listed among the top beaches in America in a variety of publications.
Boasting the most prolific collection of Dali artwork outside of Spain in the Dali Museum, the county has a significant art scene, with walking mural tours, regular exhibitions and the impressive Chihuly Collection of hand-blown glass sculptures.
The destination is popular amongst families, couples and groups wanting a memorable beach holiday experience.
Tampa International Airport (just 30 minutes from St. Pete-Clearwater) can be reached daily from London with both Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.
To learn more about St. Pete-Clearwater, visit: www.visitstpeteclearwater.com
