The St Petersburg/Clearwater has long been a popular winter destination for retirees who came to be known as “Snowbirds.”
And why not?
The area boasts mild winters with daytime highs averaging in the 70s and plenty of something many people long for in the wintertime – sunshine. In fact, St. Pete claims the Guiness World Record for the longest consecutive days of sunshine – 768 days from Feb. 9, 1967 to March 17, 1969. The interim years have seen the area grow from a sleepy stretch of small beach communities to a booming metropolis of some ? people.
Winter visitors find a hospitable community with activities for just about everyone in the family including world class golf, tennis, arts, theatre and sports.
Clearwater is probably the best known of the area’s beaches. Here you’ll find a family-friendly beach community with shopping, dining and a nightly Sunset Festival. On the opposite end, St. Pete Beach boasts two not-to-miss landmark hotel/resorts including the Renaissance Vinoy built in the 1920s and the Moorish-style pink palace – The Don CeSar.
A popular shopping and dining destination is John’s Pass Village sandwiched between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island on Gulf Boulevard. Don’t miss the healing waters of Safety Harbor, a beautiful and peaceful community set on old Tampa Bay.
Downtown St. Pete is a great place to meander through the shops and restaurants and world-class museums. Get a glimpse of Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays and take a stroll on the famous St. Pete Pier.
It’s hard to measure just how many winter visitors can be classified as Snowbirds here.
Accommodations run the gamut from small mom and pop motels to fancier new condominiums and beach homes. Dozens of RV parks house winter visitors and many choose to purchase or rent from the many Over 55 mobile home parks that often feature upwards to 1000 homes. After several years spending a winter in the area, many choose to relocate for most or all of the year.
