Clearwater Beach Flights

by ATXtraveler

The first stop on my trip to Clearwater Beach occurred when I landed in the area at Tampa International Airport. I arrived via American Airlines from Dallas Fort Worth, which has multiple flights per day. I landed at gate 79, which is considered the "Blue Section" of the baggage claim area. From there, I headed out to the onsite car rental area to find out that my rental car company is not located onsite, despite the information my travel agent told me. If you exit in the blue area, there will be several onsite rental car agencies, but if you do not see yours, then you have to head around the corner to the left to the offsite courtesy shuttle section (there are no signs for rental car agencies).

The airport itself is an old battle tested location, with some beautiful Florida-like pink highlights. There is also a shuttle in between the gates and the check in area, so make sure you allocate enough time to get to your gates.

Theme: Airplane

Phone: 813-870-8700

Website: http://www.tampaairport.com/

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	National Rental Car Tip Rating:

By ATXtraveler on October 30, 2008

by ATXtraveler

On this particular business trip, I picked up a rental car from National at (actually near) the Tampa International Airport. The National rental station is not located on the airport, so if you are arriving, do not follow the signs to the rental car facility, as it will not be there. Instead, go to the signs that indicate ground transportation and courtesy shuttles. You will see the Alamo|National courtesy shuttles and then head on over.

The first stop at the facility is for Executive Selection, then Emerald Club, then National, then Alamo.

I paid 36.00 a day for a midsize, and 9.00 a day for a GPS system.

Theme: Car/Motor Home

Phone: (888)826-6890

Website: http://www.nationalcar.com/

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	Distances to Clearwater Beach, FL Tip Rating:

By ATXtraveler on October 30, 2008

by ATXtraveler

Sometimes when you are looking to plan a vacation, you need to know where the city is in relation to other places. If you are looking to visit Clearwater Beach, here are the distances from other cities in Florida:

Miami - 283 miles
Orlando - 111 miles
Jacksonville - 233 miles
Tampa Airport - 24 miles
Pensacola - 489 miles

Have a safe trip!

Theme: Car/Motor Home

Website: maps.google.com

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	Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Tip Rating:

By ATXtraveler on October 30, 2008

by ATXtraveler

If you are looking for public transportation in or around Clearwater Beach, your best bet is to check out the bus route and schedule from PSTA.net. PSTA is the transit authority for the area, and when I was driving around, there were plenty of these buses running. It seemed that every major thoroughfare had one visible at most times, so this is likely a good choice for those looking to save a dollar or two.

The PSTA does serve the greater Tampa Bay area, so this is a good option to get you between the hotels in Clearwater Beach and Clearwater, St. Petersburg and others.

It appears for travelers to the area, that the "GO card" is the way to go, no pun intended. It is currently (Oct. 2008) a $4USD card with reduced fare options for seniors that are $2. The current single ride fare is $1.25 or $.75 for seniors.

Clearwater Beach Page by Dolphin2004

Theme: Bus

Phone: (727) 540-1900

Website: http://psta.net

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	Try To Avoid Driving - Don't Even Need To!

Updated By Dolphin2004 on February 16, 2007

DON'T need a car here.
There are red, open air Jolley Trolleys which run half hourly from north Cl. Beach to a little past the hotels on Sand Key; their other route runs from North Bch to downtown Clwtr. w/stops at Island Estates & Publix. 1.00 per trip. Begin 10am, end around 10pmish. Flag them down at a safe location. Schedules are posted on their "formal" stops/signs.
The Pinellas Suncoast bus is 1.25 - runs hourly. Early/late hours 7am-around Midnite. Must be at bus stop, sun images on signs, no schedules posted. Need exact change for both! Bus will sell you all day pass for about 3.00.
Both have routes to Publix. May want to call them just incase their schedules may have changed (since last summer).
Avoid driving via causeway bridge especially season/weekends/holidays. Just avoid driving or bring Tylenol. Bike/walk/path all the way into downtown Clwtr- anywhere you'd want to go.

Theme: Bus

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	Clearwater Marine Aquarium Tip Rating:

By CoAir13 on July 6, 2004

by CoAir13

This aquarium is home to many sea animals who have been rescued and rehabilitated. The ultimate goal, of course, is to release them back into the wild, but many becaome permanent residents due to their injuries. Among the full time residents are two North American river otters, dolphins, and sea turtles. There is a small "pool" where you can get up close and personal with sting rays, starfish, and other small marine life.
Mon.-Fri 9-5
Sat. 9-4
Sun. 11-4
Adults $8.75
Children 3-12 $6.25

Address: 249 Windward Passage

Phone: 727-441-1790

Directions: on Island Estates

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	Birdwatching Tip Rating:

By CoAir13 on December 18, 2004

Double Crested Cormorant

by CoAir13

Down toward the South Beach...just off shore sits Bird Island. It's a small bird sanctuary. Around dusk every night, bird flock here for the evening hours. They stop on the beach to do some fishing or to rest. You can see great Blue Herons, Double Crested Cormorants, White Ibis, Sandhill Cranes, among others! When a storm is brewing, they get VERY loud...and there is usually a flurry of them rushing to get to the Island before it rains!

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	Sand Key Park Tip Rating:

Updated By CoAir13 on February 2, 2004

The beach at Sand Key

by CoAir13

Clearwater Beach is a great beach, but if you want to escape the crowds, head to Sand Key Park. It's a half mile stretch of pristine white sandy beach. There are picnic areas, playground, and off the beach , there are wonderful gardens and groves to walk through.

Directions: Take South Gulf Boulevard until it ends at the bridge. Right onto bridge. The Park entrance is on the right after bridge.

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	Caladesi Island State Park Tip Rating:

By CoAir13 on February 5, 2004

Palmettos

by CoAir13

Located on the northernmost tip of Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island can only be reached by boat. Three miles of Florida wilderness that leads to one of the top 5 beaches in the US. Hiking trails, florea and fauna. Pack a picnic, bring a book, a bag for seashells.....and a camera.
Ferry Service, bring your own boat, or rent a kayak.

Address: #1 Causeway Boulevard Dunedin

Directions: Dunedin

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	Fishing Tip Rating:

Updated By CoAir13 on December 18, 2004

Ethan LOVES to Fish!

by CoAir13

If laying around on the beach isn't exciting enough for you, lay around on the beach and fish......make it seem like you're actually doing something! if you happen to be vacationing here, walk down to the South Beach where the locals live. They love to tell stories about the one that got away!