beaches in the area

Hi, I%26#39;m hoping someone on this forum can help me out. I%26#39;ll be in Tampa end of October, and am looking for a good beach in the area to go to. My dad thinks he remembers a nice beach that had trees along the beachline so you could sit in the shade and still be pretty close to the water. Anyone have any idea where this might be? Or any nice, white sand not overly crowded beach in the area? Thanks-

beaches in the area

Sounds to me like some of the beaches on Anna Maria Island. Coquina Beach, south end of the island, has a lot of trees along the edge. In Occtober, you will practically have it to yourself. AMI is just off Bradenton, about an hour from Tampa.

beaches in the area

The closest beaches to Tampa are in Pinellas county, just to the West of Tampa. From Clearwater Beach, South to St. Pete Beach.

It sounds like you may be staying in Tampa, and doing side/day trips to the beach. If that is the case, Clearwater Beach will be the closest (depending where in Tampa you start). Also just a little farther is Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach. Clearwater Beach will usually be a little more crowded than the beaches to the South, especially on a weekend.

The beach may have been Howard Park just west of Tarpon Springs. You can see the beach and its trees on Google Earth.

Otherwise there are the beaches at Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island which are white sand and never crowded.

It may be Sand Key, just across the bridge/south of Clearwater Beach. For years, it was undeveloped and it was a popular beach spot with locals with the Australian Pines. Sand Key Park is now an official Pinellas County Park with paved parking, restrooms - nice but not the same as in the 70s.

It might also have been Ft. DeSoto Park at the south most tip of Pinellas County, also a county park.