Recs for St. Pete Beach, FL

[more adventurous]

For some reason the search function isn't working for me right now. We're doing a short trip in a few weeks (3 nights). We'll be staying in the Pass-a-Grille area. Do we need a car? It seems like a pretty walkable little town. 

Our plan so far is to hit up Cigar City Brewing right after we get in (since it's near the airport). Other than that, we would like to possibly rent kayaks somewhere to take around the intercoastal waters, and obviously spend some time relaxing on the beach. Is there anything else we just have to do? Also looking for restaurant and pub recs. Any other must-visit breweries? (We're beer lovers.)

TIA!

[Redpoppy]

I grew up in St. Pete Beach. I could see it helpful to have a car, but not positive if where you are staying includes parking (it's permit parking there). The Sea Horse has good breakfast, and the Hurricane has a rooftop deck for drinks at sunset down in Pass-a-Grille. Merry Pier looks like it still has a shuttle to Shell Key which is nice to explore. If you have a car you could go to Fort De Soto Park which has lovely kayaking. If you head up to Dolphin Village, there is a Public grocery store (get a sub). They have some sail boat cruise options there. St. Petersburg has a Dali museum There were no breweries back in my day, but here is a list: www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/list/craft-beer-trail

If you get a car, bring quarters for tolls. I usually do priceline for TIA and get a great deal.

[more adventurous]

May 5, 2016 16:38:58 GMT -5 Redpoppy said:

I grew up in St. Pete Beach. I could see it helpful to have a car, but not positive if where you are staying includes parking (it's permit parking there). The Sea Horse has good breakfast, and the Hurricane has a rooftop deck for drinks at sunset down in Pass-a-Grille. Merry Pier looks like it still has a shuttle to Shell Key which is nice to explore. If you have a car you could go to Fort De Soto Park which has lovely kayaking. If you head up to Dolphin Village, there is a Public grocery store (get a sub). They have some sail boat cruise options there. St. Petersburg has a Dali museum There were no breweries back in my day, but here is a list: www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/list/craft-beer-trail

If you get a car, bring quarters for tolls. I usually do priceline for TIA and get a great deal.

Thanks for all of the tips! Love that brewery list!

Is there a particular reason why kayaking at Fort De Soto Park would be better than up near St. Pete Beach? I mostly just want to see some nice views and would love to see some dolphins. 

Also, did you mean Publix on the grocery store?

The place where we're staying does include a parking spot. It seems like having a car could be handy, but neither of us really enjoy driving, so I keep going back and forth on just Ubering if we really need to get out further. 

[Redpoppy]

Uber was never really an option back in the day. Publix is the grocery store but they have great subs. Maybe not the same if you are already one.

Fort De Soto has a canoe trail through mangroves. It is just more natural. Not sure on chance of seeing dolphins. We usually see them going over the bridge. There may be some closer kayaking options that are less natural but if they rent near where you are staying you could go over to Shell Island, but you have to cross the intercoastal waterway which may have a lot of boat traffic and wakes depending on the day.