St. Pete BeachSt. Pete Beach was first settled by the Timucan Indians around 300 A.D. The Timucan established small communities and traded with other Indian Nations until the arrival of Spaniard Panfilio de Narvaez in 1528. After failing to find the gold he was seeking, de Narvaez left after two weeks leaving behind countless dead and tortured Timucans. The area slowly became populated by Europeans and their descendants who primarily lived in beach shacks and made a living by fishing and harvesting turtles. Around 1900, St. Petersburg experienced a land boom which brought weekend tourist to the beaches. No bridges existed so travelers had to rely on mostly unreliable ferry service. In 1919 the first bridge was built from the mainland. The Don CeSar Hotel was opened in 1928 with a gala grand opening party. The hotel was purchased by the government in the 40's and was used as a hospital and rehab clinic during World War ll. Scheduled for demolition in the late 60's the historic hotel was saved from the wrecking ball and renovated in the 70's. Today St. Pete Beach is renowned for its fantastic weather - and actually holds the Guinness World Record for the highest number of consecutive days of sunshine. And to put the icing on the cake, it is also home to miles of sugary white sand to enjoy it on. Cruising excursions depart from St Pete Beach, bound for snorkeling at historic Egmont Key or simply enjoying the sunset. Watching for wild dolphins frolicking in the Gulf waters from the deck of a certified Dolphin Smart pontoon boat and exploring Shell Key in search of shells is a family adventure not soon forgotten. There are also plenty of water sports you can try as well, such as kayaking and canoeing, while those who can tear themselves away from the beach might like to indulge in a round or two of golf. The St Pete Beach area is home to some 50 courses and is widely considered a world-class golfing destination. |
|
Neighborhoods:
|
|
|
|
|