Local Guide
The first things to know about Clearwater.
A quick read before you go deeper. Everyday life, eating out, staying social, and the planning piece worth watching. Each one links to a source.
Everyday life
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
A cool, shaded place to walk close to the middle of town, away from beach traffic. Mornings are the most pleasant in summer.
Source: Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Eating out and guests
Frenchy's
This is the local taste of Clearwater Beach, not a tourist trap. Worth knowing the wait runs long at sunset and around weekends.
Source: Frenchy's Restaurants
Staying social
McKay Park courts
The lights let you play early or late and skip the midday heat. Outdoor courts fill up on nice days, so an off-peak time is easier.
Source: McKay Park
Worth watching
How property taxes work here
Filing for homestead and the cap is what keeps a Florida tax bill from climbing fast. Price the month, not the postcard, and confirm your own exemption status before you count on a number.
Source: Pinellas County Property Appraiser
Move tools
Thinking about moving to Clearwater? Run the rough math first.
Use these quick checks to test Clearwater as a retirement move. They are not the full map; they help you decide what deserves a deeper look.
Tax and Medicare
Check the Clearwater income picture.
Estimate how Florida treats Social Security, pension income, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, city income tax, and Medicare premium tiers before you build the full journey.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension
Not taxed
IRA / 401(k)
Not taxed
Mortgage
Test the payment or refi
Compare a current mortgage against a new rate, closing costs, and break-even timing.
Open mortgage checkWeather fit
Warm and sunny
Clearwater gives retirees a warm-weather lifestyle, but summer heat and storm routines still belong in the plan.
Avg
73°
Sun
246
Rain
105
Snow
0
Things to do
Things to do in Clearwater
Parks, trails, classes, and easy outings for an ordinary week.
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
A 54-acre nature preserve with shaded boardwalks and trails under old oaks, ponds, and creeks. You will see plenty of birds and Florida wildlife. It is quiet and easy to walk, run by the City of Clearwater.
Why it matters
A cool, shaded place to walk close to the middle of town, away from beach traffic. Mornings are the most pleasant in summer.
Florida Botanical Gardens
Florida Botanical Gardens
Free public gardens just up the road in Largo, with tropical plantings, walking paths, and a butterfly garden. Easy, flat strolling and a popular spot for the holiday light display in winter. A calm half-day outing.
Why it matters
Free and flat makes it an easy regular walk, and the winter lights are a local tradition. Bring water and a hat in the warm months.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
A working rescue aquarium where you can see rehabilitated dolphins, sea turtles, otters, and stingrays. It focuses on rescue and release, with animal encounter programs. A good spot to take visiting grandkids.
Why it matters
This is the local landmark for a reason and easy for guests of any age. Members get repeat visits, which adds up if family comes often.
Browse by activity
Mapped places near Clearwater. Tap a category to open the full list with directions.
Golf
Public, resort, and municipal courses near retirement towns.
21 places tracked
Fishing
Boat ramps, piers, lakes, and shore access.
45 places tracked
Hiking trails
Named trails, parks, and nature reserves for a real walk.
6 places tracked
Boating and water
Marinas, ramps, and launches for getting on the water.
16 places tracked
Pickleball
Courts and public places to play.
21 places tracked
Arts and culture
Museums, galleries, theaters, and cultural stops.
39 places tracked
Community
Senior centers, community centers, and places to meet people.
19 places tracked
Birding
Top-rated birding hotspots from the eBird community.
97 places tracked
Where to eat
Where to eat
Local spots for an easy dinner or a visit from family. Rough prices included.
Frenchy's Restaurants
Frenchy's
Frenchy's has been a Clearwater Beach fixture since 1981, and the famous grouper sandwich is the thing to order. There are a few Frenchy's spots near the beach, from the original cafe to the Rockaway Grill right on the sand. Casual, loud, and busy.
Approx. price
$$
Why it matters
This is the local taste of Clearwater Beach, not a tourist trap. Worth knowing the wait runs long at sunset and around weekends.
Columbia Restaurant, Sand Key
Columbia Restaurant, Sand Key
The Sand Key location of Florida's old Spanish and Cuban restaurant sits right on the water. Think the 1905 salad tossed at your table, Cuban sandwiches, and a sangria pitcher. Good for a slower, sit-down dinner with a view.
Approx. price
$$$
Why it matters
A reliable nicer-night-out spot when you want a waterfront table and table service. Reservations help on weekends and in season.
Clear Sky Cafe
Clear Sky Cafe
A casual cafe near Mandalay Avenue with a long menu of seafood, breakfast, and brunch that runs late. Outdoor seating, live music some days, and a friendly walk-in feel. Good for a relaxed beach-day meal.
Approx. price
$$
Why it matters
Handy when you want options beyond fried seafood and a place that does an easy breakfast. It draws beach crowds, so mornings are calmer.
Pickleball and rec
Pickleball in Clearwater
Where to play, drop in, and meet people. Court times, fees, and how busy it gets.
McKay Park
McKay Park courts
McKay Park has six outdoor pickleball courts with lighting, plus benches and picnic tables. It is a straightforward neighborhood park setup for a game in the morning or after dark when the lights are on.
Why it matters
The lights let you play early or late and skip the midday heat. Outdoor courts fill up on nice days, so an off-peak time is easier.
Clearwater Pickleball & Tennis Courts
Lake Lucille Park and city drop-in courts
The City of Clearwater parks page lists drop-in pickleball across town, including the courts at Lake Lucille Park by the water. Between the recreation centers and outdoor parks, the city counts dozens of courts. The page is the place to find times and locations.
Why it matters
Having several public options means you are not stuck waiting at one busy court. Worth checking which sites are open and which need a rec pass before you drive over.
The Long Center pickleball
The Long Center indoor pickleball
The Long Center has six indoor hard courts with permanent lines and portable nets. Indoor play means air conditioning and no rain delays, which matters here in summer. Drop-in play runs through the city recreation program.
Why it matters
The indoor courts are the comfortable choice once the heat and afternoon storms set in. Worth checking the drop-in schedule and how crowded the busy slots get.
Senior help and discounts
Help and discounts for Clearwater seniors
Programs, classes, free city services, seasonal help, and useful local deals.
Aging Well Center at The Long Center
Aging Well Center at The Long Center
The city's senior center runs fitness classes, chair yoga, SilverSneakers, and social programs for older adults, with a program guide updated each season. It also points you to caregiver support, insurance counseling, legal help, and meal services.
Why it matters
This is the easiest single door into city programs and help if you or a parent is settling in. Worth grabbing the current program guide to see what runs when.
What’s coming up
What’s coming up in Clearwater
Local events worth putting on the calendar. Check the host page for dates and parking before you go.
City of Clearwater Calendar of Events
July 4, 2026
Fourth of July at Coachman Park
When
The City of Clearwater puts on a Fourth of July celebration at Coachman Park, with fireworks over the water on the holiday. The official city events calendar lists this and the rest of the year's downtown happenings.
Why it matters
It is the big local holiday gathering, and the waterfront fills up fast. The city calendar is the place to confirm dates and times before you go.
The Market Marie
Second Saturday each month
late morning to early afternoon
The Market Marie
When
A monthly outdoor market at Coachman Park with more than 85 small vendors selling food, art, and clothing, plus live music. It runs the second Saturday of the month along the downtown waterfront from late morning to early afternoon.
Why it matters
A relaxed once-a-month reason to stroll the new waterfront park and support local makers. Mornings are cooler and easier for parking.
The BayCare Sound at Coachman Park
Year round
The BayCare Sound at Coachman Park
When
This is the waterfront concert venue at the rebuilt Coachman Park, with covered seating for about 4,000 and lawn room for more. It hosts touring acts and shows year-round right on the downtown water. Tickets vary by show.
Why it matters
Having a real concert venue downtown means you do not have to drive to Tampa for live music. The covered seats are worth it in summer when storms roll through.
Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival
February 28 to March 1, 2026
Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival
When
A free spring festival at Coachman Park with fresh Gulf seafood, live blues and rock, and arts and crafts vendors along the waterfront. It is one of the area's favorite outdoor weekends. Held downtown by the water.
Why it matters
Free admission and a waterfront setting make it an easy day out. Parking downtown gets tight, so going early or using a rideshare helps.
Clearwater Jazz Holiday
October 15 to 18, 2026
gates 4 p.m.
Clearwater Jazz Holiday
When
A long-running fall music festival held on the green at Coachman Park, now in its forties. The foundation behind it also runs music events and programs through the year. A downtown waterfront tradition each autumn.
Why it matters
One of the city's signature events and a nice cooler-weather weekend. Worth checking the lineup and ticket details early since the format changes year to year.
Worth knowing
Worth knowing about the area
City services, neighborhood updates, seasonal notes, and the everyday details that matter.
City decisions
City decisions to watch
Council agendas, hearings, and public meetings that can change access, housing, services, or costs.
Pinellas County Property Appraiser
How property taxes work here
Pinellas County sets your property's assessed value, and the homestead exemption knocks roughly $50,000 off the taxable value of your primary home, with the first $25,000 fully exempt. Once you have homestead, a Save Our Homes cap limits how fast your assessed value can rise each year. The county appraiser site explains how to file.
Why it matters
Filing for homestead and the cap is what keeps a Florida tax bill from climbing fast. Price the month, not the postcard, and confirm your own exemption status before you count on a number.
Health and Medicare
Health and Medicare
Care, Medicare counseling, caregiver help, transportation, and the local senior support to line up.
Florida SHINE Medicare Counseling
Free Medicare help through SHINE
SHINE is a free state program where trained volunteers sit down with you one on one to sort out Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance questions. Locally it runs through the Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas. The counseling is confidential and does not sell you anything.
Why it matters
This is unbiased help, not a sales pitch, which is rare when it comes to Medicare choices. Worth booking before open enrollment when the volunteers get busy.
BayCare Morton Plant Hospital
BayCare Morton Plant Hospital
Morton Plant on Pinellas Street has served Clearwater since 1916 and is part of the BayCare system, covering more than fifty specialties. It is the main hospital in town for emergencies and major care. Other BayCare clinics and urgent care sit nearby.
Why it matters
This is the closest full hospital for most of Clearwater, which matters when you are weighing where to settle. Worth checking that your Medicare plan and your doctors line up with BayCare.
Upcoming events in Clearwater
See all eventsTheater & film
8 p.m.
Bilheimer Capitol Theatre · Clearwater, FL
Jon "Juano" Davison of Yes @ Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
John Lodge Celebration
Music & concerts
7 PM
Ferg's Concert Pavilion · Clearwater, FL
WARRANT with Special Guest FIREHOUSE
Ferg's Concert Pavilion
Fergs Pavilion presents Warrant with special guests Firehouse!Turn Up The Good Times Tour!Friday, July 17, 2026Ticket OptionsGeneral Admission (GA) Standing Courtyard Section $25Silver Circle Mid-Venue Seated Section $69Reserved seating section with excellent mid-venue sightlinesGold Circle Front...
Music & concerts
7 PM
Benchmark International Arena · Clearwater, FL
Megan Moroney: The Cloud 9 Tour
Benchmark International Arena
With every ticket sold, $1 is donated to the Megan Moroney Foundation in support of its initiatives focused on combating bullying and promoting mental health well-being. Together, we are building a more supportive and inclusive environment - one show at a time.
Music & concerts
7 PM
The Ritz Ybor · Clearwater, FL
Music & concerts
7 PM
Ferg's Pavilion · Clearwater, FL
WARRANT with Special Guest FIREHOUSE
Ferg's Pavilion
Fergs Pavilion presents Warrant with special guests Firehouse!Turn Up The Good Times Tour!Friday, July 17, 2026Ticket OptionsGeneral Admission (GA) Standing Courtyard Section $25Silver Circle Mid-Venue Seated Section $69Reserved seating section with excellent mid-venue sightlinesGold Circle Front...
Music & concerts
7 PM
Benchmark International Arena · Clearwater, FL
Megan Moroney: The Cloud 9 Tour
Benchmark International Arena
With every ticket sold, $1 is donated to the Megan Moroney Foundation in support of its initiatives focused on combating bullying and promoting mental health well-being. Together, we are building a more supportive and inclusive environment - one show at a time.
Common questions
What people ask before retiring in Clearwater
Short answers to the questions most people ask first. The full source trail sits in the guide above and the sources panel below.
Is Clearwater, FL a good place to retire?
Plenty of people do retire here, so it is a real option worth a look. What matters is whether the home costs, the health and senior support, the things to do, and the family side all fit your life. Not just how it ranks on a list somewhere.
Source: Clearwater Parks and RecreationWhat costs should you check before moving to Clearwater?
Price the month, not the postcard. Keep separate lines for home, property taxes, insurance, utilities, getting around, health, and everyday spending. A low-tax headline can quietly hide a high insurance bill, or the other way around.
Source: City of ClearwaterWhere do you find things to do in Clearwater?
Start with parks and rec, the local event calendar, the visitor bureau, the senior center, and the restaurants people actually go to. The real question is whether they are close enough, and happen often enough, that you would use them all year. Not just visit once.
Source: Clearwater Parks and RecreationWhat health and senior support matters in Clearwater?
Look at Medicare counseling, the nearby hospitals, pharmacies, ways to get around, caregiver help, and one emergency contact. These can decide whether the move works, even when the rest of life looks great on paper.
Source: City of ClearwaterWhat should your family ask before you move to Clearwater?
Talk through driving, airport access, local services, who to call in an emergency, care backup, home upkeep, and how often someone would be needed. The point is to see the move as a real support plan, not just a nice address.
Source: City of ClearwaterRetirement Life Score
A quick read on the life you would actually live.
Clearwater scored across eight things that decide whether a move feels good: monthly affordability, home costs, restaurants and outings, activities, parks, health and senior support, weather, and getting around. The full numbers are below.
Clearwater Retirement Life Score
68
Workable, verify carefully / 65-74
Support is the strongest daily-life fit. Home costs is the piece to verify before treating the move as settled.
A city has useful strengths, but the guide is showing meaningful cost, access, weather, or evidence gaps.
Strongest fit: Health & support access
Verify first: Home, taxes & insurance
Everyday affordability
Counts a lot66/100
How the ordinary monthly life could feel once taxes, insurance, fees, utilities, meals, and errands are in view.
What’s good: Lower-tax signals, visible discounts or free programs, ordinary-cost dining and errands, and practical transportation backup.
What to check: High housing pressure, insurance or storm costs, HOA or assessment friction, resort pricing, and thin cost evidence.
Price the month, not the postcard.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Florida Botanical Gardens · Watch: Clearwater Parks and Recreation · FL has no state income tax
Evidence weighed: Tax, housing, insurance, senior-service, transportation, and local deal sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Home, taxes & insurance
Counts a lot49/100
Property taxes, assessments, homeowners insurance, storm exposure, maintenance, and local housing friction.
What’s good: Clear assessor or property-appraiser sources, homestead or senior relief signals, and plain-language housing-cost context.
What to check: Coastal or wildfire exposure, insurance pressure, high home prices, amenity fees, HOA or district assessments, and missing local tax sources.
Separate the house from the lifestyle.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: The Long Center indoor pickleball · Watch: City of Clearwater
Evidence weighed: County assessor, property appraiser, tax collector, insurance, emergency management, and housing sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Restaurants & outings
76/100
Restaurants, coffee, arts, downtown meals, family visits, and low-friction places to go without over-planning.
What’s good: Specific restaurants, coffee shops, arts districts, downtown routines, visitor-hosting ideas, and source links that feel repeatable.
What to check: Only generic visitor copy, heavy seasonal crowds, hard parking, expensive dining signals, or no specific local outing ideas.
Look for repeatable evenings, not only famous spots.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Frenchy's · Watch: Clearwater Parks and Recreation
Evidence weighed: Restaurant sites, tourism boards, chambers, downtown groups, event venues, and local dining guides.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Activities & social calendar
79/100
Events, clubs, classes, pickleball, senior programs, volunteer options, and the weekly social rhythm.
What’s good: Dated events, parks and rec classes, senior-center programming, clubs, pickleball options, volunteer leads, and repeatable weekly activities.
What to check: Undated or stale calendars, few senior-friendly programs, heat or traffic timing issues, and no clear way to register or show up.
Make sure the week has more than errands.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Moccasin Lake Nature Park · Watch: City of Clearwater
Evidence weighed: City calendars, recreation departments, senior centers, libraries, clubs, parks districts, and community event pages.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Parks & outdoor life
63/100
Parks, trails, beaches, gardens, preserves, water access, golf, and everyday outdoor routines.
What’s good: Specific parks, trails, beaches, gardens, water access, golf, outdoor classes, and low-friction places to be outside often.
What to check: Extreme heat, smoke, flooding, storm seasons, winter driving, crowding, parking friction, or thin park-level detail.
Check whether outdoor life works in the season you will actually live there.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Frenchy's · Watch: City of Clearwater
Evidence weighed: Parks departments, park districts, conservancies, recreation sources, tourism sources, and trail or beach authorities.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Health & support access
Counts a lot91/100
Medicare help, aging agencies, caregiver backup, transportation support, pharmacies, and local service depth.
What’s good: Area Agency on Aging, SHIP or SHINE counseling, senior services, caregiver support, transportation help, and credible health-resource depth.
What to check: Weak care-radius evidence, no benefits counseling source, unclear transportation backup, or hints that specialist access requires long drives.
Do not let a fun town hide a weak care radius.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Aging Well Center at The Long Center · Watch: City of Clearwater
Evidence weighed: Area Agencies on Aging, county health and human services, senior services, Medicare counseling, transit, and hospital or clinic sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Weather comfort
51/100
Heat, storms, flooding, smoke, winter, seasonal swings, and how much resilience planning the move demands.
What’s good: Evidence that outdoor life works in ordinary seasons, plus clear planning sources for heat, storms, winter, smoke, or emergency readiness.
What to check: Sustained heat, hurricane or flood exposure, wildfire or smoke risk, winter driving, evacuation complexity, and missing resilience sources.
Plan the hard season, not the best week.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Frenchy's · Watch: City of Clearwater · 73F annual average, 246 sunny days
Evidence weighed: Emergency management, weather-resilience, utility, health, parks, insurance, and local government sources.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Getting around & family visits
63/100
Driving, parking, airport access, golf-cart life, visitor logistics, medical trips, and family backup.
What’s good: Airport or transit access, shuttle or senior transportation, walkable routines, golf-cart usefulness, and simple family-visit logistics.
What to check: Traffic, parking scarcity, seasonal congestion, night-driving issues, long medical trips, or no car-light backup.
Test the drive on an ordinary Tuesday.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Clear Sky Cafe · Watch: City of Clearwater
Evidence weighed: Transit agencies, airports, city transportation pages, senior services, tourism access pages, and guide items with location detail.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
How we keep this current
Sources for Clearwater
A mix of city pages, community calendars, senior services, council agendas, official tourism, restaurant sites, and registration pages. Every claim above links to where it came from.
See the 24 sources behind this guideEvery claim above links to where it came from.ShowHide
official / weekly
City of Clearwater
The city site. Resident services, departments, and official notices.
official / weekly
Clearwater Parks and Recreation
Where to find the parks, the facilities, and the classes you can actually sign up for.
official / weekly
City of Clearwater Beach Information
The city beach page. Use it to plan access and parking, not just to admire the photos.
official / weekly
Pinellas County Property Appraiser
Look up what a home is actually assessed at before you trust a listing.
institutional / weekly
Florida SHINE Medicare Counseling
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling for you and your family.
official / weekly
Florida Department of Financial Services
The state office for homeowners insurance questions and storm-related claims.
community / weekly
Frenchy's Restaurants
Clearwater Beach institution since 1981, known for the famous grouper sandwich.
community / weekly
Columbia Restaurant, Sand Key
Spanish and Cuban restaurant with a waterfront dining room on Sand Key.
community / weekly
Clear Sky Cafe
Casual beach cafe near Mandalay Avenue with a broad seafood and brunch menu.
official / weekly
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
54-acre nature preserve with boardwalks and oak canopy, run by City of Clearwater.
institutional / weekly
Florida Botanical Gardens
Free botanical gardens in nearby Largo, listed via the Pinellas visitor bureau.
institutional / weekly
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Rescue aquarium with dolphins, sea turtles and otters; a Clearwater landmark.
community / weekly
The Long Center pickleball
Six indoor hard pickleball courts with permanent lines at the city rec center.
official / weekly
McKay Park
City park with six lit outdoor pickleball courts, benches and picnic tables.
official / weekly
Clearwater Pickleball & Tennis Courts
Parks department page listing drop-in pickleball across city courts including Lake Lucille Park.
official / weekly
Aging Well Center at The Long Center
City senior center with classes, fitness, insurance counseling and meal services.
community / weekly
Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival
Free spring seafood and blues festival at Coachman Park.
official / weekly
City of Clearwater Calendar of Events
Official city events calendar, including the July 4 celebration at Coachman Park.
official / weekly
The Market Marie
Monthly market with 85+ small vendors, second Saturday at Coachman Park.
institutional / weekly
The BayCare Sound at Coachman Park
Waterfront concert venue at Coachman Park with covered seating for 4,000.
community / weekly
Clearwater Jazz Holiday
Long-running fall music festival on the green at Coachman Park.
official / weekly
Pinellas County Property Appraiser
County office handling property assessments and the homestead exemption.
institutional / weekly
BayCare Morton Plant Hospital
Main Clearwater hospital, part of BayCare, serving the area since 1916.
official / weekly
Florida SHINE Medicare Counseling
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers, run locally through the Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas.
Activities & recreation in Clearwater
What there is to do here, with the sources.
The things people retire for, in Clearwater. Each links to the full activity guide and the states that fit it.
Clearwater Parks and Recreation offers pickleball drop-in play at recreation centers and at McKay Park, which has six dedicated outdoor courts with promenade lighting and accessible amenities. The city's parks website lists multiple indoor and outdoor locations for year-round play.
Clearwater Parks and RecreationThe Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas has served seniors and caregivers in both counties since 1974, operating a Senior Helpline at 727-217-8111. Pinellas County's age-friendly resources page links to the AAAPP and additional programs through the county government portal.
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-PinellasRuth Eckerd Hall, a nationally recognized 6,000-seat performing arts venue, has anchored Clearwater's arts scene since 1983 with nearly 100 shows annually spanning Broadway tours, concerts, and comedy. The Clearwater Parks and Recreation department also coordinates community arts and cultural programming through its Arts and Culture division.
Ruth Eckerd HallPier 60 in Clearwater Beach is a well-known public fishing pier where no individual license is required when fishing from a licensed pier. Anglers fishing from shore, kayaks, or private boats need a Florida saltwater fishing license, available through gooutdoorsflorida.com.
Published local price
Florida resident annual freshwater fishing license (age 64+ Silver Sportsman combo available at $13.50/yr)
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) · as of 2025Clearwater's parks department maintains the Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail, the Pinellas Trail, and connections to the Courtney Campbell and Duke Energy trails for paved walking and biking. Nearby Hammock Park and Eagle Lake Park offer shaded canopy trail loops within the city for shorter nature walks.
Published local price
Florida State Parks daily vehicle entrance fee (2-8 occupants); Individual Annual Entrance Pass $60/yr
Published range: $2 to $6.
Florida State Parks - Myakka River State Park Fees · as of 2025The Seminole Street boat ramp in downtown Clearwater and the Belleair boat ramp provide direct access to the Gulf through the Intracoastal Waterway. Clearwater Tides Marina is situated minutes from Clearwater Beach and the Intracoastal, offering wet slips for local boaters.
Published local price
Florida annual vessel registration fee, Class 1 (16 to less than 26 feet); range covers Class A-1 through Class 3
Published range: $5.50 to $127.75.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Vessel Registration Fee Chart · as of 2025Clearwater Country Club operates as a semi-private Herbert Strong-designed 18-hole course built in 1920 in downtown Clearwater, supported by a driving range and practice putting green. The Visit St. Pete-Clearwater tourism site lists additional public and semi-private options throughout Pinellas County for varying budgets.
City of ClearwaterThe Florida Botanical Gardens is a 150-acre Pinellas County park featuring 26 distinct garden areas with shaded trails and formal plantings that draw both casual visitors and serious gardeners. UF/IFAS Extension in Pinellas County runs the Florida-Friendly Master Gardener volunteer program, training residents in regional horticulture.
Pinellas CountyGolf
Golf near Clearwater
Courses around Clearwater worth a round, with how to book each one.
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 6,200 yds
- Round
- ~4h
- On foot
- Walkable
Stevenson Creek winds through six holes under moss-draped oaks · Herbert Strong
A classic course right in downtown Clearwater, with mature oaks and a creek that keeps things interesting. Walking is allowed, which older players will appreciate.
Opened 1920 · $$ · Slope 124
- Par
- 69
- Back tees
- 5,454 yds
- Round
- ~4h
- On foot
- Walkable
A shot-maker's layout with more than 70 traps and water on twelve holes · Denis Griffiths
An honest public course where walking is allowed and a portion of every fee helps local kids through the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy. Fees flex with the time of day, so weekday mornings stay friendly.
Opened 1989 · $$ · Slope 118
- Par
- 70
- Back tees
- 6,079 yds
- Round
- ~4h
A tight, water-laced layout with views toward Tampa Bay · David Wallace
A public course tucked along Tampa Bay, open seven days a week with a friendly golf shop. The water comes into play often, so bring a few extra balls.
Opened 1970 · $$ · Slope 118
- Par
- 72
- Round
- ~4h
Donald Ross design on Florida's oldest golf grounds, recently restored · Donald Ross
A private club just south of Clearwater on what is considered Florida's oldest golf ground, with a Donald Ross layout brought back to life in a recent restoration. Membership is required to play.
Opened 1897 · $$$$