Welcome to Clearwater Beach, an idyllic vacation destination that epitomizes the beauty and charm of Florida’s Gulf Coast. With its sparkling blue waters, powdery white sand and vibrant atmosphere, Clearwater Beach offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking a beach getaway.
Before you unpack the beach bag, it helps to know how the beach works: when the lifeguards are on, which rules the city enforces, and where to park without circling for half an hour. Get those right and the rest of the day is simply sun, sand and that famous green and blue water.
Everything in this guide comes from the City of Clearwater, which runs the public beach, and we have linked its pages so you can check for updates before you go.
Area information about Clearwater Beach
Along Florida’s stunning Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach boasts many attractions and activities catering to all ages and interests. Clearwater Beach has it all if you prefer soaking up the sun on the beach, exploring nature, or indulging in culinary delights.
Explore the pristine beaches, take a leisurely walk along the iconic Beach Walk promenade, or try your hand at watersports such as paddleboarding, kayaking or jet skiing. Take the chance to embark on a breathtaking sunset cruise or a fishing charter to experience the beauty of the Gulf Coast from a different perspective.
The city counts about three miles of beach, cleaned 365 days a year, with two children’s playgrounds, public restrooms, volleyball nets, a grassy open knoll and a pavilion you can rent. The beach itself is open around the clock, while Pier 60 Park is open from 6 am to 9 pm. For ideas on filling the rest of your days, see our things to do in Clearwater Beach guide.
Good to know: Pier 60 is open as far as the end of the fishing pier; the T shaped end has stayed closed since Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The bait house and fishing area are open. City of Clearwater.
Clearwater Beach rules
Clearwater Beach has a few rules to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. These are the ones visitors most often ask us about.
No alcohol or smoking
Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the beach. The city is clear that no alcohol or other intoxicants are permitted on Clearwater’s public beaches, and it ties this to safety: alcohol is a major factor in drowning. Smoking is not allowed either. We also suggest packing drinks in cans or plastic rather than glass, since broken glass and bare feet do not mix.
Pets
Pets are not allowed on the public bathing beach, with the exception of service animals. There is one exception for leashed dogs: north of Somerset Street, dogs may walk the beach on a leash, though the city stresses this is not a dog beach. South of Somerset Street, dogs are not allowed on the sand at all. Pets on Clearwater Beach. Our pet friendly guide lists the real dog beaches nearby.
Fires, fireworks and litter
Open fires and fireworks are not permitted. The city bans fires, bonfires and unpermitted fireworks on Clearwater Beach, and in city parks fires are only allowed for grilling in established picnic grills. Littering is strictly prohibited; please dispose of your trash in the trash and recycling bins, and lend a hand if you see litter. You may not take sand, plants, wood or rocks away from the beach either.
Vehicles, boards and camping
Driving or parking on the beach is not allowed; vehicles belong only in designated parking areas and on roadways. On Beach Walk, motorized and electric bicycles, hoverboards, unicycles and scooters are banned, except for medically necessary devices. Surfboards, boats and personal watercraft cannot be beached in the public bathing area; take them outside the swim zone or up to North Beach past Somerset Street. Tents and other temporary shelters are not allowed for camping. All park and beach rules.
Staying safe in the water
Lifeguards are on duty seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm, with towers staffed according to season and weather, so swim near a guarded tower. Stay inside the Safe Bathing Limit, which reaches 300 feet out from the high water line and is marked by buoys or pilings; boats and jet skis are not allowed inside it.
Check the warning flags on the beach and on the lifeguard towers, because water conditions can change quickly. If you are caught in a rip current, do not fight it: swim parallel to the shore until you are free, then angle back to the beach and wave for a lifeguard. When thunder roars, go indoors and stay off the beach until the lightning has passed.
Two last habits from the city: never dive headfirst into water you have not checked, and do the stingray shuffle by sliding your feet through the sand so stingrays know you are coming.
Need a beach wheelchair? The city lends manual and motorized beach wheelchairs to visitors who need them. Ask at the beach or see the city’s beach wheelchair page, linked from its beach rules page.
Clearwater Beach parking
When it comes to parking in Clearwater Beach, there are several convenient options available. Visitors have access to metered parking spaces throughout the area, as well as public parking lots and garages. It’s important to note that parking can be limited during peak seasons, so it’s advisable to arrive early or consider alternative transportation options.
The city’s public lots charge $3.50 an hour and run from 6 am to 11 pm. The Pier 60 lot at 160 South Gulfview Boulevard has 141 spaces with no time limit during those hours, and the lot at 4 Rockaway Street has 146. The Municipal Marina lot at 25 Causeway Boulevard is the exception, with a two hour limit. On street parking is $4.00 an hour with a five hour limit.
For bigger garages, the private North Beach Parking Plaza at 490 Poinsettia Avenue has 700 spaces, and the Hyatt garage at 301 South Gulfview Boulevard has about 550 public spaces. Pay at the kiosks, with the ParkMobile app or by texting CLEARWATER to 727563. Note that there is no public parking north of the Acacia roundabout, and no RV parking on the beach. City of Clearwater beach parking.
Good to know: Parking hotline: 727-562-4094, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Arrive by trolley, ferry, bike or rideshare to skip parking altogether.
Stay with Sunny Orange Stays
Choosing the right accommodations can make all the difference when planning your Clearwater Beach vacation. Here at Sunny Orange Stays, we understand the importance of finding a comfortable vacation rental in Clearwater Beach, and staying within walking distance of the sand means you can leave the car parked all week.
Here are four of ours close to the beach. Gulf Breeze is a four bedroom beachfront home that sleeps eight. Eldorado Beach Retreat has three bedrooms, three baths and a heated pool, steps from the sugar sand. Island Time sleeps 16 near the uncrowded North Beach, and Forever Sunshine is a nine bedroom home for up to 26 guests with a rooftop terrace with Gulf views.
Gulf Breeze
Eldorado Beach Retreat
Island Time
Forever Sunshine
Questions we get asked
Can you drink alcohol on Clearwater Beach?
No. The City of Clearwater does not permit alcohol or other intoxicants on its public beaches.
Are dogs allowed on Clearwater Beach?
Not on the public bathing beach, except service animals. Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach north of Somerset Street only.
What time are lifeguards on duty at Clearwater Beach?
Lifeguards are on duty seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm, with towers staffed according to season and weather.
How much does it cost to park at Clearwater Beach?
City lots charge $3.50 an hour from 6 am to 11 pm, and on street parking is $4.00 an hour with a five hour limit.
Let’s plan it
Plan Your Visit
Clearwater Beach is a captivating destination that promises a remarkable vacation. So pack your sunscreen and sense of adventure, and get ready to enjoy the beauty of Clearwater Beach from one of our homes.
See you on the sand.