Introduction
In 2018 Clearwater Beach was voted the number one beach in the United States. It has it all – sun, beautiful white sand, luxury hotels and restaurants, entertainment, and activities for all the family. It even has a fishing pier!
Clearwater Beach is a community on the west coast of Florida facing the Gulf of Mexico. It has a sub-tropical climate with generally high humidity. The hottest months of the year are from April through to October.
Clearwater Beach is part of the city of Clearwater and is separated from it by the Intracoastal Waterway. The road that links the two communities crosses the Clearwater Memorial Causeway and ends at Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60.
The beach itself is some 2.5 miles long. Hotels, resorts and visitor attractions can be found all along the beach. Pier 60 has live entertainment daily, with Sunsets at Pier 60 bringing each day to a close with music, dancing and fun for everyone. Stalls open up on the pier each night selling locally produced gift items. Sunsets at Clearwater Beach are spectacular, especially during the winter months.
The white sands, together with the activities and attractions for tourists, makes Clearwater Beach a popular destination. Regular visitors soon grow to love their favorite places along the beach. Some enjoy the bustle around Pier 60 most, while others seek quieter spots where they can sit and relax in the sun.
Does Clearwater Beach allow bonfires?
Clearwater Beach is part of Pinellas County along with St Petersburg and St Pete Beach. Bonfires are prohibited on all beaches in Pinellas County. Do not be tempted to build a bonfire or organize a barbecue on Clearwater Beach.
The reason behind the ban on bonfires and barbecues on the beaches in Pinellas County is simple. The authorities want to avoid any damage to the impressive white sand. So many people visit the beaches and often stay to enjoy the sunset, that too many bonfires would leave black marks across the beach area. The local authorities are proud of the beaches in their care and see a ban as the only way to preserve them.
Bonfires can be spotted from way off, so building one and lighting it is a sure way of attracting attention and getting a citation as a reward!
What beaches allow barbecues/bonfires in Pinellas County?
On Clearwater Beach, while there are no bonfires on the beach itself, the Sandpearl Resort hosts nightly bonfires that everyone is welcome to attend. The bonfires are not on the beach itself, but on the Sandpearl’s own frontage.
Redington Beach does allow bonfires to be lit on the beach. They also allow grills to be used for cooking. However, you must obtain a permit from the fire department in Madeira Beach. This department provides fire services to Redington Beach.
Indian Shores also allow some cooking on the beach. Any fire you light must be contained in a grill or similar.
What are the Clearwater Beach rules?
The Pinellas County authorities want everyone who visits Clearwater Beach to have a really fun time. They also want visitors to return another day. So that the beach is safe for everyone, there are rules in place.
1. No dogs. Dogs are not allowed on to the beach. There are no exceptions to this rule, although one sandy area between Somerset Street and the north beach is exempt. You can walk your dog there, but must clean up after it should it decide to poo.
2. Dangerous games are banned. Games that involve throwing a ball are prohibited. Throwing Frisbees, shuttlecocks, javelins, and horseshoes is also forbidden. There are areas set aside for games like volleyball, and using these is highly recommended.
Skimboarding is also on the list of prohibited activities.
3. Alcohol is not allowed. It is not permitted to bring alcohol in an open container onto the beach. Glass containers are also banned.
This policy is quite strictly applied. There are many beachfront hotels, restaurants, and bars where alcohol can be purchased and consumed.
4. Avoid the sand dunes. Sand dunes serve an important function for they stabilize the sand behind the beach. Walking through the dunes is not allowed. This is due to the fact that too much human activity in the dunes will cause them to deteriorate.
5. The beach is a no-fly zone. Taking off from the beach, landing on the beach and flying over the beach are all banned. The reason for this is to protect beachgoers from danger.
6. Don’t get naked! Nudity is prohibited on Clearwater Beach. Some beachwear can be quite skimpy, but out and out nakedness is not allowed. In part this is designed to protect public morals, but also nudity can cause offence, particularly on a beach that encourages families.
7. Covid-19 rules apply at the time of writing. Every visitor should bring a face-covering with them and wear it when they are in any enclosed area such as the public restrooms. Also wear a face covering if you are standing in line at any of the beachside concessions. A face covering is not required when on the beach.
Social distancing must be adhered to at all times. Stay at least 6 feet away from others who are not part of your family or group. No group should exceed 10 people. If you are somewhere where social distancing is difficult, wear a face covering.
What are the Clearwater Beach hours?
Clearwater Beach is currently open from 10 am to 9 pm each day. There may be some changes to these times as a consequence of Covid-19 restrictions being applied.
Lifeguards are on duty between 9.30 am and 7.30 pm. They have all been provided with Personal Protection Equipment.
Where can you have a barbecue near Clearwater Beach?
There are a number of outdoor sites that have permanent barbecue grills available for public use. All of the following are in Pinellas County. The closest one to Clearwater Beach is Sand Key Park.
The others include:
· Anderson Park
· Boca Ciega Millennium Park
· John Chesnut Sr. Park
· Eagle Lake Park
· Fort de Soto Park
· Fred H. Howard Park
· Lake Seminole Park
· Philippe Park
· Ridgecrest Park
· Sand Key Park
· Sawgrass Lake Park
· John S. Taylor Park
· Wall Springs Park
· Walsingham Park
· War Vets Memorial Park
There also grills available on Honeymoon Island State Park.
BBQ Restaurants near Clearwater Beach.
This list of 16 BBQ restaurants in or near Clearwater Beach is not in any particular order.
1. Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grills, 2693 Gulf to Bay Bvld, Clearwater. This BBQ joint has a great reputation for the quality of its food. Pulled pork, steak and the smoked wings are great, especially with shrimp appetizers.
2. Badfins Food and Brew, 215 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater. An American restaurant that serves superb food. The fish tacos and the loaded pulled pork waffle fries get special mention.
3. Pearly’s Beach Eats, 45 Papaya Street (Poinsettia Avenue), Clearwater. Shrimps get the thumbs up here, especially the po’ boy.
4. Cody’s Roadhouse Countryside, 26210 US Highway 19 N (at Enterprise Road), Clearwater. A steakhouse that serves amazing ribs and fried chicken.
5. The Brown Boxer Pub & Grille, 483 Mandalay Avenue (at Baymont Street), Clearwater Beach. Great pulled pork and cheesesteaks to be had here.
6. Rumba Island Bar & Grill, 1800 Gulf to Bay Bvld (at Keene Road), Clearwater. Boasts a fine atmosphere both inside and outside. Fish dishes especially good.
7. Tate Island Grill, Clearwater Beach. Notable for its fantastic views of the beach. They serve an amazing pulled pork burger and wonderful crabcakes.
8. Sandpearl Resort, 500 Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater Beach. This is a luxury resort hotel, so you would expect top quality food. You won’t be disappointed.
9. Caretta on the Gulf, at the Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater Beach. Caretta on the Gulf is part of the Sandpearl Resort complex. Great ribs, great fish dishes and delightful desserts.
10. Abe’s Place Tap & Grill, 1250 Missouri Avenue, Clearwater. A bar with fantastic food. Ribs and wings both brilliant, burgers outstanding and great choice of beers.
11. Cooters Restaurant & Bar, 423 Poinsettia Avenue, Clearwater Beach. Superb steaks, burgers and wings. Lovely seafood, especially the grouper sandwich.
12. Clear Sky Café, 490 Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater Beach. There is a huge choice of top-rated dishes to be had. Special mention has to be given to the burgers and the mixed grill.
13. Frenchy’s Original Café, 41 Baymont Street, Clearwater Beach. Frenchy’s have an enviable reputation for top quality food. Seafood is a speciality, particularly the seafood gumbo.
15. The Reef, 752 Gulfview Boulevard, Clearwater Beach. Famed for Bumpa’s Cheeseburger, which is a huge burger served with all the best trimmings.
16. Maggie Mae’s Sunrise Café, 1261 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater Beach. Every visit to Maggie Mae’s is a fun-filled eating experience. Good food served with style.
Conclusion
Like all the beaches in Pinellas County, Clearwater Beach is governed by a list of rules and regulations. Not allowing bonfires on any beach in the county ensures that the sand remains clean and an asset of which local people can be justifiably proud.
There are, however, several parks in Pinellas County where you can go to hold a barbecue. If you wish to use any of the permanent grills in these parks, then it would be wise to phone ahead to see if you have to book a place.
Eating out without having to do the cooking yourself is always a treat. Clearwater Beach and Clearwater both have a wide range of restaurants, bars and grills to suit everyone. During the Covi-19 crisis it would be advisable to phone and book a table at any of the eating places in the area. Some may have put restrictions in place to comply with temporary public safety regulations.
However, one place that you will always be able to have bonfires is at the Eiko’s Beach House. With your own private garden with a build in fire pit, you and your family can enjoy BBQ’s and bonfires every single night!