Four Florida Gulf Coast Towns You Absolutely Have to Visit

While the East Coast vs West Coast contention in Florida does n’t incisively rack up Tupac / Biggie levels , it ’s still there in spirit ( or more life , as masses love to barstool - argue about this ) . Yes , the East Coast has Miami and Cape Canaveral and Daytona and the Atlantic . But the Gulf Coast has more character , warmer water , and a swath of sand that stretches from the Everglades almost clear to New Orleans . disregard its beachside towns means missing out on some of Florida ’s sterling gems . Here are four that stand out even in a state with 1,350 miles of coastline .

Boca Grande/Gasparilla Island

The highlight : Throughout my puerility , my family made veritable pilgrim’s journey to Boca Grande to do what boatloads of the great unwashed still do in ol’ Big Mouth : we capture tarpon . It took several close friends ’ weddings for me to full take in there ’s more to this ratty voguish barrier island townspeople than snagging snook .

Upon crossing the lift bridge to inscribe Boca Grande you notice cars give fashion to bicycles and golf game carts . The banyan Tree cover the pastel place - lined streets , and the miles of George Sand stretch along the Gulf to a 19th - century lighthouse . Even the “ Downtown ” of Boca Grande is set for a Nora Ephron moving-picture show , lined with bookstall , relic and hook shops , and ice cream parlour . Speaking of which , the food ( seafood , specially ) is as fetching as it always appears in those film , too . But Boca Grande ’s real spell lies in its combo of seclusion and gadget . You palpate miles away from civilisation , and if you go there in the offseason you really might be on your own . Yet there you are , just two hours south of Tampa . Must consume / tope : If you prefer not to outride at the pricierGasparilla Inn , at least have a drink – or three – there in the stripe or in the sunroom . From there you’re able to walk over to their more casual restaurant , thePink Elephant , for out-of-door beer and a grouper sandwich . Your hangover cure awaits in the brunch atThird Street Cafe(lump crabby person patty Benedict , do it).Don’t leave behind without : Strolling beneath the leafy canopy of Banyan St , a famous backcloth for photo shoots and engagement pictures alike . It ’s Old Florida at its best .

Anna Maria Island

The high spot : Atlantic Coast loyalists , smitten with the aqua - green piss around the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands , jeering at the Gulf Coast ’s dimmer hues . Well , Anna Maria screams , challenge accepted . The waters lapping against this quaint coastal island , near the mouth of Tampa Bay , give it the feel of the dreamier shots from Cast Away . It ’s so clear , you could see the astounding amount of stingrays in all probability swarming you .

Anna Maria is also a major competitor in better beach category . The never - ending flabby white sand somehow never seems to be too crowded . you could keep abreast the main strip , Pine Ave , across the island ’s shank from sand to pier , arrest along the way of life for beachside bar , artistic creation galleries , and fish sandwich . Must eat on / salute : Sandbaris a must when you ’re here , either for their nothingness brunch , or sunset cocktail . Definitely make upPoppo ’s Taqueriafor some raving mad boar chorizo tacos then dulcify the tidy sum by making your own custom donut ( bacon + smash Oreo is a advance combo ) atAnna Maria Donuts . Don’t leave without : take your picture outside the windowless , doorless , roofless Anna Maria Jail . It ’s not arealjail any longer , and it sorta never was , strictly . It serve more as an overnight bear army tank , patently , where miscreants would get so mosquito - chewed they ’d never act up again . So , yeah , how can you not see this ?

Cabbage Key / Cayo Costa State Park

The high spot : If Cabbage Key were a car , it would be a Land Rover Defender . Just off Pine Island , the 100 - Accho retreat is ideal for the off - roading adventurer , as it ’s next to flat - out arresting ( and only approachable by boat ) Cayo Costa State Park . The 2,426 - Accho state common is lined with nine miles of Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , pine forest , and mangrove , a mecca for snorkeling , tramp , biking , beat , boating , and Aqua-Lung diving event . We ca n’t promise you will see Trichechus manatus and dolphinfish , but yeah , you credibly will . Cabbage Key also might be responsible for “ Cheeseburger in Paradise . ” The Cabbage Key Inn , a 1920s - epoch home transformed into a local landmark , apparently inspire Jimmy Buffett to spell this super underplayed diddy . These days , dollar bills left in protection cake the wall – the establishment purportedly collects 10,000 of them a twelvemonth . Must eat / salute : This a small billet , soCabbage Key Inn , with its cheeseburger conniption for heaven , is your go - to . If you do n’t feel the itch , it also attend up runt , mojitos , and Key calcined lime pie . Don’t leave without : Touring the island ’s perimeter by kayak . It ’s really the best way to capture , and literally see , the entire blank space .

Pass-A-Grille, St. Petersburg

The highlighting : When I get up in Tampa , you went to St. Petersburg for only three matter : visiting grandparent , a field stumble to the Salvador Dalí Museum , or the episodic Tampa Bay Lightning game . These days , St. Pete is becoming the Brooklyn of Florida – scruffy , high-strung . Even before it became trendy , there was always Pass - A - Grille : a one - auction block - wide beach Ithiel Town located at ( just ) the tip of an island right off St. Pete .

Like some of the more distant Florida Keys , this teeny place packs in a bevvy of art drift and local breweries . Its sunsets can beat up your sunsets . And since this is one of the least - acquire island of St. Pete Beach / Fort De Soto Park , it ’s slap-up for exploring some of the land ’s most sought - after nature preserves ( include Egmont Key).Must eat / beverage : snaffle gator bites and a Gulf Coast cocktail at theHurricane Seafood Restaurantto watch the sundown from the 360 - level - view rooftop . If you ’re really look to doll up your Florida vacation , point nearby to the gargantuan Pepto - pinkDon CeSar Hotelfor oyster , snapper , and lobster at the beachsideMaritana Grille . Don’t leave without : Knocking back an Evander Beer . Legendary local artist Evander Preston is such badass he obtain his own pilsner - lager , brew across the state in Melbourne . You drink in it , you ’re automatically a tone cooler .

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