8 Fun Facts About St. Pete Beach We Bet You Didn’t Know
If you're looking for a beautiful beach to visit in Florida, look no further than St. Pete Beach! This stunning destination is well-known for its white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. But there's a lot more to St. Pete Beach than its natural beauty. Let's take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about this charming beach town. So put on your sunscreen and get ready to learn all about St. Pete Beach!
St. Pete Beach Almost Wasn’t A Thing
St. Pete Beach was founded on July 9th, 1957 based on just FIVE ballots. It was a controversial vote in which 75% of eligible voters participated. The area was previously known as Long Key and was comprised of four municipalities, Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar Place, Belle Vista, and St. Petersburg Beach. Some people felt that consolidating the municipalities would give up their power to vote on smaller issues. Ultimately the referendum passed 758 vs 753, and provided new and exciting possibilities for the small beach town!
2: It's St. Pete Beach, not St. Petersburg Beach
St. Peterburg (aka St. Pete) and St. Pete Beach are actually two separate cities. St. Petersburg has a vibrant downtown located on the mainland, just 15 minutes away. When St. Pete Beach was first incorporated in 1957 they named it St. Petersburg Beach, but residents thought it was too long to spell out. They would frequently say they were from St. Pete, which wasn't an issue until they started putting it on important documents and forms. In 1994 the city voted to shorten the name to St. Pete Beach in order to avoid confusion. Both cities are a part of the larger Tampa Bay Area and must-sees if you are visiting the bay!
Oh! And it's definitely don't call it St. Petes.
3: The Don Cesar is A Story of Lost Love
The Don Cesar Hotel, also known as the renowned Pink Palace, is a must-see landmark on St. Pete Beach was built by Thomas Rowe as a homage to his lost love, Lucinda, during the Gatsby era of 1928.
Het met Lucinda in London while she was staring in his favorite opera, Maritana. She was his first love, but her parents did not approve of the relationship and she was forced to stop seeing him. Sadly, Lucinda died suddenly shortly after, and Thomas was left heartbroken leaving London.
Years later the real estate tycoon fell in love with St. Pete Beach and built The Don Cesar Hotel in her honor.
Thomas later passed away from a heart attack in the lobby of the hotel, but according to local legend, his spirit still walks the halls of The Don Cesar. Apparently, Thomas never left his beloved Pink Palace..or maybe he's searching for his lost love, Lucinda?
4: St. Pete Holds The Guinness World Record: Most Consecutive Days of Sunshine
The neighboring city of St. Pete holds the Guinness world record for most consecutive days of sunshine: 768 days! We know we just told you they are two separate cities, but they basically have the exact same weather, so we're going to claim it too. The sun shines here on average 361 days a year. The year-round gorgeous weather makes St. Pete Beach the perfect getaway destination, no matter the time of year!
5: We Beat Out Hawaii for Best Beach in America
St. Pete Beach took home the title of Best Beach in America, according to TripAdvisor which based its rankings on millions of reviews and traveler opinions. The white sand beaches and crystal blue waters are breathtaking, which helped this Florida destination beat other popular beaches like Hawaii's Waikiki for the title!
6: You Can Swim in The Gulf Year Round
Well, if you swim in the gulf in the winter we'll know you're not from here, but it's totally doable. The average water temperature is a comfortable 76 degrees, and the calm crystal blue water makes it the perfect place to take a dip. Fun fact: the water gets as warm as 85 degrees in the summer!
7: There's A Handful of Bars On the Beach
If you want to go beach bar-hopping, this is your spot. You can truly start on one end of the beach and beach-bar hop to the other. You'll hit up some great spots like The Undertow, Bongo's, Coconut Charlie's, and more.
8: Even our Sunsets Have Won Awards
St. Pete beach was given the honorary title of "Sunset Capital of Florida" in 2011, and we couldn't agree more. With our white sand, tranquil seas, and a panoramic view of the gulf that goes on for miles, you're certain to get a spectacular sight. What better way to enjoy a legendary sunset than under a cabana? Make sure you pay attention to sunset times when you book! We suggest googling the sunset time of the day you are booking, then book 4.5 to 5 hours before then. That will give you plenty of sunshine, while still giving you the opportunity to enjoy one of the award-winning sunsets.
