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Welcome to St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Florida, where Pinellas
County is home to 35 miles of pure white beaches, and the blue-green
waters are full of wildlife. Explore the 20 or so barrier islands,
enjoy all of your favorite water sports, or just relax in the sunshine
and admire the beauty of it all.
Travel by ferry to one of the few barrier islands than remain
undeveloped and enjoy Caladesi Island State Park. The spectacular
shorelines are dotted by sea oats and palm trees, and beachcombers can
find sand dollars and mollusk shells on the shore. Birdwatchers will
be rewarded with a wide range of shorebirds, as well as the usual
gulls, terns, and ospreys. Away from the shore, you'll find wading
birds such as herons and egrets. As you kayak or hike through the
island's interior, admire the native mangrove and slash pine forests.
Although Florida's popularity increased with the invention of air
conditioning, the St. Petersburg area holds visible reminders of its
history. Indian mounds dating back to times well before Columbus are
still visible at several sites, including the Pinellas Point Temple
Mound and Philippe Park in Safety Harbor. Once you've seen the mounds
and tried to imagine what the vista might have looked like a thousand
years ago, visit the St. Petersburg Museum of History to learn more
about the native cultures of this area.
Or, go to nearby Largo, and get a taste of Florida life in the 19th
century at Heritage Village in Pinewood Cultural Park. See how houses
were built to stay as cool as possible in hot weather, and check out
rooms of historical momentos.
Explore the history, struggles and triumphs of the local African
American community at the Carter G. Woodson African American History
Museum, where the current exhibits for spring 2009 include a focus on
baseball player Buck O'Niel. St. Petersburg is also home to the
nation's third largest Holocaust Museum.
St. Petersburg also features an array of galleries and museums.
Explore the career of the famed Spanish surrealist at the Salvador Dali
Museum, home to over 2,500 paintings, sketches, and sculptures. Of
Dali's 18 so-called "Masterworks," six are located here. Other
art-related stops include the Smithsonain-affiliated Florida
International Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Dunadin Fine Arts
Center.
The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area holds a wide variety of golfing
opportunities for all skill levels and at all price ranges. None are
far from the beach, and some even have a view of the water.
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