How about a vacation on Indian Rocks Beach?
Shady cottages, quaint businesses, less crowds, few high rise condos…These features characterize perfectly the uniqueness of Indian Rocks Beach, my favorite among them all (and there are many here). Every time we cruise through Indian Rocks on Gulf Blvd, I confess than I’m a little jealous of the people vacationing here. They’ve chosen wisely. Unless of course rowdy crowds and endless high rises are your preference.
Indian Rocks is a barrier island between the Clearwater and St. Pete/Treasure Island area beaches, about a half hour from Tampa International Airport and a 20 minute drive to downtown Clearwater. The little city (incorporated in the mid-50s) was developed in the 1920’s for a wealthy inlander getaway spot. After WWII, development picked up again.
The population is somewhere between 4-5K. But it certainly feels like less. One of the city’s nicknames is “South Buffalo South” because many residents hail from South Buffalo, New York. Apparently, Indian Rock folk have chosen a less ambitious development path. Conspicuously absent are the giant towers and familiar corporate beach business (though there are a handful) compared to some of the neighboring beaches. And this seems to be the reason people dig it.
If I vacationed here, my ideal would be a stay in a historic beachfront cottage, breakfast at the local doughnut shop, take-out lunch on the beach, and dinner at one of the Bay’s best seafood restaurants. Notable Indian Rocks businesses include Sarah’s Seaside Cottages, Guppy’s on the Beach, Lighthouse Doughnuts, Keegan’s Seafood Grille, and Laughing Lizzard Bed and Breakfast.
