Looking to take your family to the beach this Memorial Day weekend?
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best, family-friendly beaches and beach-based activities in the Bay Area. Check it out!
1. Honeymoon Island State Park
At Honeymoon Island, you can let the kids play in the warmth of the Memorial Day sun all while you relax on the sandy Gulf coast.
Have a relaxing picnic while peering out into the crystal blue Gulf, then swim, fish, and snorkel in its warm waters.
Later, rent a bike or kayak and enjoy all the island has to offer in this nature-lovers dream, complete with osprey nests, a wide variety of shorebirds, and virgin splash pine forests – one of the few remaining of its kind in South Florida.
Also, be sure to check out the nearby, beautiful and quaint downtown of Dunedin, a “Scottish”-themed neighborhood that draws thousands of visitors to its many popular restaurants, bars, and breweries such as Flanagans Irish Pub and 7venth Sun Brewing.
To learn more about Honeymoon Island, click here.
2. St. Pete Beach
Another great place to take the family is the coastal city of St. Pete Beach, where a variety of shops, parks, and restaurants offer something for everyone.
Grab lunch on the beach at Paradise Grill or have dinner in the downtown corridor along the main boulevard.
Besides food, St. Pete Beach also is home to a myriad of concerts, art shows, and other family events that any visitor should be sure to check out.
A main attraction in the city is the historic and iconic Don Cesar Hotel. Inside this majestic facility are several small shops, free to outside guests, that the whole family will enjoy.
To learn more about St. Pete Beach, click here.
3. Fort de Soto Park
Named America’s Top Beach for 2009 by Trip Advisor, Fort de Soto is so much more than just a beach; it has something for everyone.
Rent a kayak, paddle away at the park’s still waters, and absorb the wealth of natural beauty such as the birds, sea life, wildlife, and variety of plants that all make up the magnificent natural artistry that is Fort de Soto.
Visitors are welcomed by the park’s complexity found in the ecology that surrounds it. It has one of the most diverse systems in the country and is the largest park within the Pinellas County Park System.
It consists of 1,136 acres and five interconnected islands, or keys.
Some featured amenities that you and your family will enjoy include 238 family camping areas, two large swim centers, two fishing piers, a 6.8-mile recreation trail, a 2.25 canoe trail, and a 1-mile nature trail.
Additionally, of course, there is the historic fort which is rich in history, and also 7 miles of soft, white sand that merges with verdant, sparkling waters.
For more information, visit the park’s website here.
4. Madeira Beach/John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk
Madeira Beach is home to both a beautiful beach and the world-famous John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk.
One of the most family-friendly places in the Bay area, this “oasis from the ordinary” is a quaint fishing village that opens up visitors to a world of tantalizing cuisine options and unusual shopping.
Here, you will find arts, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and a variety of other unique wares that will certainly make your visit unforgettable.
Make incredible memories with your family by doing something a little different at this popular destination by renting a jet ski, reeling in that big fish on a chartered boat, or taking a sunset cruise with the ones you love most.
Later, enjoy a hearty seafood dinner, listen to some live music, and people-watch all along the village’s historic boardwalk.
To learn more about John’s Pass, check out Hubbard's Marina.
For jet ski rental information, check out Woody's Watersports.
5. Boca Ciega Millennium Park
Finally, another great park for family fun is Boca Ciega Millennium Park.
Nature lovers will greatly enjoy this park which includes a plethora of birds in their natural habitat; it is a main stop on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s “Great Florida Birding Trail”.
The park features a 35-foot wooden observation tower and offers a 360-degree view of Boca Ciega Bay. Here, visitors can take in all of the natural beauty the park has to offer, including seven natural communities of pine flatwoods, coastal oak hammocks, mangrove swamps, salt marsh, bay head, and wetlands.
Take the kids by the barrier-free playground for family-friendly fun or bring Fido along to enjoy the 1.5-acre dog park, complete with an obstacle course.
Other amenities include a canoe/kayak launch, bicycle/pedestrian paths, and shelters for picnics.
For more information, visit their website.
