About St. Petersburg, Florida

Words are powerful tools and portray distinct images. The word "St. Petersburg" produces strong vibes, such as aristocratic heritage, historical structure and curious intrigue.

St. Petersburg received its name in 1888 from a Russian immigrant nobleman, Peter Demons. He won the honor of naming the city in a "draw of the straw" contest. Most locals refer to their hometown as St. Pete. The city streets are lined with massive palm trees, along the pier they display decorations during the holidays.

St. Petersburg is in Close Proximity to Tampa and Clearwater

St. Pete is a peninsula that extends into the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa Bay covers most of the East Side and Clearwater is directly North. St. Pete is connected to Bradenton by the impressive Sunshine Skyway. At the highest point of the bridge the cars on the lower end appear as mere dots. A string of islands called Holiday Isles cushions St. Pete from the Gulf of Mexico. The islands are connected to the mainland by five bridges. The islands add character and atmosphere to the bustling city.

St. Petersburg's Ft. Desoto Park

Ft. Desoto Park beach is considered one of the best beaches in the area. Part of Fort Desoto contains a wildlife sanctuary, camping facilities, fishing pier and a Spanish-American War-era fort. Catch a glimpse of the dolphins and the endangered manatee or sea cow. The park offers 4 miles of winding trails throughout the 900 acres. When a storm is brewing the waves at the park are terrific. For safety's sake never stay in the water during a storm.

St. Pete Beach has Bed and Breakfast Accommodations

St. Pete's Beach is 7 1/2 miles long and overflows with fast food eateries and souvenir shops. The beach is normally very crowded but still maintains an atmosphere. Pass-A-Grille Beach is at the southern end of St. Pete Beach. This beach enclave is mostly residential, with unique shops and special Bed and Breakfast accommodations.

Spanish influences are evident throughout the city with many hacienda style structures. Streets run like graph paper, north-south and east-west, with Central Avenue dividing north and south. Traveling in St. Pete is extremely easy.

Tampa Bay and Boca Ciega Bay border the downtown district. The Bayfront is the section facing Tampa Bay. This is where the Pier is located, an absolute destination point. The view from the inverted pyramid shaped building is spectacular in the evening. Inside the five levels of the pyramid there are shops, restaurants, an observation deck and an aquarium. Catwalks for fishing, boat docks, a small beach, water sport rental miniature golf and sightseeing boats are all by the Pier. Watch the pelican's dive bomb the harbor or float lazily around the Pier. The Pier was originally built as a railroad pier but over the years has been remodeled until ending in its present form. A free trolley operates between the Pier and nearby parking lots. History, architect and southern splendor are the prime images in St. Pete.