Call Center Company in Clearwater, FL

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This might be shocking to someone from outside Florida, but I’ve never really thought of St. Petersburg as a beach city. Clearwater Beach and Caladesi Island make regular appearances on lists of the world’s best beaches ,but if you live in Florida, where beaches are as abundant as alligators, St. Pete is something else entirely. It’s a place for quirky art, unusual bars, and a relaxed lifestyle compared to many cities. It’s got beaches, sure, but it’s also got loads of history, culture, and pro sports—a visit to St. Pete is more than a trip to the shore.

I say this because there is some perception that St. Petersburg and Clearwater, the biggest cities in Pinellas County, are resort destinations where you might check in at a beachside hotel, order a piña colada, and do nothing else for three days. And that’s totally possible. But if you’re the type who likes to explore all the things that make a city special, St. Pete might be the best place in Florida.

So for the resort skeptic, the kind who gets antsy on a beach chair, here’s how to spend two packed days (or more, if time allows) in St. Pete.

Who I Am: I’ve lived in the Sunshine State my entire adult life and have visited pretty much every corner of the state over 25 years. I can safely say St. Pete is my favorite city in the state, and that’s where I’d be if I didn’t live in Miami. I’ve covered restaurants, art, and culture in Miami and the rest of Florida for more than 15 years.

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Before you go

Book early: The turquoise waters of Tampa Bay beckon, but if you try to book a fishing charter, dolphin watching, or other water tour you may find it sold out during busy times. If you’re planning to explore St. Pete and Clearwater by boat, make sure you solidify your reservations early.

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Where to stay

The Vinoy

The Vinoy calls itself a “golf club and resort,” but make no mistake: This is very much an historic hotel that just happens to have a top-tier golf course. The big pink downtown icon dates back to the Florida boom of 1926, and was restored to its original glory a couple of years ago. Today, it’s a destination unto itself, with waterfront views and a breezy front patio perfect for lounging away the afternoon.

Hotel Zamora

If you want to stay close to the beach but not at a high rise mega-resort, the Zamora is your move. This little boutique is right across the street from the sand, with oversized rooms starting at 550 square feet and plenty of natural light. It’s removed enough from the action that you can enjoy the peace and quiet, and many rooms still boast views of the Intracoastal waterway.

Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown

The Moxy on Central Avenue is right in the heart of St. Pete’s best bar district, with a bevy of restaurants, shops, and breweries nearby. Rooms are small but sleek, and it’s got a rooftop bar, Sparrow, that’s one of the city’s best spots for sunset.

Fenway Hotel

For something a little more removed, check into the Fenway Hotel in Dunedin. It’s another historic gem that once housed Pinellas County’s first radio station. The Fenway sits right near the water, making it a perfect jumping off point for bike rides along the Pinellas Trail and kayak paddles out to Caladesi Island.

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Two Resort-Free Days in St. Petersburg

First thing to do when you land:Even if you’re not staying in St. Pete Beach, you’d be remiss to visit without feeling the magical synergy of a drink in your hand and powdery sand on your feet. To decompress from a day of travel, head out to St. Pete Beach and grab a beer at one of several bars right on the beach. I’m a fan of Undertow Beach Bar, which can skew a little spring break-y, but it embodies Florida’s Gulf Coast ethos and gets you in the right mindset for your trip.

Day 1

Take This home

Original art from Floridarama

I’m never one to insist you grab a souvenir as you exit through the gift shop, but Floridarama is the one place it’s a must. The gift shop is filled with prints and other works from neighborhood artists, almost all of which incorporate quintessentially Floridian stuff like oranges and alligators. Many of the artists also have studios within walking distance, if you want something bigger to show off on your walls.

Day 2

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If you have three days

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If you have four days or more

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Extra credit

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Records reveal the Clearwater Beach condo that was evacuated on Tuesday has completed a milestone inspection.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Neighbors at a Clearwater Beach condo complex are waiting for inspectors to give them the all-clear to come home after workers noticed major cracks in a garage pillar.

Crews were in the process of making building repairs at South Beach Condos III on Tuesday when those cracks appeared to be growing. 10 Investigates has been looking into building permits and inspection reports to learn more about the work that was in progress. That work follows a milestone inspection completed in 2024.

Here’s some background on the building. It was built in 1975, according to the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s website. Due to its age and the fact that it's a condo three stories or higher, under Florida law, the building was required to have what's known as a milestone inspection completed before the end of last year. The city says it did not have the report until today, and now we have it too.

The report, which was done in September, concluded that engineers did not observe conditions that would compromise the safety of the building, but it did note that it is important to replace a portion of the under-building garage slab that was found to be deteriorated.

We pulled up permits for the property and found that was what was being done when crews found the cracks on the pillar. On Wednesday, the city approved another permit to shore up the structure and make it safe.

After back-to-back hurricanes hit our area, engineers say corrosion from saltwater intrusion can be a concern —especially if a building’s seal coating is not maintained. These condos just had a waterproofing project, so it sounds like they were attempting to maintain the building’s exterior.

While any condo in Florida that is 30 years old or older had to have an initial milestone inspection completed already, as buildings age, they'll have follow-ups every 10 years.

If a building turned 30 after July 1, 2022, that association must have their inspection done by the end of 2025. These are all part of the condo laws put in place after the tragic building collapse in Sufside that left 98 people dead.

We asked the city of Clearwater how many other condo buildings are not in compliance with turning in their milestone inspections, and a spokesperson tells us it’s almost 25%.

In an update on Thursday night, condo management said "re-entry is not permitted in the building until further notice."

As crews continue to stabilize the building, management said people should expect to be out of the building for another 72-96 hours.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Clearwater|Local Event

Club Living Healthy, Neighbor

Sat, May 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM

103 S Garden Ave, Clearwater, FL, 33756

You're Cordially Invited!

Join us for a special celebration to honor all the amazing moms in our community! Enjoy a facial, light refreshments, games for the kids, raffle, and good vibes — all on us!

Bring your mom, bring a friend, or come treat yourself!We can't wait to celebrate with you.

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