Paris1972-Versailles2003

I am coming up with older memorable pictures not yet in my blog or very little mention and they should be more , me think, After all, this blog is my life’s history, Nostalgia sets in and I came up with a wonderful town of my youth heydays with memories forever, I am remembering my fav places in my dear Florida USA, a State I lived for 18 yrs of my life, in addition to 4 years of University studies, Let me tell you a bit more about  St Pete Beach and Saint Petersburg !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The City of Saint Petersburg is located in Pinellas County, in the state of Florida. The City is located on a peninsula between the Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. There is an average of 360 days of sunshine per year, earning it the nickname “Sunshine City” It is connected eastward to Tampa by three bridges, including the Gandy Bridge, opened in 1924, and to Bradenton to the south by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Interstate 275), which crosses the mouth of the bay. It is also served by Interstates 175 and 375. This was a wonderful ride of many memorable moments of my life there, always remembered as it is the reason for this post, I will tell you about Saint Petersburg ,the City, first,

Saint Petersburg was founded in the late 19C by a former Union Army general, John C. Williams, who purchased the land in 1876, and by Peter Demens, who was instrumental in bringing about the railroad in 1888. The city was officially founded on February 29, 1892  It was named in honor of Saint Petersburg ,Russia, where Peter Demens had spent part of his youth, Towards the beginning of the 20C, the tourist vocation of St. Petersburg began to assert itself, with the arrival of many vacationers in search of a mild and sunny climate. The city continued to grow after WWII, attracting many retirees from the Midwest USA.

The St. Petersburg Pier, officially known as the St. Pete Pier, is a landmark pleasure pier extending into Tampa Bay from downtown/city center. Over the years several different structures have been built at the same location. The third owned by the city, was a five-story inverted pyramid-shaped building ; the Inverted Pyramid Pier opened to the public in late 1973. This is the one of many memorable moments and the seaquarium there with the family , nice for the kids. The Inverted Pyramid, with its unconventional, forward-thinking structure was built on top of the 1926 Pier. Over the years, it housed three restaurants, snack bars, miniature golf, novelty shops, an aquarium and breathtaking views of Tampa Bay. The Inverted Pyramid Pier officially closed on May 31, 2013. There is a brand new one now, the new 26-acre Pier District opened on July 6, 2020.  The St. Pete Pier District, which spreads out across 26 acres. Filled with family-friendly green spaces, eateries, attractions and activities, the St. Pete Pier is the perfect place to spend a day. Families will enjoy the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center with its unique interactive exhibits, which educate visitors about Tampa Bay’s unique ecosystem in a hands-on fashion.  head to Spa Beach for some toes-in-the-sand fun without having to leave the pier. The pier has several other fun activities for visitors to enjoy. Fishermen will find numerous spots along the structure where they can drop out a line and see what’s biting There are also several other playgrounds, art installations and picnic areas you’ll want to explore. The official new St Pete pier : https://stpetepier.org/explore/

Between October and May, a market is held in the center every Saturday morning: you can buy regional products, listen to concerts, etc. North of the center, Great Explorations is a children’s museum. The Boyd Hill Nature Park on Lake Maggiore is a nature preserve featuring endangered plants and animals of Tampa Bay. Finally, the city is also famous for its beaches, The Florida Holocaust Museum is located in the city. It was founded by German refugees from Nazism and aims to transmit and teach about the Third Reich, the Holocaust and the resistance movements during WWII. Baywalk is a shopping complex in the city center: it also includes an IMAX theater (Muvico BayWalk 20). Saint Petersburg has the largest collection of Spanish painter Salvador Dalí in the world, at the Salvador Dali Museum.

The Looper’s a trolley runs around city center/ downtown St. Petersburg seven days a week and is always free of charge. So glad still running always a fun action by us.  The official Trolley Looper :https://loopertrolley.com/schedules

The City of Saint Petersburg things to do /see : https://www.stpete.org/visitors/index.php

The St Pete/Cleawater tourist office on St Petersburg: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/communities/st-petersburg

The Florida State tourist office on St Petersburg : https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/central-west/st-petersburg/

The City of St. Pete Beach occupies the entire space of Long Key, a barrier island of the Gulf of Mexico. Three bridges lead into the city, connecting it to Treasure Island, South Pasadena and the Bayway Isles area of St. Petersburg.

Saint Pete Beach was one of my favorites in Florida. You can start your day with a practice of the windsurfing , jet ski, or parasailing on St. Pete Beach.  To do your shopping or eat out head for Central Avenue renowned for its crazy side and its artistic and relaxed atmosphere . Also, take a look at St. Pete Beach’s two other nice streets, Corey Avenue and historic 8th Avenue, in Pass-A-Grille.

The City of St. Pete Beach was formed from the towns of Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar, Belle Vista, St. Petersburg Beach and unincorporated Pinellas County. At the time of its incorporation in 1957, its name was St. Petersburg Beach. On March 9, 1994, locals voted to officially change the name to the shorter version of St. Pete Beach, to distinguish it from the city of St. Petersburg a few miles to the east. It occupies the entire space of Long Key, a barrier island at the east central edge of the Gulf of Mexico. The city center/ downtown is centered on Corey Avenue. This district contains bars, restaurants and shopping and retail outlets ,Three bridges lead into the city, connecting it to Treasure Island, South Pasadena and the Bayway Isles area of St. Petersburg. This was another grand beach area ,I recommended to my cousins when afterward they move in into Tampa and Cape Coral areas.

This barrier island has been drawing celebrities and savvy travelers in search of tranquil seas and soft shores for generations. You’ll find the posh, historic Don CeSar aka the Pink Palace , renowned historical hotel, opened in 1928, located on the Gulf shore in St. Pete Beach The hotel quickly became a favorite romping ground for the rich and famous of the Jazz Age including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Clarence Darrow, Al Capone, Lou Gehrig, and Franklin D Roosevelt , and has other popular resorts like the Sirata Beach Resort marvelous to stay in, and restos like Sloppy Joe’s, and PJ’s Oyster Bar are great.Old Florida ambiance with a dose of nostalgia along with modern-day amenities. Beach shacks serve surprisingly tasty food at very affordable prices and water sports equipment can be rented along the various beaches. Sublime!!

The beach omg these are the best in all of the USA ! Many publications will tell you that and I can only confirm, this is what Florida beaches are all about, You start with St. Pete Beach holding vast swathes of shell-ridden sand and serene waters. With 5 miles of soft sand and plenty of fun beach activities to try, this is one of the best beaches around for active types. Have a go at one of the many water sports available to you or simply pitch up on the sands and tan to your hearts content !! Visit St Pete Beach beaches : https://www.stpete.org/visitors/attractions/beaches.php

The Florida State tourist office on St Pete Beach : https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/central-west/st-pete-beach/

The St Pete/Clearwater tourist office on St Pete Beach : https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/communities/st-pete-beach

Then you have a wonderful collection of smaller beach towns, all sublimes and a must to visit while in Florida, I will tell you my favorites of many years hanging around them as a Floridian beach bum::) These are Fort De Soto National Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S,Tierra Verde, St. Petersburg, Treasure Island, 10400 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island , Pass-A-Grille Beach, St. Pete Beach and Sunset Beach, Treasure Island Let me tell you a brief introduction to them ok

Fort De Soto Park is an outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise, endless nature trails at your disposal. This Pinellas county park is much more than just beaches, spanning over 5 islands and 1,100-acres. Given its sheer size, a day-trip is the minimum time to spend exploring this park. Make sure to visit either the North or East Beach, where turquoise waters lap gently at silky-white sands and quaint fishing piers snake into the ocean. If this doesn’t catch your fancy, hike in your choice of seven miles of nature trails, where you can also rent bikes.  For history buffs, the mid-15C Fort De Soto is worth visiting for its interesting links to WWII, and the Spanish-American War (Cuba). Visit the sublime Fort De Soto Park :https://pinellas.gov/parks/fort-de-soto-park

Treasure Island Beach , located west of St. Petersburg and hosts a flurry of activities. From swimming, shelling, snorkelling, parasailing and much more, this gorgeous stretch of sand is full of life and ideal for those looking to spend an energetic day at the beach , Sunset Beach ,neatly tucked into the southern tip of Treasure Island. This dreamy beach doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sunsets. The atmosphere is particularly solitary, partly because the beach exists separate to the mainland, and also because of its wistful beauty.  Try to have breakfast at Caddy’s !!! Visit Treasure Island : https://www.mytreasureisland.org/treasure_island_beach/index.php

Pass-A-Grille , this area was first visited by Europeans in 1528 when the Spanish Explorer, Panfilo de Narvaez anchored off Pass-a-Grille pass. Though officially part of St. Pete Beach, this cute “town” begins where Gulf Boulevard passes The Don CeSar hotel, and you’ll notice the change with the lack of high-rises, crowds and shopping malls. Pass-A-Grille’s no-frills appearance gives it its charming Old Floridian flavour. In the old days, Cuban fisherman known as “Grillers” would camp on the water’s edge and smoke their fish before heading home, creating billowing chimneys of smoke that travellers would see as they passed by. This is how this charming beach came to be named and this free-and-easy attitude can be seen in the crowds who visit the beach today. Visit Pass A Grille : https://www.visitpassagrille.com/things-to-do

There you go folks, even if pictures are few as in those days were not onto picture taking more important the memories lingered forever, This is my youthful life in St Pete Beach, and Saint Petersburg, Florida. It seems far away now as my last visit was in 2009 to visit my Aunt and cousins who lives there ! Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!