Following are some fun facts
that will help make your visit to Clearwater and
Clearwater Beach more rewarding.
Clearwater's Dog Park is conveniently located in Crest Lake Park
at the corner of Gulf to Bay Blvd and Lake Drive. Dogs
are not allowed on Clearwater Beach nor within most
parks. Exceptions include
Fort DeSoto County Park and
Honeymoon Island State Park; dogs must be leashed in
these parks and on all causeways.
Clearwater is a safe city. However, it makes sense to
remember the slogan "don't let your common sense go on
vacation."
Getting married in our piece of paradise is easy to
accomplish. There are a number of very special locations
for both the ceremony and/or the reception. There is no
waiting period and neither a blood test nor residency is
required, although the minimum age is 18. Marriage
licenses are valid for 60 days and can be acquired at
the Court House (727) 464-4876.
Average temperatures are Winter Max 70.9º F/Min 50.3º F,
Spring Max 81.7º F/Min 61.4º F, Summer Max 89.9º F/Min
73.6º F, and Fall Max 83.2º F/Min 64.8º F.
Average seasonal rainfall is Winter 2.34 inches, Spring
4.64 inches, Summer 8.15 inches, and Fall 3.60 inches.
Dial 911 in emergencies; no coin is needed. Be prepared
to tell the operator whether the nature of the emergency
is police, fire or medical. Know the address where you
are. If using a pay phone, addresses are printed on
them. Walk-in clinics are also readily available. Most
major credit cards are accepted.
Currency exchange is provided at
Tampa International Airport during the hours
preceding international departures and the hours
following international arrivals.
St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport
offers Canadian currency exchange. Many banks offer
currency exchange for a $5-$10 fee.
Paying a gratuity, or "tipping," is a way of life in the
United States. Unless your party size is large, tips are
normally not included in any restaurant or lounge bills
and the tip amount is left to the customer's discretion,
although 15% is standard. Waiters, waitresses,
bartenders, taxi drivers and porters should receive a
tip for their services; shop assistants and fast food
employees do not.
A 7% sales tax is added to just about everything you may
purchase.
It's legal to turn right on a red light, after a
complete stop, unless a sign forbids it.
Please buckle up. It's the law and it's the safe thing
to do. Also remember to turn on your headlights if
driving in the rain. The speed limit is radar enforced.
Parking meters are strictly enforced. Do not back into
parking spaces. The rear license plate must be visible.
The sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21
years of age is prohibited by Florida law. Photo
identification may be required for anyone under 30.
Drinking alcoholic beverages in public and on the beach
is prohibited by state law. It is also unlawful to have
an open container of alcohol in a moving vehicle.
Florida law requires stiff penalties if driving under
the influence alcohol or drugs; contact a cab company to
make alternate transportation arrangements.
Red Tide (K. brevis) sometimes occurs during the summer
or fall. A red tide is a higher-than-normal
concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like
organisms). The organism produces a toxin that can
affect the central nervous system of fish. At high
concentrations (called a bloom) the organisms may
discolor the water.
Beaches are not closed during Red Tide. In some people, red tide can cause
skin irritation and burning eyes. Use common sense; if you are particularly
susceptible to irritation from plant products, avoid red tide water. If you
experience irritation, get out and thoroughly wash off. Do not swim among dead
fish because they can be associated with harmful bacteria. Some people
experience respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing and tearing) when the red
tide organism is present along a coast and winds blow its toxic aerosol onshore.
People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions (such as emphysema or
asthma) are advised to bring their inhalers or avoid red tide areas entirely.
Generally, symptoms are temporary and disappear within hours once exposure is
discontinued.
More information about outbreaks is available from the
Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute.
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