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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