Clearwater, FL – September 2009 – Clearwater and its island beaches are recognized as a great family destination as well as a hot singles destination. The white sand beaches along with a variety of other amenities makes this area a perfect get away throughout the year.

During this year, Fodor’s Travel Publications named Clearwater Beach one of “America’s Top Family Beaches” and more recently the Orlando Sentinel identified Clearwater Beach on the list of the “Top Five Singles Beaches in Florida,” being second only to Miami’s South Beach. Other recent accolades include “Best City Beach” by both Conde Nast Traveler and Dr. Beach (coastal geologist Dr. Stephen Leatherman) and readers of USAToday.com identified Clearwater Beach on their top ten list of “The Best Beaches from Maine to Hawaii.”

Why is Clearwater such a popular vacation spot? The magnificent soft, white, sandy beaches and breathtaking sunsets provide an ideal backdrop for activities and events year round.

FALL 2009 SPECIAL EVENTS

• October 2 – 4 – 1st Annual Clearwater Super Boat National Championship, taking place in the Gulf of Mexico with free access and viewing from Pier 60 and the beaches.
• October 11 – Hispanic Heritage Festival at Coachman Park including music, rides and exhibits.
• October 15 – 18 – 30th Annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday, 4 days and nights of free live jazz and art, featuring internationally renown performers Chris Botti, Boney James, Nicole Henry, Les Sabler, The Neville Brothers and more.
• November 14 – Ironman World Championship 70.3 a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run on Clearwater Beach by approximately 1,800 athletes competing for the $100,000 purse.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

• Nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival where the fun starts two hours before sunset.
• 4th Friday on Cleveland Street, free evening with music and food, often highlighting other monthly special events.
• Each Wednesday Clearwater Downtown Farmer’s Market on Cleveland Street provides the freshest produce, baked goods, gourmet foods, unique gifts, crafts, flowers and an ideal stop for breakfast or lunch.

Clearwater and the surrounding area abound with nature based, arts and cultural and sporting events.

• Visit Caladesi Island State Park, nationally ranked one of the best beaches – this unspoiled barrier island has lush sea grass beds that encourage the presence of marine mammals and numerous species of fish; is home to many nesting birds; and has the remains of a homestead where Myrtle Scharrer Betz grew up. (Described in her book Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise – The Story of Caladesi Island.) A three mile kayak trail through the mangroves allows for a closer look at this island that is car free. Ferry access is available from Honeymoon Island State Park and the Clearwater Municipal Marina.
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a renowned marine life rescue center, specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured marine life. The aquarium is host to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life. One can touch a dolphin, watch their world famous open-air dolphin show, hit the high seas on their popular eco-boat tour or work with the trainers in an interactive session. Come meet Winter, a dolphin who lost her tail in an accident - she is now healthy and swimming freely. She wears a prosthetic tail, as seen on the NBC Today Show, and is learning how to paint.
• Home to the largest fishing fleet on the west coast of Florida, the Clearwater Marina is a major component of the recreational core. Berthed in the marina are boats that offer a myriad of activities: fishing, sightseeing, sailing, speed, "hands on" marine life adventures, dining and dancing, parasailing as well as party and charter boats. Across the street, Clearwater Beach's Pier 60, open 24 hours a day, offers a full service bait house with gear rental and sales, live bait, snacks and beverages.

The performing arts are available inside many venues including Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Historic Capitol Theatre. Additional performing and visual arts are located outdoors, such as Sculpture 360 with annual rotating sculpture displays, at Pier 60 and the newly unveiled Beach Walk, a winding beachside promenade with lush landscaping, artistic touches and clear views to Clearwater's award-winning beach and the water beyond, a place where bicyclists, rollerbladers and pedestrians all have safe and convenient access and where visitors and locals can socialize, dine, play games, or simply enjoy the spectacular sun and surf.

Speaking of sports, whether golf is your game or water sports beckon to you, your choices are endless. There is always a beach volleyball game to be joined or an opportunity to land one or more of the 300 varieties of fish that swim in the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, only a few of which are grouper, snapper, trout, snook, tarpon, red fish, kingfish, shark, sailfish and mackerel. If you would rather watch than play, major league baseball is available year round in Clearwater. Clearwater is proud to host the Philadelphia Phillies spring training since 1947. In addition to the major league team, Clearwater is home to the Class-A Clearwater Phillies of the Florida State League. The Toronto Blue Jays spend their spring in Dunedin and the New York Yankees play in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Rays call St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field home during the regular season.

Accommodations, dining and transportation make Clearwater a comfortable place to stay and get around.

• Clearwater's accommodations fit every lifestyle and budget, from historical registered resorts to brand name properties to Superior Small Lodgings, cottages and efficiency apartments to cozy, wooded campgrounds within minutes of the beach. From value to upscale elegance, you have your pick of the cream of the crop.
• Wherever your tastes lie in food, your palate will be pleased in Clearwater. From the fish shack to the white linen treatment, dining indoors or out, the wide variety of restaurants here are sure to appeal to your taste of the day.
• Trolley service aboard the Jolley Trolley connects you to downtown Clearwater and the beaches and the Suncoast Beach Trolley takes you from Clearwater to the other Pinellas County beach communities and major downtown areas.

Although you might think that this media release is all about us – it is really about you. The awards and recognition we have garnered, we have done so because of your response to our services, amenities and industry professionals. You have named us as a great place for families and singles. You are happy here for leisure and productive here for business. Let us know when you are coming to Clearwater and its beaches and you can expect the red carpet treatment from the moment you arrive.