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Indian Rocks Beach is one of my favorite
beach communities in Pinellas County. It runs for about 28 blocks (about
3 miles) along the Gulf of Mexico, between Belleair Shore to the north,
and Indian Shores, to the south. Sure it's overbuilt, but there are lots
of beach houses, and fewer condominiums than on most Pinellas beaches.
And, the condos are three stories or less. No big high-rises here. There are
plenty of beachfront rentals and lots of excellent restaurants and shops
to enjoy. Fast food and corporate chains do not have a presence on
Indian Rocks Beach. The City has a beach management plan and takes great
pride in maintaining their beaches, dunes, vegetation, and wildlife. The
really remarkable thing about Indian Rocks Beach is that the city
provides FREE parking to all beaches except the main Pinellas County
public Beach at 17th Avenue (you have to pay to park, but it does have
restrooms and outdoor showers). Every street end provides a path to
the beach. Most streets provide at least a few parking spaces for cars.
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Do you have all the beach gear you need to be comfortable during your beach vacation? I've got some great suggestions & tips for you. Have a look at some beach chairs, umbrellas, totes, floating chairs, towels, kids gear, and a LOT more! |
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Indian Rocks Beach provides free beach access at every street, most of which have parking. |
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The beach access points generally all have a concrete entrance with a bench, a trash can, turtle friendly lighting, a wooden boardwalk, and some nice landscaping. |
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Indian Rocks Beach is making great efforts to encourage healthy dunes and beach vegetation. |
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Here is a view looking north on Indian Rocks Beach. The late afternoon sun really shows off the golden color of the sea oats. These are some of the healthiest sea oats on the Pinellas County beaches. |
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A late summer afternoon on Indian Rocks beach with very few people on the beach. Great for a quiet stroll. |
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A nice effort at some crude sandcastles on Indian Rocks Beach. Notice the seaweed on the beach. Sometimes the beach is clear (see above), other times seaweed appears out of nowhere. The seaweed is full of food for shorebirds, crabs, and other wildlife and is a good reminder that you are in nature, not at a public pool. |
Indian Shores Beaches |
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The Tiki Gardens Access in Indian Shores is nicely landscaped, but the parking lot is across the street from the beach. It's only a two lane road and there is a clearly marked pedestrian crosswalk with a signal, but use caution, especially with children. |
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The beach at Indian Shores is a typical Gulf Coast Beach: gentle slope, shallow, clear water, and a few shells (less in the summer, more in the winter). |
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Here's a nice view of the Gulf at Indian Shores on a calm summer morning. |