The school year is quickly ending, and Steinbrenner students cannot wait to leave the classroom and go back to the beaches. Summer is highly anticipated, and students are already planning for the long break. For those who stay in Florida, the beach is most likely to be the top priority while the sun is shining, and school is out. With so many options, how can you decide which beach to go to?
For starters, the type of trip you plan on having is important. Going for a quick one-day excursion, Honeymoon Island is the beach for you. The drive is only about 45 minutes and a lot safer than going to a bigger beach over the bridge, making it perfect for a spontaneous trip. Not to mention, the island is never too crowded. There isn’t just one entrance to the beach, but multiple “mini” beaches on the island. “Main Beach” has too many families? Make your way over to “Oasis Beach” or try “North Beach”. Good news for your furry friend, they can come too. Honeymoon Island is dog friendly and so much so, they have a designated dog beach.
The next two beaches are quite similar. Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key are perfect for a weekend getaway. Both are beach towns and have numerous local shops and restaurants. They emphasize zero chains by keeping everything authentic to the location. Many Steinbrenner students have visited these beaches and highly recommend them. “I love going to Anna Maria because the houses and town are so aesthetic”, sophomore Gabby Donish said. Both beaches are relatively small, so needing to drive is rare, which is another positive because vacationers can truly feel like locals by either walking, biking or golf carting to anywhere on the beach.
For the activity-filled vacation, Clearwater beach is the destination for many high schoolers this summer. Not only is the beach beautiful, but there’s also many fun spots in the Clearwater area. “My family loves going to the Aquarium when we visit”, junior Emma Kindle said.
Lastly, the beach that feels like a combination of all of these would have to be St. Pete Beach. With a combination of local shops and restaurants, big chains and so many fun activities it’s hard to leave. Making it even better, the actual beach is beautiful and spacious. Though there are many beach goers during the summer months, there are plenty of spots to set up tents and umbrellas. Most rented condos are beachfront which is super convenient for families. Whether you’re planning for a family vacation, a girl’s trip or even a day getaway St. Pete Beach has it all.
