Tampa Bay: Gulf Getaway
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

	Map of the Tampa Bay Area

West-central Florida’s Tampa Bay is a natural estuary, or semi-enclosed coastal body of water, creating a harbor where sea water freely mixes with fresh water. The informally coined term, Tampa Bay area, is used when referring to the three-city metropolitan area of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater along the shores of the Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. These three large cities have become notable tourist destinations, based on the area’s access to an abundance of natural resources, vacation areas and family-oriented activities. The region’s economy is primarily driven by tourism, however a large number of information technology-based businesses and upscale senior residential homes are also large contributors to its continual growth. The shores of Tampa Bay are connected by the world’s largest cable-stayed bridge, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, while the three cities of Tampa, St, Petersburg and Clearwater are joined by a shared mentality of natural preservation, exhibition and hospitality.

ORIENTATION

Florida’s prominent cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater are equally separated by 17 mi. (27 km), along the shores of Tampa Bay. The city of Tampa is distinctively bordered by two bodies of water, Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay. The state’s capital city of Tallahassee, is located approximately 200 mi. (322 km) north of the region. Disney World, in Orlando, is 80 mi. (129 km) northeast, Sarasota is 45 mi. (72 km) south, Ft. Lauderdale is 190 mi. (306 km) southeast and Miami is 330 mi. (531km) southeast of the Bay area. The west coast of Florida is characterised by its natural beaches and coastal ports that provide opportunities for observing dolphins, manatees and other sea life.

St. Petersburg Pier Photo Courtesy of the City of St. Petersburg

HISTORY

Tampa
The name Tampa was originally used by pioneering American Indians when referring to the area first settled by Europeans, but it also carries meaning in the language of native tribes as The Place to Gather Sticks. The city was incorporated in 1849, after first being visited by Spanish conquistador Panfilo de Narvaez. In 1883, a natural abundance of phosphate was discovered in the city and the Henry B. Plant’s railway expansion enabled a commercial fishing industry to develop. After the Tampa Board of Trade persuaded Vinvente M. Ybor to relocate his cigar manufacturing operations to the city, a growth in Italian and Cuban immigration cigar factory workers created the necessity to establish the neighboring district known as Ybor City. This district quickly became recognized for its large number of Illegal lotteries, known as bolitas. As a result, organized crime groups primarily populated Ybor City until the mid 1920s, because large profits could easily be made from bootlegging. Today, Tampa is known as one of the leading phosphate exporters in the world and remains a rapidly expanding city built upon the direct contributions and generosity from its residents and abundant resources.

St. Petersburg
The land housing the city of St. Petersburg was purchased by John C. Williams in 1876, and a railway connection was established in 1888 with the help of Peter Demens. When this region’s population reached 300 people, it was incorporated as a city in 1892 and named after the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia, the birthplace of Demens. In 1924, when the state was experiencing growth due to tourism, the Gandy Bridge opened providing quicker access for visitors to and from Tampa. The impact from the increasing numbers of culturally diverse travelers to the area is reflected in the city’s notable architecture and neighborhoods, which were designed by numerous international artists. The 1950s also brought considerable growth in housing for retirees to the city, based on the advent of air conditioning, which was included in all newly built residential areas. St. Petersburg today continues to be a notable destination for visitors because of its natural public beach and warm climate and cultural districts featuring many historic and art museums.

Month Avg. Daily Temperature Average Rainfall Min Max Jan 51°F (10°C) 71°F (21°C) 56 mm Feb 53°F (11°C) 72°F (22°C) 74 mm Mar 57°F (14°C) 77°F (25°C) 81 mm Apr 62°F (17°C) 82°F (28°C) 52 mm May 68°F (20°C) 87°F (31°C) 68 mm Jun 73°F (23°C) 90°F (32°C) 165 mm Jul 75°F (24°C) 90°F (32°C) 192 mm Aug 75°F (24°C) 90°F (32°C) 202 mm Sep 73°F (23°C) 89°F (31°C) 163 mm Oct 66°F (19°C) 84°F (29°C) 62 mm Nov 58°F (14°C) 77°F (25°C) 40 mm Dec 52°F (11°C) 72°F (22°C) 57 mm

Climate data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center

Clearwater
Literally translated from the area’s Native American Indians word Pocotopaug, meaning clear water, the city’s name reflects its abundant fresh springs located along its shore. The area was colonially settled in the mid-1830s and quickly gained a reputation as a resort community. The result was rapid population growth and residential expansion in the 1890s. The city of Clearwater was incorporated in 1915 and experienced a further steady climb of population growth after World War II, when soldiers trained in the area returned to live. The world-wide spiritual headquarters for the Church of Scientology, founded in the late 1970s by a group of Scientologists named the United Council of Churches, currently resides within the downtown sector of the city. Clearwater's city council was not aware of the group’s intent for the development of the land at the time of purchase, and was therefore disappointed when the large controversial structure was built. The headquarters has maintained a love/hate relationship with area residents since its construction. Visitors are currently attracted to Clearwater as it is the quieter of the prominent cities in the area, and because the city offers numerous vacation destinations and residences by the beach.

CLIMATE

The Tampa Bay area’s predominately humid and sunny days are complimented by cool bay breezes. Tampa and St. Petersburg’s daily average high temperature is 82 ºF (28 ºC), while Clearwater’s average is a close 81ºF (27ºC). During the spring months of March, April and May and into the fall months of September, October and November, the area's daytimes are comfortably warm while the evenings can be a bit cooler. The summer months of June, July and August provide brighter days and short afternoon showers. The annual daily tempertaure for the area is 73ºF (23ºC). Loose clothing, a hat and sunscreen are recommended for daytime activities, while a light jacket may be necessary for evening activities near the water.

TRANSPORTATION

The Tampa Bay area is easily accessible by major airline carriers to either the Clearwater Airpark, the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, the Tampa International Airport and the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. Greyhound Lines and Royal Blue Tours are two motorcoach lines servicing the area, railway transportation services are provided by the Amtrak-Silver Service and taxi and car rentals are also available through numerous major companies. Tampa Bay’s harbor is also frequented by scheduled stops from American Canadian Caribbean Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean Cruises. Specialty transportation is offered through the Jolley Trolley Transportation System of Clearwater, where colorfully painted trolleys provide routes directly to and from the beach from various locations.

	Busch Gardens Photo Courtesy Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

Amusement Parks

The two main family-oriented tourist attractions located within the Tampa Bay area are Adventure Island and Busch Gardens. Adventure Island is a 30-acre water park with 17,000 square foot wave pools, family raft rides plunging 15 feet per second into a splash pool, numerous water slides and concession areas. Busch Gardens is an African themed amusement park featuring thrill rides and encounters with more than 2,700 animals in its premier zoo. The park also offers its guests live shows, games, shops and restaurants. Educational and hands-on exhibits focused on the area’s native land and aquatic animals are featured attractions of the Florida Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Lowry Park Zoo. Visitors to these facilities are invited to learn by interacting with collections of animals within their natural habitats, including alligators, rare sea dragons, exotic birds, sharks and sting rays.

Museums and Art Galleries
The rich cultural traditions and formative history of the Tampa Bay area are celebrated within its museums and art galleries. The Florida Holocaust Museum is dedicated to the education of the events surrounding the eleven million souls who were murdered in the Holocaust. The Smithsonian affiliate Florida International Museum features a permanent collection of artifacts from the late President John F. Kennedy and his family and friends. The Henry B. Plant Museum houses exhibits describing the history of Tampa's development, transportation system and early tourism within former industrial magnate Henry B. Plant's mansion. The St. Petersburg Museum of History and the Ybor City State Museum feature exhibits that invite its visitors to learn about and interact with historic artifacts and buildings that shaped both St. Petersburg and Ybor City. Interactive science exhibits are also available at the Museum of Science and Industry and the Great Explorations Hands On Museum. A wide selection of traveling and permanent art exhibitions by local and international artists can be viewed at the Alla Prima Fine Art Gallery, the Salvador Dali Museum, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Trinity Gallery.

Sporting Events
Sports fans can enjoy numerous year-round sporting events within the area's local fields and arenas. The home fields of the area's Major League Baseball Teams, the Clearwater Threshers and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, are located at the Bright House Networks Field and the Tropicana Field. The home venue for the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team and the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm, is the St. Pete Times Forum. The East Bay Raceway's 1/3-mile oval track features 360 sprints, mini and street stock car races and limited model exhibitions.

Sand Key Beach

Natural Attractions
Numerous natural white sand beaches line the shores of municipalities along Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, with the two most popular public beaches being Clearwater Beach in Clearwater and St. Pete Beach in St. Petersburg. Both beaches are monitored by life guards and offer picnic and showering areas, as well as cabana, beach chair and water sport equipment rentals. Floral exhibits, wildlife conservatories, family activities and interactive gardens are feature attractions of the region’s Cypress Gardens and St. Petersburg Botanic Society. The waters of Tampa Bay attract visitors looking for unique fishing opportunities, as an abundance of tarpon, snook, trout, redfish, shark, cobia, grouper, spanish and king mackerel are native inhabitants. Many deep sea, inshore, offshore, flats and sport fishing charters are available for one-day, two-day and overnight trips in and around the Bay. Historically significant Caladesi Island State Park, Egmont Key State Park, Sand Key Park and Ybor City Museum State Park provide their visitors with access to the shoreline, marina and various picnic and recreational areas within Tampa Bay’s nature reserves.