Pass-a-Grille, Florida is on the southernmost tip of St. Pete’s Beach, outside of Tampa. A visit there is a venture back in time to the era of Pez containers, pink flamingos, and kitschy surfboards. It’s almost like being in a time capsule of old Florida nostalgia.
This tiny piece of Paradise makes a charming get-a-way for those wishing to disappear, a romantic nook for lovers, and a beach goer’s dream. Its glistening white-sugar-sand beach leads to the serene and azure waves of the Gulf of Mexico.
On the other side of the narrow peninsula is the Boca Ciego Bay, where a bizarre array of pelicans, herons, and egrets prune themselves on aged pillars or walk among fishermen trying their luck on the weathered pier.
Click on the images below to view them full-size in a gallery.
Men sit on pastel wooden beach chairs smoking fine cigars along the mini downtown section of 8th Ave., as women pop in and out of eclectic boutiques and art galleries.
The Inn on the Beach in Pass-a-Grille
I was delighted to be hosted by the charming Inn on the Beach which allowed me to discover this delightful seaside community. When my shuttle driver dropped me off, I knew it would be a perfect place to chill, regroup, and unwind.
Life had been stressful lately and I was looking forward to spending my short 3-day stay walking, breathing in the healing sea air, and observing the laid-back lifestyle of Floridians who know how to enjoy it.
The Inn’s assistant manager Dace “Dee” Norbergs, a native of Latvia, cheerfully greeted and escorted me to my room, called “The Blue Heron.” I saw a fluffy white bed, light-filled windows, a convenient kitchenette, and a tastefully tiled bathroom. A doorway opened to a sundeck with Capri blue wooden beach chairs and a view of the Gulf. It was clear this would be “home.”
I had arrived after a 5:55 am flight from Los Angeles and wanted to rest for an hour to decide how to make the most of my 3 days as a solo-woman traveler. It would be nice to have time to myself and I looked forward to doing “my own thing” without distraction.
The Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg areas are spread out so I focused only on Pass-a-Grille and St. Pete’s Beach. It’s rich in history, slightly offbeat, and a walker and bicycle rider’s paradise.
The colorful Suncoast Beach Trolley passes by every 15 minutes running from Pass-a-Grille – to St. Petersburg ending at Clearwater. Five bucks will get you an all-day pass.
The weather was overcast when I arrived in early January but the temperature was in the 50s and comfortable. I had come from a freakishly freezing holiday season in Los Angeles.
Pass-a-Grille Restaurants and lots of grouper
I walked down the street to find dinner before it got dark. As I approached 8th Ave., I caught sight of the Victorian-era Hurricane Restaurant, which stood out on the street.
It was originally a bathhouse called Page’s Pavilion, constructed in 1912, adjunct to the “then” Casa Bonita Hotel. Part of the hotel was torn down in the 1960s and what remained became a restaurant in 1977. It’s the centerpiece of downtown Pass-a-Grille and looked like a charming place to eat.
I couldn’t resist trying a Rumrunner, one of their specialty drinks. After devouring a tasty plate of fresh grilled grouper and vegetables, I returned to my room to rest for the next day.
What I particularly enjoyed about Pass-a-Grille is how easy and accessible it is to walk around. Slim and trim residents, many of them Baby Boomers, ran, walked their dogs, or rode bikes, breathing in the healthy breeze of the Gulf and Bay.
The next morning, I had an omelet and coffee at The Seahorse, a deep-wooded-sea-faring-styled eatery decorated with a collection of kitsch and old Florida knick-knacks. A friendly waitress wearing a tropical shirt and jeans eagerly refilled my cup.
Later that day after sightseeing, I stopped and had a lovely fresh grouper lunch at Sea Critter’s Café (now called Red, White, and Booze) with a view of the Bay. It also had kitschy decor which I loved.
My final lunch was on the beach at The Paradise Grille. It’s a colorful outdoor beach café. Vendors were selling their wares and young women strolled by in bikinis. Not bad for early January. After finishing up a Gulf shrimp Caesar salad and a Heineken, I reluctantly jumped on the shuttle to the Tampa Bay airport.
The Historic 1920s Era Don CeSar Hotel
On my second day there, I bought a day pass on the trolley and headed towards the elegant pink Don CeSar Hotel. It stands majestically on the northernmost end of St. Pete’s Beach. The hotel also called “The Pink Palace.” or “Pink Lady,” was built in 1928 during the Gatsby era.
It’s a historic landmark where notables like F. Scott Fitzgerald, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Al Capone played and did business. It was transformed into a military hospital during WWII and eventually fell into disrepair. The hotel was restored in 1968 to its former glory and remains a popular and elegant accommodation and sightseeing stop.
Back in downtown Pass-a-Grille, I walked past the old Merry Pier on the bay end of 8th Ave constructed in 1902. There you can rent boats, take a sunset cruise, or fish.
Gulf Coast memories preserved.
The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum is on 9th Ave. It’s housed in what was once the first church in Pass-a-Grille. Inside photographs and memorabilia depict the history of the beaches in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area.
I found a self-walking tour of Pass-a-Grille at the museum and visited some of its historic homes.
I loved my weekend in Pass-a-Grille. If you want to have a mellow time hanging out at the beach or on the bay in a town that turns back time, you will love it too.
Note: Pass-a-Grille and St. Pete’s Beach experienced massive damage during the devastating hurricanes of 2024 but are quickly rebuilding.
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Find the BEST things to do at St. Pete’s Beach by clicking here.
This post was in collaboration with Inn at the Beach which offered me a two-night stay at their property. However, my opinions are my own.
What’s your favorite place to stay at the beach in the U.S.? Please leave a comment below.
West-End Paradise on Sanibel Island, Florida. It’s small, spotless, not on the “main drag”, and provides access to a private beach in easy walking distance. They also provide free bicycles and provide other “beach needs” as part of their daily rate.
That sounds like fun too. Thanks for the tip Alana. I’ll have to get out there someday.
I lived in Florida for 18 years, the last in Tampa and unfortunately at that time had never heard of Pass -a-Grille. It definitely sounds like just the kind of place where I like to spend time. Your descriptions of the places to visit there are very enticing. Will definitely look to make it a destination when headed to Florida.
Thanks so much Anne. It’s the kind of place to go to when you want some downtime. Laid back and relaxing. I especially loved all the crazy birds on the bay.
Wow this sounds like an idyllic spot! It looks like a fantastic place to get away for the weekend.
Hi Jennifer,
It is and the Inn was a perfect place to stay because it overlooks the water and it’s easy to walk to town or get on the trolley. You could spend more time in St. Petersburg or Clearwater but I didn’t have enough time.
We used to travel to Orlando every summer when the boys were younger because they didn’t like the beach but liked the heat. We now go down to Rehoboth Beach which is about an hour from our home.
Hi Antionette,
I looked that up. It’s in Delaware. Sounds interesting. I’ll have to check it out if I get out that way. Thanks.