Living in Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach repeatedly earns 'best beach in the U.S.' honors for its powdery white sand and calm, turquoise water. Pier 60 hosts nightly sunset celebrations with street performers and artisans.
Owning here means high-rise Gulf-front condos, beach cottages on Island Estates, or bayfront homes with docks.
Market snapshot
Clearwater Beach home prices right now
$832,267
Median sale price
116 days
Median days on market
+14%
Price change vs. last year
Approximate public figures for the three months ending September 2026, from Redfin. Last updated October 2026. Ask Steve for exact, current MLS numbers.
Typical prices
$450K – $8M
Home styles
Gulf-front condos, bayfront homes, cottages
Commute
15 min to downtown Clearwater
Vibe
Resort-style, vibrant, sunny
County
Pinellas County
Local highlights
- Pier 60 Sunsets at Pier 60
- Island Estates
- Caladesi Island nearby
- Beach Walk promenade
Sand Key Park
Head just south of Clearwater Beach across Sand Key Bridge for a county beach park with salt-marsh viewing, nature trails, picnic shelters, and a playground.
Visitor informationClearwater Beach Recreation Center
Use the recreation center at Bay Esplanade as an alternative to a beach-only day; check its program guide for current classes and recreation offerings.
Visitor informationBay Park on Sand Key
Visit nearby Sand Key, south of Clearwater Beach, for this small bayside park with tennis and pickleball courts, a toddler playground, and limited beach access.
Visitor information
Things to do
- Nightly sunset festival
- Ferry to Caladesi Island
- Parasailing
- Grouper sandwich at Frenchy's
Watch salt-marsh wildlife at Sand Key
Explore nearby Sand Key Park’s nature trail and marsh-viewing areas; check county closure notices first, because the official page lists a seawall construction staging closure.
Visitor informationPlay pickleball at the beach recreation complex
Bring paddles to the Clearwater Beach recreation complex for its public pickleball courts; check current access arrangements and court availability before planning your visit.
Visitor informationChoose a public north-beach entrance
Use the city’s beach guide to choose a public entrance toward Eldorado Avenue for a sand walk; respect marked nesting areas and private-property boundaries.
Visitor informationCombine Sand Key playground time with a picnic
Take children to nearby Sand Key Park’s playground and bring a picnic for its park area; check parking arrangements and shelter reservation requirements before departure.
Visitor information
Check the linked visitor information for current hours, reservations, seasonal access and any storm-related closures. Some outings are nearby rather than within the neighborhood.
Who loves Clearwater Beach
A perfect day in Clearwater Beach
Walk the soft white sand at sunrise, take a dolphin boat out of the marina, eat a grouper sandwich at Frenchy's, and join the nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 festival.
Neighborhoods to know
North Beach
Quieter streets and beach homes
Pier 60 area
Resort condos near shops and restaurants
Sand Key
High-rise condos with beachfront views
Where locals eat
- Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
- Palm Pavilion
- Clear Sky Beachside
- Shephard's
Parks & outdoors
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Pier 60 sunset festival
- Caladesi Island by ferry
- Sand Key Park
Schools
Pinellas County Schools serve the beach; most buyers here are second-home owners and retirees.
A little history
Clearwater Beach was a quiet island until the Memorial Causeway opened in the 1920s. It's since become one of Florida's best-known beaches, home to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium made famous by the Dolphin Tale movies.
Events locals look forward to
Steve's honest take
What people love
- World-class beach
- Strong vacation rental demand
- Walk to restaurants
Good to know
- Tourist crowds
- High insurance costs
- Spring break traffic
Typical drive times
35 min
Tampa International Airport
—
Nearest Gulf beach
40 min
Downtown Tampa
Approximate, without heavy traffic.
Clearwater Beach questions, answered
Prices are approximate ranges and change with the market. Photos show the style of the area and are illustrative. Contact Steve for current listings and sold data in Clearwater Beach.
