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Introduction: Short Trip to The Big Guava
Review: The Club at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Review: KLM Royal Crown Lounge at Houston Intercontinental Airport
Review: Residence Inn Tampa Westshore/Airport
Review: Indian Rocks Beach
Review: Keegan’s Seafood Grille – Indian Rocks
Review: Tampa Marriott Westshore
Review: Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen – Tampa
Tampa Bay is a cool city but we felt that we needed to experience more of the surrounding area, so we decided to visit Indian Rocks Beach. Indian Rocks Beach was located 45 minutes to the west of Tampa Bay. For a beach town, it was one of the quietest that I had ever visited.
The main parking access point to Indian Rocks Beach, located at mile marker 17.5, charges guests an hourly rate. This was by far the largest parking lot, but I did not want to pay to access the public beach. The beach access at 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 15th, and 16th Avenues had a few free public parking spots. After driving around for 15 minutes, I found a spot at the 16th Avenue location. There were approximately six spots available.
After walking 50 meters, we arrived at the entrance to the beach. There were signs which listed the rules of the beach, as well a shower area to rinse off sand.
The first thing that I noticed was a huge exposed pipeline on the beach. It was such an eyesore. Another thing that stood out was the sound of heavy equipment. The beach was an active construction zone. Not just in one section, but throughout the public spaces. The pipeline and heavy equipment were a part of the ongoing beach revitalization.
The beach itself was beautiful. There were people and birds as far as I could see. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. I saw the Sheriff’s Department pull a guest to the side for a conversation only once during my visit.
We did not bring enough towels so we walked towards the mass of people near the main entrance. It was there that I found a beach rental service. There were various set ups from which to choose. I went with the two chairs and an umbrella.
The equipment rental was the only service that was offered at the beach. The location of the equipment provided my with a great view of the offshore drilling platform.
Final Word
Indian Rocks Beach was a beautiful place that was ruined by the pipeline, construction equipment, and offshore platform. I think that there has to be a better way to revitalize the beach than to have these nuisances. With all of this being said, I will steer clear of Indian Rocks Beach the next time that I am in the area.
