Clearwater/Tampa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d go to Ft Myer instead. red Sox and nats.

But if you choose to go to Clearwater, beware of the Scientologists.

I was there last year in Clearwater beach. Didn’t encounter any Scientologists except from seeing their building driving in. Surprisingly also didn’t encounter any maga. Didn’t go to the aquarium. Beaches are gorgeous. Sandpearl was nice with private beach. Hilton looked run down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d go to Ft Myer instead. red Sox and nats.

But if you choose to go to Clearwater, beware of the Scientologists.

Nats play in West Palm. Twins are the other team in Ft. Myer.

[Anonymous]

Never saw or heard of a Scientologist in Clearwater/Tampa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never saw or heard of a Scientologist in Clearwater/Tampa.

Clearwater is headquarters for Scientology seaorg.

[Anonymous]

Clearwater and Clearwater Beach are distinct. Sandpearl in Clearwater Beach is very nice.
Fort DeSoto and Pass A Grill near St Pete Beach are a nice day trip.

[Anonymous]

We went to Tampa on cheap flights last spring break and stayed at Sandpearl. DH and 16 year old DD.

We did see a Tampa rays game, that was fun.

We had never been to Clearwater beach before and the Main Street definitely felt like Wildwood, New Jersey or some kind of tacky, MAGA type Myrtle Beach place, but the Sandpearl was more upscale. That said the sandpearl resort nickeled and dimed us for everything, like $30 beach chairs a day, and we were already paying a lot for the room. The beach was pretty, but I don’t think I would go back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH is from Clearwater.

Spring Training i have a friend whose husband drags her every year from MD>

It's fine. If you like baseball then it's fine.

Clearwater beach area is ok Hotels are old and run down if they say renovated they are still moldy. The Edge hotel on the beach hates women. Don't stay there. And they have many hidden fees.

Plenty to do for kids aquarium is nice. Best local food Frenchy's.

Bizarre to go to MAGA land you do you.

You're really selling it for me lol.

[Anonymous]

No insight into spring training, but we just got back from a visit to Tampa and I recommend this: https://capybaracafestpete.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

But if you choose to go to Clearwater, beware of the Scientologists.

I go to Tampa at least 4x a year for work and have vacationed in Clearwater. It's not my favorite place, but there are not gangs of Scientologists recruiting tourists. Have never knowingly encountered a Scientologist there. Calm down.

+1m the people on this thread!!! screaming about maga too you all just stay safe and tucked in where you are the rest of us will live our lives.

[Anonymous]

Have stated at the Wyndham three times and love that hotel. Last year was first time attending spring training, lots of fun. Good vibes especially for Phillies fans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But if you choose to go to Clearwater, beware of the Scientologists.

I go to Tampa at least 4x a year for work and have vacationed in Clearwater. It's not my favorite place, but there are not gangs of Scientologists recruiting tourists. Have never knowingly encountered a Scientologist there. Calm down.

+1m the people on this thread!!! screaming about maga too you all just stay safe and tucked in where you are the rest of us will live our lives.

People outside of DC don’t talk about politics.

[Anonymous]

Pp who mentioned it being like Myrtle or wildwood. I was just trying to give a sense of the vibe.

We were walking along the Main Street of “attractions” and restaurants near the Sandpearl, and although some were nice, there was a huge Hooters, and a ton of tshirts selling political maga sayings and Let’s Go Brandon/ gulf of America type sayings in the windows. Most were pretty vulgar.

I would’ve been happy to forget about politics during the trip but it was definitely on display.

I’m not a pearl-clutching liberal in a Washington bubble, my kid goes to an SEC school in the south and we’ve seen it all before. It just wasn’t where I want to go back to on vacation. I thought you might want one person’s review. It’s fine if others don’t agree and it sounds charming to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pp who mentioned it being like Myrtle or wildwood. I was just trying to give a sense of the vibe.

We were walking along the Main Street of “attractions” and restaurants near the Sandpearl, and although some were nice, there was a huge Hooters, and a ton of tshirts selling political maga sayings and Let’s Go Brandon/ gulf of America type sayings in the windows. Most were pretty vulgar.

I would’ve been happy to forget about politics during the trip but it was definitely on display.

I’m not a pearl-clutching liberal in a Washington bubble, my kid goes to an SEC school in the south and we’ve seen it all before. It just wasn’t where I want to go back to on vacation. I thought you might want one person’s review. It’s fine if others don’t agree and it sounds charming to them.

I went to the Sandpearl on a DCUM rec. we stayed at the north end and only passed that hooters twice. Once to go to the marina and once to go to tampa. The northern end was not tacky like that. Clear sky cafe was great. Loved sunset at Palm pavilion and frenchys. I didn’t see any hurricane damage. We did walk the beach down toward the Hilton and let’s say the clientele looked a less refined than up toward the Sandpearl. It was like its own little oasis. Movies at the pool at night. S’mores on the beach. It was lovely. The pool chair situation was a pain, but honestly, where isn’t it when you are only paying $1000 a night?

[Anonymous]

I’m in Tampa and have never seen a Scientologist here. They have headquarters but you just don’t need to go there, like any other church.

Personally I’m conservative and find this area way too liberal so it’s funny to read some people calling it maga. Especially St Pete which is definitely super liberal.

Tourism has recovered after the hurricanes from what I can see and things are basically back to normal.