South Clearwater - Clearwater, FL

South Clearwater is located in the southern section of Clearwater, Florida, a city originally referred to by Native Americans as "Pocotopaug," which translates to "Clear Water." Settlers arrived in Clearwater around 1822, when Florida was named as a territory. In 1835, Fort Harrison was constructed on the surrounding bluffs and utilized by soldiers in the 1835 Seminole Indian Wars. The entire area was referred to as Clear Water Harbor. The name stayed until 1895, when it was shortened into the single word of Clearwater. Clearwater's first railroad was built in 1888, followed by the Tampa Bay Hotel. Clearwater became officially incorporated in 1915 and the city continue to flourish.

The Salvador Dali Museum in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area features ongoing exhibits of the artist's work, as well as traveling exhibits. Clearwater's Parks and Recreation Department holds numerous annual events, including outdoor art exhibits and Shakespeare in the Park.

Residents and visitors of South Clearwater don't have to go out of their way to enjoy some of the tastiest fare and most exciting nightlife in the area. With multiple eateries and bars located on or around Gulf to Bay Boulevard, food, fun and entertainment are just a hop, skip and jump away.

When South Clearwater locals have a taste for homemade Italian fare served in a casual and friendly environment, they mosey on over to Capogna's Dugout on Gulf to Bay Boulevard, a family-owned Italian restaurant and sports bar that's been around since 1973. With a large dining room and separate bar area with 18 televisions, Capogna's patrons range from families to local sports enthusiasts who gather to enjoy drinks, pizza, pasta and more while watching the big games.

In addition to tasty Italian food, signature must-try menu items include starters such as cheese poppers and "Dugout Style" blackened chicken wings, as well as Big Al's calzone sub, a scrumptious combination of ham, turkey, lettuce, tomato and provolone cheese packed inside crispy calzone dough.

When it comes to truly authentic Mexican food, locals rave over Real Del Monte Mexican Restaurant, located on Cleveland Street, just off of Gulf to Bay Boulevard. This well-known mom-and-pop establishment keeps the locals coming back for more, serving signature dishes such as "Green Mile" enchiladas smothered in tomatillo sauce and served with rice and beans, as well as empanada pastries stuffed to the brim with beef, rice and mole.

If you're in the mood to enjoy a light lunch served in a peaceful outdoor setting, check out Cafe Del Mar on Gulf to Bay Boulevard, located next to the Holiday Inn. Locals highly recommend the homemade chili and cheeseburgers, and you can even create your own fruit smoothie at their signature smoothie bar. In addition to patio seating, you can also take a seat inside and enjoy free wi-fi access while you dine.

For a fun night of tropical drinks with friends, South Clearwater locals highly recommend Rumba Island Bar and Grill, located on Gulf to Bay Boulevard. Rumba patrons enjoy taking a seat at the tiki bar and indulging in some of the best mojitos and tropical drinks in the city, surrounded by tropical plants and the balmy Clearwater skies.

If a night of live music, socializing over drinks, and games such as darts and electronic bowling defines a good time in your book, you'll definitely want to head over to Alan and Michele's Monkey Bar, also on Gulf to Bay Boulevard. With a reputation for amazing service and some of the best local bands around, you're in for a treat the moment you walk through the door.

Common modes of transportation throughout South Clearwater include driving, biking, walking and bus transit. Biking and walking are extremely common due to the community's close proximity to the beaches that provide walking and biking paths. Bikers also have access to approximately 40 miles of bike lanes throughout the city of Tampa. Alternative transportation services such as Lyft and Uber are not available in the state of Florida and locals do not typically hail taxicabs, but rides can easily be scheduled with services such as United Taxi and Clearwater Taxi.

Residents and visitors have the option of street parking in designated areas, as well as metered parking in downtown Clearwater and downtown Tampa. Drivers can easily access the Interstate 19 freeway via Gulf to Bay Boulevard, which makes for easy commuting and travel. Individuals who rely on public transportation can catch Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) local and express buses at several stops located throughout the city on streets such as Gulf to Bay Boulevard, Cleveland Street and Druid Road.

The Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department provides 17 free parks throughout the city of Clearwater with multiple amenities such as playgrounds, tennis courts, designated doggie areas and more.

Fitness enthusiasts frequent Bay Park on Sand Key, located on Gulf Boulevard, as it features multiple tennis courts and jogging trails. Families enjoy the various amenities at Charles Park on Broadway Avenue, such as playground facilities and picnic areas.

Dog owners appreciate the off-leash facilities and amenities such as water stations and free waste bags at Enterprise Dog Park on Clearwater Road. While all parks are free to enter, individuals who are looking to reserve picnic areas must pay deposits and rental fees.

Popular annual events in Clearwater include the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, a four-day musical event at Coachman Park in Downtown Clearwater, as well as A Taste of Clearwater, an annual food festival at Madeira Beach in St. Petersburg.

The cost of living in South Clearwater falls approximately one percent lower than the cost of living in Tampa, with a median rental rate of $702 for a one-bedroom apartment. Bus travelers pay between $1 and $3 for express or local rides into the city. South Clearwater residents pay between $3 and $5 for imported or domestic beers in local bars. Gas prices in South Clearwater exceed the national average by approximately 1 percent.

South Clearwater residents enjoy the perks of living within a short drive of Clearwater's Cleveland Street District, a major shopping area located in downtown Clearwater featuring boutiques, popular retailers and specialty shops. If you're looking for hard-to-find fashions and accessories, stop by Intuition Boutique on North Fort Harrison Avenue. Featuring unique handbags, jewelry, vintage couture and organic beauty products, you'll definitely find that needle-in-a-haystack item.

For high-end couture, locals recommend ROMA -N.Y.C. Cleveland Street, specializing in high-value Italian clothing and shoes. When in search for the perfect gift, South Clearwater residents often head to MJ Gift Basket Store on Cleveland Street. This unique specialty store features amazing gift baskets for holidays, birthdays, bridal showers and more, as well as wine baskets and fashionable home decorations.

South Clearwater residents live in close proximity to Publix Super Market on South Belcher Road, where they can conveniently shop for groceries and pick up prescriptions. For low-cost household supplies, gardening supplies and furniture, locals recommend Big Lots, also on South Belcher Road.

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area offers several farmer's markets. Considered the largest farmer's market in the Southeast, the St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market is held at Al Lang Stadium (from October to May) and at Williams Park (from June to August). Downtown Clearwater's Memorial Causeway Bridge (under it) is the location of the Pierce Street Market, a seasonal farmers market held October through May. In addition to fresh produce, this market also hosts local artists.