By Lauren Tjaden
The United States boasts more beaches than there are stars in the sky.
Well, that may be a slight exaggeration – but it’s true that there are a boatload of them, from California to New Jersey to our own Sunshine State – which is why being named the very best beach in the country is such an enormous deal.
Want to know which seaside destination just snagged that honor?
It’s St. Pete Beach!
TripAdvisor: St. Petersburg, FL Wins Award
I’m as serious as a stingray. TripAdvisor®, the world's leading authority on travel planning information, just named St. Pete Beach the #1 beach destination in the United States – and the #5 beach destination in the world!
Based on the reviews of millions of travelers, the Travelers' Choice® Award is the highest honor any beach destination can receive from the TripAdvisor community.
"Once again, the St. Pete/Clearwater area receives top honors from the most important critics in hospitality – our visitors," said DT Minich, Executive Director of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. "We are committed to providing our visitors with the best possible vacation experience and are proud that they consider our beaches among the best in the world."
Fun Facts about the St. Pete/Clearwater area:
- It boasts a staggering average of 361 days of sunshine each year.
- St. Petersburg, Florida, Tripadvisor's top beach destination, hosts more than 5 million overnight visitors annually.
- It features a whopping 35 miles of sugar-sand beaches.
Insider’s Tip: I love tiny, charming Pass-A-Grille Beach, just a splash south of St. Pete Beach. While you’re in the area, make sure to take a peek at the historic Don CeSar Hotel.
