ST. PETE BEACH
Where
Award-winning St. Pete Beach is home to several public beach parks. Upham Beach is a popular choice, and is located at 6850 Beach Plaza, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706.
Vibe
Kicked back, clean white sand beach with convenient facilities.
Situated on the north end of St Pete Beach, Upham Beach is a favorite with locals and visitors alike, offering calm waters and white sand, comfortable amenities, and epic sunsets. Here, expect a laid-back atmosphere, with kids constructing sand castles to the melody of the surf and shorebirds, beachgoers lounging by the shore, and families splashing in the Gulf.
Parasails soaring off shore and frequent dolphin sightings add to the island atmosphere.
See, feel
Traverse a wooden boardwalk spanning dunes lush with seagrapes and sea grass to discover Upham Beach, one of the only stretches of beach on St. Pete Beach not situated behind a hotel. Meticulously groomed, this beach is covered with the famous Gulf Coast white sand and scattered with shells. The waters are warm, shallow, and a stunning emerald hue. Because of the nearby jetty, there are a couple of smaller lagoons where kids can play out of the waves-- but there’s rarely any surf. Sections of the beach have rows of large rocks to control beach erosion.
While the water is usually calm, winds, tides and offshore systems can cause conditions to be rough.
On or near the beach
Let the salt air work its magic while you perfect your tan; splash in the Gulf’s tranquil waters; or stroll along the shore to the northernmost part of the beach to discover the ‘Secret Garden,’ a lush, hidden paradise.
Fuel the fun at the Paradise Grill, serving up frozen concoctions with names like ‘Miami Vice,’ and fare that includes Gulf Grouper and Cuban sandwiches. Or bring a picnic and enjoy it at one of the park’s tables.
Accessibility
Upham Beach has ADA parking, which is free. The Paradise Grill offers three wheelchairs for use, first come, first served. Here’s more info about accessibility on the area’s beaches:
Facilities
Amenities at Upham Beach include the Paradise Grill, serving up food and drink; picnic tables; restrooms and showers. You can rent a cabana and umbrella and chairs on the beach.
Lifeguards
There are no lifeguards; swim at your own risk.
Parking
Upham Park offers 183 parking spaces, which can fill quickly, especially on weekends or holidays. Parking is free after 8 p.m. Here’s how to pay for parking.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ST. PETE BEACH
Q. Where is St. Pete Beach?
A. St. Pete Beach is a barrier island city in Pinellas County on Florida's Gulf coast, west of St. Petersburg and south of Treasure Island. It is a separate city from St. Petersburg, which is a common point of confusion.
The city holds several distinct beach areas, including Upham Beach at the north end and the historic Pass-a-Grille district at the south end. See the city's beach information and resources page.
Q. Are there lifeguards?
A. No. There are no lifeguards on duty at Upham Beach or at Pass-a-Grille Beach; swim at your own risk.
That makes checking conditions even more important. The Gulf tends to be calm, but rip currents still form, often at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and near structures such as piers and jetties. Storms, offshore systems, wind and tides can make conditions rough.
Q. How does parking work?
A. Parking is the main planning problem here, especially on weekends and holidays. Upham Beach has a paved lot with roughly 183 spaces that fills quickly; Pass-a-Grille Pass-a-Grille relies primarily on paid on-street parking along Gulf Way and nearby streets.
The city offers an interactive map and a mobile app to help you find available spaces before you circle the block. Details are on the city's beach information and resources page.
Q. Are the beaches accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
A. Yes, at both main beaches. At Pass-a-Grille, three beach wheelchairs are available first come, first served at Paradise Grille; they can be taken into the water but must be returned before the restaurant closes. At Upham Beach, two beach wheelchairs are available on the same basis during Paradise Grille's open hours, typically 8 a.m. until just after sunset. (There are two Paradise Grilles; one is located at each beach.)
Upham Beach has ramp access from the parking lot to the sidewalk, then a boardwalk over the dunes ending at a Mobi-Mat onto the sand, plus two striped accessible parking spaces. Pass-a-Grille has six striped accessible spaces in front of Paradise Grille, ramp access to the sidewalk and an accessible deck with tables and umbrellas.
Here’s more info about accessibility on the area’s beaches: www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/article/guide-to-accessible-beaches-st-pete-clearwater
Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. Only to one designated spot. Dogs are restricted from most of the beach, with one exception: a designated dog beach on Boca Ciega Bay at the end of Pass-a-Grille Way, between 1st and 3rd Avenues.
Confirm the current rules on the city's beach information and resources page before you bring your dog to the sand.
Q. What about stingrays and jellyfish?
A. Stingrays rest on the sandy bottom in shallow water. Shuffle your feet along the bottom one at a time as you wade in—the ‘stingray shuffle’-- which gives them warning to move. If you get stung by a stingray, immediately exit the water, soak the wound in hot water, and seek professional medical care. Stingray venom causes intense pain and the wound carries a high risk of bacterial infection or broken barb pieces left in the skin.
If a jellyfish stings you, you need to get out of the water, remove any leftover tentacles, and rinse the skin. Don’t rub the sting; it makes more venom release. In case of an allergic reaction, call 911. Watch for the purple beach warning flag, which signals dangerous marine life.
Q. What about sea turtles?
A. Nesting season in Pinellas County runs May 1 through Oct. 31.
During those months, leave nests and markers undisturbed, fill in any holes you dig, take beach furniture and toys with you at night, and keep lights off the sand after dark. See the state's guidance on sea turtles and lights.
Q. Why do the dunes matter?
A. The dunes are more than decorative. They provide habitat for several coastal species and act as storm protection for the communities behind them.
Stay on the marked walkovers and off the dune vegetation, which is what holds the sand in place.
Q. What is Pass-a-Grille like?
A. Pass-a-Grille is the historic district at the island's south end, a walkable stretch of charming shops and mom-and-pop restaurants a block from the sand.
It is quieter and more low-rise than the resort strip to the north, and it is a well-known spot for watching the sunset over the Gulf.
Q. What can I do besides swim?
A. Shelling, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing and boat trips out to the nearby barrier islands are all popular, along with the beach volleyball courts.
A Florida saltwater fishing license may be required for shoreline fishing; check current rules on the FWC saltwater fishing licenses page.
Q. When is the best time to visit?
A. Winter brings warm, drier weather and the area's peak season, so parking is tightest then. June and July also are busy. Summer is hot and humid with the warmest water and afternoon thunderstorms.
Even when the air is pleasant, winter Gulf water temperatures typically fall into the low to mid-60s°F, which many visitors find too cool for extended swimming. Arrive early for parking whatever the season, and check conditions before you get in the water.
