St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg sits on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, with neighborhoods spreading across the landmass from north to south. The downtown core faces the bay, while residential areas extend westward toward the gulf beaches, connected by tree-lined avenues and waterfront roads.

Railroad tracks reached this peninsula in 1888, opening the area to development and settlement. Within a few years the town grew into a winter resort destination, attracting visitors from northern states who built hotels and residences along the waterfront.

The downtown area hosts regular farmers markets and art walks where residents gather weekly to browse local produce and handmade crafts. Along the waterfront parks, people picnic at sunset and families walk the piers while pelicans fish from the posts.

The area is easiest to explore by car, as distances between neighborhoods can be long and public transit is limited. Summer months bring afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity, while winter remains warm enough for beach visits but with cooler evenings.

A local newspaper once gave away free copies every day the sun failed to appear, a promotion that ran for decades. The tradition ended in 1986 when budget concerns stopped the giveaway, though residents still recall the custom fondly.

Location: Pinellas County

Inception: 1876

Elevation above the sea: 134 m

Website: https://stpete.org

GPS coordinates: 27.77306,-82.64000

Latest update: December 3, 2025 07:25