Indian Rocks Beach is a small barrier-island town between Clearwater and St. Pete, with a laid-back, residential feel and a long stretch of Gulf sand. Here’s how we like to spend the days, most of them by golf cart.
The beach
Every Stay Coastal home is a short walk or golf cart ride from the sand. The Coastal Boutique condos are about a 3-minute walk, Hideaway & Getaway are one block away, and Coastal Manor is about 0.2 miles. Stay for sunset, when it feels like the whole town ends up at the water.
Eat & drink by golf cart
- Guppy’s On the Beach: a local favorite for seafood.
- The Original Crabby Bill’s: casual seafood, a short cart ride away.
- PJ’s Oyster Bar: oysters and Gulf-coast classics.
- Maggie Mae’s on the Bluffs: another easy cart ride.
- Coco’s Crush Bar and Grill: about a 5-minute walk from the 1st Street homes.
- Cafe de Paris: our guests’ pick for crepes.
- The Grove: morning coffee.
- Ice cream on 14th Avenue: the classic after-dinner golf cart run.
Hours change seasonally, so check with each spot before you go.
On the water
Kayaks come with Coastal Manor, Coastal Charm, Hideaway and Getaway, and Coastal Boutique has shared kayaks. Coastal Manor sits right on the Intracoastal with a deep-water dock, so the water is right out back.
Kolb Park: courts, skate park & playgrounds
Kolb Park is the biggest park in Indian Rocks Beach, on Bay Palm Boulevard between 15th and 16th Avenues, across from City Hall and the library. It’s an easy golf cart ride from every Stay Coastal home and a great break from the sand.
- Skate park for skateboards and scooters
- Pickleball: free, first-come, first-served courts
- Tennis and basketball courts
- Baseball field, plus racquetball and shuffleboard courts
- Two shaded playgrounds for the little ones
- Covered pavilion, picnic tables, restrooms and parking
Bring your own rackets, paddles and balls. Kolb Park is at 1508 Bay Palm Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785.
Brown Park: a quiet neighborhood park
Brown Park is a smaller, fenced park at Bay Boulevard and 2nd Street, at the south end of town. It’s a relaxed spot for little kids and dogs, open 7 a.m. to dark every day.
- Children’s playground inside a fully fenced area
- Basketball court
- Covered pavilion with picnic tables and free parking
- Pet friendly, with free pet cleanup bags and trash cans
Brown Park’s tennis courts are reserved for Indian Rocks Beach residents, so guests should head to Kolb Park for tennis.
Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve
For a slower morning, walk the Nature Preserve’s boardwalk through the mangroves and keep an eye out for wading birds. The city rebuilt about 1,700 feet of the boardwalk, and it reopened in February 2025. It’s at 903 Gulf Blvd, between 9th and 10th Avenues, and it’s open 7 a.m. to dark every day.
- Boardwalk nature walk through the mangroves
- Dog park (dogs aren’t allowed on the boardwalk itself)
- Restrooms and parking on site
Indian Rocks Beach Dog Park
Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach in Indian Rocks Beach (it’s a $500 fine), so the city’s fenced, off-leash dog park is where pups get to run. It sits right next to the Nature Preserve boardwalk at 903 Gulf Blvd, near 10th Avenue, and is open 7 a.m. to dusk.
- Fenced off-leash area for dogs of all sizes
- Two dogs max per person, and dogs should wear their license tag
- Leash on outside the fence, including the walk from the parking area
- No food inside the fence, and clean up after your dog
Nearby outings
- John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk: shops, food and boardwalk strolls to the south.
- Sand Key Park: a beautiful beach park just north of town.
- Splash Harbour Water Park: a hit with kids, a short drive away.
- The BayCare Sound: an outdoor concert venue in Clearwater for a night out.
Day trips
Clearwater Beach is just to the north and St. Petersburg is to the south, both easy drives for a day away from the sand.
Getting here
- St. Pete–Clearwater International (PIE): about 30 minutes.
- Tampa International (TPA): about 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Pick your home base
Coastal Manor · Coastal Charm · Coastal Boutique · Coastal Hideaway · Coastal Getaway · Hideaway & Getaway Duplex