Crystal Clear Sunsets on Crystal Beach

The sun setting into the Gulf of Mexico behind Honeymoon Island. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Anyone who has ever spent any amount of time along Florida's west coast has a favorite place to enjoy their picture-perfect Florida sunset. While Redington Beach will always top my list, locations such as Fort DeSoto near the mouth of Tampa Bay and--at the opposite end of the county--Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs remain top contenders. At each of these locations, you can enjoy the experience without feeling overcrowded by others competing for space.

Ample (and free!!) parking exists at Crystal Beach to enjoy the sunset. Photo by Jim Schnur.

A Quaint Community

Crystal Beach is another place in northern Pinellas that merits consideration as a top location to enjoy sunsets. Nearly 175 years ago, settlers began to homestead in this area, part of the larger Palm Harbor community within unincorporated Pinellas County. 

This 1920 map shows the location of Crystal Beach. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Access to Crystal Beach between the 1850s and late 1880s usually occurred by boat. Early overland pathways to Tampa existed after the Civil War, but the journey could take days, depending on the weather. 

The nearby depot at Sutherland (now Palm Harbor) in 1906. Courtesy of Heritage Village.

The arrival of the Orange Belt Railway by 1887 opened the small settlement to more visitors. The original route for this railroad in upper Pinellas follows the path of the Pinellas Trail.

Approaching the Pinellas Trail by Crystal Beach's post office. Photo by Jim Schnur.

To visit Crystal Beach, take Alt. 19 (the original U.S. Highway 19) south of Tarpon Springs and north of Dunedin. A short distance south of Alderman Road, turn west onto Crystal Beach Avenue. In this golf cart-friendly community, you will notice older homes that have nicely-landscaped yards. A stop sign by the post office marks the location of the former railroad tracks. 

Approching the coastal park. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Continue your journey a little more than 1,000 feet and you will reach the intersection of Crystal Beach Avenue and Gulf Drive. Here, you will find ample places to park and enjoy time in the heart of the Crystal Beach community. 

The Crystal Beach Community Pier, at the northern end of Gulf Shore Park. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Gulf Shore Park sits along the area between North Gulf Drive and St. Joseph Sound, an estuary between Honeymoon Island to the west, Dunedin Causeway to the south, and Wall Springs to the northeast. St. Joseph Sound flows into the Gulf of Mexico. 

Live Oak Park, a focal point of Crystal Beach. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Live Oak Park sits on the east side of North Gulf Drive. True to its name, this park on county land includes numerous canopy trees that offer shade and a relaxing space. The Blue Heron Hotel rose upon part of this land in 1917 as an early tourist destination. 

The southwest corner of Live Oak Park and a church built in 1947. Photo by Jim Schnur.

As the local land boom faltered in 1928, the Blue Heron Hotel became the home of the Faith Mission, a children's mission established in Tampa in 1923. This hotel served as home of the Faith Mission until its demolition. By the mid-1950s, another building at this site served as a retirement home.

This marker honors the Blue Heron Hotel and Faith Mission. Photo by Jim Schnur.

The county purchased the former Faith Mission site in 2000. This acquisition allowed for the creation of Live Oak Park.

Enjoying the Sunset

There are many places to enjoy the sunset along this stretch of land. Some observe the lowering sun from the comfort of benches in Live Oak Park and under its shady trees. Usually, there are plenty of empty parking spaces available, allowing for you to relax and see the sunset without any vehicles obstructing your view.

Watching the sunset from Live Oak Park. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Others cross North Gulf Drive and head over to the Crystal Beach Community Pier. As the sun begins its descent, locals arrive by foot, bicycle, golf cart, and automobile for the daily ritual. 

Walking toward the pier. Photo by Jim Schnur. 

Some prefer to stroll to the end of the pier as the sun lowers over the northern tip of Honeymoon Island, once a larger island that included Caladesi Island that was known to locals as "Hog Island" until the 1921 hurricane bisected it.

From the pier, you will notice the shoreline facing north toward Boggy Bayou. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Sunset view from the Crystal Beach Community Pier. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Many bring their lawn chairs to portions of Gulf Shore Park south of the pier. Some relax in the sand, while others sit on the grass. 

Sunset along St. Joseph Sound at Gulf Shore Park. Photo by Jim Schnur.

This is a smaller beach, in size and population, than most others in Pinellas County. However, the views here are on par with many other areas, including Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Treasure Island, and St. Pete Beach. You have the added benefit of enjoying this view without having to feed any parking meters.

The sun sets on the horizon. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Looking across St. Joseph Sound toward Honeymoon Island. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Another days comes to an end. Photo by Jim Schnur.

If your travels ever take you to northern Pinellas County, consider a sunset visit to Crystal Beach! While in the area, also learn about the area's history at the Palm Harbor Museum.