South Beach takes its name from its southern location on the barrier island that became St. Pete Beach, Florida, consolidated in 1957 from the Towns of Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar, Belle Vista, St. Petersburg Beach, and unincorporated Pinellas County to form the City of St. Petersburg Beach. On March 9, 1994, locals voted to officially change the name to St. Pete Beach, distinguishing it from St. Petersburg to the east. The area was first inhabited by Calusa peoples, with Spanish explorers Pánfilo de Narváez and Hernando de Soto as the first Europeans. The Pinellas region was settled in the 1830s and 1840s by Odet Philippe, a French Huguenot from Charleston, along with the McMullen Family and British Booth family who planted citrus groves and raised cattle. The iconic Don CeSar hotel opened in 1928, becoming a renowned landmark that defined the area's character. The beach's development accelerated with bridge construction connecting the barrier island to the mainland, transforming it from isolated coastline into an accessible resort destination. The consolidation of multiple communities in 1957 reflected the area's growth from small fishing and resort villages into a cohesive coastal city along the Gulf of Mexico.
The beach features award-winning white sand along the Gulf of Mexico with ample access and numerous water activities. Parasailing, sunset cruises, kayaking, and paddleboarding provide water recreation options. The Boucher Brothers beach hut offers luxury beach beds, cabanas, wave runners, kayaks, and paddle boards for rental. TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort features a 16,000-square-foot floating water park and "dive-in" movies at the pool. RumFish Beach Resort provides pirate shows, zip-lining, and a 34,000-gallon aquarium where guests can snorkel with tropical fish. Shopping is available on bright and colorful Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach and historic 8th Avenue in Pass-a-Grille, featuring art, clothing, jewelry, gifts, and restaurants. Jimmy B's Beach Bar behind Beachcomber Hotel offers live music and drinks, while Undertow Beach Bar serves drinks directly on the sand. Beach volleyball, swimming, and sunbathing attract visitors year-round to the consistently warm waters. The proximity to downtown St. Petersburg provides access to museums, arts district, and urban attractions within a short drive across the Pinellas Bayway.
Dining at South Beach ranges from casual beachfront spots to upscale waterfront restaurants. Hurricane Seafood Restaurant in Pass-a-Grille features a legendary rooftop bar perfect for sunset viewing with fresh Gulf seafood. Crabby Bill's Seafood Restaurant offers locally caught grouper with Florida tiki vibes and casual atmosphere. Coconut Charlie's won Best Seafood Restaurant 2023 in Tampa Magazine. Grace in Pass-a-Grille provides fine dining with fresh local flavors and refined beach atmosphere. 1200° Chophouse offers a stylish steakhouse experience with steaks seared at 1,200°F. AZURA Coastal Kitchen inside Hotel Zamora serves an elevated Mediterranean menu on a terrace overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Agave offers Mexican food with fresh ingredients and an extensive tequila selection. MadFish features a 1950s diner exterior with inventive surf and turf menu. Buoy's Waterfront Grill & Bar serves fresh-shucked oysters, burgers, and seafood dockside. The Floridian has been labeled Tampa Bay's favorite sandwich destination, while numerous beachfront bars and restaurants create a vibrant dining scene along the barrier island.
