20 miles SW of Tampa; 289 miles NW of Miami; 84 miles SW of Orlando
On the western shore of the bay, St. Petersburg stands in contrast to Tampa, much as San Francisco compares to Oakland. Whereas Tampa is the area's business, industrial, and shipping center, St. Petersburg was conceived and built a century ago primarily for tourists and snowbirds. Here you'll find one of the most picturesque and pleasant downtowns of any city in Florida, with a waterfront promenade and the famous inverted-pyramid-shaped Pier offering great views across the bay, quality museums, interesting shops, and a few good restaurants. Thanks to an ongoing urban redevelopment program, St. Pete has become far more pedestrian-friendly, with renewed, restored streetscapes full of clubs, bars, and a vibrancy that goes beyond the excitement surrounding bingo night at the “adult” communities.
