The 10 Best West Coast Florida Beaches

The proximity to a large number of great Florida gulf coast beaches is one thing that makes living in the Villages of Citrus Hills so attractive.

Here are TEN of the most commonly referenced west coast beaches that you are definitely going to want to check out sooner, rather than later.

1. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach, Florida

After being named TripAdvisor’s #1 beach in the country back in 2018, the secret is officially out on one of our all-time favorite beach destinations. With a perfect combination of silky-smooth white sand and a small-town atmosphere, Clearwater should continue to be at the top of just about everyone’s list of favorite beach destinations for years to come.

2. Destin

Known as an ideal destination for families, Destin is one of our favorite options located up in the panhandle along Florida’s Emerald Coast. If renting a condo for a week and kicking back on the beach with just a bit of snorkeling mixed in is your idea of a good time, Destin is a perfect fit.

3. Honeymoon Island

Honeymoon Island, Florida

Located just north of Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island features the same stunning white sand beaches in a more remote setting. This option is known for being a place that locals prefer when Clearwater is a bit too busy, and it is also a fantastic place to explore by kayak.

4. Lido Key

Another popular island destination along the Gulf Coast of Florida is Lido Key, which sits just west of Sarasota. This spot has a reputation for ecotourism, deep-sea fishing, and sunset cruises, and it is also home to a first-class beach resort, as well as plenty of exciting street performers.

5. Marco Island

Marco Island, Florida

If we head all the way down to the southern end of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Marco Island is the place that stands out as a must-see destination for beach lovers. This island is located just off of Naples, and it is home to some fabulous beach resorts, as well as the Briggs Nature Center and its half-mile boardwalk.

6. Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach might have a reputation as a spring break destination for college students, but it is about as laid back as the rest of the Gulf Coast throughout the rest of the year. With more than 27 miles of white sand beaches, you can always find a little section to enjoy all by yourself here, and the artificial reefs located just offshore are perfect for snorkeling. 

7. Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach, Florida

Located just 45 minutes east of the iconic Flora-Bama beach bar, Pensacola is the farthest west of the panhandle beaches on our list. This destination offers a bit of everything, including shopping, restaurants, and a fishing pier.

8. Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Seashells are the primary attraction down on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, and the amount of them spread across these popular beaches just west of Fort Myers is astounding. True shell lovers will also want to check out the nearby Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum while they are in the area.

9. Siesta Key

Siesta Key, Florida

Just south of Sarasota is where you will find the romantic beach destination of Siesta Key. In addition to white sand beaches and calm blue water, this eight-mile-long island paradise is also known for its resorts, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.

10. St. Pete Beach

After kicking off our list with Clearwater Beach, it seems appropriate to close it out with St. Pete Beach, which is located just 30 minutes south. Just like Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach is one of the most gorgeous beach destinations in all of Florida, and it offers the added appeal of almost always having beautiful weather.

No matter which one of these beaches you choose to explore, it really is hard to find a bad option up and down Florida’s Gulf Coast.

In fact, we highly recommend that you make your way through all ten of these beaches and decide for yourself which ones are your favorites.

Major Sporting Events Coming to Florida in 2020

The biggest sporting event of the year just wrapped up in Miami when the Kansas City Chiefs edged out the San Francisco 49ers for Super Bowl LIV.

If you weren’t able to make it to this year’s Super Bowl, you will be excited to hear that next year’s game will be happening even closer to us at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa!

But that’s not even close to being the only major sporting event taking place in Florida this year.

The best part is that some of the remaining major Florida sporting events of 2020 are an easy drive from the Villages of Citrus Hills.

Let’s jump in and take a closer look at some of the major sporting events coming to Florida in 2020.

Daytona 500 - Daytona Beach

Known to many as “the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing,” the Daytona 500 is the annual kickoff to the new NASCAR season.

It also happens to be one of the biggest spectacles of the entire year.

With a history that dates all the way back to 1959, this legendary race has evolved into a week-long event that transforms the entire Daytona Beach community into one massive party.

This year, the Daytona 500 is set to happen on Sunday, February 16.

Grapefruit League Spring Training Baseball

Shortly after someone takes the checkered flag at this year’s Daytona 500, we will see pitchers and catchers begin reporting to spring training destinations at various locations around the state of Florida.

Half of Major League Baseball’s 30 teams make their springtime homes here in Florida, and our residents can catch spring training games happening in nearby Dunedin (Blue Jays), Clearwater (Phillies), Tampa (Yankees), and other places down the west coast and around the state throughout late February and early March each year.

Arnold Palmer Invitational - Orlando

Some of the best golfers in the world make their way to Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando during the month of March each year to compete in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Winners of this tournament on the legendary Bay Hill course receive a red cardigan sweater in memory of Arnold Palmer, as well as a three-year exemption, which is one more than standard tournaments.

The 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational is scheduled to tee off the week of March 2-8.

The Players Championship - Ponte Vedra Beach

Another iconic golf tournament that comes to Florida every March is The Players Championship. This tournament takes place on the TPC Sawgrass course, which features that legendary par-3 17th hole with the island green.

While it is not one of the four official major tournaments, The Players is often referred to as “the fifth major,” and it offers one of the largest prize pools of any tournament.

The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass will take place March 10-15.

Valspar Championship - Palm Harbor

The following weekend the PGA Tour stops a little closer to home at the Valspar Championships in Palm Harbor.

This is set to take place March 16-22.

March Madness – Tampa

Talk about a busy week in Tampa!

The same week the Valspar Championship is taking place, the Road to the Final Four comes through Tampa for the first time since 2011.

With First Round action taking place on March 19 and Second Round games being played on March 21, both at Amalie Arena.

Tampa is very easy to get to from Citrus Hills, but if you do plan to stay the night and partake in all the March Madness festivities, we encourage you to get your reservations (and your tickets!) early.

Miami Open - Miami Gardens

The best tennis players in the world are usually in Miami during the last week of March and the first week of April for the Miami Open.

This event was just moved to Hard Rock Stadium in 2019, and it is now one of the largest tennis tournaments of the year outside of the four Grand Slams.

In 2020, this 12-day tennis tournament will start on Monday, March 23 with a final match scheduled for Sunday, April 5.

Coke Zero Sugar 400 - Daytona Beach

After more than 50 years of being held around Independence Day, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be making the move to late August this year where it will serve as the final race of NASCAR’s regular season.

This second race at Daytona International Speedway will take place on August 29 this year, and it will be the last chance for any drivers on the bubble to qualify for the NASCAR playoffs.

Nearby Football, Basketball, and Hockey Action

As the 2020 calendar rolls into late summer and fall, local residents will have the pleasure of watching a wide range of local college football and NFL teams take the field starting in late August and early September.

Then, during the month of October, we will see our local NBA and NHL teams get back to work with their new seasons starting.

No matter what sport you are passionate about, there are huge events happening in Florida throughout the entire year, many of which are just a short drive from the Villages of Citrus Hills.

May Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Whether you are ready for it or not, the month of May has officially arrived, and we are getting ready to kick off another summer season here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.  During the summer months, we tend to slow down on outdoor activities like golf and tennis, but we also pick up on fun social events and great dinner specials. And no matter what type of fun you are looking for around the community, there is something for just about everyone in May.  

Let's jump into the details and take a quick look at some of the most exciting events and activities happening around the Villages of Citrus Hills this month.  

Social Events 

The social fun will kick off right away with a 1950s Prom Dance taking over the Activity Center Auditorium on Saturday, May 4. In order to make it feel just like the high school dance from "Back to the Future," the theme is going to be "Enchantment Under the Sea" and there will be prizes for the best costumes! 

On Friday, May 10, the Vacationers Club is planning a bus trip to Tampa to see the Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees. The Rays are off to a hot start this year, and every game against the Yankees is going to be a close one, so this is a great chance to see the home team in action.  

If you're looking for a laugh, you won't want to miss comedian Alan Schubowsky performing in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, May 14. Alan has performed on huge stages all over the world, and he is going to be cracking up everyone in attendance for this special event.  

Tasty Trivia Tuesday will be back in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, May 21. Dinner this month will include Swiss Chicken, Bourbon Salmon, Potatoes Au Gratin, Broccoli with Red Pepper and Shallots, Salad, Rolls, and German Chocolate Cake.  

The biggest social event of May will actually be happening on the very last day of the month. That is when the Slice of Summer Poolside Party will be taking place at the Activity Center. DJ Benny Cruz will be playing all of your favorite songs by the pool at this exciting dance party under the stars.  

Arts & Education 

Dr. Trish Kallenbach will be speaking about Holistic Pet Nutrition in the Activity Center Auditorium on Tuesday, May 7 at 10 am. During her presentation, she will be covering everything you might want to know about how a healthier diet can improve your pet's lifestyle.  

The Healing Power of Music will be back in The Garden Room on Thursday, May 16 this month. Gayle Cohen will be focusing on topics like everyday stress, loss, divorce, and other issues while covering how music can help our bodies heal.  

Golf & Tennis 

The Oaks course will be hosting the Cinco de Mayo Open on Saturday, May 4 at 8:30 am. This will be one of the most enjoyable golf outings of the summer, so make sure you don't forget to sign up to participate.  

The more serious golf event this month will be the Men's Better Ball A/D - B/C tournament at Skyview on May 6 and 7. This exciting tournament is open to all Skyview members, and everyone will be playing from the white tees.  

If you are simply looking for a way to improve your golf game, we highly recommend heading out for one of the Free Golf Clinics with our resident expert, Mary Slinkard. There will be clinics for complete beginners on May 6, 7, and 8. Then there will be intermediate clinics on May 14, 21, and 28.  

The monthly Free Beginner Tennis Clinic at the Skyview Tennis Center will be happening on Tuesday, May 14 at 11 am. If you have been thinking about dusting off that old racket and need a refresher on some of the basics, this is the perfect place to get that.  

Dinner Specials 

Mother's Day meals are going to be big at Skyview Restaurant and The Grille this month. Both of our community restaurants will be celebrating with specials on Sunday, May 12. Skyview Restaurant will be serving up fabulous entrees, while The Grille is going to be the destination for anyone looking for a spectacular buffet-style offering. 

In addition to their Mother's Day special, Skyview Restaurant is also going to be hosting a Spring Wine Dinner on Tuesday, May 7 and a Turkey Buffet on Thursday, May 23.  

Not to be outdone, The Grille is staking its claim as the place to be on Memorial Day for a first-class summer BBQ Buffet featuring everything from Baby Back Ribs to Smoked Brisket.  

The Tiki Bar is going to be the place to be on the first weekend of the month with a huge party for the Kentucky Derby on May 4 that will be almost immediately followed by another wild party for Cinco de Mayo on May 5.  

In addition to all of the events that the people at the Activity Center have planned for the month of May, there are also some fantastic Mother's Day specials happening all month long at BellaVita Spa.  

Whether you are planning to hit all of the social events or are booking some private time for yourself at the spa, make sure you have a great month here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays generated some interesting conversations when they started utilizing their "opener" strategy early on in the 2018 campaign. Over the course of the season, that revolutionary approach to the game propelled the Rays to an astounding 90-win season.  

That unique strategy will be making a return to Tampa Bay in 2019, as will nearly all of the key pieces from that 90-win season. And when you factor in some of the new additions and young arms returning from injury, expectations are higher than ever for the Rays this summer.  

If you are looking to join in early on what could be a playoff caliber baseball team, we have all the key information you are going to need to know about the 2019 Tampa Bay Rays.  

Rock Solid Foundation 

The key in 2018 was the emergence of Blake Snell as a true ace pitcher. Not only was Snell the best pitcher on the roster in 2018, he was also the best pitcher in the American League and comes into 2019 as the reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner.  

Snell will benefit from the support of a strong defense that is anchored by centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier, who might be one of the best defensive players in the majors.

In addition to Snell's pitching and Kiermaier's defense, Rays fans can expect to see plenty of pop in the middle of the batting order thanks to slugger Tommy Pham, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals right at the trade deadline last season.  

The Rays also acquired pitcher Tyler Glasnow from Pittsburgh at the deadline, and his improved command produced impressive results down the stretch. If he can build on that success moving forward, we can expect a solid year from him in 2019.  

New Faces in Tampa Bay 

In order to build on their successful 2018 season, the Rays made some moves to improve their roster during the offseason. The biggest of those moves was inking pitcher Charlie Morton to a two-year deal. Morton will slot in right behind Snell as the number two starter.  

Another free agent acquisition that could make an impact is the addition of Avisail Garcia on a one-year deal that is laced with incentives. Garcia is a proven major leaguer who was an All-Star in 2017, so there is plenty of reason to believe he can contribute in a meaningful way.  

The front office was also active on the trade market during the winter, which resulted in the acquisition of catcher Mike Zunino from Seattle and infielder Yandy Diaz from Cleveland. Zunino brings a big bat to the middle of the Rays order, and Diaz is someone the Rays have liked for years.  

Returning Young Arms 

In addition to a solid core and some key additions, the Rays are also going to benefit from the return of a number of young pitchers throughout the season.  

Pitchers Brent Honeywell, Jose De Leon, and Anthony Banda are all scheduled to make their return from Tommy John surgery at some point during the year. All three have the ability to earn a rotation spot upon their return, which could eventually make the "opener" strategy unnecessary.  

Barring any significant injuries, the 2019 Tampa Bay Rays are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the American League. And while they might not be talented enough to take on the Yankees and the Red Sox for the A.L. East pennant just yet, they are almost certainly going to be a serious contender for one of the two Wild Card spots.  

There are going to be a lot of very exciting games happening at The Trop this year, so make sure you plan on heading down to see the Rays as much as possible.

12 Hours In St. Petersburg

While many people think of St. Petersburg as an extension of Tampa, local residents will tell you that this fun-filled city has a personality that is all its own. It also has plenty of things to do, which makes it an excellent day trip option for residents here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.  

If you are looking for a perfect day trip destination and don't want to be bothered with all of the research that goes into

planning an exciting getaway, we have taken care of all the details for you and put together a choose-your-own-adventure style trip to St. Pete.

Let's dive in and check out some of the options!

Morning Activity - Art & History 

Depending on what time you leave, the hour and forty-minute drive will probably have you arriving in St. Petersburg with a few hours to kill before lunch. We recommend starting off your day with a little bit of culture at one of the many art galleries and museums that the city has to offer.

Three of the most popular options for this part of the trip are the Duncan McClellan Gallery, the Ted Williams Museum, and the Salvador Dali Museum. Each offers a slightly different type of cultural experience, but all three are highly recommended attractions in St. Pete.  

Lunch - Bodega

For lunch, we are heading over to the EDGE District to check out a little place called Bodega. St. Pete residents can't get enough of the Cuban-style food you will find here, so make sure you try one of their soon-to-be-world-famous sandwiches.  

Bodega is also known for having outstanding Cuban coffee and some of the best fresh juices in the city.

 Early Afternoon - Close to Nature 

After lunch, it's time to get outside at places like Fort De Soto Park and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.

If the beach is your happy place, then Fort De Soto Park could be your own personal paradise in St. Petersburg. This stunning county park includes five islands to explore by canoe, kayak, or bicycle. There is also a historic fort and museum that appeals to all of those history buffs out there.  

For anyone who is more interested in wildlife, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve offers a lake, marsh, swamp, and woods that are filled with a wide range of animals from the land, air, and sea. There is also a Pioneer Settlement living history museum for visitors to explore.  

 Late Afternoon - Out on the Water 

After having some fun getting close to nature, it's time to ratchet that excitement level up a notch and get out on the water.  

One of the most popular boat tours in the area is St. Petersburg Speedboat Adventure, which offers a 2-hour self-drive speedboat tour for two passengers in the same boat. You will have an absolute blast cruising up and down Tampa Bay in these little boats.  

For day trippers who are looking for something a little more upscale out on the water, you could skip the speedboats and charter a private yacht from Tampa Bay Yacht Charter that will have you cruising Tampa Bay in style before dinner.  

Dinner - Brick & Mortar

Dinner at Brick & Mortar is the perfect way to wrap up a fun day exploring the sights and sounds of St. Petersburg. This fun and innovative restaurant will astound you with a wide range of small and large plates that are perfect for sharing.  

We recommend getting a few things that are inside your comfort zone and then getting wild with a few dishes that might be pushing your boundaries a bit…and don't forget to order the truffle fries!

There is a good chance that you are going to be completely exhausted after all of this fun in St. Pete. But we are just scratching the surface with everything that there is to do here in the Sunshine City, so it won't be long before you are planning another trip with a brand-new itinerary!