If you've been looking for the perfect Gulf Coast destination with well-maintained beaches and ample family-friendly activities, set your sights on Clearwater, Florida. With beautiful beaches, Clearwater vacation homes right on the water, and numerous festivals, this is a beach town you'll want to revisit year after year.

Like much of Florida's Gulf Coast, Clearwater is known for its hot, humid summers and pleasantly mild winters. The area's busiest seasons for tourism include spring and summer, when temperatures reach the upper 80s and several inches of rain fall each month. Clearwater vacation homes continue to be popular through the fall and winter, when temperatures remain in the 70s and much less rain falls.

Getting to Clearwater is easy, since several airports serve the area. The most convenient option is the St. Pete - Clearwater International Airport, which is just a 25-minute drive from most Clearwater vacation homes. Tampa International Airport, a larger facility with more daily flights, is just a 30-minute drive from Clearwater. Once you're in town, it's easy to get around without a car. To get to most major attractions in downtown Clearwater, rely on the Jolley Trolley. On the beach itself, most sights are within easy walking distance. You can also hop on the Suncoast Beach Trolley to reach several neighboring communities.

For most visitors, Clearwater Beach is a necessary first stop. This popular beach has everything you need, from cabanas to umbrellas, along with plenty of space to sunbathe or swim. Nearby, Sand Key Park offers a more low-key destination for families, with playgrounds, walkways, and picnic areas. You'll see plenty of fish in the Gulf, but to get up close and personal with some of the most fascinating species, head to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Here you'll see everything from dolphins to stingrays to turtles. If you're visiting Clearwater during Major League Baseball's spring training season, don't miss your chance to see your favorite teams play at Bright House Networks Field. In the evening, get your friends together or take your date to Ruth Eckerd Hall, a much-loved concert venue in the heart of Clearwater.

In the spring, start the season off with the Firestone Grand Prix, which takes off on the seaside course in neighboring St. Petersburg. You'll experience a weekend of races and an entire week of fun and excitement. Later in the spring, catch the Tampa Bay Blues Festival, a major event for blues fans for over two decades. Along with the genre's best live performers, you'll find great food and plenty of sunshine. In the fall, make your way to the Clearwater Super Boat National Championship and Seafood Festival, which boasts competitions that will get your heart racing and some of Clearwater's best seafood. October brings the Clearwater Jazz Holiday to town, which includes four days of jazz greats and warm weather.