The Beach beat is a cluster of some of the southernmost islands in Pinellas County. It’s surrounded by water on all sides: the Intracoastal Waterway, Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It includes places with exotic names like Tierra Verde, Isla Del Sol, Pass-A-Grille, Punta Vista and Bahia Shores.
But there’s more to this beat than just vacationers. Look just beyond the surface, and the place is teeming with stories and characters. Even the mile markers have a story. And then there’s the tuba collector, the sea turtles, the all-year-round Christmas emporium and the beauty-queen hopefuls. Don’t forget to hit the blacktop at Frank T. Hurley Park in Pass-A-Grille or catch a movie and a beer at The Beach Theatre.
You can read some earlier stories about the beat here and here, but don’t forget to check back on Wednesday, June 13, for a new perspective and new stories from the beaches of St. Pete.
 Jason Fritz San Francisco State (Photographer) |  |  Jenessa Farnsworth Brigham Young University (Designer) | |  Arek Sarkissian University of Arizona (Writer) | |  Dwayne Steward Ohio University (Writer) |
