On the countdown for our visit to the area...can't wait (Clearwater: skateboarding, rent)

[overit2]

So, been anxiously awaiting the end of summer days...so we can get over there! This is the 'sell it all' trip to my fiance and sons (teens) so we can move to the area, I just KNOW they will love it
We will be there for 7 days-staying in Dunedin and trying to cover as much as we can. There are still many things other then the plan to see/do, but we'll leave that for our next visit.

So, I'm a planner and as such created an itinerary for us-knowing that things can change/days can change but this is what I've got so far...wondering if it sounds like trying to do TOO Much in that time for those that know distances? OR-should I reverse a lot of this due to rain/temperatures, etc?

[SIZE=3]Day 1: Arrive late am- lunch at Ozona Blue-pick up groceries head to condo, check-in..head to Honeymoon Island for afternoon/evening-grill at condo[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Day 2: Pontoon to Caladesi during the day - afternoon trolley to Tarpon Springs dinner-back to P. Harbor for Strachan’s [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Day 3: Ft. De Soto day/ drive at evening to Pass-a-grille-(Paradise Grill/Hurrican/Brass Monkey) Drive a bit through stretch to St. Pete at night before heading back[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Day 4: Kayaks and fishing morning- Sand Key (can we rent jet-skis there? ) afternoon/Pier 60 and Frenchy’s evening[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Day 5: St Pete Beach day/drive through downtown area/ John’s pass village evening[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Day 6: Pontoon again to either 3 Rooker or HI or Caladesi again/dinner home[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Day 7: Early fishing and kayaks-checkout – Drive around downtown Dunedin (lunch Café Alfresco) P. Harbor/S. Harbor/Phillipe Park/Oldsmar back to airport to get to know area a bit-(flight is evening)[/SIZE]
The only thing I"m skeptical is of St Pete Beach....being such a distance. I really want to check out John's pass but not sure if I'd be happier spending the day at a less crowded beach again during day and then just driving there in evening.

Obviously day order can change-but is this too much to try and get in?

[Sunshinecc]

If your sons play sports (sorry, I can't remember if you said they did or not), you might want to drive by some fields so they can see how awesome (I'm assuming) they are. I know I get pretty excited seeing how fields are kept down there.

[MJ7]

You must eat here while in Dunedin:

Casa Tina Mexican Restaurant

And if you and your wife want to grab a local brew and listen to live music then stop in here:

Dunedin Brewery - Florida's Oldest Craft Brewery

[MJ7]

Originally Posted by Sunshinecc

If your sons play sports (sorry, I can't remember if you said they did or not), you might want to drive by some fields so they can see how awesome (I'm assuming) they are. I know I get pretty excited seeing how fields are kept down there.

Just stay clear of the Tarpon Springs community fields (near Mcdonalds) there was a large sinkhole that opened up there a few years ago.

[Sunshinecc]

Originally Posted by MJ7

Just stay clear of the Tarpon Springs community fields (near Mcdonalds) there was a large sinkhole that opened up there a few years ago.

Thanks for adding that. I'd say that's pretty important to know!

[overit2]

Was planning on trying Dunedin Brewery actually-maybe a quick evening get-away while boys are pooped in front of tv (I'm the female btw). YES, the sports fields sound great!!!

I also thought of maybe renting jet-skis at John's Pass at Woody's or one of those- if we get there later in afternoon-Is there a lot more to see while riding around in that area vs. Clearwater? Then we can have a cold one and find a bite to eat there, etc.

I also want to drive near Countryside HS and P. H Univ HS so they can see where the schools are, perhaps drive by the mall (Cside), are there any skateboarding places near Dunedin also?

[MJ7]

Originally Posted by overit2

Was planning on trying Dunedin Brewery actually-maybe a quick evening get-away while boys are pooped in front of tv (I'm the female btw). YES, the sports fields sound great!!!

I also thought of maybe renting jet-skis at John's Pass at Woody's or one of those- if we get there later in afternoon-Is there a lot more to see while riding around in that area vs. Clearwater? Then we can have a cold one and find a bite to eat there, etc.

I also want to drive near Countryside HS and P. H Univ HS so they can see where the schools are, perhaps drive by the mall (Cside), are there any skateboarding places near Dunedin also?

John's Pass is where it's at. Clearwater is nice but its chalk full of tourists. John's Pass is where the locals go, you must go to Bubbas Shrimp. Jetskiing is fun at both places, but probably lesser amounts of people and waiting time at John's Pass.

There is a Skateboard park on Ulmerton, 688 Park it's on the right side after US19.

[overit2]

Thanks, what I'm thinking! I do want to try Sand Key, and then just see the Pier 60 at sunset and try Frenchy's there..

Madeira Beach-is it nice enough to spend a day, do they have public restrooms and parking close to beach? Then we could do that during day and go jump on jet-ski's tour John's Pass in the evening? Bubba's Shrimp-how's the crab there?
What about those places w/all the reviews Scully's, The Hut, Bamboo Bar, I think Friendly Fisherman was another-or those are too touristy?

I'm getting SO excited, I'll have insomnia from here on out (like always but will be worse lol)

[MJ7]

Originally Posted by overit2

Thanks, what I'm thinking! I do want to try Sand Key, and then just see the Pier 60 at sunset and try Frenchy's there..

Madeira Beach-is it nice enough to spend a day, do they have public restrooms and parking close to beach? Then we could do that during day and go jump on jet-ski's tour John's Pass in the evening? Bubba's Shrimp-how's the crab there?
What about those places w/all the reviews Scully's, The Hut, Bamboo Bar, I think Friendly Fisherman was another-or those are too touristy?

I'm getting SO excited, I'll have insomnia from here on out (like always but will be worse lol)

LOL, I bet you can't wait.

The Pass is pretty friendly and all of it was good to me, nothing stood out as being negative. Bubba's Shrimp has great grouper (FLs catch).

For crab I would highly recommend Crab Shack on Gandy Blvd., right before the bridge on the right hand side.

Almost all the beaches there have public restrooms and parking. You can easily spend the day there. It gets a little bit more crowded towards St. Pete beach but Madeira is nice, it's about 1 mile or less to the Pass.