Clearwater Beach Parking

A list of 13 parking lots and parking garages around Clearwater Beach. Includes distance to the beach, parking spaces, hours of operation and rates.

Parking lots and street parking are located throughout the beach area from the southern end of the island to the northern public parking limit at Acacia St. Availability varies widely by season, on weekends and during popular events. At busiest times, it can be quite challenging to find a place to park. Following is a list of parking options with location and distance to the beach. (Rates and hours listed are subject to change).

City Beach Parking

Hundreds of parking spaces are available around the beach area. City parking lots and on-street parking along the beach fill quickly. Most rates are $3 per hour. On-street parking rate is $3.50 per hour with 5-hour limit. All city parking uses either pay kiosks or meters. Kiosks accept credit cards or coins. In addition to city parking, there are a number private parking areas/garages that have considerably more parking spaces often with higher prices per 12 hours or for the day.

Parking Nearest to Main Beach and Pier 60

Pier 60 City Parking Lot (#31)

160 S. Gulfview Blvd (Pier 60)
Closest to main beach and Pier 60
Spaces: 139
Pay Kiosks coins or credit cards
$3 per hour
No time limit during open hours
6 am - 11 pm; After hours: closed

On-Street Beach Parking (City)

Streets along the beach and on many side streets
Distance to beach - varies
Spaces: 389 - throughout island
Kiosks/Meters use coins or credit cards
$3.50 per hour
5 hour time limit
Hours vary - posted on meter or Kiosk

Gateway Parking (City #43)

390 East Shore Dr
Distance to main beach - about 1,400 feet
Spaces: 41
Pay Kiosks coins or credit cards
$3 per hour
No time limit during open hours
6 am - 11 pm; After hours: open, no charge

Municipal Marina Parking (City #30)

25 Causeway Blvd - at Beach Marina
Spaces: 346 (no beach parking 6 am - 11 pm)
Parking for Marina activities only: 6 am - 11 pm
Next to marina - across from main beach
After hours: open, no charge
$3.00 per hour with 1/2 hour time limit or else a permit is required.
Permits available from merchants and boating excursions.

Parking Near Northern Area of Beach

Rockaway Parking (City #36)

4 Rockaway St
Next to northern area of beach
Spaces: 36
Pay Kiosks coins or credit cards
$3 per hour
No time limit during open hours
6 am - 11 pm; After hours: closed

Avalon Parking (City #37)

6 Avalon St
Next to northern area of beach
Spaces: 53
Pay Kiosks coins or credit cards
$3 per hour
No time limit during open hours
6 am - 11 pm; After hours: open, no charge

Mandalay Parking (City #34 & #35)

429 and 461 Mandalay Ave
Distance to beach - about 500 feet
Spaces: 48
Pay Kiosks coins or credit cards
$3 per hour
No time limit during open hours
6 am - 11 pm; After hours: open, no charge

North Beach Parking Plaza

490 Poinsettia Ave
About 1/3 mile north of the roundabout / Pier 60
Distance to northern area of beach - 800 feet
Multi-level parking garage with 700 spaces
Pay on exit - credit card
Now privately owned. Call 727-442-0025 for current rates.
Open 24 hours
No time limit - overnight parking welcome

Beach Recreation Center and Library (City #38)

51 Bay Esplanade
Distance to northern area of beach - 700 feet
Spaces: 79
Pay Kiosks coins or credit cards
$3 per hour
No time limit during open hours
Mon - Sat: 6 am - 11 pm; Sun: 12:30 pm - 11 pm. After hours: open, no charge

Mckay Field (City #39)

605 Mandalay Ave
Distance to northern area of beach - 600 feet
Spaces: 17
Pay Kiosks coins or credit cards
$3 per hour
No time limit during open hours
6 am - 11 pm; After hours: open, no charge

Parking Near Southern Area of Beach

South Beach Parking Lot (City #32)

420 S. Gulfview Blvd
Next to southern area of beach
Spaces: 65
Pay Kiosks coins or credit cards
$3 per hour
No time limit during open hours
6 am - 11 pm; After hours: closed

Private Parking Open to Public

In addition to the municipal parking and the private parking listed here, there are a number of other private parking areas with rates that are usually much higher. Take care to note parking rate before selecting your location.

Hyatt Parking Garage

301 South Gulfview
Private parking garage
Distance to beach - across street
Pay at Kiosk on ground floor, or upon garage exit - credit card
$7 per hour, 3 hour minimum, $40 day maximum

Surf Style Parking Garage

320 Coronado Dr
Private parking garage
Distance to beach - across street
First hour free
$4 per hour. Daily max $24
No overnight parking

Parking kiosk image
Clearwater Beach Pay Here parking kiosk

More about Clearwater Beach Parking

Parking fills early during busy season, weekends and holidays.
The 2 mile travel across the Memorial Causeway (State Road 60) can take about 5 minutes during least busy times to over 30 minutes when busy and during peak seasons. Plan accordingly!
All parking kiosks and meters show the hours and rates.
Many kiosks support "pay-by-plate". Still pay normally, but you don't have to walk back to your car to put receipt on dashboard.
Payment via the ParkMobile app on your cell phone/mobile device is an alternative to paying at the kiosks. The app is available for Apple and Android devices from their respective app stores.
There is no public parking north of Acacia St. - north end of Clearwater Beach.

For more information see: City of Clearwater - Beach Parking page

Alternatives to Parking at Clearwater Beach

Jolley Trolley

The Jolley Trolley is a quaint local "bus" that serves Clearwater Beach, Downtown Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs. Their motto is "Leave your Car Where You are, Ride the Jolley Trolley." The trolley has numerous stops every 30 minutes throughout the beach area (60 minutes other routes) and runs from mid-morning into the evening.

The trolley is unique with an oak and brass trim interior and a distinctive old-fashion exterior in red and yellow colors. The trolley has both air conditioning to handle the summer heat as well as opening windows for open air when comfortable. The trolley can accommodate up to 35 people and can be chartered for special occasions or large groups.

Catch the trolley anywhere along its route to go to Clearwater Beach and avoid the congestion and parking at the beach. Parking lots are available in downtown Clearwater if you wish to leave your car and take the trolley to the beach.

A trolley location tracker is available online (see link below), as well as through phone apps available at the Apple AppStore and Google Play store - app name: Ride Systems.

Jolley Trolley resources

Clearwater Ferry

The Clearwater Ferry is another great alternative to driving through heavy traffic to Clearwater Beach. The ferry has several routes serving downtown Clearwater to/from Clearwater Beach, and Downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Marine Aquarium to North Beach and return. The ferry also serves the same destination/return points to and from Dunedin Marina.

It is a nice way to avoid the Clearwater Beach traffic congestion and parking. And, the Dunedin Marina route is perfect for cruising along the Intracoastal Waterway with access to downtown Dunedin's shops, restaurants and breweries.

Free parking is available at the ferry's downtown Clearwater and Dunedin locations. Check the Clearwater Ferry website for routes, rates and current schedules.

Tickets can be purchased online or walk-up. Walk-ups have no guarantee of getting a seat, however, if the ferry is full.

Apps are available for the Clearwater Ferry at the Apple AppStore and Google Play.

Clearwater Ferry resources

CC excerpt from MyClearwater.com