South Beach is not the only hoppin' beach in town: Florida's Gulf Coast responds with its own up and coming party on Clearwater Beach.

After a beautiful Gulf Coast sunset, the lights turn on and the music turns up at Clearwater Beach bars and clubs. And as day turns to night, party-goers trade in their flip-flops for stilettos and bikinis for a short summer dress. But don't wear yourself out dancing, because you'll want to be ready to rise and shine the next day.

If you prefer a more low-key celebration, don't worry, you can keep your flip-flops and head to one of many small bars and family-run restaurants on Clearwater Beach to eat, drink, and wait for the sun to come back up.

And when the sun does come up, Clearwater Beach doesn't disappoint. Sure, Clearwater Beach doesn't have the glitz or glam of South Beach...at least not yet, but it does have sand. Miles of wide, white sandy beaches stretch into the soft warm, waves of the Gulf. Visitors to the beach can lie back and soak in the sun, take a swim in the sandy-bottom waters, or go shopping. Mandalay Avenue is filled with boutique shops, gift shops, and plenty of restaurants.

But as the day comes to an end, you really have to head to the Pier for the nightly Sunsets at the Pier 60 Festival celebration. This can't-miss family event features artisans, crafters, street performers and live musical entertainment. And after the sun goes down, it's back to party time at this beautiful beach.

If you're looking for a little something unexpected, try Lovers Key State Park near Fort Myers Beach, Florida. This is not your typical Florida beach, not even close. Sure, you'll find the white sandy beaches typical of the beautiful Gulf Coast. But at Lovers Key State Park, there's so much more, and there's definitely something for everyone.

If you just like to lounge on the sand, head to the main beach. Go through the main entrance and take the tram or walk the scenic boardwalks over the intercoastal waterways to find a beautiful, unspoiled piece of beach. Pack a cooler of essentials, or hit the concessions before you head over. Add a few accessories for a little bit of beach glamour and you're good to go.

Perhaps you'd prefer a more active day? Lovers Key has plenty of options for you, both on land and water. This park is a favorite for kayakers, with its beautiful, peaceful shoreline and abundance of wildlife such as dolphins, manatee, and an amazing range of shore and wading birds. Pack your camera and binoculars because you could spot American Bald Eagles, Osprey, or the beautiful pink roseate spoonbill.

Looking to stay on land? You can rent bikes for the day or just a few hours at the concession stand. Don't forget your watch because it's easy to lose track of time once you've found your quiet piece of Florida's paradise.

No matter how you choose to spend your time at Lovers Key State Park, just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it. You'll be glad you did.

Florida's Gold Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in the state, and some of the best shopping, too. If you're taking A1A south along the east coast, make sure you go past Jupiter Inlet, one of Florida's lines of demarcation. This one has nothing to do with the sand, and everything to do with the water. North of Jupiter Inlet, the Gulf Stream is 10 to 15 miles off-shore; south, it's only 2 to 3 miles from the beach. Not only does that mean warmer water and weather, it also means clear blue-green water. But where in Palm Beach County should a beach-goer go?

The county bought up a lot of beach, making it free and accessible to the public, and put in amenities like picnic tables, restrooms and lifeguards. If you're too close to the city, you might just get sucked inland - which you'll want to avoid if you hate traffic, because it's a mess here. Try heading down to Juno, where you can enjoy both Juno Beach Park and Loggerhead Park.

Juno Beach has a 300 foot beach with lifeguards, showers and picnic shelters. It also has a 990 foot fishing pier with a bait shop and a snack bar. It's a great place to enjoy warm shallow water, while the fishing is far from the beach. Carry your gear in a beach-to-town tote like the Spree 2 from Element. Dress your feet for the beach in these darling Sandi Thong Sandals from Gabriella Rocha.

If you get tired of Juno Beach, just down the road is Loggerhead Park. Along with a developed 900 foot beach with lifeguards and picnic facilities that include grills, it has nature trails and a marine life center where you can meet the famous loggerhead turtles of the area. If it's possible to have enough beach time, slip into this cute sundress from Hype and head into Palm Beach for some serious shopping.

Palm Beach County has everything from Shakespeare by the Sea to chi-chi boutiques to stretches of soft sand and whatever you're looking for, you'll find it here.

You may have heard of Pass-a-Grille when reading about St. Pete's beach in Florida. But perhaps against my better judgment, I'm going to let you know more about this little-known Florida beach secret. It's truly a little piece of paradise not far from some of Florida's most popular Gulf Coast beaches.

What makes Pass-A-Grille so special? Simple. Authenticity. For starters, it's a National Historic District, not something many beach communities can claim. In Pass-A-Grille, towering beach condos are traded for cozy beach bungalows. Walk the streets of Pass-A-Grille, and no matter where you are, the Gulf and the Intercoastal are a block away. You can't help but imagine you are back in Florida's Resort boom of the '20s, and when you look across the street at the sea oats on the sand dunes, you'll be sure you've been transported to a simpler time.

A vacation, or just an afternoon, at Pass-A-Grille really is simple. With ample parking right by the sand, it's easy to grab your gear and go spend some quality time with the dolphins and the seagulls. Several restaurants and a beach café are within walking distance, so you can easily spend your whole day here.

Day turns to night rather slowly at Pass-A-Grille, but you don't want to miss a minute of the breathtaking sunset. Many beachgoers climb up the stairs of the Hurricane Restaurant to watch the sunset from the rooftop bar. Slip on some beach sandals and a cover-up that doubles as a dress and you're ready to go for beach-style nightlife.

If you're heading to St. Pete's Beach in Florida, it's not far to get to Pass-A-Grille instead and the dividing line is the historic Don Cesar Hotel. Standing like a pink castle against the white sand of the Gulf Coast, you really can't miss it. In front of the Don, don't make that right turn for St. Pete's Beach; instead, turn left and go somewhere beautiful and unique. You'll be glad you did.

One of Florida's best beaches has got to be St. Pete. It has four miles of some of the most amazing white sand you're ever likely to see, and if you want more than just a suntan, there are plenty of things to do in and around St. Pete.

St. Pete is on the Gulf Coast side of a peninsula with Tampa Bay on the other. It's an easy drive to most of Florida's theme parks, but once you hit the beach, you won't want to leave. The most popular tourist times are summer and fall, so if you like a beach to yourself, plan accordingly. And if the crowds do get too intense, just head down the shore to Pass-a-Grille Beach, and enjoy the quiet end of St. Pete.

If you're beaching it, you may want to consider taking a boat trip for dolphin viewing; several are offered. Take the Shell Creek Shuttle to ride around the area instead of driving, and be green by reducing your carbon footprint along this pristine beach. You can go from the "glittering pink palace" (as described at www.floridasbeach.com ) of Don Cesar, along with hotels and inns both new and old, and down the peninsula to the Pass-A-Grille historic district and its restaurants, inns, and funky little shops.

Planning a day trip? Ladies, stay sexy in a two piece tankini top with a bikini bottom from Zoot Sports, and bring along the matching recovery dress so you can go straight from the beach to a restaurant. Guys, stay cool and stylish in these ultra-cool trunks from KR3W, with their Galaxy t-shirt if the sun gets too intense.

Really, St. Pete's is too good for just one day. Pack a jacket like this one by KR3W for men, or this by Patagoniafor women, because the beach can get cool in the evening. Watch the sunset with your favorite drink from the upper deck of Crabby Bill's, then take an evening stroll before you settle in for the night.

In the Tampa area? If you haven't been to Honeymoon Island State Park, you're in the minority; it was Florida's most visited beach in 2007. A barrier island, it's connected to the mainland by the Dunedin Causeway, and boasts four miles of tempting beaches.

Honeymoon Island also has a virgin slash pine forest, seagrass beds, sand dunes, mangrove swamps, and tidal flats. It's home to 62 species of birds, and a variety of wildlife. In May of 2007, a Nature Center opened, with exhibits, hands-on displays and a viewing deck to view the entire island.

Another temptation is the only dog beach in the state of Florida, a dog-lover's paradise. Just keep your dog leashed the whole time, and clean up after him so that others can enjoy the beach too! On Honeymoon Island, there are several nature trails, and the north end of the island has the one of the best shelling areas in the region. It's a great fishing spot; fish include tarpon, snook, flounder, trout and more.

If it's sun and fun you want, head for the beaches. Most are rather narrow except for one at the southern end. That area is popular for weddings and parties. You can reserve areas in advance at the park entry point. Know before you go: the admission is $5 for up to 8 people per car, and $3 for a single occupant. There's a sunset fee of $3.00 per vehicle starting one hour before sunset. If you're planning an event there, the pavilion rental fee is $32.10. The state park and three parking areas are open year round, with hours varying by season and some beaches are closed part of the year to protect nesting shore birds.

Beach gear is a must. Whether you wear flip-flops on the sand, or sturdier sandals for hiking the trails, keep your feet cool. Ladies, sport a new swimsuit in this popular, and populated, park. Bring the rest of your gear in a waterproof bag like this one by SealLines that comes in three sizes, or use a pack with an insulated cooler pocket. Hungry? Honeymoon Island offers a concession area where you can find drinks and snacks, as well as restrooms, showers and picnic areas. Bring your own sunscreen.

Whether you want a solitary day of bird-watching or fishing, or a family beach day, you'll find the perfect beach this week at Honeymoon Island.