A quiet Gulf Coast community near outdoor recreation and Tampa Bay attractions
Along Florida’s Gulf Coast, north of the Pinellas Peninsula, is Holiday, a city whose name reflects its laid-back, vacation-esque lifestyle. The coastal Pasco County suburb appeals to homebuyers for its proximity to outdoor recreation and Tampa Bay employers and amenities. Holiday is roughly 30 miles outside Tampa, Anclote River nature parks sit several miles west, and Clearwater beaches are within a 20-mile drive. Home to 21,000 people, Holiday is primarily a bedroom community, but Pasco County was ranked the eighth fastest-growing county in the nation in 2023. Manufacturing, healthcare and education are its major industries. Pasco County School District is the county’s largest employer, along with Pasco County government. Another major employer is HCA HealthCare, which has a facility in the Trinity community, about 6 miles east of Holiday. The cost of living – lower than Tampa and surrounding cities – is also a draw for Holiday. “People are moving here because of the prices,” says Tom Emundi, Realtor for SunCoast Group Realtors. “The proximity to amenities is fantastic, and there’s a sense of community that you don’t find in other places.”
The Anclote River is unique in the way it winds through Holiday.
Sun on the beach as you watch the boats pass by on the Anclote River near Holiday .
HCA Florida Trinity Hospital provides 24/7 emergency care for Holiday and surrounding areas.
The West Pasco Government Center serves as tax collector and DMV for Holiday.
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Surrounded by beaches, nature preserves and waterfront parks
Holiday's main appeal is its access to preserves, beaches and waterfront parks. North Anclote River Nature Park is popular for hiking, boating and fishing. The 116-acre Pasco Palms Preserve is a wildlife-filled refuge less than 4 miles north on the Gulf waters with hiking trails and scenic views. The 5-mile Coastal Anclote Trail connects Anclote’s coastal parks. Boaters can access Anclote Village Marina in about 4 miles. Fred Howard Park and Howard Park Beach are less than 7 miles west. It's a popular swimming and windsurfing area. Accessible by boat, Anclote Key Preserve State Park is less than 7 miles west, where four island beaches await. J. Ben Harrill Sports Complex is a venue with sports courts and fields, including basketball, tennis and soccer.
Friends play soccer at Howard Park Beach.
Anclote River Park offers boat ramps just a step away from the Gulf of Mexico.
Tricyclists coast along on the Coastal Anclote Trail.
Anclote Village Marina has dry storage an charters on the Anclote River near Holiday.
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Waterfront developments, gated communities and manufactured homes
Holiday provides a variety of neighborhoods laid out in traditional grid patterns. Several lakes dot the community, and a Gulf canal cuts through its center. Newcomers will find established subdivisions, manufactured developments, modern gated communities and waterfront properties. “Holiday is an area where people can get a lot more for their money," says Realtor Jackie Little of the Little Group for Keller Williams. “Taxes are lower, and your price per square foot is lower." Holiday’s median home sale price in October 2024 was $245,000, down 2% from the year prior. Home prices are 73% lower than Tampa and 72% lower than the national average. Most houses were built in the 1970s and ‘80s. The gated Key Vista is popular for those wanting to be close to nature, as it’s within walking distance of the Gulf waters and beach parks. The neighborhood has two-bedroom, 55-plus villas starting in the mid-$100,000s and single-family, two-bedrooms starting in the low-$300,000s. Holiday Lakes Estates is in the southern part of Holiday and is close to schools. It offers two- and three-bedrooms averaging in the low-$300,000s. The development also is near parks and Highway 19. There are several 55-plus manufactured communities, including the gated Lake Conley Mobile Home Park. Prices range from approximately $25,000 for a two-bedroom to the low-$200,000s for a three-bedroom. Holiday also offers apartments, condos and single-family rentals. The median rental price for December 2024 is $1,760.
In Holiday, you can find exciting 55+ communities with beautiful palm trees.
Holiday, a coastal suburb on the Florida coast that’s less than an hour away from Tampa.
Key Vista has 55+ plus villas and single-family homes in Holiday.
Anclote has beautiful custom homes with water access in the backyard nearby to Holiday.
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Diverse mom and pops
Holiday is surrounded by shopping plazas. Holiday Mall is the biggest, with Winn-Dixie, a movie theater and small retailers. Other shopping centers, including Pasco Square and Mitchell Ranch Plaza, are within several miles. The closest major shopping outlet is Countryside Mall, about 12 miles south. Camping RV Sales, the nation’s largest RV dealer, has a facility in the heart of Holiday. Mom-and-pop shops like Armed Anglers, On Point Fashions, and Skip’s Florist are also a large part of the culture. “This is a small town, so local businesses here get to know residents by name," Leon says. Holiday’s dining scene is mostly locally owned spots featuring American cuisine. Still, several diverse eateries line Highway 19, like Puerto Rican restaurant La Fondita de Leo and Latin Japan restaurant, a fusion of Japanese noodle dishes and tacos.
Holiday has plenty of retail plazas to shop, eat and find services.
Armed Anglers services the community with a smile.
La Fondita de Leo Restaurant specializes in authentic Puerto Rican dishes such as this Mofongo.
Americana 50's Family Diner sits in the heart of Holiday.
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A school district with 40 career and technical programs
The Pasco County School District serves the city and has a B-plus Niche rating. The district has 40 career and technical education programs and caters to over 84,000 students.
Anclote Elementary has 423 students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1.
Paul R. Smith Middle school has 970 students in grades 6-8.
Anclote High School has 1,198 students with a student-teacher ratio of 23 to 1.
Gulfside Elementary is located in Holiday, Florida.
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A subtropical climate but prone to hurricanes
Holiday experiences a humid subtropical climate with mild winters. Most of the city sits in Evacuation Level B, the second group beyond the coastline that would suffer hurricane damage. Since a Gulf canal cuts through Holiday, water levels are higher during storms. According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, overall crime in 2020 was down 12.5% from the previous year. Overall crime in the county for 2020 was 35% lower than Florida for that same year.
Eighteen miles from Downtown Clearwater
Highway 19 runs through the center of Holiday. "U.S. 19 is the main road that gets you from one end of the peninsula to the other," Little says. It connects to Interstate 275, which provides access to the rest of the region. Downtown Clearwater is about 18 miles south, Tampa International Airport is approximately 27 miles away, and Tampa is about a 30-mile drive. GOPASCO provides bus service for the area, with 11 fixed routes.
Written By
Amy David
Photography Contributed By
Clint Bliss
Video By
Adam Barkley
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Isabel Allen,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Holiday, FL sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Holiday, FL over the last 12 months is $235,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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