Coastal town with outdoor fun and small-town charm
The quiet Gulf Coast town of Palm Harbor is known for its natural beauty, waterfront properties and outdoor recreation. This largely residential community, about 24 miles northwest of Tampa, has two major thoroughfares running through it, making it convenient to the area’s many attractions and amenities. “You’re a stone’s throw away from so much,” says Donna Lindner, a Realtor with Innisbrook Real Estate and nine years of experience in the area. “You’ve got Clearwater Beach less than a half hour away, and Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs 10 minutes away. And our downtown is five minutes from Downtown Tarpon Springs and Downtown Dunedin.”
Palm Harbor’s quaint Main Street is a large part of its charm, filled with mom-and-pops and 100-year-old landmarks. It's been the hub of activity since the late 1880s. The town underwent several name changes and phases before becoming Palm Harbor in 1925. Warm mineral springs and undeveloped land turned it into a resort town with several upscale hotels, followed by citrus farming and fishing until the 1930s.
Today, the city is home to 60,000, with tourism still helping it thrive. The upscale Innisbrook Golf Resort, and its connecting Salamander Spa, are the town’s top employers and biggest tourist attractions. Mease Countryside Hospital, about 6 miles away, and Morton Plant Hospital, 10 miles south, are also major employers.
In Palm Harbor, you can drive your golf cart to get around town.
Throw out your line to catch some dinner with all the open water locations in Palm Harbor.
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Boating, beaches and golfing at a championship golf resort
Palm Harbor’s waterfront location and proximity to trails and beaches make it a hub for recreation. The St. Joseph Sound is a hot spot for boating and fishing. The area is home to seven marinas, and the waterfront Crystal Beach community is a town favorite for watching sunsets.
The community sits east of two state park islands. Honeymoon Island State Park, known for its shells, features 4 miles of sandy shores. From here, a quick ferry ride offers access to Caladesi Island State Park, which includes nature trails, camping and fishing. The Palm Harbor Community Services District manages five parks, the largest of which is Sunderman Recreation Complex, which has multiple outdoor courts and an indoor hockey rink.
Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club spans much of the town’s northern section. The club offers four courses and hosts the Professional Golf Association’s annual Valspar Championship. The resort also has a spa, tennis courts and youth camps. Lake Tarpon and its waterfront parks sit on the community’s east side. Clearwater Beach is about 15 miles south.
Some people live on their boats anchored in the waters around Palm Harbor.
There are a few golf course around Palm Harbor for you to enjoy a round of two.
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Tiki bars and a quaint, historic downtown district
Most shopping and dining are along the two major highways. Strip malls like Palm Harbor Plaza and Curlew Crossing Shopping Center offer grocery and big-box stores, essential retailers and fast food. Both commercial corridors provide a diverse mix of cuisine, from Italian to Thai and Latin American. Waterfront eateries and tiki bars like Frenchy’s Outpost Bar and Ozona Blue Grilling Co. are also a big part of its culinary landscape.
The community’s beating heart is its historic downtown. The walkable district is one of the oldest commercial districts in Pinellas County, with activity as early as the late 1880s. It has local restaurants like Thirsty Marlin and Fireside Pizza Cafe, breweries and cafes. There are also historic landmarks and locally owned shops like Savage Yoga Studios and Lee Olson Jewelers. The area has been undergoing a revitalization over the past few years. The Pinellas County Commission approved a master plan in 2020, and officials reestablished the region’s “Main Street Historic Designation” in 2023. Improvements are planned for parking and streetscapes.
Countryside Mall is the closest major shopping outlet, about 6 miles south. Palm Harbor is home to the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, featuring a diverse collection of 20th-century art and modern pieces.
Frenchy's Outpost, just outside of Palm Harbor is known for their famous Grouper fish sandwich.
There is Outdoor seating at the Thirsty Marlin in Palm Harbor.
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Established neighborhoods and million-dollar waterfront beach houses
Palm Harbor’s median home sale price is $510,000, about 13% higher than Tampa and 19% higher than the national average. Waterfront properties can run as high as $4 million. Crystal Bay provides 55-plus manufactured homes averaging in the mid-$100,000s. Downtown Palm Harbor homes range from the low-$300,000s to the low-$800,000s. The neighborhood is popular for its walkability and proximity to shops and restaurants. Mediterranean and Spanish-inspired houses are in the Highlands of Innisbrook development. The price tag can be high there, with homes starting over $1 million.
Those with children often opt for Westlake Village, which is near the high school, daycare facilities, parks and the Greater Palm Harbor YMCA. “I have lived in this neighborhood for 30 years, and we raised our son here,” says Julie Folden, a Realtor for Coastal Properties Group. “It has the proximity to the beaches and intercoastal for boating and sunning, but it’s a small, friendly neighborhood.”
Stunning homes line the waters edge in Palm Harbor.
Many homes will have their own pools to cool down in the hot summer days in Palm Harbor.
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Palm Harbor schools make the grade
Pinellas County Schools serves the area and has an A-minus Niche grade. Catering to over 93,000 students, it’s the seventh-largest district in Florida and offers over 70 magnet and academy programs. “Palm Harbor University High School is a big draw for the area,” Lindner says. “They have special career programs for the kids, and you need high grades to get in.” The high school has an A rating from Niche.
Sutherland elementary school
cultivates intellectual and social growth in Palm Harbor.
Continue your education at St Petersburg college tarpon springs campus.
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An annual celebration celebrating citrus
The Palm Harbor Citrus Festival has been a tradition since 2009. It honors the town’s citrus heritage with live music, citrus-themed contests and vendors with citrus-inspired foods. Tastes of Palm Harbor is an annual festival in October, with samples from over 20 local eateries. The community also has an annual Christmas parade Downtown and a fall craft festival.
Historic Downtown Palm Harbor is at the center of Palm Harbor and features lots of events and festivities.
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A subtropical climate but prone to hurricanes
The community experiences a humid subtropical climate with mild winters. Its coastal location puts the community at risk from hurricanes and flooding. Overall crime in 2020 for Pinellas County decreased by 18%, according to the most recent data from the Pinellas County Police Department. However, crime was 5% higher than total crime for the state in 2020.
Nine miles from Clearwater and 22 miles from St. Pete
U.S. Highway 19 Alternate and Highway 19 cut through Palm Harbor, running on opposite sides of the community. These connect to State Road 580 and Interstate 275 via the Howard Frankland Bridge, providing access to the rest of the region. St. Petersburg is about 22 miles away, Tampa International Airport is approximately 18 miles southeast, and Clearwater is about a 9-mile drive. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority provides public transportation, with most routes along Highway 19. The low-cost Jolley Trolley also offers weekend routes to Clearwater Beach and Downtown Palm Harbor.
Written By
Amy David
Photography Contributed By
Leila Sally
Video By
Grace Kim
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Palm Harbor, FL sell after 71 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Palm Harbor, FL over the last 12 months is $425,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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