Scenic Drives stay in Clearwater or Go to Sarasota

I will be tagging along on my husband%26#39;s business trip next week. His company has us staying in Clearwater until Friday. We are debating remaining at the same hotel or moving to the Sarasota area.

We plan to go down near Sarasota to the Myakka River State Park.

My husband loves to drive....and drive. Would the Clearwater area and further north have an scenic drives.

Or would Sarasota and driving south be better?

Thanks!

Scenic Drives stay in Clearwater or Go to Sarasota

I think going south is much prettier. The Sarasota coastal area is gorgeous...IMO, Clearwater cannot compare, and north of Clearwater things are pretty congested and there are no nice beaches (if you elect to go north, Tarpon Springs is quaint and interesting, though). In Sarasota, you can shop and dine on St. Armand%26#39;s Circle, visit the Ringling mansion and museaum, and have access to some of the most most beaches in SW Florida. If you want to drive further south, you can go to Ft. Myers and tour the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, and perhaps cross the bridge and check out Sanibel and Captiva Islands...they%26#39;re beautiful.

Scenic Drives stay in Clearwater or Go to Sarasota

In the Clearwater area. The scenic drive would be along Gulf Blvd right along the coast. Say from Clearwater Beach, over to Sand Key, and down Gulf Blvd through the smaller beach communities and St. Pete Beach. On Southern St. Pete Beach, Take the Pinellas Bayway East. From the Bayway you can go to Ft. Desoto Park and drive around this park that is primitive and has great views of the water. This is constantly rated as one of the best beaches in the US. From the park, you can continue East on the Bayway to I-275 South which will take you over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, very high, great view, and into the Sarasota area. This will be a scenic way to get from Clearwater Beach to Sarasota.