Black Friday , $189 marked down to $99. to celebrate our 99th birthday. Many 5 star reviews. ENJOY!
Offer for: Nov 27 - Dec 1
About this rental
- 2 bedroom 1 bath on second floor of the carriage house
- 100 year old island estate is a nice change from the typical condo
- beautiful unique Gulf to Bay location for a true feeling of being on an island
- far from the crowds. This part of the island is only wide enough for a single row of homes.
- 5 star reviews: super clean, just steps to the beach, very laid back and relaxing,
owner was great , communicating and caring for our needs
You will staying in the family getaway of FD Jackson, a seed merchant from Tampa. This is our 2 bedroom 1 bath on second floor of the carriage house. It sits back from the beach and has views down the path to the Gulf, and views of Boca Ciega Bay across the street. The master bedroom has a deck where you can sit out and watch the boats parading by in the Intracoastal waterway between Clearwater and St Pete.
Unique Benefits
It' s a simple place, care worn with the patina from 100 years of sun and surf. We are 3rd generation s hosts. We know "BEACH" . Lots of amenities just bring your bathing suite and tooth brush. We provide Tommy Bahama beach chairs and umbrellas, sea kayaks to paddle out and explore, sand toys for the kids. . A fire pit to sit around and chat. And a natural setting nestled in the dunes.
What is so unique?
In the 1960’s my grandparents fell in love with " The Narrows" , where the sand is only wide enough for a single row of homes. Its the most coveted spot on the 12 mile long barrier island known as Sand Key. The Gulf and of the Bay surround you, like no where else.
Why Kids Love It
Walk out you door, down our boardwalk and feel the sand between your toes.Staying in a nearly 100 year old beach house you can't get any closer to the water. The warm emerald green waters of the Gulf and sugar white sand is right out your front door, perfect for building sand castles. And across the street they can fish from the seawall and wave to the boaters going by. If they like to collect shells and sponges, this island has a sand bar . At low tide you can wade out there and find sand dollars by dragging your feet to feel for their round shape.
We have plenty of beach toys left by other guests. And 3 sea kayaks. Kids love exploring. We are small and personable.
Area Information
Its very peaceful. The most mentioned word in our r5 star eviews is "RELAXING". That it feels like staying at their grandparent's house with a beach, Much different than staying at the typical big box condo with dozens of people sharing the shoreline. On our semi-private beach, the sand pipers and sea gulls outnumber the tourists.
Attractions Within Walking Distance
Down the beach is the small town of Indian Rocks, a former fishing village that was mentioned in several magazine articles as being what people dream about when they remember Florida in simpler times.
Splash Harbor Water Park in town with lazy river, tube slides, family fun
Tommy Iguanas live entertainment
Island Marine Rentals, We have an excellent rental place two blocks to the south. to get out on the water in a boat, kayak, or ride a scooter or beach bike,
Favorite Places To Eat
Crabby Bills with fresh catch of the day.
141 flavors of Ice Cream, the most in America.
Guppy's for fine dining.
Authentic Mexican food at Carmalita's
A short 2-block walk to "Caddys Pub" the nearby restaurant on the bay where you can sit out on the deck and have a drink and watch the boats go by.
Inside Scoop
Besides seeing the dolphins in the early morning feeding on the minnows at the shallow sand bar just off shore , we no regularly see Manatee swim lazily by, grazing on sea grass. They have made a remarkable come back.
The Suncoast Sea Bird hospital is worth a trip a mile away to learn how pelicans and sea gulls are mended and released back into the wild.
Take the short drive7 miles up the beach to Clearwater marina to watch the charter fishing boats come in at the end of the day. They gather their catch and let it slide down a ramp to the dock where dozens watch and wonder if they are ready to land as big a fish as the ones that they catch 70 miles out past the Continental Shelf.
At the end of a good day walk the beach and as the sun sets, look for the rare “Green Flash”
Watch a sunset and look carefully for a green flash at the last seconds before it disappears,
Do not look directly into the sun!
From Google "The green flash is an optical phenomenon that you can see shortly after sunset or before sunrise. It happens when the sun is almost entirely below the horizon, with the upper edge still visible. For a second or two, that upper rim of the sun will appear green in color (or sometimes blue).”
Amenities
Other Vacation Rental Amenities
Seabird Sanctuary and hospital less than a mile
4 Seafood restaurants within 2 mikes
Boat, beach bikes, scooter rentals less than a mile
Jet ski rental 7 mles
Surf board, standing paddleboard rental 1 mike
Yoga clases and Zumba hosted at town hall during winter
Historic museum featuring life on the island during the 1920’s is less than a mile
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Rates
Rate Period | Nightly | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Min Stay |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov 30 - Dec 24 2024 | $169 | $189 | 3 nights | ||
Dec 24 - Dec 31 2024 | $169 | $189 | $1,100 | $4,200 | 3 nights |
Jan 01 - Jan 31 2025 | $235 | $250 | $1,499 | $5,000 | 7 nights |
Apr 22 - May 11 2025 | $140 | $165 | 3 nights | ||
May 21 - May 24 2025 | $140 | $169 | 4 nights |
Fees:
extra guest over #2: $7
resort fee: $150
Tax Rate: 13%
Notes:
Call for specials.
Availability
Last updated on November 28, 2024
Location
Hosted by Curtis Westphal
Member since 2022
Year purchased: 1996
About the host: I grew up here as a teenager living with my mom, brother , sister and 2 grandparents.When my father went off to Viet nam to for 3 years to be a fight pilot this is where we lived. We had the best of both: Grandparents and the Beach. We have a lot of fond memories and when it came time after 30 years for our grandparents to selll my wife Kathy and I bought the Sun n Fun to keep it in the family .We loved continuing the tradition. Our guests experience the joy of of the simple unhurried life on the island and going for a walk in the evening to catch a stunning red sunset into the Gulf to end a perfect day. . Only 35 homes have this unique Gulf to Bay location. For a true feeling of being on an island.
Come stay with us so we can continue to keep this special place in our family for the next 50 years.
Why this property? A change of pace from the typicL condo scene. This is an authentic Old Florida beach house and carriage house.
We pride ourselves for being super clean inside.
Outside is care worn like you'd expect from 100 years of sun and storms (it's not for everyone if you are looking for perfection) Our guests are here for the unique experience: a timeless classic beach vacation that lets you decompress and relax.
It's definitely not like a cookie cutter condo on the 5th floor.
You feel one with nature walking thru the dunes and sea oats, out to our quiet beach .And deciding which direction to go for a long walk to feel the breeze, look for shells, and reflect on how nice it is to be in sunny Florida.
Speaks: English
Photos
Reviews
Perfect place to slow down and enjoy the beach
We have stayed in Unit 2 (upstairs in the carriage house) 4 times and each time it provides a calming place to stay to enjoy the beach and local restaurants/attractions with ease. Please note that the 5-star rating comes with a bit of an explanation. It is not a fancy or up-to-date apartment but it is charming, clean, convenient, and what I like to say "a bit bohemian". It reminds me of places I stayed in FL as a child in the 60s. When asking myself why we continue to return it is because of the proximity to the beach, the small number of people enjoying the beach in front of the units, and the slow pace of the occupants - no pool, loud music, partying, or rowdiness. So if you want a calm and simple place to stay then this is the place for you. PS - the owner/manager is a delight and takes good care of the people staying at Sun 'n Fun. We will be back.
Stayed: February 2023 Submitted: March 08, 2023
Unbelievable Location
We stayed in Unit 3 - upstairs with balcony/steps toward Gulf. It was perfect for the 2 of us. You could also see the marina from the kitchen window. The owner was one of the best we have ever rented from. He answered immediately and was in contact with us while we were there.We had the pleasure of seeing the other 5 units. All had so much charm so there is something for all sizes of groups.Best thing was the location. We had our own private beach since was in a row of single homes. couldn't get any better than that.Will definitely be back. Florida Rentals was also a very easy site to use.
Stayed: January 2023 Submitted: February 20, 2023
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