I’ve lived in Florida for 20 years, and I won’t ever get enough of the Gulf coast. It’s a laid-back vibe filled with stunning sunsets and sugar sand. I adore this area so much that I’ve written an entire series on this part of the Florida coast — my Coffee Lover’s Mystery Series is set on the fictional Devil’s Beach, Florida. It’s a mishmash of real-life places I love near the St. Petersburg area.
Here are five things Tara Lush loves about Florida’s Gulf coast:
- The sunsets are stunning. On a clear day, the brilliant blue sky gives way to fiery oranges and reds. Grab your favorite beverage and watch the sun dip below the horizon. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a brief, green flash right as the sun sets. It’s a rare sight and not a myth — it’s actually due to light refracting in the atmosphere.
- The sand. It’s pure white quartz crystal. Throw down a towel or blanket and relax on the soft surface.
- The kitsch. Especially in the Pinellas County area, the beach towns offer lots of old Florida attractions, such as mini golf where you can feed live alligators to the saltwater taffy shops. Poke around and find something quirky!
- The shells. Nothing beats wandering the beach in search of a unique and beautiful shell. Treasure Island is especially great for this.
- Dolphin watching. While you can go out on dolphin cruises, you also can spot the majestic creatures cavorting in the turquoise blue water. It’s a fact that seeing a dolphin makes a day 100 percent better.
Tara Lush debuted her Coffee Lover’s Mystery series in December 2020 with Grounds for Murder. Signed copies can be ordered from Tombolo Books, an independent bookseller in St. Pete.
