USA TODAY 10Best - Travel Reviews & Vacation Planning

Treasure Island Beach has once again proven its charm, securing the No. 3 spot in the 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for “Best Beaches in Florida,” with St. Pete Beach not far behind at No. 7!

This recognition highlights what we’ve always known—our beaches are among the best in the state. As we celebrate this achievement, it also ties into our ongoing discussions about preserving Treasure Island’s small-town vibe, as explored in our article in this issue, “What is a ‘Tall Building’ in Our Coastal Cities?” Let’s dive into the USA Today competition, the voting process, and what these rankings mean for our coastal community.

About the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards

The USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, hosted by USA Today Travel, is an annual competition celebrating top travel destinations and experiences, from beaches and hotels to restaurants and beyond. Highlighted on 10best.usatoday.com, the awards blend expert nominations with public voting, reflecting traveler sentiment over editorial picks. Here’s how it works:

The awards span categories like “Best Beach,” “Best Beach Bar,” and even “Best Haunted Hotel,” spotlighting destinations that resonate with travelers through a mix of expert insight and public opinion.

Pinellas County shone brightly in the 2025 rankings, with Treasure Island Beach at No. 3, St. Pete Beach at No. 7, and Clearwater Beach at No. 2. Here’s why our beaches stood out:

Treasure Island Beach (No. 3)
Treasure Island Beach earned its spot with its wide, white sandy shores and it’s small-town, family-friendly vibe. Stretching three miles along the Gulf of Mexico, our beaches offer ample space for sunbathing, swimming, kite flying, and paddleboarding. Cleanliness, maintained by local resorts, and events like the Sanding Ovations sand-sculpting competition in November add to its allure. Visit St. Pete-Clearwater highlights its “Old Florida charm,” with mom-and-pop hotels and a laid-back atmosphere, especially at Sunset Beach on the southern tip. For a small community of ~6,500, ranking third—outshining larger, commercialized beaches—shows the power of community support during voting.

St. Pete Beach (No. 7)
St. Pete Beach offers a vibrant yet relaxed experience, with family-friendly Upham Beach Park and the quieter Pass-a-Grille Beach. Known for its emerald Gulf waters, stunning sunsets, and activities like glass-bottom kayak tours and boutique shopping, it remains a traveler’s favorite. Tripadvisor notes its 2021 ranking as the No. 1 beach in the U.S. and No. 5 globally, underscoring its lasting appeal. At No. 7, St. Pete Beach holds a top-tier spot, though its high-rise hotels and energetic vibe may have split voter preferences compared to Treasure Island’s tranquility.

Clearwater Beach (No. 2)
Despite its towering condominium buildings and traffic congestion, Clearwater Beach took No. 2 due to its powdery sand, international exposure, and superior marketing efforts. Its consistently high rankings in national and state lists highlight Pinellas County’s coastal dominance in 2025.

No. 1: Delray Beach
Delray Beach, dubbed the “Village by the Sea,” claimed the top spot. Nestled between Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach on the east coast of Florida, about a four-hour drive away, Delray Beach boasts crystal-clear blue waters, two miles of pristine sand, and natural dunes. Gifted to the city in the 1800s for public access, it’s one of only two U.S. beaches with the prestigious Blue Flag award for environmental excellence.

The Competition and Voting Process

The “Best Beaches in Florida” category pitted Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach against iconic spots like Siesta Beach (often a top contender), Destin, and Miami Beach. In 2021, Tripadvisor ranked Madeira Beach (No. 9), Treasure Island (No. 16), Siesta Beach (No. 17), and Clearwater Beach (No. 18) among U.S. beaches, suggesting these Pinellas gems often compete with Key West and Emerald Coast favorites. Pinellas County’s strong showing—three beaches in the top 10—reflects our region’s appeal.

Public voting drives the 10Best Awards, often swayed by local campaigns. Visit St. Pete-Clearwater rallied votes for Pinellas beaches, likely boosting our rankings. However, voting can favor destinations with larger tourism boards or social media reach, sometimes overshadowing smaller gems like those in the Florida Keys. TripAdvisor reviews praise Treasure Island for its tranquility and events, such as the kite festival. At the same time, St. Pete Beach earns accolades for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse array of water sports.

What This Means for Our Beaches

Ranking No. 3 is a proud moment for Treasure Island. It reaffirms our commitment to maintaining a low-rise, small-town atmosphere while providing amenities that attract visitors. As discussed below in “What is a ‘Tall Building’ in Our Coastal Cities?,” our six-story limit (five floors above a garage) aligns with the coastal charm voters likely appreciated. St. Pete Beach’s No. 7 spot highlights its broader appeal, but our quieter beaches stand out in a competitive field. Both face challenges like infrastructure strain and post-hurricane recovery, yet these rankings confirm their status as beloved destinations.

Pinellas County’s tourism thrives—15.4 million visitors and $6.8 billion in spending in 2024, per the May 20, 2025, City Commission meeting—but a 5% bed tax drop in March 2025 shows recovery hurdles. Let’s celebrate this win while ensuring our beaches remain the heart of our community.

What is a 'Tall Building' in Our Coastal Cities?

Treasure Island, Florida, is our slice of paradise—white sandy beaches, cozy neighborhoods, and a skyline that lets the Gulf take center stage. With a population of about 6,500, we’re a small coastal community that values its charm. Lately, however, discussions about building heights have sparked debate fueled by social media and city commission meetings. What counts as a “tall building” in Treasure Island? How do we compare to other coastal towns? And what about the Live Local Act or the strain taller buildings could put on our already overloaded sewer system?

In this article, we’ll dive into these questions, clarify our stance on developers—we’re not against them, just cautious—and reaffirm our commitment to keeping Treasure Island’s small-town vibe. We’ll also explore a view expressed during the May 20 meeting of the Treasure Island City Commissioners, which suggests that buildings under 12-15 stories aren’t considered “tall,” meaning a 10- to 11-story building might not raise eyebrows under that definition.

Let’s Define What a “Tall Building” is in Treasure Island

In Treasure Island, our zoning code restricts most buildings to five floors above a first-floor garage, totaling approximately six stories or 50-60 feet, depending on the flood elevation requirements. This setup, required by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood standards, allows parking on the ground floor while maintaining a low profile that fits our beachfront charm. We’ve seen it work well—four commercial buildings, such as the Fusion Resort, the Ocean Club, Treasure Bay Resort, and the Thunderbird (the owners are fine with rebuilding under the current height limits), thrive at this height, demonstrating that six stories can boost our economy without overwhelming our community.

But what’s a “tall building”? At the May 20, 2025, City Commission meeting, a commissioner addressed online rumors claiming the city supports high-rises. They defined “tall buildings” as “a 12 to 15 and above story building,” suggesting that anything below—say, 10 or 11 stories—would NOT be considered tall. The commissioner stressed that no one on the commission backs tall buildings, signaling opposition to 12 stories or more. Yet, they warned that the Live Local Act could let developers build “big concrete buildings.…” over 20 floors high, risking a “concrete jungle with true tall buildings” if we don’t work with property owners. This raises questions: Is the commission open to buildings around 10=11 stories tall to avoid worse outcomes, or is it just clarifying that no high-rises are planned? The comment has sparked discussion among residents in Treasure Island.

Compared to Miami’s 85-story skyscrapers, a 12-story building in Treasure Island—twice our current limit—would feel massive, blocking views and changing our skyline. The commission’s stance seems to counter fears of 22-story towers, which another commissioner called “ridiculous,” but it leaves room for debate about nearly doubling our height limits. For now, our six-story limit remains in place, preserving the low-rise character of the city we all love.

How Other Coastal Cities Compare

To put “tall buildings” in perspective, let’s look at other coastal Florida cities with populations similar to ours (5,000-15,000). These towns, like Treasure Island, juggle tourism, hurricane risks, and a desire for low-key coastal vibes. Here’s what their building height standards look like:

Standard Range: These cities typically allow buildings with a total of 3-6 stories (including garages) or a height of 35-50 feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Treasure Island’s six-story limit is at the upper end, matching Madeira Beach and Sebastian but taller than Indian Rocks Beach’s four stories. Ground-floor garages, which are standard for flood protection, add approximately one story across the board. Commercial zones often permit buildings of 5-6 stories to boost tourism, but high-rises (7 stories or more) are rare due to resident pushback and infrastructure limitations.

Our six-story standard building fits this coastal norm, supporting successful developments like our condos while maintaining an open skyline. These cities show that 3-6 stories maintain small-town charm without sacrificing growth, reinforcing our approach as balanced and community-driven.

The Live Local Act: Not a Big Threat Here

The May 20, 2025, commission meeting highlighted the Live Local Act (LLA), amended by Senate Bill 1730 (effective July 1, 2025), which lets developers bypass local zoning—height, density, and floor area—if 40% of a project’s units are affordable for households earning up to 120% of the area median income for 30 years. For Treasure Island, this could mean buildings taller than our six-story limit (e.g., 12 stories) if a similar height structure exists within one mile or denser projects that pack more units per acre.

The commission warned that without working with property owners, developers might use the LLA to build “big concrete buildings 12 stories tall,” creating a “concrete jungle.” But how likely is this in Treasure Island?

Here’s why it’s probably not a major concern:

Still a Possibility? Our tourism economy (15.4 million visitors, $6.8 billion in Pinellas County spending in 2024) and high land values could tempt developers to propose mixed-use projects with market-rate condos. The LLA’s 60% market-rate units and legal protections (e.g., $250,000 in fees for winning developers) lower risks. Proximity to St. Petersburg’s taller buildings might also justify higher heights. But these factors don’t outweigh the barriers.

Verdict: The LLA is unlikely to trigger high-rise development in Treasure Island due to economic, infrastructural, and community constraints. Our six-story projects already meet growth needs, showing we don’t need LLA-driven towers to thrive. The commission’s warning may be a call to plan proactively, not a sign of imminent change.

Why Taller Buildings Stress Our Infrastructure

Raising building heights or density—whether through zoning changes or the LLA—could overwhelm Treasure Island’s infrastructure, especially our struggling sewer system. Here’s how:

Our six-story limit, with proven projects, keeps growth in check. Jumping to 10 or 11 stories would require major infrastructure upgrades, which would challenge our budget and lifestyle.

Setting the Record Straight on Developers

The commission urged us not to treat property owners as “the enemy” or call them “greedy,” warning that pushing them away could lead to LLA projects. Let’s be clear: Treasure Island isn’t anti-developer. Our three- to four-story developments—modern, successful, and community-friendly—prove that we welcome growth that fits our vision. These projects show developers can succeed here while respecting our limits.

But we won’t cave to demands that harm our city. Proposals for taller buildings (e.g., 10-15 stories) or denser projects often overlook our sewer constraints, flood risks, and small-town identity. Our caution isn’t hostility—it’s responsibility. Developers pushing beyond six stories must answer the following:

We’re open to developers who share our goals, as our current projects — like the Fusion and the Ocean Club — show. But we’ll protect Treasure Island from growth that sacrifices our community for profit.

Here’s an example of Treasure Island working with developers to build a great facility within our current height limits (February 13, 2024).

Preserving Our Small-Town Soul

Treasure Island’s magic is its small-town soul—walkable streets, open beaches, and a skyline that doesn’t dwarf the Gulf. Our six-story limit, standard among coastal peers like Madeira Beach, supports growth while keeping us cozy. The Live Local Act is unlikely to spark high-rises here, thanks to economic and infrastructural hurdles, but we must stay alert. Even a 10-story building, deemed “not tall” by a commissioner’s 12-to-15-story threshold, could strain our systems and alter our sense of feel.

The commission opposes high-rises but suggests working with property owners, hinting at possible zoning adjustments. As residents, we need to shape these discussions by attending meetings (such as the May 27, 2025, workshop), sharing our ideas, and holding leaders accountable. We’ve embraced six-story projects that work. Let’s keep growth responsible, upgrade our infrastructure, and block LLA overreach to ensure Treasure Island stays our home, not a high-rise hotspot.

Send your comments and input to Citizen Beach, at [email protected], we can post them during our next issue.