“Hidden gems of Florida” is an annual column I enjoy researching and writing. A recent trip to the Sunshine State brought me to St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa. The area has 35 miles of white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.

Waterfront villages, art enclaves, quiet beach towns, boutiques, award-winning museums, golf and water sports all make for a well-deserved vacation or spring break. The area, I learned, is one of the greatest beach destinations in the world, and, the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is the largest wild bird hospital in North America with more than 500 birds on display. To see the rest of the column and recipes, please click here.

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