By Sam Dolson

Family beach-goers, welcome to a sand-lovers paradise with no worries.

That Swiss Family Robinson, sure, they lived on a gorgeous deserted island. But the threat of pirates kept them stuck in their treehouse. For families along Florida’s Beach, there are no such difficulties as those endured by their literary peers. The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is ringed by a coastline that contains every sandy option imaginable for mom, dad and the kids. And the coast is clear from pirates.

Some might be interested in safety first. For the next family, playtime is the key, while still others might look for crowds (or seclusion).

It’s just a matter of what you’re seeking in a “family beach.”

Best of the best

When surveying your options, why not start with the best? . . . the best in the nation. Fort De Soto Park, at the southern tip of Pinellas County, earned the No. 1 ranking in America for 2005 from coastal geologist Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman, whose annual rankings herald the beginning of summer.

It’s not like Dr. Beach just picks the name of his top beach out of a hat. Fort De Soto Park is No. 1 for a wealth of reasons – “North Beach and Fort De Soto Park just have so much to offer,” Leatherman says – and family considerations top the list.

There are 238 family camping sites, two swim centers, two fishing piers, 14 sheltered picnic areas, scattered playgrounds, miles of recreation and nature trails and a historic fort.

So a day at Fort De Soto Park is a full day. Start by sticking your toes in the sand and splashing among the gentle waves, but understand that you can branch out to nearly any activity from there. For an ideally balanced outing, take the afternoon to hike the mile-long nature trail in the Arrowhead Picnic area and scout out the 105-year-old fort for which the park was named. Then return to the water for a cleansing dip, followed by a sunset cookout.

On the lookout

Parents might be certain to look for beaches with lifeguards for safety reasons. Parents with teenagers, however, might find those kids happy for the lifeguards for a different reason (flirting, perhaps?).

Along Florida’s Beach there are plenty of spots where lifeguards are available, primarily in public parks. Most County Parks (such as Howard Park in Tarpon Springs or Sand Key Park, south of Clearwater Beach) will have them stationed, as will most State Parks (such as Honeymoon Island, off Dunedin).

For individual cities or towns, it’s best to check individually. The City of Clearwater, for example, staffs lifeguards at Clearwater Beach 365 days a year. Some smaller cities do not have lifeguards along their short stretches of sand.

It’s important to note that many beaches staff lifeguards only through peak beach months (late spring, summer and early autumn). To be certain about the availability of lifeguards, check with the individual park or city in which the beach is located.

In the swing

Those with younger children can appreciate the helpfulness of a quality playground. Whether a break from the water is needed, or it’s just for some land-based energy burning, kids rarely resist a chance to climb, swing, slide or tumble.

There are two separate play areas at the base of Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach, with rope ladders and climbable hard-rubber turtles. (The pier is renowned for its “Sunsets at the Pier” celebrations each day, which also feature plenty of kid-related fun.)

At Constitution Park in Redington Shores, an up-to-date playground is just a bit down Sunset Blvd. from the beach access. And in Pass-a-Grille, Hurley Park sits right across Gulf Blvd. from the sands of the Gulf of Mexico, and has swings and a jungle gym to go with its pavilions, showers, basketball courts and baseball field.

When it's time to refuel

If your idea of an ideal beach day does not include a picnic basket, there are plenty of stops along Florida’s Beach to chow down. From the top of the area to the bottom, Gulf Blvd. follows the contour of the Gulf of Mexico’s shoreline. From mom’n’pop stops to the national chains, it’s all just that close.

Public access beaches at Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach and many other locales all provide simple access to a host of dining opportunities. They all range from the quick and easy to the sit-down and fancy, depending on your mood.