Gandy Bridge Causeway

The Gandy Bridge is a huge bridge that spans almost three miles from Saint Petersburg to Tampa, Florida. This historic bridge was opened in 1924 and it was the longest toll bridge in the world at the time. With a drawbridge and many remodels, the bridge was rebuilt four times, with the latest being in 1996 when they added a span to replace some damaged areas. 

But, the best part about the Gandy Bridge for dog owners is the Gandy Bridge Causeway Beach, where dogs are allowed to run off-leash, play in the sand, and even swim in the ocean. Although there have been some reports of the beach area being dirty or rundown, many others claim that this is a great place to spend any warm sunny day in Saint Petersburg, Florida. 

Because this is not an official dog beach, there are no real amenities such as doggy clean-up bag dispensers, so you will need to bring your own. Nobody wants to accidentally uncover your dog’s droppings while digging in the sand, so do your part to keep it clean. You should also make sure your fur baby does not interfere with other patron’s fun at the beach while you are there. If your pooch does not have good recall, you may need to keep them on a leash to prevent problems. 

You will not find any restrooms, picnic tables, benches, or other human comforts at the Gandy Bridge Causeway Beach. There is no concession stand, food truck, or marina either. What you will find is a nice calm place to let your four-legged family members run around and play in the sand and the water. There is not really much of a crowd according to locals, but there are some loyal dog beach lovers who like to come down on the weekends. Enjoy the water but be safe. There are no lifeguards on duty here.