Palm Harbor, FL

A Suburban Setting for the Tampa Bay Area's Activities and Attractions

Most of coastal Florida is flat - with the exception of the city of Palm Harbor. This city has an average elevation of 25 feet, with some portions rising as high as 80 feet above sea level. Palm Harbor is located 25 miles northwest of Tampa and is primarily a suburban community, houses and condos forming most of the newer neighborhoods. The year 2000 census had 59,248 people living in Palm Harbor, and the city is one of the fastest growing residential areas in the United States. Palm Harbor is a popular area for retirees, vacationing families, golf enthusiasts, and beachcombers alike. Easy access to Tampa Bay area beaches is just 15 minutes away.

The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, formerly known as The Chimp Farm, has been a fixture in Palm Harbor for over 50 years. The shelter houses unwanted and aging primates and is a non-profit organization thriving solely off of generous donations from residents and visitors. The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary is located on Alternate U.S. Hwy 19, and also includes a nature park and a picnic area.

For an historical overview of Palm Harbor, the Hartley House, built in 1915, features a variety of exhibits on the history of the Palm Harbor community dating back to the 1800’s. The Hartley House is part of the Heritage Village inventory and is located on Curlew Road.

Visitors planning a trip to Palm Harbor will find several quality resorts, hotels and motels within and around the community. There are RV parks available for overnight and longer stays. With Palm Harbor's location on the Gulf of Mexico's coastal waters, it is a short driving distance to the causeway for Honeymoon Island State Park or the ferry to Caladesi Island State Park, two "must-see" adventures for the entire family.

As with many Florida communities, commercial properties heavily populate the local "main drags" and Palm Harbor is no exception. Both US Route 19 and Alternate U.S. Hwy 19 accommodate strip shops and malls offering supermarkets, pharmacies, specialty shops, restaurants and any number of general retail outlets. The old town area has additional shopping and office areas.

The warm, relaxing city of Palm Harbor is conveniently located near the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and the Tampa International Airport. Tourists wishing to visit Orlando will be pleased to know that Palm Harbor is only a 2-hour drive away from Orlando’s attractions.