Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach is an Ideal Fishing Spot and Much More

Pier 60 is a 1,080-foot-long fishing pier located at Clearwater Beach, Florida. Operated by the city of Clearwater, it is open 364 days a year (closed on Christmas day) and features various amenities for anglers and other visitors.

The pier itself is known as a premiere fishing location. The last 10 feet or so are specifically reserved for the use of anglers, who can expect to catch a number of different kinds of fish off the pier. There is a bait and tackle shop located on the pier for the convenience of fishermen as well as a snack bar concession stand, which sells a variety of light fare. Just before visitors reach the pier, there is also a larger shop that sells beach gear, apparel, suntan lotion, towels, and other items anglers or others might need for the day.

Besides fishing, visitors can walk the length of the pier - for a small fee - to catch photos of the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. It is considered one of the best places in town from which to photograph the brilliant colors of dusk and well worth the small price one must pay to enjoy the view.

Pier 60 also includes a covered playground for children and an event pavilion that plays host to a variety of different festivities.

The main reason for visiting Pier 60, however, is to take advantage of the daily event known as Sunsets at Pier 60. First organized in 1995, this approximately 4-hour-long festival provides locals and visitors with a variety of entertainment and shopping experiences throughout the year, weather permitting, even on holidays. Hours vary according to the time of sunset, but most start at around 3:30 or 4 pm in the winter time and about 6 pm in the summer months.

Sunsets at Pier 60 feature street entertainers or "buskers'' of various genres, including vocalists, instrumentalists, magicians, jugglers, dancers, stilt walkers, balloon artists, and fire breathers, all lined up along the pier to entertain crowds with their antics. The entertainment is free but tipping is permitted and encouraged. Crafters also line up to peddle their wares, many of them home-made. Browsers can purchase jewelry, paintings, pottery, woodwork, and much more.

Many of the Sunsets at Pier 60 festivals are geared toward particular parts of the year. For example, Fourth of July events may include patriotic music and fireworks while daily events held during the Christmas season feature caroling, Christmas lights and decorations, and holiday-related crafts.

In the area around Pier 60, there are multiple stores, restaurants, bars, hotels, and other tourist amenities. The area is easily reached via Route 60, also known as Causeway Boulevard. From April 1 through the end of September, the pier is open 24 hours a day. During the remainder of the year, it opens around 6 am and closes at 9:30 pm.