Because we provide both medical and routine eye care, we accept a number of insurance plans to help cover the cost depending on your individual needs. Here are just some of the plans that we accept:

Medical Plans we Accept

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Medicare
• United Health Care

Vision Plans we Accept

• Advantica
• Aetna
• Avesis
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• Davis Vision
• Eye Med
• Humana
• United Health Care
• Safeguard
• Spectera
• Superior Vision
• VBA
• VSP

We Love Clearwater, Florida

Visiting Clearwater, FL will certainly be a great experience for you and your family. Since I have grown up in Clearwater, there are some spots you will not want to miss that you need to know about. After you fly into Tampa Airport, you will follow the signs to Clearwater, taking the Courtney Campbell Causeway (SR 60) toward Clearwater.  You might want to get out and stretch your legs and take some photos of Tampa Bay.  Along the south side of the causeway is a fairly new walking trail that is nice to take some of those water pictures if you can’t wait until you get to the beach!

Most people head right to the beach when they arrive, and thankfully, if you just stay on State Road 60, which becomes “Gulf to Bay”, you will find yourself there in about twenty minutes.  But I will give you point by point interest options on your way there that may open your eyes to other parts of this great area.

As you leave the causeway and come to the Clearwater mainland, the first major intersection you will pass is called McMullen Booth Rd. This road, heading north, will take you to the Ruth Eckerd Hall that has many shows and events you can search online at http://www.rutheckerdhall.com/.  Continuing north you would head to the small town of Safety Harbor and then Palm Harbor. My office is right on the border of Safety Harbor. If you travel south on McMullen Booth Rd, you will head right over the Bayside Bridge which will take you to the St. Pete/Clearwater Airport and eastern Largo. St. Petersburg Airport is a smaller version of Tampa international, and is mostly home to the commercial airline Allegiant Air.

Clearwater is known for two things. The Beach, and the church of Scientology. Scientology has been in Clearwater since I was a little boy and over time the church has purchased the vast majority of downtown Clearwater.  Downtown also has a great history. We were thankful the Capitol Theater has re-opened to the public. There are signatures of past war heroes in the brick that have been preserved from the original.  Although there used to be a ferry or a train to take passengers to the beach, now there is a causeway that is lined with cars as beach-goers work hard to find cherished parking spots to enjoy those glorious sands. I like to park at the Hyatt and walk over to the beach if I want to participate in all the activities at Pier 60, the busiest part of the beach. But if I get there early enough, I park up near the Palm Pavilion, usually behind the public tennis courts. This parking area leads to the northern section of the beach which is less crowded and more relaxing.

My favorite beach trip is to park as far north as I can get, and bring a backpack and hike several miles north on the beach to find a secluded spot near Caledesi Island away from the crowds where I can feel more secluded with nature.

Before you head over to Clearwater Beach, be sure to make a stop in the Island Estates neighborhood to see Winter the Dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Since the movie has come out, our little aquarium has become quite the popular spot and an inspiration to many children and adults alike who are missing a limb.

As you enter Clearwater Beach, there is a round-a-bout to take you to the various spots. To relieve your stress in lane changes, stay in the right lane and you will be able to exit onto the roads more easily. Driving north on Mandalay you can get to Frenchy’s on the beach or the Palm Pavilion for a grouper sandwich. Clearwater Beach, in my opinion, is best visited as the sun is setting. The weather is cool, the crowds are less, and the view is romantic. Traveling south of the round-a-bout is the Hyatt, Sheppard’s, and Sand Key Beach.  My favorite restaurant in the area is The Columbia on Sand Key beach. It is right on the bay features local Cuban cuisine, Tampa style, you can’t get elsewhere. Although The Columbia has a few locations, this one is my favorite since it is right on the water and has magical views.

Northwood Vision in Clearwater, FL

Clearwater, of course, is only part of a larger geography, and visiting here really encapsulates several notable places, like the Greek-dominated community of Tarpon Springs, known for its massive Sponge industry and well visited Sponge Docks.  There is also the community in which I live, Safety Harbor, a quaint small town on Tampa Bay, home to the state’s Oldest spa, the Safety Harbor Spa with its natural mineral springs and excellent restaurants. And one can’t neglect a drive down to St. Pete Beach and Fort Desoto, along with the great nightlife in downtown St. Petersburg.   Clearwater is only part of a larger community and a 45-minute drive in any direction can take a traveler to a host of memorable places. I hope you enjoy your stay!