With a population of 7,444, Apollo Beach is a quiet enclave on the central Gulf Coast of Florida just minutes away from the excitement of the Tampa. Covering 5.9 square miles in the SouthShore area of Hillsborough County, it is just a short drive away from the Bay area?s top attractions including the Florida Aquarium, Lowry Zoo, and Busch Gardens. Go west along the shore and you?ll see the peaceful waterfront promenade and famous pier of St. Petersburg. Sun-, sand- and fun-seekers will find miles of sun-kissed coastline from Clearwater to St. Pete and many beautiful parks along the way. Over one million people live, work, and play in Hillsborough County; it?s seat is Tampa.

The highly popular Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival draws thousands of visitors each spring. Mouthwatering food, live entertainment, and artistic competitions make for plenty of family fun at this festival, which is a celebration of the visual, performing, and culinary arts and features the work of international artists and craftsman. Tampa Bay offers every dining option available from the famous Cuban sandwiches in off-the-beaten path spots to atmospheric ethnic eateries such as Café Alma in St. Pete to the ultimate in fine dining, such as the legendary Bern?s Steakhouse.

Fashionistas have their pick in Tampa Bay from the chi-chi International Mall to where Gwen Stefai was recently spotted to the University Mall near University of Southern Florida to Old Hyde Park Village?s specialty malls to several premier designer outlet malls, it?s all here. From the hot nightlife at Ybor City to Pleasure Island?s themed nightclubs to Hard Rock Café Live, you can party 24/7 in the Tampa Bay area. Summer concerts and live music performances can be found just about everywhere as Florida?s up-and-coming- musicians have many venues in which to perform.

The spectacular Disney World Resort is just about an hour?s drive from Apollo Beach, and the Sun City Center is five minutes away. Apollo Beach is in proximity to many of Florida?s hottest vacation destinations including Orlando, Miami, Key West, Daytona Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.

Tampa hosts four professional sports teams: the NFL?s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NHL?s Tampa Bay Lightning, the MLB?s Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the AFL?s Tampa Bay Storm. Collage football enthusiasts can cheer on the USF Bulls football players at Raymond James Stadium and the USF Bulls basketball players at the USF Sun Dome.

With the west coast of Florida?s miles of sun-kissed shoreline and mild climate, outdoor recreational activities of every type are available in this area. Surfing, sailing, shelling, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, golfing, tennis ? visitors and locals can enjoy the great outdoors all year long in the Sunshine State.