As a Florida native, I skip Tampa's crowded beaches for this beautiful, lesser-visited spot

A Florida native who grew up in Tampa says the area’s famous beaches can be difficult to reach without encountering crowds. For a calmer coastal outing, they drive to Tarpon Springs.

The city is about 30 minutes north of Clearwater and roughly 20 minutes from the writer’s family home in northern Tampa. Tarpon Springs is also known as the world’s sponge capital.

The writer visits the Greektown Historic District, where Greek restaurants serve dishes including spanakopita, Greek coffee and salad. The area’s Mediterranean character adds to its appeal.

For a swim, the writer goes to Fred Howard Park. A causeway links the mainland to a barrier island, where the writer finds calm, clear water and fewer people than at better-known beaches farther south.