There are close to 17,000 residents in Safety Harbor, a Florida city with a strong sense of community, as demonstrated by local businesses that drive the economy and how people interact with neighbors and tourists alike. “This is a community where you can walk down, people are going to smile at you, look you in the eye,” says Donna Nettestad, Realtor with Re/Max Action First. Another draw of the city is its location in the heart of Tampa Bay. “We’re like the cog in the center of the wheel, and everything spins off of Safety Harbor,” says Christine Harlan, Realtor with Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc. Safety Harbor borders Clearwater, and downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg are less than 20 miles away.
Safety Harbor offers a variety of cozy restaurants with sidewalk seating for people watching.
The folks in Safety Harbor are super friendly and always ready to offer a big smile.
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Variety of homes with little room to grow
Home styles range from Florida ranch-style houses and bungalows to multi-story homes with stucco facades and contemporary multi-million dollar estates. Locals also live in townhomes, condos and manufactured home communities with pools and other amenities. Over 75% of residents are homeowners, but homes in Safety Harbor are out of reach for some homebuyers. “There’s a lot of newer properties, some good for first-time home buyers, but overall it’s a little pricier because it’s so well-kept," says Realtor Renny Bryden. Single-family houses range from $300,000 for a modest ranch or bungalow to $1.3 million for a contemporary estate.
You can fins a classic ranch home in Safety Harbor perfect for first time buyers.
A colorful cottage style, two-story house is surrounded by trees in Safety Harbor.
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Vibrant downtown is residents' first choice
Safety Harbor’s Main Street has a café or restaurant for all times of the day. Locals get caffeinated at Café Vino Tinto, which offers fresh coffee, waffles and other breakfast staples. Pan-fried chicken and other homestyle dishes are enjoyed around the outdoor fire pit at Southern Fresh. Kitschy nick-nacks decorate the storefront of The Sandwich on Main, a Safety Harbor staple serving up various specialty and made-to-order sandwiches. There are also classic Irish pubs like Nolan’s Pub, a laid-back bar with a solid selection of beers and wines. Main Street also has a fair number of retailers like Portkey Books, a friendly, locally owned bookstore with author readings and book clubs. Shoppers can pick up freshly caught seafood and baked treats from The Tides Market. Staple groceries are available at national chains like Publix.
The Sandwich on Main is a popular Safety Harbor spot for a great breakfast or lunch.
Cafe Vino Tinto offers up specialty snacks and coffee drinks in Safety Harbor.
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Festivals and monthly events downtown
Most events are held in Downtown Safety Harbor , including the monthly Third Friday celebration and the Saturday farmers market. Annual events include the Safety Harbor Wine Festival, which features live music and wine tastings, and the Craft Beer Festival, presented by Crooked Thumb Brewery and Troubled Waters Brewing. Every March is the Bloom N Chalkfest, which takes over Main Street. “They’ve had as many as 80 to 90 artists, and they have a lot of local Florida chalk artists, but they also bring in artists from other states,” says Ali Schaaff, Realtor with Re/Max Action First. Most of these events give back to the community, fundraising for organizations like The Kiwanis Club of Safety Harbor.
Safety Harbor enjoys a full calendar of events throughout the year, weekly and monthly too.
Music at sunset at the Safety Harbor Wine Festival is one of the local favorite events.
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Pedestrians, cars and golf carts share the road
When traveling within the city, especially near downtown, Safety Harbor's residents are just as likely to walk or bike as they are to take their golf cart or car. Major thoroughfares include Philippe Parkway, which intersects with U.S. Route 19 and leads to the Courtney Campbell Causeway and McMullen Booth Road. Downtown Tampa is less than 20 miles away. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is about 10 miles away, while Tampa International is 15. Mease Countryside Hospital is in the northern part of the city, although many people go to BayCare Health System, which is about 3 miles away.
Holiday Sip & Shop is a fun night on the cozy streets of Safety Harbor.
Safety Harbor a golf cart is a must have for fun travel around town.
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Outdoor opportunities along Old Tampa Bay
There are 19 parks in Safety Harbor, ranging from the shaded Baranoff Park to Waterfront Park, where people can walk along Old Tampa Bay and look for manatees. Philippe Park – named for Odet Philippe, who settled in Safety Harbor and introduced grapefruits to the region – spans 92 acres and features a playground and boat ramp. However, the park’s most notable feature is the Temple Mound, built by the Tocobaga tribe of Native Americans. “It’s said to protect from hurricanes,” says Rebecca Hardin, Realtor with Re/Max Champions. It is the largest mound in the Tampa Bay region. Also in Safety Harbor is Folly Farms, a nature preserve with a community orchard and farm animals that hosts field trips for kids.
The oak tree at Baranoff Park is estimated to be 300 to 500 years old.
Safety Harbor Wine Festival is at the Water Front Park in Safety Harbor.
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Pinellas County Schools serve Safety Harbor
Safety Harbor is part of Pinellas County Schools, which earns an A-minus from Niche. Safety Harbor Middle School became an International Baccalaureate World School in 2024, meaning that the curriculum focuses on interdisciplinary subjects, global perspectives and a comprehensive understanding of the content. Private schools include Espiritu Santo Catholic School and Safety Harbor Montessori Academy. The Tampa Bay Regional Campus of Nova Southeastern University is about 3 miles south of Safety Harbor and specializes in healthcare, with programs like occupational therapy and cardiovascular sonography.
Safety Harbor Middle school offers grades 6-8 for students in Greater Safety Harbor South, FL.
Espiritu Santo Catholic School is one of 11 private schools in Safety Harbor.
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Tropical climate with risk of hurricanes
Safety Harbor’s sunny climate allows tropical gardens to thrive. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there is a very high risk of hurricanes. However, because of the area’s high elevation, the risk of flooding is low for most properties.
According to the FBI, violent and property crimes in Safety Harbor have decreased in the past two years.
With over 20 years of experience in real estate, Jackie is passionate about helping others by delivering an incredible home-selling/buying experience. Her strong background in hospitality, real estate marketing, and sales supports her as she uses her expertise and dedication to sell and connect her buyers with just the right property. As a Tampa Bay native, Jackie lives her best life to the fullest with her husband, who is also indigenous to the sunshine state. When she's not busy assisting buyers and sellers to meet their real estate needs, Jackie can be found spending time with family or going on adventures with her husband.
Together they enjoy boating, snorkeling & kayaking in Florida's finest springs, vacationing to tropical destinations, and chowing down on fresh lobster in Maine. They share their home with their lovable English Bulldog Tyson and are active members of Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg.
Jackie has been a multi-year nominee for the Tampa Bay Times Annual President's Award as a Senior Real Estate Advertising Representative for the Times and has been named Business Partner of the Year by the Women Council of Realtors Tampa Chapter. Her passion to serve others, dedication to staying updated, outgoing personality, and willingness to go beyond basic duties are what sets her apart from other agents. As a fourth-generation Tampa Bay native, Jackie looks forward to assisting others in making the Bay area their home too.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
