The Tampa Bay area is a hotspot for such a variety of people.  We have everyone from the snow birds that spend the so called “winter months” here (some don’t consider weather that still allows for flip flops winter).  Then there are those that come into town for a Tampa Bay Bucs, Rays or Lightning game or travelers here to see the beautiful beaches and local theme parks.  And last but not least, there we are:  your every day crowd here for work, play and just to live our lives.  I love this area and will most likely always call Tampa Bay home but who would have guessed that outside of the “normal” crowd we are so accustomed to, many celebrities feel the same way about the Bay Area?  You heard me right, fame in the flesh is here in Tampa Bay!  So, who should you be on the lookout for?

Of course we will always have the athletes.  Various Lightning players live all over the Bay.  Some enjoy the exciting beach atmosphere in Clearwater while others like to stay in the South Tampa area, just a short commute to the St. Pete Times Forum.  Then there are the Buccaneers.  You will often spot these guys in International Mall and I don’t doubt that many of them will pay a constant tribute to Leroy Selmon by visiting one of his various restaurant locations.  As for the Rays, you can find them dispersed throughout the area.  While some opt out of purchasing homes due to the schedule fluctuation and possibility of being drafted, you can find many of them renting out some of the luxury high rises in Downtown St. Pete.  And while he may be one of our team rivalries, you can also spot Derek Jeter in the area during Yankee Spring training, as he calls Tampa home as well (pictured above left).

While we do have an abundance of athletes in the area, they are not all we have here.  Tampa Bay is home to its fare share of Professional Wrestlers as well (whom I guess could technically be lumped into the previous field).  Some you may know, including: wrestler gone rapper gone actor John Cena who resides in Tampa, Joannie Laurer “Chyna” in Sarasota, Randy “Macho Man” Savage in Treasure Island, Paul Wight “The Big Show” in Odessa and Barbara Blank “Kelly Kelly” a Jacksonville native now living in South Tampa.  And, of course I wouldn’t leave out the infamous Hulk Hogan who currently has his 17,000 SF Belleair home for sale (pictured above right).

If reading is your thing, thriller author, Stephen King, can be found conjuring up his next book in Sarasota along with AC/DC lead man, Brian Johnson.  And if Ocala isn’t too far of a trip, John Travolta can be reached, but only via his private jet way, please.  The late Oxy Clean/infomercial superstar, Billy Mays called Tampa home as well and I have a feeling if asked what he thought about the city, he’d sell it like he did in the commercials…”You’re gonna love it.  I guarantee ya!”

Basically what I am getting at here is that Tampa Bay is great.  Whether you want to call St. Pete home or opt for Downtown Tampa, there is something for everyone- even the stars!

We have all been starstruck at some point in our lives.  Some become desensitized but to many of us, the excitement of celeb-spotting will never change.  Have you ever met a celebrity in the Tampa Bay area?  Who would you lose your cool over?