Westchase, FL Area Guide

Westchase got its start on April 15, 1991, when Hillsborough County commissioners approved the development, with new construction rolling out later that September. The goal was a self-contained, deed-restricted community on what had been undeveloped land in northwest Hillsborough County, and the design reflected the era's best thinking about planned suburban living.

Two institutions give the community its most recognizable historic character. The Lloyd Clifton-designed Westchase Golf Club received recognition from the National Golf Foundation and remains a centerpiece of outdoor recreation. On the western edge of the community, Tampa Bay Downs has operated as a live thoroughbred horseracing track, drawing racing fans and hosting a calendar of tournaments, festivals, and an annual Kentucky Derby Day celebration.

Westchase's food scene is unique as it centers around walkable village areas, where West Park Village and Westchase Town Center anchor a lively mix of options. Irish 31 pub brings a lively atmosphere for sports-watching and trivia nights, while Marina's in the Westchase shopping mall has built a reputation as the go-to spot for pizza.

Casual eateries in Westchase Town Center share the plaza with coffee options and a fitness center. Periodic food truck rallies add variety, and First Friday nights bring vendors and live music alongside the regular restaurant scene.

Westchase is one of the few cities where travel doesn't require a car, thanks to a network of paved trails and sidewalks connecting neighborhoods to village centers and parks. For trips outside the community, most residents rely on a car, as bus service is limited to some Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority routes near Tampa Bay Downs.

Tampa International Airport is about a 24-minute drive at roughly 13 miles, and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is approximately 38 minutes away. The Veterans Expressway provides highway access to downtown Tampa and the airport corridor, keeping commute times manageable for those traveling to the broader metro area.

Glencliff Park stretches across 15 acres of community green space, offering a shade-sail-covered playground, basketball courts, soccer fields used by the Westchase Soccer Association, a pond with a pier, and rentable pavilions for gatherings. Baybridge Park complements it with playscapes, a fitness-station pathway, rentable pavilions of its own, and an open lawn that hosts recurring movie nights.

In West Park Village Town Center, West Park Village Park features a covered playground and a dog park, while the Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library adds an outdoor pavilion on its lawn. Beyond the community, Lake Rogers Park is about 13 minutes away, Philippe Park about 18 minutes, and Brooker Creek Preserve is a 24-minute drive for those seeking a more natural setting.

Renters considering the Tampa metro area will find overall costs running slightly below the national average, with housing in particular coming in meaningfully lower than the national benchmark. Groceries and utilities run a bit higher than national norms, while transportation and healthcare costs stay close to or below the national average.

Retail in Westchase leans toward convenience and daily needs, with the community's shopping center anchored by a Publix grocery store and surrounded by salons, a Pilates studio, and a pharmacy. Village Plaza at Westchase and Main Street at Hampton Lakes add more options within a few minutes' drive, and Westchase Town Center brings an F45 fitness center and casual retail into a walkable mixed-use setting.

Several additional shopping centers line Racetrack Road and Citrus Park Drive just outside the community, making it easy to handle most errands without a long commute.

A 2,000-acre community with more than 30 neighborhoods, Westchase pairs preserved natural land with walkable village centers, the Lloyd Clifton-designed Westchase Golf Club, live thoroughbred racing at Tampa Bay Downs, and easy reach to both Tampa International Airport and the Gulf Coast beaches.