Treasure Island is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, occupying a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico just west of St. Petersburg. With a population of about 6,500, it is a compact beach community that lives up to its evocative name and its reputation for spectacular sunsets. The island's history stretches back long before its modern resort era. The Timucuan people inhabited the barrier islands from around the fourth century, and the Tocobaga — known for fishing and seafaring — lived in the area before European contact. The name Treasure Island reflects that layered past, drawing on the region's early history of pirates, Native peoples, and tales of buried treasure, and the island was sold by the state in 1908 for little more than a dollar an acre. Today the city is defined by its wide Gulf beaches. Treasure Island Beach runs along the shore with dunes of sea oats and boardwalk access points, while Sunset Beach at the southern tip is circled by a short boardwalk and has its own close-knit identity. Sunset Vista Park is a favorite for its relaxed atmosphere and evening views. The community is a popular spot for kite-flying, paddleboarding, kayaking, and beach volleyball. The Treasure Island Causeway connects the island to the mainland and St. Petersburg, and Gulf Boulevard links it to neighboring beach towns along the county's barrier-island chain. Public schools are provided by Pinellas County Schools, based on the mainland. With an older, beach-oriented population and a strong second-home presence, Treasure Island appeals to those seeking a quiet Gulf Coast beach lifestyle with sunsets on the horizon and a full-service city minutes away.