The 813 holds something special for everyone
Little pieces of personal history are sprinkled throughout Hillsborough. Whether it's a favorite coffee shop to relax on a Saturday morning or a place that takes you back to an unforgettable moment, the 813 holds something special for every resident.
We asked these residents to share what makes Hillsborough special to them:
Dona
Dona was born and raised in Temple Terrace.
What was it like growing up in Hillsborough?
"I grew up right next to Busch Gardens, and I went to school close by. The best part about growing up there was going to my local rec center. A lot of my friends from school also went there and I am still friends with a lot them today!"
Coolest thing about Hillsborough?
"As big as Hillsborough County is, there's not many places where I won't run into someone that I know."
What made you want to raise your family in Hillsborough?
"My husband and I are very fortunate to raise our children in Hillsborough. Our kids are all athletes and there were tons of athletic opportunities for them here. But the best part is all the families we met along the way, like when they were four years old, have become like family. We still have all those connections that we've built."
Mark and Beth
Beth has been a Hillsborough County resident for over 26 years. Mark called Temple Terrace home before moving to Brandon with Beth after they got married.
Where would you take someone if they have never been to Hillsborough?
Mark: "Lettuce Lake Park. It's the best park in Hillsborough County. It has a great boardwalk, an observatory, and you're guaranteed gator sighting."
What's a defining memory you've made here?
Mark: "When we first met, I was two years into the Hillsborough Hiking Spree, and it was totally my thing. I liked to get out into nature by myself and find animals to photograph. After doing that for so long, Beth asked if she could join me and I really did not want to let her. I thought she would scare away the animals and that would be the end of my nature photography. Little did I know, she's an outstanding hiking partner. We take hiking dates now!"
Beth: "The second year we were together, I encouraged us to hike all the trails on the Hiking Spree. We hiked 22 parks and it was a blast!"
What animal are you still trying to see on a hike?
Beth: "An owl."
Mark: "Not true! We've seen a barn owl like 10 times!"
Noa and Sasha
Noa moved from Boston to attend the University of South Florida and has called Hillsborough home ever since. Noa adopted Sasha at the 2026 Mega Dog Adoption Festival.
What made you stay in Hillsborough after graduating?
"I decided to stay because it really became home to me. People really made the place. I am still connected with my sorority, I found the love of my life here, and I adopted Sasha here. I don't think I'll ever leave."
Tell us how you met Sasha!
"I like to call her Sasha-Mosh and she is my best friend. We adopted her two months ago at the Mega Dog Adoption Festival in Plant City. It was the best day ever. We had no intentions of finding our forever best friend, but she was the very first dog we saw! We took her home within 30 minutes of meeting her. It's been bliss ever since."
Rob
Rob is part of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and has called Riverview home for 10 years.
What's your perfect day?
"Probably heading downtown and strolling River Walk or visiting the children's museum with my daughter. Then finding a dog- friendly restaurant, since we like to take our dogs out when we get the chance. Just taking in the sights of downtown."
What's something only 813-ers would know?
"The fishing spots. We have some world-class fishing right here in Tampa Bay. It's definitely a secret gem. Most people know about the restaurants, the concerts, or our sports teams, but it's really a fisherman's paradise."
What's a defining moment of your career in Fire Rescue?
"I've delivered two babies in the field! It's cool seeing the first breath be taken. It wasn't the most comfortable situation for the mom, but everyone was happy and safe."
Todd
Todd has been a Lutz resident for over 20 years after growing up in Texas.
What makes Hillsborough different than anywhere else you've lived?
"This is the first place I've lived where people say they are from 'here.' When I lived in South Florida everyone was from somewhere else. I'd ask people where they were from, they would say 'Chicago' or 'Wisconsin,' no matter how long they've lived there. In Hillsborough, people say I'm from 'Tampa Bay.' It's their hometown, not where they used to live."
What's a Hillsborough hidden secret?
"The Hillsborough River is beautiful. Kayaking, boating, canoeing, hiking along the edge as you go along the river looks like it did 100 years ago."
Julissa
Juilssa is a lifelong Town 'N Country resident, independent film maker, and University of South Florida Alum.
Do you have a favorite memory while living here?
"Connecting with the film community in Hillsborough. I've attended Gasparilla Film Festival and got to meet local film makers. Seeing what everyone is working on is really exciting."
What's it like growing up with your family around you?
"Being born and raised in Hillsborough County, I've always been close to my family. We all live within a 10-minute radius of each other. My cousins even went to the same high school as I did. So, being able to experience so much together is special."
What's the best time of year?
"Christmas time. We have great holiday spirit in Hillsborough."
Melvin
Melvin is a U.S. Navy Veteran after serving 25 years and calls Riverview home.
What's your go-to coffee order?
"Cafe con leche."
What made you want to stay in the area after retiring from the Navy?
Of my 25 years in the military, this was the most welcomed my wife felt. When we first moved, we felt immediately immersed in the community. We felt so welcomed. We just couldn't leave."
You've spent a lot of your life on the water, what makes Hillsborough's waters different?
"The waters of Hillsborough are so unique. You never know what you are going to see. You could see dolphins, manatees - you name it. You could ride the Hillsborough River through downtown or go down south to the Alafia and feel like you're in the middle of nowhere.
The 813 means something different for everyone but one thing is certain: We all call it home.
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