The United States has plenty of ocean-side states to visit for a beach vacation, but South Carolina easily has some of the best tourist spots on the east coast! From resort options to RV camp sides and everything in between, there's not a shortage of vacation spots for this summer. Trying to evade crowded beaches or looking for the perfect place to paddle-board? There's a South Carolina beach town for everyone! Whether searching for something with a hip city-like shopping district or if parasailing and paragliding are more the vibe for this vacation, one of these ten beach towns can provide the ideal oasis for families, lovers, and adventurers of all sorts.

Bluffton

Located halfway between Hilton Head and Savannah, Bluffton is a great destination for beach lovers looking to relax and soak in the sun this summer. Start the morning here at The Corner Perk Cafe before taking in all the joy the coast has to offer. After tanning on the beach, kayaking, shopping, or exploring the art gallery, get dinner at Southern Barrel Brewing Co. or The Roasting Room. For dessert, check out Joe's Ice Cream & Beverage Company.

Related: 10 Best Things To Do In Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Isle Of Palms

Isle of Palms is one of South Carolina's best towns, with its beach always featuring volleyball, live music, and picnics. This island has incredible ocean-facing golf courses to offer those who visit, as well as two shopping centers to meet everybody's souvenir-needs. In between shopping, tanning, and water-sporting, get a meal at the Caribbean-themed Coconut Joe's Beach Grill. Be sure to explore some of the nightlife this town has to offer!

Seabrook Island

Seabrook Island is known for its uncrowded beaches and deep blue water. Some of its more unique attractions include the full-service Equestrian Center and 36-hole golf course. Who doesn't want to horseback ride on the beach? Other fun activities include booking a tour through Captain Jack's Kiawah Sailing and Dolphin Watching or giving paddleboarding a try with Water Dog Paddle Co. Plus; there are plenty of options for places to eat while guests enjoy their stay.

Related: Palm Springs Beyond The Golf Course: 10 Adventurous Things To Do In The Desert Oasis

Surfside Beach

Beach at sunset

Surfside Beach has a lot of fun amenities that make it the perfect vacation destination for families. From mini-golf to a fishing pier, this town has something fun for every child (and child at heart!) not to mention the shops this beach town has to offer visitors! While there are lots of local options for antiquing or thrifting, the open-air Hudson's Flea Market is easily the most unique. After a day of exploration and relaxation, get dinner at Surfside Jenny's or Bubba's Fish Shack.

6 Pawley's Island

Pawleys Island, SC, USA

Pawley's Island is the perfect beach destination for a more laid-back traveler. One of the coast's oldest beach towns, Pawley's Island has everything a classic Carolina town has to offer: boutiques, beaches, and water sports. It is known for its quiet calmness and massive sand dunes, and is ideal for those looking to evade large crowds. Specific attractions include the Brookgreen Gardens, which hosts the best post-dinner activity on the island each summer: an extravagant light show!

5 Hilton Head

Ranked as the #1Island in the Continental United States by Travel & Leisure Magazine's World Best Awards, Hilton Head is a great family beach town with plenty of guided and unguided outdoor activities to explore. Why not give zip-lining a try? Or try some low-country cuisine? Or pedal around the island? While summer may be the obvious choice, visiting in the fall allows for fewer crowds while still having all the best accommodations available.

Related: These Italian Restaurants Prove Hilton Head Is More Than Just (Great) Seafood

4 Beaufort

Ruins of the Sheldon Church in northern Beaufort County, South Carolina

Located on Port Royal Island, Beaufort is best associated with its downtown historic district. Lined with mossy oak trees and just moments away from the water, downtown Beaufort offers historical landmarks like the National Cemetery, the Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve, and the Saint Helena Parish Chapel of Ease Ruins. In between sightseeing and beach-laying, guests can get luxury treatment at one of the nearby spas! This is the perfect destination for travelers looking for more cultural experiences and educational opportunities than some of the other beach towns have to offer.

3 Kiawah Island

Sunset near Kiawah Island, South Carolina, on the marsh.

An island just 25 miles southwest of Charleston, Kiawah Island is associated with its many adventurous activities. Take photos of the water at Beachwalker Park, go fishing at Mingo Point, or explore the Rockville Historic District before getting dinner at Jasmine Porch or The Ryder Cup Bar. No matter what itinerary a guest is following, no one should miss the wild-life at Marsh Island Park, which is only accessible via boat!

2 Murrells Inlet

Murrells Inlet

Known as the seafood capital of South Carolina, Murrells Inlet is a great beach town for foodies and fishermen alike. While there, consider taking the local Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk or Banana Boat Ride before chowing down at Drunken Jack's or Russell's Seafood Grill and Raw Bar. Want to take some of the ocean food back home? Make a souvenir stop at Harrelson's Seafood Market before heading out of town.

1 Myrtle Beach

Pier 14 Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Whether searching for a luxurious resort or an affordable hotel, Myrtle Beach is the oceanfront town to unwind in. Throughout the summer, Myrtle Beach has a concert series, light show, and amateur golf tournament. All this on top of other staple amenities like boutiques, boardwalks, and beach views for visitors to soak up the sun near! And don't forget to dine and drink like royalty to make the most of the trip!

Matthew Doyle of Summerville and partner Garrett Risner of Holly Springs, N.C., earned one of two available qualifying spots at the Country Club of Lexington on Oct. 3 for the 2023 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship.

The Four-Ball Championship will be played May 20-24 at Kiawah Island Club’s Cassique and River Course.

John Eades of Charlotte and Matt Schall of Matthews, N.C., were the qualifying medalists with a 62. Doyle and Risner posted a 9-under-par 63. Stuart Moore of Gainesville, Ga., and David Denham of Athens, Ga., were the first alternates, and Jordan Sease of Columbia and Kyle Bearden of Barnwell are second alternates following a one-hole playoff after the teams tied with 64s.

Cuthbert Classic

The 2022 Cuthbert Classic Golf Tournament will be held Oct. 16 at Summerville Country Club.

The tournament is a two-person captain’s choice and celebrates the golfing legacies of the late Grange S. Cuthbert Jr. and his son Tommy Cuthbert, the former director of golf at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Proceeds will benefit the Tommy Cuthbert Memorial Scholarship Fund sponsored by the historic Dorchester Free School Board.

For Cuthbert Cup registration details, call 843-873-2210.

Seabrook Island Veteran’s Day

The Seabrook Island Club and the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club will hold the 11th annual Seabrook Island Veteran’s Day Charitable Golf Outing on Nov. 7.

The outing is to honor veterans who have served the country, and to raise money to support the Ralph Johnson Veteran’s Hospital and the Friends of Fisher House. The event will be a captain’s choice scramble format. Wounded Warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan will be participating as guests. Non-member Lowcountry residents are invited to participate.

The entry fee for Seabrook Island Club members is $95 plus applicable golf fees. For non-club members, the fee is $175; $75 of the entry fee will be set aside as a charitable contribution to the Ralph Johnson Veteran’s Hospital and Fisher House. Call the Seabrook Island Golf Shop at 843-768-2529, or email golf@seabrookisland.com.

Donations also can be made by sending a check to Alan Armstrong, 2427 Golf Oak Park, Seabrook Island SC 29455. Checks should be made payable to the Friends of Fisher House or the Ralph H. Johnson Veteran’s Hospital. For further information, email alan9631@comcast.net.

CALGA Classic

The Charleston Area Ladies Golf Association played the opening round of its CALGA Classic on Sept. 19 at Crowfield Golf Club, with Wescott taking the lead. The final round is scheduled Oct. 19 at Rivertowne.

Standings after the first round are: Wescott, 284; Dunes West, 292; Shadowmoss, 294; Crowfield, 299; Rivertowne, 300; Seabrook, 306; Charleston Municipal, 306; Coosaw Creek, 309.

Aces

Gerry Purvis, Sept. 20, Black Robin-Wescott Golf Club, No. 4, 115 yards, 9-iron. Witnesses: George Howard, John Lineau.

Robert Sparrow, Sept. 22, Links Course-Wild Dunes Resort, No. 11, 130 yards. Witness: Robert Schneider, David Keane, Rodney Johnson.

John Weeks, Sept. 23, Charleston Municipal Golf Course, No. 4, 155 yards, 6-iron. Witnesses: Bob Mullen, Bubber Ulmer.

Matt Heine, Sept. 26, Charleston National Golf Club, No. 2, 130 yards, pitching wedge. Witness: Hunter Epperson.

A hole-in-one should be reported by the golf course. Please email aces to braswellsports@hotmail.com and to sportsdesk@postandcourier.com.

There are plenty of good reasons to make the trip to Charleston, South Carolina: Historic homes make for colorful photo ops, the restaurant scene is fresh and inventive, and locally owned stores and boutiques make for unparalleled shopping. Some of the Holy City's greatest assets, though, aren't actually within the city limits. Pack the sunscreen and load the car because the scenic beaches near Charleston are a gem. You won't find ultra-crowded beaches, just a quiet spot to relax and soak up the sunshine. The smooth sand, cool water, and near-perfect weather will make you think you've found pure bliss. Here, find our guide to the sun-drenched beaches that are just a quick drive from the Charleston Peninsula. They're worth the detour.

1. Kiawah Island

While the 23-mile drive from the peninsula out to Kiawah Island takes about 40 minutes on a good day, the pristine stretch of sand at Kiawah's public Beachwalker Park is well worth it. It's quiet, especially for a public park, fronts the ocean, and also offers views of the Kiawah River. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available seasonally, and dogs are welcome, as long as they're on a leash. Explore Kiawah Island's private beaches by renting a house or villa on the island or booking a stay at the Sanctuary, the island's luxurious oceanfront hotel.

2. Folly Beach

Just 12 miles from downtown, the "Edge of America" is the grooviest of Charleston's nearby beaches. It's a popular hangout for surfers, who frequent "The Washout," a stretch of coast known for having the area's best waves. Center Street, the bohemian beach town's colorful main thoroughfare, is lined with surf and souvenir shops and good eats, like Taco Boy and Rita's Seaside Grille, and is just steps away from Folly's 1,045-foot fishing pier.

3. Isle of Palms

The oceanfront county park on this barrier island has picnic tables, a sand volleyball court, and a playground for the littlest beach bums, making it a great place to take the whole family. Venture a little farther down the beach, beyond the park, to discover a number of fun beachfront bars and eateries, like family-friendly Coconut Joe's Beach Grill and The Windjammer, a classic dive bar and music venue that's as salty as they come. Paddle the intercoastal waterway from Isle of Palms where you may encounter dolphins and get up close to coves and marshes.

4. Seabrook Island

Though the island's nearly 4 miles of unspoiled beaches are private to residents and rental guests only (book your stay here), Seabrook is still worth a stop if you're already making the trip out to Kiawah's Beachwalker Park, which is just a few miles away. An Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary, Seabrook is home to a variety of wildlife, including foxes, bobcats, deer, sea turtles, and bottlenose dolphins. Head to Bohicket Marina for a sunset stroll by the river, then plop down at an outdoor table at the Salty Dog Cafe for water views, East Coast peel-and-eat shrimp, and a cold beer or two.

5. Sullivan's Island

When it comes to old-school cottages, small town charm, and a spotless beach to boot, you won't find a dreamier destination than Sullivan's Island. While neighboring Isle of Palms has a lively resort feel, 3.3-square-mile Sullivan's tends to fly under the radar–and the locals like it that way. Be sure to stop by Poe's Tavern on Middle Street for a killer burger before you head back toward town. Flip-flops and salty hair are always welcome on the front porch.

6. Bulls Island

Accessible only by ferry, this barrier island is 45 minutes away from downtown Charleston and feels far away from the comforts of civilization. A good way to see the birds of this untouched island, and perhaps a playful dolphin if you're lucky, is on a guided paddling tour. Comb the beach for shells, walk Boneyard Beach where a forest is being recalled by the sea, or track foxes, bobcat, and deer.

7. Edisto Island

About 60 miles from Charleston, Edisto Beach's unspoiled coastline makes it worth the drive. Stay beachside for a dreamy vacation, or take a day trip from Charleston. One of four oceanfront state parks in South Carolina, palmetto-lined Edisto Beach State Park provides the picture-perfect backdrop for swimming, hunting for shells and sharks' teeth, fishing, or strolling. After a day on the island's trails, savor some seafood at the Waterfront Restaurant or the tacos at McConkey's Jungle Shack.

8. Morris Island

Hunt for shells and fossils near the candy cane–striped lighthouse on this uninhabited island just minutes from Charleston. Accessible only by boat, visitors can opt for several tour options, including riding out on a 55-foot power catamaran that's for the more adventurous traveler. For photography buffs, view the lighthouse from the shores of Folly Beach.

9. Pawleys Island

It takes a bit longer to reach from Charleston than some of the other beaches, but the slower pace on Pawleys Island is instantly soothing. This barrier island packs a lot into its four-mile stretch. Set off in a canoe or kayak to explore the salt marsh that separates this island from the mainland, or settle in for a day at the beach. There's shelling, fishing, and crabbing to be done. Sign up for surfing lessons—some of the best waves are near Pawleys Island Pier.

10. Capers Island

Similar to Bulls Island, Capers Island has its own forest of forgotten sea-bleached trees covering the shoreline. At low tide, you may see feeding dolphins and water birds like egrets and herons searching for a meal. Discover tide pools as you walk the beach, hike the island to see gators and deer in their natural habitat, or paddle along the shores and see jellyfish and crabs. Reach this undeveloped island by chartered boat, or take a kayak tour to learn about the area's ecosystem.

A prominent coastal retail center in the Charleston area is now under new ownership for the third time in its 17-year history.

Columbia-based Edens, a national retail real estate owner, operator and developer, announced June 15 it has acquired Freshfields Village between Kiawah and Seabrook islands at the south end of Betsy Kerrison Parkway.

The new owner paid just under $125 million for the retail center, according to Charleston County land records.

The 191,850-square-foot shopping center, anchored by Harris Teeter supermarket, last changed hands for $59.8 million in 2013, when Northwood Investors of New York City acquired the roughly 23-acre property from Kiawah Partners.

“We are honored and excited to become the stewards of Freshfields Village,” said Edens’ CEO Jodie W. McLean. “Through its thoughtful curation of programming and public space activation, this iconic property has earned its reputation as a place where lasting memories and connections are made — an ethos that very much aligns with our mission to enrich community.”

She called Freshfields a “pillar of the Lowcountry” and noted her bullishness about the shopping center business.

“I’ve never been more optimistic about brick-and-mortar retail than I am today,” McLean said. “I think we will still have some rightsizing of retail in this country, but our foot traffic is way up since pre-Covid numbers. ... Stores that are embedded in neighborhoods that are designed where people come together are in high demand. We think Freshfields fits that model to a tee.”

The shopping center, with 99 percent occupancy, is home to more than 70 retailers, restaurants and service-oriented businesses. It also is the site of more than 80 public events throughout the year.

The merchant mix at Freshfields includes national, regional and Lowcountry businesses such as Lululemon, Faherty, Bluemercury, Johnny Was, Vineyard Vines, Las Olas, GDC Home and The Co-Op. Several big banks also operate branches at the property.

Edens was founded in the Palmetto State capital in 1966 and now has a portfolio of 110 properties through the U.S. in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Almost all of the company’s retail centers are open-air shopping destinations.

In South Carolina, Edens’ holdings include Trenholm Plaza, Crosshill Shopping Center and Columbiana Station, all in Columbia.

SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - An ongoing battle over short-term rentals is brewing on Seabrook Island, where homeowners say uncontrolled growth of properties is affecting their quality of life.

Homeowners Ted Flerlage and Paul McLaughlin said although they do not want to end short-term rentals on the island, the effects of recent growth have prompted them to call for a cap on short-term rentals.

“If you come here in July, around July Fourth, as a resident walking out boardwalk one, let’s say, to north beach, there’s no space, and that is a rental issue,” Flerlage, who has lived on the island since March 2020, said. “That is a noise issue. It is a parking issue because every spot on the limited parking area is taken.”

The two homeowners have spearheaded the Preserve Seabrook effort. A letter sent to residents as part of the effort says concerns “center on the uncontrolled growth of short-term rentals, especially on streets where there are many full-time and private residential properties.”

“We aim to retain a reasonable offering of properties that can be rented by guests who love to visit and vacation on our beautiful island, while ensuring Seabrook does not gradually morph into a resort community,” the letter states. “We believe adding a cap on the number of resort properties on Seabrook would protect the unique qualities of our island while allowing revenue generated through rental properties to continue to flow back to the town through state and county accommodation taxes that the renters pay.”

Over 300 residents have signed a petition to cap the number of short-term rentals on the island, according to McLaughlin.

The petition seeks a single question on the Nov. 2, 2021 ballot that asks if voters support:

“Seabrook, when I bought here in 2002 and built our house here in 2009, it was more like ‘Cheers,’” McLaughlin said. “Everybody knew your name. Now, with the influx of 500 rental properties and growing, it’s changed a lot, and the quality of life on the island has changed a lot.”

Seabrook Island Mayor John Gregg said a petition from those calling for a cap has been sent to a committee, which will conduct a factual inquiry and then report to town council with recommendations.

“The object for the ad hoc committee was to identify inquiries of factual matters that could inform council as it considers whether or not it is warranted to do further regulation,” Gregg said.

The mayor added that to operate a short-term rental on the island, homeowners need to have a business license and a permit from the town.

McLaughlin and Flerlage said they welcome the data-driven effort but want more communication from the town and to work with them on a solution.

“Our question to them: What is the tipping point? If 500 isn’t the tipping point, is it 600? Is it 700? Is it 800? So, in the meantime, we need to figure it out,” McLaughlin said. “We need to halt what’s going on. Everybody keeps what they currently have, and we study the problem, and we figure out what the solution would be. We don’t make the problem worse while continuing to study it.”

“These are people who live in South Carolina and vote in South Carolina who live on the island and vote on the island,” Flerlage said. “These are the people who are their direct constituents – the people who vote for the mayor and the town council. It’s more than 300 of those people who signed up, which is nearly as many as who voted for them in the last election on Nov. 2, and in our opinion, there has been no communication and we’ve been getting fairly short-tripped on the issue.”

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