Home Care In Folly Beach, SC

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) — As Christmas Day closes many doors, one remains open for those who may have nowhere to go.

Planet Follywood, a bar and grill in Folly Beach, is carrying on a family tradition of a Christmas potluck, inviting new and familiar faces with a backstory that began in the 1960s.

The tradition started when Florence O’Donnell was a U.S. Navy wife alone for Christmas, unable to see her family in Philadelphia. She went to the one place open in Folly.

“She was at my mom and dad’s favorite little local bar, which at that point in time was on Front Beach. And she was crying,” her daughter, Flossie O’Donnell, said.

She said the owner of the local bar found her mom heavy-hearted and decided to bring holiday spirit to her.

“The owner’s wife told her to basically buck up, which I think in today’s terms is to put on your big girl panties, and we will have Christmas dinner here,” Flossie O’Donnell said.

The tradition is still alive and well, carried on for generations at her grandson’s bar and grill. Planet Follywood has hosted the potluck for 20 years, bringing home to those away and near.

Pete Burbage now makes it a yearly custom, bringing the ham.

“Since my children are grown and I don’t do the at-home thing with presents and all anymore. This is a very special part of my Christmas,” Burbage said.

At the potluck, Florence O’Donnell takes donations for her charity organization, Folly Angels, helping those in need on Folly Beach.

The family hopes the tradition keeps going decades down the line.

“It’s a small business. It can be hard to keep the doors open,” Flossie O’Donnell said.

Rain or shine, first timer or a local, all can find a small but tight-knit community on Christmas Day.

Planet Follywood says as long as the establishment endures, so too will the tradition.

It's only 12 miles south of Charleston's historic homes and manicured window boxes, but the salty little town of Folly Beach ditches the Holy City's refinement in favor of an easygoing, barefoot sensibility that feels a bit more California than Carolina. Known to locals as the Edge of America, the super chill surf town is everything a beach town should be. Surf shops line the main drag; cover-ups count as appropriate lunch attire; and nobody takes themselves too seriously (they drop a pair of LED-lit flip-flops to celebrate New Year's Eve). Here's where to stay, eat, relax, and play in Folly Beach, South Carolina.

Where To Stay

For a feels-like-home experience coupled with the charm and convenience of a boutique hotel, book The Regatta Inn. Complimentary breakfast and happy hour are provided daily, plus a free shuttle to the beach. Its best amenity of all, though, is the view: a spectacular vantage of Folly River and the surrounding marshland.

, 64 West 9th Street Extension, Folly Beach, SC 29439

Every single room at Tides Folly Beach comes with an ocean view. Perched at the end of Center Street, the town's main thoroughfare, the hotel is steps from both the beach and an array of local shops and eateries. There's plenty on-site for a relaxing getaway, including a heated oceanfront pool, tiki bar and lounge, and a beach bar and grill.

, 1 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439

Looking for a stay with a kitchen and living space that feels like a home away from home? For families looking to stretch out a bit more, there are a boatload of rentals to choose from: Opt for oceanfront properties that will sleep a crowd or cozy cottages with marsh and Folly River views. And for people who wouldn't dream of traveling without their four-legged companions, there are plenty of pet-friendly rentals too.

Where To Eat

You won't go hungry on this island. Fuel up for the day at Lost Dog Café, a local staple that serves coffee and all-day breakfast (so you can sleep in as long as you'd like). Don't miss their eggs Benedict, which they top with fried green tomatoes.

, 106 West Huron Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439

Fish tacos, Vietnamese-inspired lettuce wraps, and Cuban sandwiches all have a place on the colorful menu at Chico Feo, where the vibe is equally colorful. Its menu focuses on food from local farmers and fishermen. If you're in town for the wave riding, be sure to check out their website's Surf Report, complete with a live video stream.

, 122 East Ashley Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439

Don't let the easygoing atmosphere fool you: Rita's Seaside Grille is serious about its food and its cocktails. Order casual beach fare like burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and nachos, or opt for splurge-worthy entrees like steak, salmon, and seafood. Try one of the Signature Crushes, fruity sippers with flavored liquors that pack a punch.

, 2 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439

End the night at Sand Dollar Social Club, a dive bar where you're invited to come as you are, so long as you're a member; membership costs $1, so bring your cash (you won't find a credit card machine here). Order from the bar, play pool or Ping-Pong, and take in the live music.

7 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29412

Though technically not on Folly (it's about two miles away), you'd be remiss to make a trip all this way without carving out time for a meal at Bowens Island Restaurant, a family-owned joint where the walls are graffitied, and the oysters are locally harvested. Start your meal with Southern favorites like pimiento cheese, fried green tomatoes, and boiled peanuts. Seafood platters are served with fries, hush puppies, and coleslaw.

, 1870 Bowens Island Road, Charleston, SC 29412

Where To Relax

The island's six miles of beachfront are its main attraction, and it'd be easy to while away a week with no plans beyond putting your toes in the sand. Spend a day shelling, sunning, surfing, or searching for shark teeth. The Folly Beach County Park has everything you need for a day at the beach: parking, restrooms, changing areas, a boardwalk, accessible ramps, a picnic area, and a snack bar.

Note that Folly Beach County Park has 225 parking spots, and it usually fills to capacity by 10:30 a.m. on the weekends and holidays. We advise getting there early, otherwise, you can park at the City of Folly Beach parking lots on West Ashley Avenue.

, 1100 West Ashley Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439

At the northern end of Folly Beach, the Morris Island Lighthouse provides a stunning backdrop from the shore. Get a closer look from the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve or via kayak. Several guided tours leave from Folly Beach to visit Morris Island for shelling, photography, and lighthouse history. The historic lighthouse is not open for viewing. How close you can get to the lighthouse depends on the tides.

, 1750 East Ashley Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439

Where To Play

Pack your fishing poles (or rent one) to test your fishing luck off the beloved Folly Beach Pier, which reopened in December 2022 after extensive renovations. If you're visiting in the summer, put on your dancing shoes—flip-flops count—and head back to the pier for one of the Moonlight Mixers, a music-filled family event held once monthly, May through September.

, 101 East Arctic Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439, 101 East Arctic Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439

For those looking to build an action-packed itinerary, there are plenty of activities that highlight the destination's natural beauty: Book a guided kayak tour with Charleston Outdoor Adventures, rent a stand-up paddleboard to explore the tidal creeks, or hop on a boat to discover uninhabited beachfront, where you can look for sharks' teeth and other fossils. You can also book a fishing charter or tour a Charleston oyster farm.

, 1871 Bowens Island Road, Charleston, SC 29412

Stop by McKevlin's Surf Shop, South Carolina's oldest surfing outfitter, to peruse their selection of gear. You can also rent a surf or body board from the shop if you don't have one of your own; first-timers should consult their recommended list of surf instructors for lessons before heading out. Once you've got it down, catch some of the area's best waves at The Washout, a favorite local surf spot, or take a seat on the beach and see how the local pros do it.

, 8 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439

One of the best ways to explore the island is by bike, because most of the island is residential and has little to no traffic. Folly Beach Bike Rentals offers free bike delivery, as well as bikes and beach gear.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — The Folly Beach City Council met Tuesday evening to review ongoing traffic projects, consider an ordinance change regarding animal restrictions and discuss a proposal for free parking at a well-known surf spot.

Folly Beach discusses traffic projects, supports waiver for James Island Cowboys (WCIV)

City Administrator Aaron Pope shared an update on several transportation projects underway across the city.

The Center Street Drainage Improvement Project remains on schedule for completion in June 2026. The work includes replacing and enlarging pipes beneath the roadway to help capture and move stormwater more effectively.

Major construction on Center Street is expected to begin in the coming weeks, and city officials warn drivers to expect traffic disruptions into the new year.

Another upgrade in development focuses on the Peas Island–Bowens Island intersection, where the city plans to add bike-lane markings and extend the merge lane. Mayor Chris Bizzell said the goal is to improve safety and traffic flow for residents who rely on the corridor.

“We’re looking at ways to mitigate that, make that a little bit safer for them to take a left and get back out of their driveways,” Bizzell said. “These new changes with the way traffic will be narrowed should make a big improvement for them."

Work on that project is expected to begin next year.

City staff also presented findings from a recent traffic study on a proposed pedestrian scramble for Center Street. The data showed the design would not improve safety or reduce congestion, and no further action was taken.

Community support for a longtime Lowcountry favorite also led the council to consider an amendment to an existing city ordinance that currently prohibits horses from being kept or used within city limits. The restriction means the men known as the 'James Island Cowboys' must request an annual waiver to participate in the Folly Beach Christmas Parade.

After attention on the issue grew last year, a proposed amendment would shift decisions involving animals at special events to the city’s Special Events Committee instead of requiring a yearly council waiver.

Desmond Green, one of the James Island Cowboys, says he welcomes the change, adding that it is "great to have the community behind your back."

Bizzell agreed the amendment would streamline the process.

“They’re a huge favorite around here, so it is great to have them be part of the parade,” he said.

The amendment passed its first reading. The Folly Beach Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at noon along Center Street.

Council also discussed a resolution that would allow free parking at the Washout until 9 a.m. The measure was tabled for further consideration.

JAMES ISLAND — Coffee, biscuits and bulgogi cheesesteak.

That’s the spread at Trading Post, the new James Island café from the team behind Folly Beach’s popular Jack of Cups Saloon.

They’re bringing their signature globally inspired menu to a café format and introducing something new for the team: breakfast all day.

The menu includes buttermilk biscuits with butter and jam, classic egg-and-cheese biscuits and a larger “All Day Breakfast Situation” menu item featuring two eggs, cheese, tomato, whipped potatoes and maple mayo all on a jumbo biscuit.

Fans of Jack of Cups Saloon’s rotating lunch and dinner menu will spot familiar soups, sandwiches and stews, such as the Thai ginger peanut soup, potato popcorn soup and the tamari-ginger cucumber salad.

First announced in 2023, Trading Post officially opened its doors at 8 a.m. on Dec. 5 in the Walgreens-anchored Shoppes of Folly shopping center, located on James Island at 915 Folly Rd.

Like the unique menu at its Folly Beach flagship, the James Island outpost will routinely roll out rotating “fun, unique bites” in a counter-service format, co-owner Lesley Carroll said.

Current lunch options include the vegetarian-friendly harissa garbanzo burger and heartier bulgogi cheesesteak made with sirloin and topped with spicy Korean BBQ sauce and queso blanco.

During the soft-opening phase, Trading Post will operate from 8 a.m.– 3 p.m. with a smaller menu while the owners await a beer and wine permit. Once approved, hours will extend to 8 p.m.

The current beverage menu includes coffee with house-made syrups, seltzers and lemonades.

Trading Post took over the former Odyssey Greek Restaurant, where it sat vacant for a decade and needed a full renovation, Carroll said.

Customers are now greeted by a blue-tiled pastry case and counter in front of deep blue walls with plenty of plants along the counter and shelves. There is bar seating with leather stools, tall community tables and high booths inside the eclectic, cozy interior.

“The name Trading Post came from thinking about places where people meet and gather — inspired by travel,” Carroll said. “Jack of Cups has been a destination at the beach and now we get to be part of the neighborhood here on James Island, where we live.”

The eatery isn’t the team’s first foray into quick-service breakfast on James Island. Carroll said Jack of Cups BeBop, a location inside a permanent food truck at The Pour House Charleston, has been serving breakfast on the weekends.

Jack of Cups Saloon also hosts occasional brunch events throughout the year.

Trading Post now gives the team a dedicated space for everyday morning fare.

The Shoppes of Folly shopping center has long been a food destination on James Island with global cuisine, despite being located behind a Sonic fast-food restaurant. Thai Elephants restaurant has operated in the center for 10 years.

In October, 27-year-old Italian restaurant Mondo’s opened an expanded dining room and announced it was adding pizza to the menu for the first time.