Southern Living selected eight South Carolina cities as places people might want to consider if they want to live or retire near the beach.
The magazine did not say specifically how the locations were chosen, only that “each one of South Carolina’s beach towns, barrier islands, and waterfront destinations is more scenic than the last.”
South Carolina has 187 miles of coastline and 34 islands, including barrier islands, sea islands and private islands. If you include tidelands it’s 2,876 miles, according to Discover South Carolina.
Selected were Hilton Head, Folly Beach, Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Kiawah Island, Hunting Island State Park, Pawleys Island and Litchfield and Georgetown.
Southern Living noted that readers have regularly selected Hilton Head and its 12 miles of beachfront as a favorite in the South’s Best annual poll.
“Hilton Head Island will give you just the right balance of small-town warmth and world-class sophistication,” the magazine said.
Bike trails, golf at one of the island’s 23 public courses, or eating in a waterfront restaurant were noted as highlights.
Southern Living called Myrtle Beach “as versatile as it is beautiful.”
“This list wouldn’t be complete without the shining star of the Grand Strand,” the magazine said.
The area has 60 miles of coastline and 14 communities.
Visit Myrtle Beach says on its website there are thousands of restaurants, live music, theaters, amusement parks, an aquarium, 90-plus golf courses (and mini golf), fishing and other watersports.
“Enjoy a relaxed beach day hunting for shark teeth along the shoreline in North Myrtle Beach, or gear up for some action-packed fun at the beloved boardwalk,” Southern Living said.
Folly Beach, 11 miles south of Charleston, “is a quaint and colorful destination known for its laid-back beach town vibes,” the magazine said.
They noted the number of beach rentals, surf shops, waterfront restaurants and the Folly Beach Pier, which was reconstructed over two years and reopened in December 2022.
The pier is considered one of the best places for saltwater fishing in the Charleston area.
Murrells Inlet, 13 miles south of Myrtle Beach, is located in the Long Bay region which drains into the Atlantic Ocean and includes the Waccamaw River. There is not a beach per se but there is a half-mile-long MarshWalk beside many of the restaurants.
It also has a view of Goat Island, a small island offshore where the owners’ of Drunken Jack’s restaurant once used goats to keep down the brush — and marijuana plants — and later they added peacocks.
The animals were a tourist attraction in their own right, but after water was chest high during Hurricane Ian in 2022, they were permanently taken to their winter location in Socastee. In their place are some metal sculptures of goats, the Sun News reported.
Southern Living called Kiawah Island “a nature lover’s dream.”
It’s a 10-mile-long barrier island with views of the Kiawah River and the Atlantic Ocean.
“If you’re looking for luxury, Kiawah Island has that too,” the magazine said. “You can book a stay at a world-class resort or tee off at one of the five championship golf courses.”
Kiawah is 25 miles south of Charleston where George Clooney, Reese Witherspoon, Richard Gere, and Bruce Willis own or once owned homes.
Hunting Island State Park is located near Beaufort and popular for outdoor recreation and historic lighthouse, Southern Living said.
“Make your trip memorable with a horseback ride along the beach or a paddleboarding session along the salt marsh,” the magazine said.
And a bonus for fans of “Forrest Gump,” the Marsh Boardwalk Trail is where the Vietnam war scenes were filmed. There’s a platform overlooking the water at the end of the trail, “one of the best spots in the Lowcountry to watch the sunset and enjoy the ocean breeze.”
No South Carolina beach list is complete without Pawleys Island and neighboring Litchfield.
“As one of the oldest seaside resorts on the East Coast, Pawleys Island is rich with historical charm and timeless beauty,” the magazine said. “The island’s calm atmosphere and 25 mph speed limit make it a popular spot for family outings.”
Three miles away is Litchfield Beach, a more developed beach “with modern comforts. Here you find tennis, golf, and uninterrupted peace and quiet,” Southern Living said.
Southern Living called Georgetown a “slice of Southern heaven” and “something out of a storybook.”
“As the third oldest city in the state, Georgetown’s streets are lined with towering oak trees, 200-year-old homes, and gorgeous historic properties,” the magazine said. “Cozied up beside the Sampit River is the heart of Georgetown, the Historic Downtown District.”
Front Street is full of shops and nearby is Harborwalk.
“Thanks to stunning sunsets and scenic river views, a stroll along this boardwalk will have you feeling like the main character in your very own fairytale,” Southern Living said.
Georgetown was incorporated in 1729 after Charleston 1670 and Beaufort 1711. About 10,000 people live in Georgetown now.
This story was originally published March 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
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