Here’s the thing about the Grand Strand: it doesn’t ask you to choose just one kind of beach vacation. It lays out 60 uninterrupted miles of South Carolina coastline and says, go ahead, find your perfect spot.
Some people want a boardwalk, a SkyWheel, and all-you-can-eat crab legs. Others want a hammock, a barrier island, and nothing louder than a pelican. The Grand Strand has both of those people covered, plus every personality in between.
Stretching from Little River in the north all the way to Georgetown in the south, the Grand Strand strings together a remarkable necklace of beach towns, each with its own distinct rhythm. Seven of the top ten reader-voted beaches in South Carolina sit right here along this one stretch of coastline. That’s not a coincidence, it’s a track record.
So whether you’re planning your first Grand Strand trip or your fifteenth, here’s your complete guide to every beach community along this legendary shore.
Little River: Where the Grand Strand Begins
Start at the top. Little River sits just south of the North Carolina border and earns its reputation as the quietest entry point on the Strand. This small fishing village moves at its own unhurried pace, with fresh-caught seafood straight from local boats, a marina full of charter fishing options, and a famously fun annual Blue Crab Festival each May. The Big M Casino Boat departs from Little River for offshore gambling cruises, a genuinely unique add-on to any beach trip. This spot suits travelers who want a home base that feels genuinely local rather than touristy.
North Myrtle Beach: Four Neighborhoods, One Big Personality
Head south and you hit North Myrtle Beach, nine miles of gorgeous coastline made up of four historic beach communities that merged in 1968. Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill each keep their own identity, but together they form one of the Grand Strand’s most beloved destinations.
Cherry Grove anchors the northern end with a quieter, beach-house vibe. The 985-foot Cherry Grove Pier draws serious anglers; several fishing records were set here, including the catch of the world’s largest tiger shark. Ocean Drive, meanwhile, is where the shag dance was born. South Carolina made the Shag its official state dance in 1984, and OD remains its spiritual home. Fat Harold’s Beach Club and Duck’s Dance Club both host live music, dancing, and lessons throughout the summer. Crescent Beach offers the smallest-town feel of the four, with mini-golf, water sports operators, and a relaxed family atmosphere. Windy Hill rounds out the south end with easy access to Barefoot Landing, a sprawling waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment complex on the Intracoastal Waterway.
North Myrtle Beach’s waves stay mellow, and the sandy break stays shallow, ideal for families with young children who want a gentler swimming experience than busier resort areas offer.
Check out our list of the Best Budget Hotels on the Grand Strand
Myrtle Beach: The Grand Strand’s Beating Heart
Myrtle Beach needs no introduction, but it deserves one anyway. This is the Strand’s most famous city, a 10-mile stretch of beach backed by an enormous entertainment infrastructure that keeps families busy from sunrise well past sunset. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade runs along the oceanfront with the iconic SkyWheel rising nearly 200 feet above the Atlantic. Broadway at the Beach, Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Ripley’s Aquarium, and over 1,800 restaurants ensure you never run out of things to do.
The beach itself runs wide, flat, and family-friendly. U.S. News & World Report named it one of the top East Coast beach destinations for summer 2025, specifically praising its lifeguard coverage and water quality monitoring. Lifeguards patrol the shore through the summer season, making this one of the best-supervised beaches on the Strand.
Myrtle Beach suits vacationers who want maximum options. Come for the energy, the food, the rides, and the spectacle, and don’t skip the beach itself, which often gets overlooked amid all the entertainment noise. It’s genuinely beautiful.
Check out our collection of the Best Beach Bars on the Grand Strand
Surfside Beach: The Family Beach Earns Its Title
Just south of Myrtle Beach, the volume drops and something genuinely lovely takes its place. Surfside Beach carries the official nickname “The Family Beach,” and it means it. Two miles of wide, clean Atlantic shoreline, 36 public beach access points, and lifeguard supervision during peak season make this one of the most accessible beaches on the entire Strand.
Surfside also holds a distinction unlike anywhere else on the Grand Strand: it became the first town in the United States to earn official autism-friendly destination certification. The Champion Autism Network, based right in Surfside Beach, works with local businesses and restaurants to create a genuinely inclusive vacation environment. That’s a remarkable community commitment, and it tells you a lot about what this town values.
The town-owned fishing pier, and a compact cluster of excellent restaurants (including the grand-strand-voted-best Pizza Hyena and the beloved Bubba’s Fish Shack) give families everything they need without requiring a car trip to find it.
Garden City Beach: The Surfer’s Secret
Continuing south, Garden City Beach occupies a quietly beloved stretch of coastline that locals rank among the Strand’s best-kept secrets. Surfers in particular love this area, the waves here carry a little more energy than spots further north. This makes Garden City a reliable destination for anyone chasing rideable breaks. The Pier at Garden City offers fishing, gaming, casual dining, and spectacular sunsets. The vibe here leans relaxed and unpretentious: beach houses, condos, and a refreshing absence of big resort infrastructure.
Murrells Inlet: The Seafood Capital
Murrells Inlet doesn’t sit directly on the ocean. Instead, it hugs a salt marsh inlet instead, but it earns its place on any Grand Strand beach itinerary without question. The “Seafood Capital of South Carolina” title isn’t just marketing. Local shrimpers and fishermen still bring their catch directly to the Marshwalk, a boardwalk-style strip of waterfront restaurants that lines the inlet. Drunken Jack’s, Hot Fish Club, and Lee’s Inlet Kitchen are among the most celebrated names along this stretch. The food here is genuinely exceptional.
Just north of the inlet, Huntington Beach State Park protects one of the most beautiful and undeveloped stretches of beach on the entire East Coast. Wide sandy shores, coastal wetlands rich with birds and wildlife, nature trails, and the spectacular Moorish-style Atalaya Castle make this a must-visit even for non-campers. Brookgreen Gardens, adjacent to the park, houses the largest outdoor sculpture collection in the United States amid stunning native plant gardens, a genuinely world-class cultural experience in the middle of a beach vacation.
Litchfield Beach: Understated Elegance
South of Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach offers a quieter, more exclusive experience than anywhere else on the Grand Strand’s northern and central stretches. This carefully zoned, unincorporated community borders Huntington Beach State Park to the north and Pawleys Island to the south. Gated neighborhoods, two flagship resort properties, championship golf courses, and miles of wide, uncrowded beach define the Litchfield experience.
Highway 17 through Litchfield runs palm-lined and beautiful, passing gourmet markets. It has fine dining restaurants, the beloved Litchfield Books, antique shops, and bakeries. USA Today named Litchfield Beach one of the top beaches in South Carolina in 2024. It suits travelers who want genuine tranquility with upscale amenities nearby, without the price tag of Kiawah or Hilton Head.
Pawleys Island: Arrogantly Shabby and Proud of It
The Grand Strand ends, in attitude, at least, at Pawleys Island, and it ends in style. This four-mile-long barrier island sits at the southernmost end of the Strand and operates by its own set of rules. The town’s unofficial motto has been “Arrogantly Shabby” for generations, and residents wear that label with genuine pride.
Pawleys Island is one of the oldest seaside resorts in the United States, drawing wealthy rice planters as summer visitors since the early 1700s. Twelve historic residences dating from the late 1700s to mid-1800s still stand in the historic district. The island’s only two commercial operations are historic inns: the Sea View Inn and the Pelican Inn. There are no stores, no neon signs, no chain restaurants on the island itself. What Pawleys offers instead is a wide, gorgeous beach, rope hammocks swaying in the sea breeze. You get the feeling that time actually slows down when you cross the causeway.
Off the island along Highway 17, the Pawleys Island community includes excellent dining, Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park, and more than twelve golf courses within a ten-mile radius.
Planning Your Grand Strand Trip: The Big Decisions
When to go: Summer brings warm Atlantic water and full beach energy, but also peak crowds and prices. May, September, and October offer excellent weather, calmer beaches, and considerably lower rental rates, especially in the South Strand communities.
North vs. South Strand: The North Strand (Little River through Myrtle Beach) delivers entertainment, big resort infrastructure, and endless activity. The South Strand (Surfside Beach through Pawleys Island) runs quieter, more residential, and better suited to travelers who want genuine rest. Many families split the difference, staying in the South Strand and making day trips north for entertainment.
Consider adding multiple day trips to your week-long stay.
Getting there: Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) serves the central Grand Strand directly. Drive times from major cities: Charlotte, about three hours; Raleigh, around three and a half hours; Atlanta, roughly five hours.
The Grand Strand runs 60 miles. You will not see all of it in one trip. That’s actually the best news you’ll read today, because it gives you a very good reason to come back.
Check out more of Explore Carolina Beaches
FAQ
Is the Grand Strand good for families with young children?
Yes. The Grand Strand offers wide beaches, gentle surf, family attractions, mini-golf, water parks, and entertainment options that make it a popular family vacation destination.
When is the best time to visit the Grand Strand?
April through June and September through October provide warm weather, fewer crowds, and pleasant beach conditions. Summer is the busiest season.
Are dogs allowed on the Grand Strand beaches?
Yes. Most Grand Strand communities allow dogs, though leash rules and seasonal restrictions vary by municipality. Check local regulations before visiting.
Is parking free at the Grand Strand beaches?
Some public beach accesses offer free parking, but many areas have metered parking, paid lots, or seasonal parking fees, especially near popular attractions.
How far is the Grand Strand from Charlotte, Raleigh, Cleveland, and Nashville?
(Using Myrtle Beach as a reference.)
Charlotte: about 175 miles (3–3.5 hours)
Raleigh: about 190 miles (3–3.5 hours)
Cleveland, Ohio: about 700 miles (11–12 hours)
Nashville, Tennessee: about 600 miles (9–10 hours)
What is the Grand Strand known for?
The Grand Strand is famous for its 60-mile stretch of beaches, golf courses, oceanfront resorts, boardwalk attractions, fishing piers, shopping, nightlife, and family entertainment.
What are the best restaurants near the Grand Strand?
Popular choices include Sea Captain’s House for oceanfront seafood, Hook & Barrel for sustainable seafood, The Claw House for oysters and waterfront views, and Hot Fish Club for Lowcountry cuisine and marshfront dining.