Surfside Beach, South Carolina

Surfside Beach is both a beach and an unincorporated town located along the Grand Strand on the northern border of Garden City and about six miles south of downtown Myrtle Beach. A Surfside Beach vacation is very popular with families, and the town actually refers to itself as “the family beach.” There is something to keep every member of the family interested and entertained, starting with the beach and the ocean.

The town of Surfside Beach has two miles sugary fine white sand on what is one of the region’s most popular beaches. Many visitors who enjoy a Surfside Beach vacation will choose from the oceanfront hotels, such as the Days Inn and Holiday Inn, both of which are set right on the beach.

However, the Surfside Beach attractions that draw the majority of visitors are the numerous vacation rentals. These include beach cottages and homes as well as a number of condominium complexes that offer many of the same facilities as resorts. The Plantation Resort is a good example, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom furnished condominium villas with fully equipped kitchens that are available for purchase as well as short-term rentals. There are children’s pools and a playground, indoor and outdoor heated adult swimming pools, and a fitness center with massage services. During the peak season, there is a free shuttle to the best shopping areas and outlet stores in Myrtle Beach, which is only about fifteen minutes away.

Even if your Surfside Beach vacation doesn’t involve fishing, you will enjoy strolling out on the long fishing pier that juts several hundred feet out into the ocean. There is a tackle shop (where you can get your photograph taken with your catch) and a gift shop. There are several dining spots concentrated along the pier, and many others scattered along the beach.

In addition to fishing and the beach, one of the main Surfside Beach attractions is the golf available here. You’ll find numerous miniature golf courses as well as several executive 9-hole courses. The Indian Wells and Indigo Creek Golf Clubs (both actually located in neighboring Garden City) have 18-hole courses. Most of these Surfside Beach golf courses also have onsite villas and condominiums. The Grand Strand and Myrtle Beach area offers more than 80 other courses.

Among the most popular Surfside Beach attractions is the Wild Water and Wheels Park that covers sixteen acres. In addition to mini golf, go carts, and bumper boats, this family oriented amusement and water park has direct access to the beach at nearly 40 different points.

The history of the area as a settlement began with a plantation covering more than 3,000 acres and growing mainly crops of sweet potatoes and rice. It underwent several name changes, getting its current name of Surfside Beach in 1952. It was hit hard by Hurricane Hazel in 1954 (18 of 65 houses were destroyed) as was the entire region, and the development that occurred after that changed the landscape from a nearly deserted beach with sand dunes and sea oats into the popular vacation destination that it is today.

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