Chimney Sweep in Folly Beach, SC

If the beach—or anywhere near the water—is your happy place, you might consider South Carolina as a place to settle down now or one to file away as a potential candidate for retirement one day. The Palmetto State is probably best known for its unofficial Southern capital of Charleston, but its 187 miles of coastline are a close second. From North Myrtle Beach on the North Carolina-South Carolina border all the way down to Hilton Head located just a couple clicks from the Georgia coast, each one of South Carolina's beach towns, barrier islands, and waterfront destinations is more scenic than the last. Here are eight of the most beautiful places on the South Carolina coast.

Hilton Head Island

With more than 12 miles of pristine white-sand beaches, vivid sunsets, and endless activities, it’s no surprise this Lowcountry paradise is continually voted as a reader favorite in our annual South’s Best poll. Hilton Head Island will give you just the right balance of small-town warmth and world-class sophistication. Whether you are exploring its scenic bike trails, enjoying a round of golf at one of the island’s 23 renowned public courses, or savoring the catch of the day at a waterfront restaurant, Hilton Head Island has all the makings of a magical getaway.

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Folly Beach

Just a short drive from Charleston, Folly Beach, nicknamed the “Edge of America” by locals, is a quaint and colorful destination known for its laid-back beachtown vibes. There is no shortage of beach rentals, surf shops, and excellent waterfront restaurants. You can enjoy your vacation at a slower pace with a stroll down The Folly Beach Pier, or you can venture out to see the dolphins with a sunset boat tour. It’s a relaxed destination, where feeling the breeze in your hair is just one bike rental away.

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Myrtle Beach

This list wouldn't be complete without the shining star of the Grand Strand. With 60 miles of coastline to enjoy, Myrtle Beach is as versatile as it is beautiful.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. With so much to explore, Myrtle Beach is a do-it-all destination perfect for making memories.

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Murrells Inlet

Most vacationers won’t think of Murrells Inlet when they think of South Carolina, but as the seafood capital of the state, this neighborhood is worth adding to your itinerary. About a 30-minute drive from Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet is a prime destination for fishing, watersports, and sunset viewing. One of the best ways to experience the inlet is to take a stroll along The MarshWalk, a half-mile boardwalk along its saltwater estuary. Head there for a divine waterfront dinner soundtracked by the swells of live music. From the MarshWalk you'll have excellent views of one of Murrells Inlet's most odd but worth-seeing attractions, Goat Island.

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Kiawah Island

Known for its gorgeous sand dunes, diverse wildlife, and perfectly preserved maritime forest, Kiawah Island is a nature lover’s dream. This 10-mile-long barrier island grants you breathtaking views of the Kiawah River and the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re looking for luxury, Kiawah Island has that too. You can book a stay at a world-class resort or tee off at one of the five championship golf courses. However you choose to spend your getaway, Kiawah Island is an excellent place to unwind, unplug, and reconnect with nature.

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Hunting Island State Park

Located near Beaufort, this barrier island is popular for its outdoor recreation and charming historic lighthouse. Make your trip memorable with a horseback ride along the beach or a paddleboarding session along the salt marsh. If you’re a fan of “Forrest Gump,” you won’t want to miss the Marsh Boardwalk Trail, where the movie’s Vietnam war scenes were filmed. At the end of this trail, you’ll find a platform overlooking the water, providing one of the best spots in the Lowcountry to watch the sunset and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Pawleys Island & Litchfield

These two neighboring beaches make for one peaceful getaway. Pawley’s Island is less than four miles long, but make no mistake, it has plenty to offer. As one of the oldest seaside resorts on the East Coast, Pawleys Island is rich with historical charm and timeless beauty. The island’s calm atmosphere and 25 mph speed limit make it a popular spot for family outings. Less than three miles up the road, Litchfield Beach compliments the old-world charm of Pawleys Island with modern comforts. Here you find tennis, golf, and uninterrupted peace and quiet.

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Georgetown

This slice of Southern heaven is 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. Cozied up beside the Sampit River is the heart of Georgetown, the Historic Downtown District. You will find many lively and colorful shops on downtown’s Front Street, which is just a few steps away from the 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.

(NEXSTAR) – Yelp has once again released its annual rankings of the “Top 100 Places to Eat” in America, perhaps hoping to spare us from eating another mediocre meal over our kitchen sinks.

The rankings, which were determined by Yelp with input from its community of online reviewers, highlight a curated selection of eateries from coast to coast — in 23 states and D.C.! — including everything from fine-dining establishments to food trucks. Yelp’s list also recognizes all kinds of cuisines, from Mexican to French to Middle Eastern, all of which are surely better than anything we’ve hastily shoved into our mouths while gawking into the refrigerator.

Taking the top spot on Yelp’s 2025 list is Holbox, a Mexican seafood restaurant situated inside a Los Angeles food hall.

“Holbox offers grilled octopus, fish tacos, and a variety of ceviches, all crafted by Michelin-starred Chef and Owner Gilberto Cetina,” reads a news release from Yelp. “The restaurant boasts 1,000-plus 5-star reviews and Yelp users rave about the vibrant flavors, affordability, and eco-friendly practices that make Holbox a standout.”

The top 10, as determined by Yelp, are listed below. The full list of 2024’s “Top 100 Places to Eat” can be found at Yelp.com, along with a map of 2025’s entries.

As was the case in previous years, California boasts the most restaurants on Yelp’s 2025 list with a whopping 37 entries. Following behind are Texas, Nevada and Arizona, home to nine, eight and seven entries, respectively.

Folly Beach’s Jack of Cups Saloon, which features dishes inspired by Asian and Indian flavors, ranked #17 on the list.

It should be noted, however, that Yelp’s 2024 rankings aren’t necessarily a reflection of the best-reviewed restaurants on its entire platform. Rather, Yelp’s list was compiled from submissions and suggestions solicited from users, which were then compared against the overall ratings and volume of reviews on each business’s Yelp page. Yelp’s community managers and a “Trend Expert” then further curated the rankings to finalize the list, according to Yelp’s blog.

So while these restaurants may not be in the top 100 on the platform (in terms of overall ratings and reviews), they’re among some of the most raved-about in the country.

They’re also undoubtedly much more exciting than whatever we’re planning to inhale during our brief lunch breaks, the crumbs falling from our faces.

Folly Beach conjures images of the laid-back surfer dude, the ragtag fisherman, and the Edge of America vibe dominated by a tight-knit community hosting many visitors. That is all present on Folly, a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Folly River on the other. It boasts an impressive fishing pier, top-notch surfing at the Washout, a dynamic downtown, a tightly woven community of a little over 2,000 residents, and a live-and-let-live ethos.

Yet, there is another side to Folly that gets lost in the funkiness: Folly luxury. For all its shabby chic, this is an island whose median home sale price of around $1.3 million dwarfs prices in adjacent upscale communities on James and Johns Islands. Folly isn't just bohemian; it's popular.

It makes sense: people are racing down I-95 and I-70 to relocate to the Lowcountry, many of them drawn to a life of sun, sand, salt air and ocean waves. The entire perimeter of Folly offers just what they're looking for at a fraction of the price of Isle of Palms or Sullivan's Island. Most of that luxury hugs the island's edge along the water, where home prices now reach into the $4 million range.

'The coolest island in Charleston'

Jon Rosen grew up locally and has been surfing Folly since he was seven years old. He loves everything about the island -- the fishing, the Morris Island lighthouse off the north end, the proximity to downtown Charleston, the water sports, the bar scene, the food and the atmosphere; the kind of place where New Year's is marked by the drop, not of a ball, but of a giant flip flop. "It's the coolest island in Charleston," he said. Rosen says a perfect day might include a dog walk on the beach, surfing behind his house, pickleball with his son at the park and fishing while the dolphins frolic. "When I drive over the last bridge onto the island, my stress level declines precipitously," he said.

And those buyers of the luxury water-facing houses on Folly? "They see a beachfront home in good shape for $4 million and think it's a steal. It would sell within a few weeks," said Curry Smoak, associate broker at Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty. “Those buyers don't care about the income they could produce by renting out their homes for half the year while they're in New York, San Jose, or Chicago. And it's a good thing, too, because they no longer can.”

A tricky market

Only 86 units changed hands in 2023 and 2024 combined, the same number as 2022 alone. Smoak says more than a third of those were waterfront properties, the luxury homes.

In a sense, Folly hosts three separate real estate markets – the lower-priced that sells like hotcakes to people who just want to share the vibe in a beach town, the struggling middle market between $1 million and $2 million of nice family homes off the water, and the luxury market that buyers with plenty of budget can't get enough of.

Illustrative is the pair of attached condos with non-transferable short-term rental licenses that Jon Rosen helped the owner unload. They sold for a combined total of $3.2 million.

Luxury is $2.5 million-plus on Folly

On Folly Beach, luxury has a unique definition. Smaller homes sell for $1 million to buyers desiring a piece of the rock on the Edge of America. Realtors who focus there say luxury homes sell well because they are still a grand value compared to their counterparts on neighboring islands. In fact, Vince Perna, the broker at Dunes Properties Folly Beach, says many of his luxury buyers – those who purchase property for $2.5 million or more – just want a nice house near the ocean to enjoy the sunsets, take their boat out, swim or surf, and leave their big-city cares behind.

Brook Griffin, an agent with the Cassina Group, had clients from New York looking for a second home close to water in the Charleston area and discovered they could score marina access on Folly's west side for $1.5-$2.5 million, much less than the eight-figure real estate at the Hamptons. That end of the island is less connected to the beach scene, with neighborhoods sporting streets with curbs, little car traffic, and modern houses made for families. The couple found something they wanted: open space, high-end finishes, easy parking, and a pool. She said they will live in it six months of the year and have the option of renting it during the winter – because a six-month lease is not considered short-term.

They might have considered a house for sale right now by Smoak, at Daniel Ravenel, located at 615 West Beach Court on the same quiet end of the island. Listed at $2.65 million, this four-bedroom home two blocks off the ocean, with a drive-under garage, elevator and rooftop terrace, crosses into the luxury category and can be expected to sell more quickly than houses just a bit farther from the water.

A brief history of Folly

According to historian Bob Hart, Folly Beach was known as Coffin Island when Europeans first descended upon it in 1696. It was a playground for pirates due to its independence from the mainland. Until the jetties were built in the 1880s to create a deep harbor, ships came up the treacherous southern coast along Folly, leading to a host of shipwrecks.

Following the Civil War, it became known as Folly, an old English word for dense foliage. An isolated hangout in the 20th century, it inspired a vacationing George Gershwin to write Porgy and Bess, in which he reflected on "summertime, and the living is easy."

The pavilion was built in the 1920s, the boardwalk in the 1930s, and surfing began in the 60s. It's much the same today, with the addition of millions of tons of sand, without which most of the Arctic and Atlantic Avenues would reside in the Atlantic, and without the rumored bootleggers that allegedly hid out in Folly during Prohibition.

Folly remains true

Despite the referendum and the ever-rising flood waters, Folly remains its unique self. Cassina's Brook Griffin described a Folly resident she knows who serves as an island avatar.

“He surfs, paddleboard and windsurfs. His house is pieced together, and his yard is not perfectly manicured; it's wild and native and has its own story. He's scruffy and barefoot, but he works from home, talks to everybody, and knows everybody who has been there for a while. You're not going to find him on Facebook. His wife is a creative hippie who is into native plant landscaping. They vacation on surf trips to Hawai'i, Panama and Costa Rica," she said.

That is not a guy you'll find on IOP or Sullivan's… or almost anywhere, and locals want to keep it that way.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Folly Beach is considering upgrading its stormwater infrastructure along Center Street, which is nearly 80 years old.

Folly Beach City Council will meet on Tuesday night and vote on whether they should award $7.4 million to a construction company to make the improvements.

City officials say that the $7.4 million comes from a grant they received from the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program which is through the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority.

Plans would include replacing all of the existing stormwater pipes, drains and curb inlets along Center Street, from the Folly River to Arctic Avenue, to improve water flow and reduce flooding.

“Some of our biggest challenges are during of course hurricane season and named storms, but we also have flooding and backups all the way through the intersection, sometimes even up past this building,” Director of Public Works, Eric Lutz says. “Problematic areas during rain bombs in the middle of the summer or off times of the year while there is a high tide. Things get backed up and the current system can’t handle that kind of water, so it backs all the way up, wipes out the intersection down here and is kind of hazardous.”

Lutz says about half a million dollars of the grant would also go towards replacing aging water mains islandwide, which are lines that carry safe drinking water to homes and businesses.

Another part of this project Lutz says is adding green infrastructure along the sidewalks and curb inlets, including rain gardens and previous concrete. These additions would help reduce the amount of water entering the system and improve water quality.

Folly Beach City Councilmember and resident Chris Bizzell says that this project is a crucial first step in making Folly more resilient.

“I mean we definitely get some flooding on Center Street, especially during high storm events and it trickles back into the neighborhoods, you’ll have some ponding and that type of thing. So, this project should alleviate a lot of that,” Bizzell says.

If approved by the city council, Lutz says they expect a contractor to break ground on this project in May, just as tourist season begins. He says the project would have an impact on Center Street for this tourist season and the next.

Lutz says people could expect portions of the street to be closed along with some detours, but they would try to keep disruptions at a minimum.

He says that the project would have to be completed by the end of May 2026.

Folly Beach City Council will meet on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to vote on this project.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Folly Beach has narrowed down some potential affordable housing options for those who work in or for the city.

Folly Beach city leaders have been working over the past year to evaluate the issue of affordable housing through community surveys and research, and have come up with some possible recommendations.

Officials say one of the recommendations is to increase and expand housing stipends for Folly Beach workers to help offset housing costs for those living on Folly Beach or James Island.

Folly Beach City Councilmember Katherine Houghton says that historically they have provided these stipends for public safety so they can respond more efficiently, but they are considering expanding this initiative to other workers in the city and increasing the dollar amount.

“Right now, it’s for emergency services. So, right now it’s for public safety and they presently already do have a stipend if they live on Folly or James Island. Right now, they are looking to increase that and expand the spots, as well as look at other city employees, not just public safety,” Houghton says.

The current housing stipend in place for public safety workers is $600 a month if they live on Folly Beach and $300 a month if they live on James Island.

Another recommendation the city is considering is the “Lease to Locals” program. Houghton says this initiative would offer incentives to homeowners who currently do short-term rentals and provide them with a financial offset amount to encourage them to do long-term rentals to locals.

“If you do the math, someone who has short-term rentals during a peak season makes a certain amount of money, so therefore what we realize is we’d have to give a financial incentive to be able to subsidize the loss in short-term rentals and offset it with a long term renter that is affiliated or with the city or working locally,” Houghton says.

Another potential recommendation that will be discussed at the next planning commission meeting is accessory dwelling units. These are small living spaces that are located on the same lot as main residences.

“The issue with attainable housing all around not just Folly, Charleston, things of that nature, you will have employees that need to work in those cities and then it’s a question of what the city does to respond to get them either living more local, which is why the strength of the public safety we’ve been doing that for years,” Houghton says. “And recently what’s happened is the question has been posed by business owners and folks that work on Folly, could you do more? Could you push out that program beyond public safety?”

The discussion of affordable housing is great news for Folly Beach worker Sydney Macek. She says that she has been eyeing affordable housing options on the island, but when one does become available she says there is a line of people wanting it as well.

“So a lot of people who work down here live 45 minutes to an hour and a half away and commute down here every day for work and I think that contributes to the restaurants and bars down here being understaffed sometimes. It would really help the local businesses down here if their workers had affordable housing and were able to live down here,” Macek says.

Houghton says that these recommendations are being brought up as the city approaches budget season and whatever options are chosen will have to be evaluated for inclusion in their budget.

The housing stipends and “Lease to Locals” program will be brought to the city council in April. The accessory dwelling units were supposed to be discussed at the planning commission meeting on March 3 but got postponed to the next meeting in April.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.