Surfside Beach sits just south of Myrtle Beach on South Carolina’s Grand Strand, and it has something its bigger neighbour doesn’t: a proper sense of calm. Known locally as “The Family Beach,” it’s the kind of place where the pace slows the moment you arrive. Here’s what to do with your time.
Hit the Beach Early
The beach at Surfside is wide, clean, and far less crowded than Myrtle Beach’s main strip. The town keeps it genuinely family-friendly — no alcohol on the beach, no jet skis — which makes mornings particularly good. Get there before 9am and you’ll have long stretches largely to yourself.
Drive South to Murrells Inlet
About 15 minutes down US-17 Business, Murrells Inlet is the Seafood Capital of South Carolina. The MarshWalk is a half-mile boardwalk lined with restaurants sitting directly over the tidal creek. Lee’s Inlet Kitchen, family-owned since 1948, is the local answer for classic Lowcountry seafood — fresh, simply prepared, and consistent every time. Go before 6pm in summer to beat the wait.
Brookgreen Gardens
A 15-minute drive south puts you at Brookgreen Gardens — America’s first public sculpture garden, set on a former rice plantation spanning over 9,000 acres. More than 2,000 works of American figurative art sit among oak trees draped in Spanish moss. It’s one of the most impressive things to do in the area and tends to be quieter than the Myrtle Beach attractions. Admission is valid for seven consecutive days, so there’s no pressure to rush a single visit.
Myrtle Beach State Park
Three miles north of Surfside Beach, the state park offers 312 acres of maritime forest and natural, undeveloped shoreline — rare on this stretch of coast. The fishing pier extends 750 feet into the Atlantic and the nature trail through palmetto and pine is a good half-hour well spent. Entry is $7 for adults.
Broadway at the Beach
If you want shops, restaurants, and entertainment together, Broadway at the Beach is about 15 minutes by car. Ripley’s Aquarium is there, along with a range of dining options and activities for all ages — a reliable option for a rainy afternoon or an evening out.
Getting Around
Most of what you need day-to-day in Surfside Beach is walkable from our properties. For further trips — Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen — you’ll want a car. All SC Vacation Rentals properties include dedicated on-site parking.
Ready to make the trip? Browse our properties and see which home fits your group, or check availability for your dates.
