Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach has earned and proudly kept its official designation as South Carolina's "Family Beach" — a title that captures its essential character perfectly. Lying just south of the massive Myrtle Beach resort strip, Surfside is everything the Grand Strand used to be before commercialization: quiet streets, modest family beach houses, free parking, and an atmosphere centered entirely on the actual beach experience rather than the surrounding entertainment complex.

The beach itself is excellent — wide and gently sloping, with the same soft tan sand found throughout the Grand Strand. The surf is typically calm enough for young children while still providing enough energy for boogie boarding and occasional bodysurf waves. The water temperature reaches 80°F in summer, making it ideal for extended swimming. The beach stretches unbroken for miles, and it's never as crowded as Myrtle Beach proper, even at peak summer.

The Surfside Beach Pier extends 810 feet into the Atlantic, providing fishing access and dramatic Atlantic views. Unlike Myrtle Beach's heavily commercial pier, Surfside's remains a working fishing structure with an authentic community feel. The surrounding town enforces alcohol restrictions on the beach, strongly contributing to the family-friendly atmosphere. Nearby Myrtle Beach offers all the entertainment, dining, and attractions of the Grand Strand just minutes away for those who want a more active evening scene.