You Won’t Believe These Two SC Beach Towns Are The Best!

Hey bestie! Oh my gosh, I just saw the coolest news and I had to tell you right away! You know how we are always talking about moving to the beach? Well, Travel+Leisure just came out with a big list. They said South Carolina has two of the best beach towns to live in for the whole entire year! Not just for summer, but for forever! I am so excited because I have been to both and they are totally awesome. Grab a snack and sit down because I wrote this whole big guide for you so we can plan our next trip (or maybe our big move!).

Sullivan’s Island: The Coolest Little Spot

First up is Sullivan’s Island. This place is right near Charleston. It is tiny but it is so cool! It feels like a small town where everyone knows your name. It isn’t like those big beach cities with huge tall buildings. It has cute little houses and trees everywhere. The vibe is super chill and I love it so much!

Where to Eat: You HAVE to go to Poe’s Tavern. It is named after Edgar Allan Poe because he used to live on the island. How cool is that? You should order “The Pit and the Pendulum” burger. It costs $17 and it has applewood bacon and cheddar cheese. It is so juicy! If you want something lighter, get the fish tacos for $16. They are super fresh.

The Best Photo Spot: Take your phone and walk down to Station 18. There is a path that leads to the beach. Stand right where the tall yellow grass meets the sand. If you stand there at 6:00 PM when the sun starts to go down, the light makes your skin look amazing. You can see the lighthouse in the background too! It’s the perfect spot for your next post.

What to Do: Walk around Fort Moultrie. It costs $10 to get in. It is an old fort from a long time ago. Even if you don’t like history, it’s fun to climb on the walls and look at the ocean. After that, go to Beardcat’s Sweet Shop and get a scoop of the “Sea Turtle” gelato for $6. It is life-changing!

Kiawah Island: Feeling Fancy and Nature-y

The second town is Kiawah Island. This place is a bit different. It is super fancy and very quiet. If you love nature and seeing animals, this is the place for you. It feels like a giant park that just happens to have a beach attached to it. It is very clean and the roads are perfect for riding bikes.

Where to Eat: Go to the Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House. It’s inside the resort area but anyone can go. You should order the “Pulled Pork Platter.” It costs $24 and comes with two sides. Get the mac and cheese because it is super creamy and cheesy. If you want a snack later, go to the Market at Town Center and get a big cookie for $4.

The Best Photo Spot: You need to go to The Ocean Course. This is where they play big golf games on TV. You don’t have to play golf to go there! Walk out to the back porch of the clubhouse. Stand right by the wooden railing with the green grass and the blue ocean behind you. It looks like a painting! Make sure you wear a bright color like yellow or pink so you pop against the blue water.

What to Do: Rent a bike! It costs $25 for the whole day. The sand on the beach is very hard, so you can actually ride your bike right on the beach next to the waves! It is so much fun and you can go for miles. Keep your eyes open for deer and tiny turtles. I saw five deer last time I was there! They are not even scared of people.

Why Living There Year-Round Is The Best

The article said these are great for living all year. In the winter, it doesn’t get super cold like it does up north. It stays around 55 or 60 degrees. You just need a light jacket! The best part is that in the fall and winter, the tourists go home. You have the whole beach to yourself! You can walk your dog and not worry about crowds. The stores stay open too, so you can always get your favorite coffee or burger.

How Much Does It Cost?

I know you’re thinking about money, so I made this handy table for you! This shows what it costs if we are trying to save money versus if we are going all out and being fancy.

As you can see, you can do it for cheap or you can spend a lot! I like doing a little of both. We can eat cheap burgers and then spend more on a cool place to stay.

My Top Secrets for Your Visit

1. **Parking Secret:** On Sullivan’s Island, parking can be tricky. Don’t try to park right by the restaurants on a Saturday. Drive a few blocks away into the neighborhood. Just make sure your tires are off the road! It’s free to park on the street if you follow the rules ($0!).

2. **Shell Hunting:** If you want the best shells, go to the beach at Kiawah right after a storm or very early in the morning at 7:30 AM. Look near the tide pools. I found a whole sand dollar once! It was so cool.

3. **Bug Spray:** This is important! Since there are so many trees and marshes, there are little bugs called “no-see-ums.” They bite! Buy a can of spray for $8 at the grocery store before you go. You will thank me later!

4. **The Bridge:** When you drive from Charleston to Sullivan’s Island, you go over a big bridge. Roll your windows down and smell the salt air! It is the best feeling in the world.

Let’s Go!

I am so ready to pack my bags. Which one do you like better? I think Sullivan’s Island is better for eating and hanging out, but Kiawah is better for relaxing and seeing animals. Maybe we should just visit both? They are only about 45 minutes apart!

I really think we should look into moving there. Imagine waking up and seeing the ocean every single day. We could be beach bums forever! Let me know what you think of the plan.

If you want to see more cool travel tips and find some cheap deals for our trip, you should totally join this group I found! Everyone there is super helpful and they post great ideas all the time. Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/CheaptravelVIP.FL

Talk to you soon, bestie!