Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is the largest, most developed, and best-known of the Grand Strand’s communities, with more concentrated restaurants, hotels, attractions, retail stores, and entertainment options than anywhere else in the area. Myrtle Beach is home to The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Broadway at the Beach, The Market Common, and the Myrtle Beach International Airport. You’ll find family-friendly neighborhoods, golf course communities, condos, and palatial estate homes in Myrtle Beach, all close to the ocean.
Carolina Forest
Carolina Forest is a large unincorporated community which lies between Myrtle Beach and Conway. It’s regarded as a "bedroom community" of Myrtle Beach. This master-planned development was started in the 1990s. There are many large new subdivisions with more on the way - often bordering lakes or the Intracoastal Waterway. Carolina Forest also boasts some of the area’s newest and best schools and several championship golf courses.
North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach is known for its family beach atmosphere, fishing piers, and wonderful wide beaches. It is famous for being the birthplace of “The Shag”, South Carolina’s state dance. This city is also recognized for its fine restaurants, family amusements, many festivals, and Barefoot Landing - a popular shopping, dining, and entertainment development. North Myrtle Beach is also the place many retirees, career professionals and young families like to call home.
Arcadian Section
The Arcadian Section is the unincorporated area between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. It is also known as Shore Drive, Restaurant Row, and Chestnut Hill. This popular area is conveniently located at the intersection of Hwy 17 and Hwy 22. It is home to many restaurants and nightclubs, dozens of oceanfront and near-oceanfront condominiums, large resort hotel complexes, factory outlet centers, and a shopping mall.
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is a small oceanfront city south of Myrtle Beach, offering a coastal lifestyle that seamlessly blends relaxation, recreation, and community. It has numerous charming beach cottages, condominiums, hotels, and a popular fishing pier. The town also boasts numerous restaurants, shops, and dozens of picturesque neighborhoods. For permanent residents, Surfside Beach offers a welcoming and tight-knit community with top-notch schools, safe neighborhoods, and a host of family-friendly attractions and activities.
Garden City
Garden City Beach, an unincorporated oceanfront stretch about 15 miles south of Myrtle Beach and immediately south of Surfside Beach, is in both Horry and Georgetown counties, ending on a peninsula at the mouth of Murrells Inlet. There are numerous raised beach houses and condominiums as well as traditional neighborhoods. Access to the ocean and inlet makes it a hot spot for fishing, crabbing, and water sports. Community assets include a fishing pier, marina, amusements, and popular restaurants.
Little River
Little River, a quiet fishing village, is one of the area’s earliest coastal settlements. It is a few miles north of the city of North Myrtle Beach, along the Intercoastal Waterway near the South/North Carolina border. The area was once a popular hideout for pirates and Civil War blockade runners and it is now popular for home buyers as well. It is best known for its fresh seafood, fishing charters, casino boats, annual Blue Crab Festival, and the many historic live oak trees.
Murrells Inlet
Murrells Inlet, billed as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” prides itself on the natural beauty of the marshes surrounding it. The popular Marshwalk features over a dozen restaurants with great seafood, live entertainment, and gorgeous views of Murrells Inlet. It’s also home to world-class Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park. This area has become a hotspot for upscale residential subdivisions. Murrells Inlet is about 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach.
Litchfield Beach
Litchfield Beach draws both retirees and families to its quiet, relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere. Features of this unincorporated community include lower-density housing, impeccable landscaping, country clubs, and planning that includes generous amounts of undeveloped natural areas to enjoy in this part of Georgetown County. Litchfield Beach is about 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach.
Briarcliff Acres
Briarcliffe Acres, located primarily on the east side of Highway 17 between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, is an exclusively single-family residential community with conservation zoning for parks and wetlands. It became an incorporated community in the 1950s. It has a mayor and municipal government but contracts all services through the county. Briarcliffe Acre is bordered by the ocean to the east and has many luxury estate homes.
Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach, nicknamed “the Black Pearl”, was formed in the early 1930s as a vacation getaway for African American families. It became a popular vacation destination as African-American-owned businesses thrived in this small community during the days of segregation. It is currently best known for the annual Memorial Day Atlantic Beach Bike Fest. The city is just south of North Myrtle Beach.
Pawleys Island
Pawleys Island, proud of its “elegantly shabby” reputation, is one of the earliest resort towns in the state. Today, it is a mecca for primary residents and tourists alike who want to enjoy the numerous upscale restaurants and shops and the laid-back lifestyle. Litchfield, an upscale oceanfront community just to the north, is generally considered to be part of the Pawleys Island area. Myrtle Beach is about 25 miles to the north.
Georgetown
Georgetown – The Georgetown County seat, located about 30 miles south of Myrtle Beach on Winyah Bay, began as a Spanish settlement in 1526 and figured in many events in early American History. Today Georgetown is a river port town with colorful downtown buildings and brick-lined sidewalks along its historic harbor. There are excellent restaurants and upscale shops along the waterfront and this area is also host to a number of popular festivals.
Barefoot Resort
Barefoot Resort, in North Myrtle Beach, is a 2300-acre master-planned community that stretches over 3 miles along the Intracoastal Waterway. There are four world-class golf courses, a large marina, miles of walking/biking trails, and dozens of neighborhoods There are reasonably priced houses and condos as well as palatial homes on the waterway. Directly across the waterway is Barefoot Landing, a vibrant shopping and entertainment complex. The beach is a mile away.
Grande Dunes
Grande Dunes, on the far north end of Myrtle Beach, is a luxury master-planned community with dozens of neighborhoods offering everything from lavish condos and resort homes to crafted yet opulent retirement homes and condominiums. Thousands of acres stretch from the ocean across the Intracoastal Waterway. There’s a marina, two championship golf courses, miles of biking and walking trails, and its private and exclusive Ocean Club.
Market Common
Market Common, on the far south end of Myrtle Beach, is a vibrant, contemporary urban village with a charming small-town atmosphere. At the heart of this meticulously designed mixed-use community is its open-air shopping district, where a collection of upscale boutiques, specialty shops, and sophisticated restaurants and cafes line the picturesque streets. Parks, green spaces, and gathering spots are woven throughout the district. A huge variety of homes, condos, and townhouses enable residents to experience this lifestyle every day.
Conway
Conway, just 20 minutes from Myrtle Beach, is the county seat of Horry County. This small town offers a tranquil escape while still being close to the attractions of the Grand Strand. The historic downtown and riverfront districts feature streets lined with centuries-old oak trees, charming boutiques, and eateries housed in beautifully restored buildings. Coastal Carolina University, just a few miles away, adds youthful energy to the town. With all this to offer, Conway and its surrounding areas have become exceptionally popular retirement and relocation destinations.
Longs
Longs, a small unincorporated community only 15 minutes west of North Myrtle Beach, is characterized by sprawling farmland, lush forests, championship golf courses, and quiet residential neighborhoods. Despite its rural setting, Longs benefits from its strategic location near major highways and thoroughfares, allowing for easy access to the entertainment, dining, and shopping options of Myrtle Beach, Conway, and other neighboring towns. New subdivisions are springing up to accommodate those attracted to this area’s tranquil charm.
Brunswick County
Brunswick County, NC, is just across the state line and is often considered to be the northern tip of “The Grand Strand.” Its beaches are popular and there are numerous well-known eateries, particularly in Calabash, a fishing village whose restaurants are so famous that an entire cooking style is named after the city. History buffs delight in the county's rich heritage, evident in its charming towns and historic sites. It has also become a hotbed for real estate with dozens of new home communities currently under development. Myrtle Beach is approximately 25 miles to the south.
Aynor
Aynor, a charming unincorporated community in the western part of Horry County, is known for its rich agricultural heritage. Sprawling farms and fields dot the landscape. The downtown area is filled with quaint shops, boutiques, and restaurants, offering a taste of Southern charm and hospitality. It’s only 15 miles from Conway and 30 miles from Myrtle Beach.
Calabash
Calabash, NC, is a small coastal city renowned for its picturesque river and marsh views and its famous “Calabash Style” seafood. In addition to its numerous waterfront restaurants, it boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene. Calabash offers a quintessential beach town experience with a unique Southern twist and the combination is attracting lots of new residents. North Myrtle Beach is only 10 miles away and Sunset Beach, NC, is only 6 miles away.
Loris
Loris, a small, yet vibrant town nestled in northern Horry County, maintains a strong sense of community and Southern charm. The city is characterized by its tree-lined streets, historic homes, and friendly atmosphere. All of this is surrounded by the scenic beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry The downtown area is home to a charming array of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. There are nearby parks and nature preserves and North Myrtle Beach is only 24 miles away.