I’ve been hitting the Grand Strand every summer for the past decade. Same crew, different houses. Here’s the deal: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the South Strand are only 20 miles apart, but they’re completely different vibes. I’ve stayed everywhere from Cherry Grove condos to Pawleys Island cottages. Let me break down exactly where you should book based on what you actually want from your beach trip.
North Myrtle Beach is its own city, not part of Myrtle Beach proper. Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill are all North Myrtle. South Myrtle Beach isn’t even a real place. It’s what locals call everything south of central Myrtle: Surfside Beach, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, down to Litchfield and Pawleys Island.
Peak season hotel occupancy runs high during the summer months. Book early or pay double. Trust me on this one.
TL;DR Snapshot
North Myrtle Beach is for families who want resort pools, easy beach access, and Alabama Theatre shows. You’re 10 minutes from the action but away from the chaos. The vibe is laid-back beach town with a side of shag dancing.
South Strand is for people who want to disappear. Surfside to Pawleys Island is all beach cottages, fresh seafood joints, and empty sand. It’s quieter than quiet. Perfect if crowds make you twitchy.
Quick Distance Reality Check
- North Myrtle to Broadway at the Beach: 15 minutes
- Surfside Beach to Broadway at the Beach: 20 minutes
- Murrells Inlet to Airport: 25 minutes
- Pawleys Island to Central Myrtle: 30 minutes
The Vibe Match Quiz
Want live music and late-night shag dancing? North Myrtle.
Want to eat fresh grouper and be in bed by 9? South Strand.
Want both? Stay in Surfside. It’s the sweet spot.
Fast Facts & Map
The Grand Strand stretches 60 miles total. North Myrtle Beach proper is about 9 miles of that. The South Strand runs roughly from Surfside Beach down to Georgetown County. Call it 25 miles of varying levels of development.
The population of North Myrtle Beach swells significantly in summer as visitors flood in. The average hotel rate in July runs around $289 per night. South Strand stays steadier. Surfside sees its year-round population swell during the summer season. Average vacation rental costs about $215 per night.
Pro tip: Take a screenshot of the Grand Strand map on your phone. Cell service gets spotty near the state park.
Atmosphere & Vibe
North Myrtle Beach Feel
North Myrtle Beach feels like Myrtle Beach did 30 years ago. Low-rise condos, beach houses, and mini golf that haven’t been updated since 1987. Ocean Drive is shag dance central. Fat Harold’s and Duck’s still pack the dance floor with people in their 70s doing the Carolina state dance.
Barefoot Landing is the main drag for shopping and eating. It’s touristy but manageable. No massive parking decks or $40 cover charges. Just flip-flop-friendly spots with decent happy hours. The whole area shuts down by 11 p.m., which is either perfect or boring depending on your crew.
I stay in Cherry Grove when I bring the kids. Wide beaches, calm water, and ice cream trucks every hour. Exactly what you want for a family beach trip.
South Strand Feel
The South Strand is where locals go to get away from tourists. Surfside Beach earned its “Family Beach” nickname honestly. It’s clean, quiet, and the pier has the only arcade for miles. Garden City is even sleepier, just cottages and crab shacks.
Murrells Inlet is different. It’s a legitimate fishing village that happens to have tourists. The MarshWalk boardwalk has nine waterfront restaurants, but they’re serving locals year-round, not just summer visitors. When the boats come in around 4 p.m., that’s your dinner swimming in the cooler.
Pawleys Island takes the quiet thing to extremes. No hotels. No minigolf. No nightlife. Just hammocks and ghost stories. It’s aggressively chill.
Quick Mood Match Quiz
Do you want pool bars and lazy rivers? North Myrtle.
Do you want to kayak through salt marshes? South Strand.
Do you want to walk to dinner and entertainment? North Myrtle.
Beaches: Sand, Crowds, Water Quality
North Myrtle Beach Sand Report
Cherry Grove Point has the widest beach on the entire Grand Strand. At low tide, you can walk out 200 yards and the water’s still at your knees. Perfect for little kids. Lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day at all major access points.
The sand is that classic Carolina tan, not white like the Gulf, but soft and clean. Beach wheelchairs are available at 17th Avenue South and Cherry Grove Pier. The shore break is gentle most days. When it’s rough, red flags go up fast.
Windy Hill Beach is my sunrise spot. Less crowded and good shelling after storms. Park at 33rd Avenue South and walk north.
South Strand Sand Report
Surfside Beach has 2 miles of pristine sand with shower stations every few blocks. The pier adds character with fishermen on top and surfers underneath. Dog-friendly year-round, but leash laws are enforced hard in summer.
Huntington Beach State Park is next level. Three miles of undeveloped coastline backed by dunes and maritime forest. There is an entry fee, but it’s worth every penny. I’ve seen dolphins feeding 20 yards from shore here. Bring bug spray for the nature trails.
Garden City Beach has the best shells south of North Carolina. Hit it at low tide after a northeast wind. The jetty at the south end holds sheepshead and whiting if you’re fishing.
Best Sunrise & Sunset Spots
Sunrise: Cherry Grove Pier (GPS: 33.829°N, 78.633°W). Get there 30 minutes early for the color show.
Sunset: Murrells Inlet MarshWalk (GPS: 33.553°N, 79.045°W). Order a drink at Creek Ratz and watch the sun drop behind the marsh.
Attractions & Entertainment
North Myrtle Beach Top 5
Barefoot Landing: Over 100 shops and restaurants around a 27-acre lake. Alabama Theatre does a killer Christmas show. House of Blues books real acts. I saw Hootie there last summer. Park in the back near Alligator Adventure to avoid walking.
Alabama Theatre: This isn’t some tourist trap dinner theater. These performers are Broadway-level good. The variety show hits different demographics perfectly. Grandparents love it, kids tolerate it, and everyone leaves happy.
House of Blues: Full concert venue with Gospel Brunch on Sundays. Check their calendar. They book everyone from 90s bands to current country stars. The pulled pork nachos are ridiculously good.
Alligator Adventure: Look, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Twenty-foot gators, snake shows, and a zip line over the alligator pit. Kids lose their minds. Adults pretend they’re too cool but still take 100 photos.
Barefoot Resort Golf: Four courses designed by Love, Fazio, Norman, and Dye. The Love course is the easiest. The Norman course will hurt your feelings. Book at least two weeks ahead in season.
South Strand Top 5
Brookgreen Gardens: 9,100 acres of sculptures, gardens, and Lowcountry history. The boat tour through the old rice fields is worth the add-on fee. Night events in summer are magical. Budget 4 hours minimum.
Huntington Beach State Park: Atalaya Castle is Moorish-style weirdness built by the Huntingtons in the 1930s. The park has gators in the lagoon and the best bird watching on the coast. Entry closes at 6 p.m. sharp.
Murrells Inlet MarshWalk: Half-mile boardwalk with restaurants hanging over the water. Live music every night in summer. Drunken Jack’s for lunch, Wicked Tuna for dinner. Dead Dog Saloon if you want to day drink with locals.
Surfside & Garden City Piers: Both piers are free to walk and $5 to fish. Surfside has the better arcade. Garden City has the better fishing. King mackerel run close in September.
Kayak the Salt Marsh: Rent from Black River Outdoors. Launch at the public landing behind Drunken Jack’s. Two-hour tour hits all the good spots. You’ll see dolphins if you go at high tide.
Rainy-Day Backup Plans
North Myrtle: Escape room at Barefoot Landing, bowling at 710 Bowling, or drive 15 minutes to Ripley’s Aquarium.
South Strand: Honestly? Read a book. Maybe hit the outlet mall. Rain days down here are for napping.
Dining & Nightlife
Eat North
Lulu’s at Barefoot: Jimmy Buffett’s sister’s place. The volcano erupts every hour. Get the blackened mahi sandwich and a Painkiller. Sunset seats book up, so call ahead.
Greg Norman Australian Grille: Pricey but delivers. The lamb is what you want. The wine list is sophisticated. Make a reservation or eat at 5 p.m. with the early birds.
Hoskins Restaurant: Local secret since 1948. Cash only. Plastic chairs. Best fried shrimp on the strand. Thursday is all-you-can-eat. Get there before 6 or wait an hour.
Eat South
Drunken Jack’s: The hushpuppies come out hot with honey butter. That’s all you need to know. Actually, get the stuffed flounder too. Closes at 9 p.m.
Dead Dog Saloon: Sunday brunch shrimp and grits will change your life. Bloody Mary bar is self-serve chaos. Dogs allowed on the deck.
Wicked Tuna: Sushi in a fishing village sounds wrong, but it works. Rooftop has the best MarshWalk views. Tuna nachos are massive.
Nightlife Showdown
North Myrtle nightlife equals shag dancing at Ocean Drive Beach clubs: OD Pavilion, Fat Harold’s, and Duck’s. Crowd average age is 65, but they’re having more fun than you.
South Strand nightlife equals acoustic guitar at Creek Ratz until 10 p.m. That’s it. That’s the list. Murrells Inlet rolls up the sidewalks early.
Where to Stay & Price Breakdown
North Myrtle Beach Picks
North Beach Resort & Villas: Upscale with a 2.5-acre pool complex. The lazy river actually moves. The Plantation suite sleeps 8 comfortably. Summer peak runs about $400 per night.
Avista Resort: Solid mid-range option. Three pools and a decent breakfast. Ocean view rooms are worth the upgrade. The July rate is around $275 per night.
Cherry Grove Beach Houses: VRBO goldmine. Get a 6-bedroom on stilts for $500 per night, split between three families. Book by February for summer.
South Strand Picks
Grand Palms Resort (Surfside): Best value family resort. Free shuttle to the beach. Multiple pools. Condo-style rooms with kitchens. Peak season runs about $180 per night.
Litchfield Beach & Golf: Old school resort. Condo units scattered through live oaks. Bike to the beach. Very quiet. Summer weekly runs about $2,100.
Pawleys Island Cottages: Rent direct from owners. Expect to pay $3,000-$5,000 per week for oceanfront in July. Book a full year ahead.
Cost Snapshot
North Myrtle Beach average nightly (July): Hotel $315, Resort fees $25, Parking FREE
South Strand average nightly (July): Condo $225, Cleaning fee $150 (one time), Parking FREE
Shoulder season (May and September) saves 40% in both areas.
Proximity & Transportation
Driving & Parking Hacks
Highway 17 is the spine of the Grand Strand. It’s a parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in summer. Use the back roads: Grissom Parkway in North Myrtle, Business 17 through Murrells Inlet.
Free beach parking everywhere if you know where to look. North Myrtle: 13th Avenue South. Surfside: 3rd Avenue North. Garden City: Atlantic Avenue. Get there before 9 a.m. or forget it.
Uber/Lyft Pricing
- Airport to North Myrtle Beach: $35-45
- Airport to Surfside: $40-50
- North Myrtle to Broadway at the Beach: $20-25
- Surge pricing kicks in hard after 10 p.m.
Who Should Pick Which? (Persona Matchmaker)
Families with young kids: North Myrtle Beach. Resort pools, mini golf, and Alligator Adventure will keep them busy. Beach is calmer.
Foodie couples: South Strand all day. Murrells Inlet MarshWalk for dinner every night. Fresh catch, water views, and zero chains.
Multi-gen reunion: North Myrtle Beach. Those 8-bedroom houses in Cherry Grove were built for this. Everyone gets space.
Nature lovers & photographers: South Strand. Huntington Beach State Park at dawn. Brookgreen Gardens. Kayaking the creeks.
Golf bros: Honestly a toss-up. North has Barefoot Resort’s four courses. South has Caledonia and True Blue. Book tee times wherever you can get them.
3-Day Sample Itineraries
North Myrtle Beach Long Weekend
Friday: Check in after 4 p.m. Sunset drinks at Lulu’s. Walk Barefoot Landing. Ice cream at Kilwin’s.
Saturday: Beach until noon. Lunch at Hoskins. Alligator Adventure afternoon. Alabama Theatre 7 p.m. show.
Sunday: House of Blues Gospel Brunch. Pool time. Beach walk. Depart by 5 to beat traffic.
South Strand Long Weekend
Friday: Arrive and hit Surfside Beach for sunset. Dinner at Drunken Jack’s. Walk the MarshWalk with drinks.
Saturday: Sunrise at Huntington Beach State Park. Brookgreen Gardens until 2 p.m. Beach nap. Wicked Tuna dinner.
Sunday: Kayak tour at 9 a.m. Brunch at Dead Dog Saloon. Gift shop browsing in Pawleys. Head home.
Hybrid “See It All” Plan
Stay in Surfside (middle ground). Day trip north for Alabama Theatre. Day trip south for Brookgreen. Eat at Murrells every night. Best of both worlds.
FAQs
Is the water warmer up north or south?
Same ocean, same temp. Both average 84°F in July. The real difference is wave action. North Myrtle is usually calmer.
When is hurricane season?
June 1 to November 30, but September is prime time. Book refundable everything. Check weather 5 days out.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs allowed on all beaches October through March. Summer is trickier: before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. only. South Strand is more dog-friendly year-round.
Are golf carts legal on the streets?
Only in specific communities. North Myrtle Beach allows them on secondary roads. Check local ordinances. DUI laws still apply.
Final Verdict & Quick Decision Checklist
Look, both areas work. I’ve had great trips in Cherry Grove and perfect weeks in Pawleys. Here’s your quick decision maker:
Want restaurants and shows within walking distance? North Myrtle Beach.
Want the quietest beach possible? South Strand.
Want easy access to Myrtle Beach attractions? North Myrtle Beach.
Want fresh seafood and nature? South Strand.
Want the best of everything? Stay in Surfside and drive both directions.
Book by March for summer stays. Hurricane season means refundable rates only. Labor Day weekend books first, then July 4th, then everything else.
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