Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach SC received its name after the Sweet Myrtle Tree native to the area. The Grand Strand was coined by Claude Dunnagan in his newspaper column December 3, 1949. Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand consists of a string of small communities that stretches from Little River on the North Carolina border to Georgetown. Its 60 miles of coastline have wide, sandy beaches for swimming, sunbathing and building sand castles; waters full of fish for pier or deep sea fishing and waves for surfing.

Oceanfront lots in Myrtle Beach were $25 in 1905. Little River's biggest event is the annual Blue Crab Festival.

North Myrtle Beach consists of the four communities of Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach and Windy Hill where Barefoot Landing has become a popular shopping, eating, and entertainment spot. Crossing the expansive bridge over the Intercoastal Waterway from Little River to North Myrtle Beach is an experience in itself.

In Cherry Grove, you'll find one of the most popular destinations of both residents and visitors alike, the Cherry Grove Fishing Pier. The other three communities in North Myrtle Beach are not as large as Cherry Grove, but they also have beautiful beaches and plenty of accommodations. North Myrtle Beach's population has mushroomed since 1990; consequently, so have the development and the traffic.

Beach and Boogie Music is king at the Beach Clubs like Fat Harold's Beach Club in Ocean Drive. Once you visit Myrtle Beach and see the overwhelming number of hotels, motels, condominiums, restaurants and attractions, you will find it hard to believe that most of the development took place since the late 1950s. Getting to Myrtle Beach is easy thanks to the modern and efficient Myrtle Beach Airport. Veteran's Highway helps you avoid a large part of Route 17.

Myrtle Beach has its own baseball team, the Pelicans, a Class A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Surfside Beach is directly below Myrtle Beach; consequently, some of the congestion is spilling over to this community. Garden City is a popular spot for surf fishing and family outings to the beach. If you want fresh seafood, be sure to visit this self-proclaimed Seafood Capital of South Carolina.