Area Overview
Quaint and quiet with plenty of family-friendly fun
Just to the south of Myrtle Beach in the area known as “the south strand” are several laid-back beach communities, notable for their family-friendly attractions such as Wild Water and Wheels and attractive beach houses.
Here in the Surfside Beach and Garden City Beach areas, vacation homes and rentals feature prominently along with a few smaller hotels.
The Town of Surfside Beach is small beach community that features two miles of oceanfront and extends inland to Highway 17 Bypass.
Located just south of the Myrtle Beach city limits and extending beyond Highway 544 to the south, this area was relatively undeveloped until the mid-1900s.
Two events — Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and the expansion of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base — provided the 1-2 punch the town needed.
More modern homes built to hurricane codes and a growing population led to incorporation in 1964.
Oceanfront homes and hotels sprang up around the coast, along with residential neighborhoods, restaurants and businesses followed a little further inland to make Surfside Beach the tourism draw it is today.
Operated by a seven-member town council, Surfside Beach has its own police and fire departments, as well as sanitation, public works, parks and recreation and other services.
The city also owns and operates the Surfside Beach Pier, the centerpiece of the downtown district.
Fishing, golf, and water sports are popular pastimes, and a variety of seafood restaurants and souvenir shops make up the downtown district.
Wild Water & Wheels water park, dining, shopping, and nightlife make this a vibrant community that is one of the fastest growing on the Grand Strand.
Inland areas feature single-family neighborhoods and multi-family developments, and children attend local schools until attending Socastee High, which is inland across the Highway 17 Bypass.
Where to stay
Hotels in Surfside Beach
Here's a look at some of the best accommodations in Surfside Beach:
From the blog
Surfside Beach Articles
Here’s a look at some of articles from our staff about Surfside Beach:
Best Ice Cream Shops in Myrtle Beach
September 5, 2024
Myrtle Beach is a wonderful summer town, with a host of warm-weather activities available. After a fun-filled day at the water park, at the beach, or on th …
The Best Campgrounds in Myrtle Beach
May 11, 2023
Explore the best Myrtle Beach campgrounds to find sites for RVs or tents, and vacation rentals in fabulous camping resorts with waterparks, pools, and more …
Best Beachfront Bars in Myrtle Beach
May 10, 2023
Explore the best Myrtle Beach campgrounds to find sites for RVs or tents, and vacation rentals in fabulous camping resorts with waterparks, pools, and more …
10 Best Beach Accesses in Myrtle Beach
April 18, 2023
the best beach in Myrtle Beach can make a significant impact on your vacation experience. Sure, these sandy shores all overlook the same stretch of the Atl …
Best Seafood Buffets in Myrtle Beach With All-You-Can-Eat Seafood
March 29, 2023
Buffets in Myrtle Beach are budget-friendly and indulgent and offer some of the most impressive food selections in the city. If your crew can’t agree on …
Gluten-free Dining in Myrtle Beach
March 16, 2023
Finding restaurants with gluten-free menu options in Myrtle Beach shouldn’t be a challenge, so we decided to do the legwork for our visitors with celiac …
Recycling in Myrtle Beach
March 7, 2023
Recycling in Myrtle Beach is important for the local environment, and with so much coastal beauty and so many Lowcountry landscapes in our area, why wouldn …
Places To Eat Famous Foods in Myrtle Beach
February 24, 2023
The best food in Myrtle Beach isn’t all from the beach. In fact, some of the top eats in the Grand Strand hail from all over the country. The culinary po …
Beach Access & Wheelchair Rentals in Myrtle Beach
February 18, 2023
Beach wheelchair rentals make it possible for any Myrtle Beach resident or vacationer with mobility impairment to enjoy time on the shore. Because standard …
Points of Interest
Restaurants & Attractions in Surfside Beach
Here's a look at some of the best places to eat and things to do in Surfside Beach:
Fun Warehouse
Fun Warehouse is the perfect place to let loose and has a fun time, and the best part is that this attraction is gr …
$2 OFF Any Large Pizza
Best Price Outlet – Beachwear
Welcome to our Best Price Outlet Store, your one-stop destination for all your Myrtle Beach essentials at unbeatabl …
Lobster House Seafood Restaurant
At Lobster House Seafood Restaurant, you’ll find some of the best seafood around. Located beside the Myrtle Beach …
$5 Off Purchase of $50 or More
The Ole Fashion Ice Cream Parlor
The Ole Fashion Ice Cream Parlor has been a mainstay in Surfside Beach. Families, couples and individuals of all ag …
Dynamite Fireworks
Dynamite Fireworks is the biggest fireworks shop on the Grand Strand. With everything you need, Dynamite Fireworks …
$10 Off any 500 Gram Cake
Myrtle Beach Slingshot Rentals
Myrtle Beach Slingshot Rentals is the only Certified Polaris Adventures Outfitter in South Carolina! What does that …
$199 All You Can Drive Special
What's Happening
Upcoming Events in Surfside Beach
Here’s a look at some of the best Surfside Beach events & festivals happening soon in the area:
Surfside Beach 4th of July Celebration
Bring your family down to Memorial Park in Surfside Beach for a Fourth of July Celebration on July 4th! The 4th of July Celebration will be held in Memorial Park […] …
Tickets from Free
Memorial Park – Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach Family Festival
The Surfside Beach Family Festival will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 on Surfside Drive. The festival was rescheduled from October due to expected inclement weather. This one-day ra …
Surfside Drive
Town of Surfside Beach Christmas Parade
Don't miss the Town of Surfside Beach's Christmas Parade starting at 2 p.m. Dec. 9. The parade has over 100 entries of all kinds, including floats and marching bands.The route sta …
Surfside Beach Pier
Town of Surfside Beach Easter Egg Hunt & Children’s Festival
The Town of Surfside Beach invites you and your family to an Easter Egg Hunt and Children's Fair on March 23, 2024. In addition to the Easter Egg Hunt and […] …
Huckabee Complex – Surfside Beach
Breakfast with Santa and Elf on the Shelf at Fun Warehouse
Fun Warehouse is hosting Breakfast with Santa and Elf on the Shelf on December 15 from 9-10 a.m. The $10 package includes a pancake breakfast with a small drink, roller […] …
Fun Warehouse
Sensory Friendly Visit to Fun Warehouse
Join Champion Autism Network on March 25 from 3-7 p.m. for a sensory friendly visit to Fun Warehouse! Lights will be up, music will be down. For $10, guests will […] …
Fun Warehouse
Bruce Munro at Brookgreen Gardens: Southern Light
Brookgreen Gardens introduces an immersive art and light experience. Bruce Munro, an internationally known artists, brings his spectacular large-scale light sculptures to the garde …
Brookgreen Gardens
Bruce Munro at Brookgreen Gardens: Southern Light
Brookgreen Gardens introduces an immersive art and light experience. Bruce Munro, an internationally known artists, brings his spectacular large-scale light sculptures to the garde …
Brookgreen Gardens
Bruce Munro at Brookgreen Gardens: Southern Light
Brookgreen Gardens introduces an immersive art and light experience. Bruce Munro, an internationally known artists, brings his spectacular large-scale light sculptures to the garde …
Brookgreen Gardens
Video
Visiting Surfside Beach
Check out some of our favorite staff videos from around this area:
Featured
Welcome to Wild Water & Wheels
Wild Water & Wheels is fun for the whole family! This attraction is home to a large waterpark featuring slides, a lazy river, huge wave pool, bumper boats, a kiddie area, and much more! Plus, enjoy food & beverages, mini-golf, and go-karts while you’re at Wild Water & Wheels.
See Video PageReal Estate
Surfside Beach Neighborhoods
Check out some of the most popular areas in Surfside Beach for Myrtle Beach real estate: