Best Beach near Charleston
 

My daughter will be moving to just north of Charleston, SC this summer and my husband and I will be helping her move. After the move we would like to spend some time at the beach. Can someone recommend a really nice beach location near Charleston where we could rent a condo and relax? Thanks.

Check out Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms (www.wilddunes.com) - it's an upscale gated community with plenty of cottages and condos available for rent and a terric uncrowded beach. It's perfect for what you are seeking.

Keep in mind that most rentals during the summer are by the week only.

If you're staying for a shorter time, consider staying in a hotel and visiting the public beaches.

Kiawah Island has a nice public beach-Beachwalker Park-which is on Dr. Beach's Top Ten List this year.

Here are some other options: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g5....Is.Best..html

I am partial to Kiawah as well, particularly if you are a golfer. For less people, try Seabrook.

I agree with all of the above. The closest beach to Charleston proper is Sullivans Island. It is mainly residential with few rentals but you could check vrbo for what is available. Isle of Palms is just north of Sullivans and has many summer rentals, both within Wild Dunes and outside of the resort. My friends have had good luck with the Sea Cabins there. Kiawah and Seabrook are lovely. A little farther to the south is Edisto Island, which is a very quiet beach town. Most of the rentals are houses.

Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, and Folly Beach are the closest three to downtown Charleston, if you want to also be able to visit or dine there easily. During the summer, rentals are generally by the week only, however, I've noticed in the past year or so, since the economy has been struggling, that the rental company we use (Island Realty) has started allowing stays of shorter than a week, if the stay is booked 60 days or less before arrival. There may be other companies with the same type of deal. At any rate, Sullivan's Island is my favorite, precisely because it is residential and there are no hotels. It is very quiet and laid back, and yet only about a 15 minute drive into downtown Charleston. We will be there in 12 days and I can't wait! :)

My husband and I recently moved to South Carolina and someone suggested Wild Dunes to us. We stayed there in May and absolutely loved it! The condo we stayed in was beautiful. The beaches are relaxing and there are great restaurants you can walk to. It’s also very easy to get into Charleston. I’ve been telling everyone how much fun we had. We can’t wait to go back!

Thanks everyone...I will now be able to do some research before the move!

Wild Dunes is VERY nice but there are better restaurants outside the resort, IMHO.