We hope to fly into Charlotte from Iowa to see our son and DIL in September or October for a few days. Then we would like to drive to a great beach and stay in a condo. The shorter the drive from Charlotte, but also a great beach would be great. We'd love to be right on the beach. We have no idea of where to begin looking. We like beaches where all we see when we look out is water...not more land way off somewhere! It's also nice to not have to drive too far for restaurants or a grocery store. We are in our mid 60s and the beach and the view are the most important. Thanks for ideas!!

I suggest for a beautiful and uncrowded beach you consider Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort in Pawley's Island. It is a SC beach 4 hours from Charlotte. The grocery store is right across the highway and the best seafood on the coast north of Charleston is 5 miles down the road in Murrell's Inlet. Brookgreen Gardens is also just across the highway for a beautiful tour.

I will add that you can look on booking.com and access that property. Just a short way down the beach is the Litchfield Inn which is a hotel that is directly on the beach also. The Resort has a number of possibilities. The Inn is a full service hotel.