Seeking a remote, uncrowded beach getaway for a day, a weekend, or perhaps longer? South Carolina's Edisto Beach has been attracting people with this mindset for nearly a hundred years. And it's not a difficult sell, either. At nearly an hour's drive from the nearest big city, Edisto offers the kind of downtime from our busy lives that can't be found at just any beach in South Carolina. This unspoiled beach town is a dream come true.
Around a hundred years ago, back when there was no bridge to Edisto, people started coming anyway. They drove over the marsh and the oyster beds at low tide to gain access.
Back then, the island was used primarily as a retreat with homes hobbled together for weekend getaways.
Today, a little more than 400 people call the island home on a year-round basis. But plenty others have established second homes on the island. And through it all, Edisto has managed to retain an undeveloped feel. But Edisto, although remote and located just far enough out of sight to avoid ordinary chaos, does have a thriving business community to support the needs of locals and visitors alike. While many businesses are found scattered about on the island itself, others are located on SC-174, the main road leading to the island.
The Sea Cow Restaurant is adored by locals and visitors alike.
The eatery specializes in breakfast and lunch — and seafood. An overnight visit to Edisto Beach without breakfast at the Sea Cow just doesn't feel right to many people.
And for anything (anything at all) you need while visiting, you're sure to find it at The Edistonian General Store, Gift Shop & Gallery.
From gifts and postcards to groceries and fuel for your car, The Edistonian is sure to have exactly what you're looking for.
A couple of nearby markets are favorite stops for visitors who get to stock up on fresh veggies and plenty of beach news while shopping. Kings Farm Market, seen here, is seasonal and a familiar sight while driving out to Edisto on SC-174.
There's also the beloved roadside market, George and Pink.
Shabby and ever-so-chic, George and Pink is also seasonal and also carries local fresh veggies. Be sure to pick up a fresh pie while you're there, too!
There are plenty of other restaurants and a few scattered small shops on Edisto Island as well. And then, there's the Edisto Island Museum.
The tiny and charming abode which houses the museum is brimming with artifacts detailing the history of the island.
Still another must-visit place while at Edisto is the Edisto Beach State Park.
At 1,255 acres and located right on the undeveloped beach on the north end of the island, the state park offers daytrippers and weekenders unfettered access to 1.5 miles of pristine beachfront. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, and even cabin rentals.
If quiet, unpretentious - and uncrowded - are at the top of your bucket list for your next beach getaway, then Edisto Island delivers that understated thrill that can only be found when you feel like you're millions of miles from anywhere else.
Is Edisto already on your radar? We'd love to know your favorite thing about visiting this unassuming little town, so join in the discussion below.
Love hidden beaches? So do we! Check out another out-of-the-way public beach in South Carolina, and then take a look at seven more quiet, little-known beaches, too.
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