All of South Carolina's beaches have their signature "personality." And this one is no different. Welcome to the most laid-back beach in South Carolina - where anything goes - because afterall, you're on the Edge of America when you're on this island in the Lowcountry.
Folly Beach includes six miles of spectacular sandy coast, fronted mostly by single family homes.
Folly has a certain reputation for being unpretentious, full of life and filled with fun lovin' people.
Locals know it's THE beach in the Charleston area where you can find waves big enough to actually...
get up on the board - and stay up long enough for a run. Oh, it's not like the waves in Hawaii or Costa Rica - but no one seems to care, because it's Folly and they're on the Edge of America out here, and that's all that matters.
Die hard Folly Beach visitors (and residents) love, Love, LOVE this island where things are so relaxed...
...even the crabs are chill.
Welcome to Folly - the Edge of America. Folly Beach is as much a state of mind as it is a place to live, work, play and gather with friends and family.
Folly's happy-go-lucky beach atmosphere isn't the only draw to this island outside Charleston.
The "business district," consisting of a little more than a few contiguous blocks, is as chill as the patrons who show up wearing bikinis and yes, sometimes without shirts or shoes (but don't tell anyone, shhhh).
The shops and eateries are only a block or two (at most) from the sand and the surf.
You'll find laid-back cantinas, pizza joints,
seafood places,
surf shops, t-shirt shops, and all things beach, right here within a stone's throw of the big blue ocean.
This photo shows that eager beachgoers have been in love with Folly for a very LONG time. This shot was taken sometime in the late 1940s or early 1950s. LOOK at those cars and all the people! And the "Sanitary Restaurant" sign! Wow.
It's nice to see that Folly hasn't changed much over the years and decades. People still gather in large crowds here...especially during one of the major festivals or events held on Folly each year.
Let's see if I can name a few without looking them up: Folly Gras, Follypalooza and the Sea and Sand Festival.
And that doesn't even count the number of surfing events this laid back paradise hosts annually.
Want to watch a movie on the beach? Well...this is the place.
Just under 3,000 residents call Folly Beach home. But from the County Park on the South end of the island - all the way to the North end where you can see the Morris Island Lighthouse, Folly is always hosting visitors.
Located just south of Charleston, Folly Beach is definitely the most laid-back beach in South Carolina. But that doesn't mean there aren't any rules. If you want to check those out or learn about parking options on the beach then you learn more here.
Have you visited Folly Beach lately? We'd love to know about your experiences in our comments. We'd also love to know which beach in South Carolina is your fave - and WHY.
If you love checking out new beaches in South Carolina, then you'll love this hidden beaches road trip.
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