Just a few miles from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, tiny Surfside Beach has long been touted as the area’s family-friendly beach. With a population of under 4,000, this seaside community can feel like an extended family. But a myriad of family-friendly activities makes it so that visitors also feel like part of the club. Public parks feature shuffleboard tables and bocce courts, and the well-maintained beaches offer a scenic spot for families to idle the days away by the sea. As part of South Carolina’s famed Grand Strand beach arc, Surfside Beach has become a haven for oceanfront living, with dream beach homes gazing over the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a week, you may find it a hard place to leave.

Surfside Beach prides itself on having the perfect beach weather, but you still need to plan accordingly when booking one of the area’s vacation rentals. Beach season kicks off in May, when the average temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the sea begins to warm up. By June the average high increases to 82 degrees, peaking in August at 84. Keep in mind that August is also quite humid and is also the wettest month, with 6.6 inches of rain. Late spring and early summer is better for drier air. The beach weather bliss lasts into September, when the humidity begins to decline and the days are still long and hot. Be aware that hurricane season peaks between mid-August and mid-October. Winters are windy and wet, and temperatures can dip close to freezing.

Parks

Surfside boasts seven public parks — a lot for a town of less than 4,000 residents. Each one offers something different. All Children’s Park is designed just for kids, featuring two playgrounds and a picnic area, and is fully wheelchair accessible; Fuller Park hosts matches at its two tennis courts; and Martin Field is arguably the most scenic park, with covered picnic shelters and plenty of greenery to admire.

Murrells Inlet

Murrells Inlet is a historic fishing village near Surfside. It’s said that it was once home to pirates, but today the area is a basecamp for seafaring adventurers who enjoy kayaking and deep-sea fishing trips. After a day on the ocean, enjoy a meal at one of the waterfront restaurants that serve up some of the best seafood in the area.

Myrtle Beach State Park

Surfside is lucky to have Myrtle Beach State Park as its neighbor. With 312 acres of pristine coastline and maritime forest, this park is not to be missed. Nature trails meander through lush greenery, and a fishing pier stretches into the sea. Coves and lookout points offer opportunities to take in some of the best views of coastal South Carolina.