As our thoughts turn to Spring Break, warmer climates and R&R, Myrtle Beach becomes the stuff daydreams are made of: white, sandy beaches; golf, fishing and other recreational pastimes; shopping; unique architecture and a relaxed lifestyle. Greater Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, offers more than 60 miles of shoreline stretching from Holden Beach in North Carolina southward to Georgetown, South Carolina. The area was called Long Bay until the early 1900s, when vacationers took note of the region's natural beauty and began their yearly migration here. Myrtle trees are native to this area of the coastline; thus, the name Myrtle Beach was born.

But sandy beaches aren't the only draw to Myrtle Beach. The region is well-known for its spectacular golf courses. In fact, greater Myrtle Beach, dubbed "The Grand Strand," is noted as among the world's best golf destinations. Some 90 golf courses in the region were designed by such legendaries as Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Dan Maples and Ron Palmer. Myrtle Beach's Dunes Golf and Beach Club has hosted the PGA Senior Tour Championship each year since 1994. Golf courses continue to be constructed in Myrtle Beach; approximately 10 more are currently in the works.

Myrtle Beach has been called "The Branson (Missouri) of the South," and with good reason. The city has more than 100 amusement parks, approximately 1,800 restaurants, top-notch fishing (of the deep sea, pier and surf varieties), and a wide variety of retail shops. With more than 60,000 units are available for vacationers and a year-round mild climate, Myrtle Beach has a booming tourism business.

When you're ready to take a break from the beach, Myrtle Beach has plenty of attractions to keep you busy -- most of them related to the area's natural resources and architectural history. Among them: Brookgreen Gardens, a wildlife park and garden; Bellefield Nature Center, featuring exhibits on local history, coastal ecology, including a "touch tank" of aquatic life; Historic Georgetown Tours, a series of riverboat tours including a plantation excursion and a trip to nearby Shell Island; Kaminski House, an 18th century colonial landmark-turned-museum; Hampton Plantation, an 18th century mansion filled with relics of architectural history; and Boone Hall Plantation, "America's most photographed plantation."

Retirees have settled here in increasing numbers during recent years. Myrtle Beach boasts many high-quality health-care facilities to accommodate its residents. Golf communities are located in abundance throughout the area, many of them with private gates; and oceanfront condominiums are another popular choice both for retirees and second-home seekers. Planned communities are appearing right and left in Myrtle Beach and are an extremely popular choice for relocating families and move-up buyers. These communities represent what is best about Myrtle Beach: a relaxed, hassle-free lifestyle, accessibility to the water, low maintenance, and a social life with fellow residents that usually is centered around a beach house or clubhouse and a variety of recreational activities -- most notably water sports and golf.

It's little wonder that Myrtle Beach now ranks as the country's second-fastest growing destination in terms of population growth and job creation. Whether or not businesses are based in Myrtle Beach, the evolution of technology has made telecommuting an increasingly tempting option for professionals. This region of the South offers a vital and diverse economy, a healthy real estate market and an oceanfront lifestyle that appeals even to the most die-hard city slicker. All of these factors combine to produce a quality of life that ranks among the nation's best.

Published: March 8, 1999

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