If you are dreaming of lazy days on quiet beaches, outdoor activities under cloudless blue skies, or good food and friendly, southern hospitality, it may be time to book a trip to the lovely South Carolina coast, where you’ll find all of these things and more. This destination perfectly blends family-friendly fun with an upscale, private-beach vibe to create an idyllic Lowcountry coastal vacation destination.
Our Residence Manager recently shared some of her Carolina favorites with us and is more than happy to help you create your own perfect itinerary.
DAY 1: Sun and Fun
Ease into your first day of vacation with a bike ride to nearby Freshfields Village for a delicious avocado bagel sandwich and vanilla latte at the chic Java Java coffee shop. Your Local Host will have bikes waiting for you at the home. Getting out for a morning ride is a great way to wake up and get a feel for the location.
After fueling up and doing a little two-wheel exploring, grab your sunscreen and head out for a leisurely pool day at the Seabrook Island Club. The club has two oceanfront pools with beautiful, panoramic views of the Atlantic, as well as poolside loungers, covered seating areas, and complimentary towel service. Soak up the sun and enjoy cool ocean breezes from one of the landscaped sundecks, go for a swim, or use the club’s beach access path to take a walk along the gentle surf.
For lunch, walk over to the Pelican’s Nest for a casual sit-down meal of fish tacos or salmon Caesar salad and take in the view from their waterside covered patio. Or pick up a grab-and-go pulled chicken wrap from Cap’n Sams’ Grill, an outdoor fast casual eatery located between the two pools. Both restaurants also offer cool drinks and tropical cocktails for a refreshing poolside treat.
In the afternoon, drive or bike over to Bohicket Marina for a stroll along the dock followed by a guided kayak outing on Bohicket Creek. Here you can paddle through the waterway’s hidden channels or out and around the Deveaux Bank bird sanctuary.
Home to some of the most unspoiled natural beauty in all of the Lowcountry region and, as an official Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary—with acres of salt marshes and serene waterways teeming with life—it’s not uncommon to spot a variety of saltwater and freshwater fish, seabirds, and bottlenose dolphins when you’re out on the water.
That night, we’ll have reservations for you at Minero, a lively, upscale-casual restaurant serving authentic, elevated Mexican cuisine, fresh-made tortillas, and a full menu of craft beers, classic margaritas, and creative agave-based cocktails.
We recommend the salsa tasting and guacamole accompanied by their popular house margarita to start. Then dig into the unique charcoal chicken tacos or chimichangas for a sublime, lightly charred, perfectly flavored entree. For dessert, the churros with dulce de leche and sea salt are the perfect way to round out an amazing meal.
DAY 2: Daytrip to Charleston
On your second day, wake up early for a light breakfast and coffee on the home’s gorgeous wraparound porch. Ceiling fans, cozy seating areas, and views of the ocean make it a comfortable spot to enjoy the morning sunshine before heading out for a day of fun.
After breakfast, drive over to downtown Charleston for a full day exploring the sights and sounds of the city. It takes about 50 minutes to get there from the residence. Traffic can be heavy at times, but for anyone who’s never been to Charleston—or those who love it and want to see it again—it’s totally worth the trip.
Once there, prepare to park and walk. Charleston is a city best experienced on foot or by hopping on the free DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) trolleys that service the area. Fortunately, dozens of public lots and garages can be found throughout downtown, and wide sidewalks linking attractions, shops, and restaurants make it easy to get around.
Start with a visit to the South Carolina Aquarium, located on the waterfront at Charleston Harbor. In addition to really fun exhibits, including touch tanks and habitats ranging from coastal waters and deep ocean, you’ll also have picture-perfect views of the impressive Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the USS Yorktown across the river at Patriots Point.
Afterwards, stroll the historic Charleston City Market and have lunch in the dining hall at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit (both the BLT and the pimento cheese biscuits are melt-in-your-mouth delicious), or enjoy an upscale meal of seared scallops and Lowcountry she-crab soup in the garden-inspired dining room at nearby Palmetto Café.
In the afternoon, learn more about the storied history and culture of Charleston with one of the city’s popular tours. Enjoy a guided two-hour, small-group stroll through the cobblestone streets and small gardens of downtown or sit back and relax with a private driving tour of the city’s most charming neighborhoods and famous landmarks, personalized to your interests.
After a day in the city, make the drive back with a quick stop on Johns Island to see the magnificent Angel Oak tree. At 65 feet high, with a 25.5-foot circumference, it’s the largest live oak tree east of the Mississippi and is estimated to be between 300–500 years old. Admission is free and parking is available. Just be sure to have your camera with you so you can take photos of this legendary Lowcountry treasure.
For dinner, you may want to pick up fresh fish and shrimp (along with locally grown vegetables and prepared tomato pie and crab cakes) from the Rosebank Farm Stand to grill out at home. Or order ahead and grab delicious, wood-fired pizzas and pasta from La Tela Pizzeria at Freshfields Village. Their mushroom pizza and the chicken parmigiana are favorites, though everything on the menu is fantastic.
DAY 3: Beach Time and Island Fun
Wrap up your stay with another day of laid-back outdoor fun.
In the morning, walk down to the beach and spend the first few hours of the day playing in the water, exploring tidal pools, walking along the surf, or just lounging on shore enjoying the salt air and sound of waves.
This location has one of the longest expanses of beach shoreline in coastal Carolina, with four miles of beautiful, soft sand to play—or relax—on. Guests can bike, swim in the warm, Atlantic water, look for shells (or turtle tracks), and watch for dolphins passing just offshore. As a gated community, the beaches are private and open only to residents and guests, making for quiet, uncrowded days by the water.
After a nice morning on the beach, drive or bike over to Bohicket Marina for lunch at the Salty Dog Café. Their menu includes everything from po’ boys and burgers to raw oysters and a decadent lobster grilled cheese. You can’t go wrong with any of it, though we recommend starting with the pimento cheese dip (a southern favorite), followed up with the fantastically fresh crab cake sandwich or hearty Lowcountry boil. Have a yummy kiwi colada with lunch, if you’re so inclined, or save the calories for a sweet dessert from the Salty Dog Ice Cream shop next door.
In the afternoon, golfers may head to Kiawah Island to tee off on one of their world-renowned courses. The 18-hole Pete Dye Ocean Course, with the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere, is our top pick thanks to its challenging play and incredible ocean views from every hole. After finishing the course, stop in for a drink on the patio at the Ryder Cup Bar and toast to an amazing afternoon on the greens.
If the outdoors is calling, but golf isn’t your game, we suggest taking a nature walk on one of the many trails around the area instead. The beginner-level Old Drake Trail is the shortest but takes you out and back through a lovely landscape of marshland and loblolly pines. The Lake House Trail leads into a wildlife-friendly maritime forest where you can soak up the scenery and may even spot songbirds and deer. Or, if you prefer a more challenging walk, the rugged Six Ladies Trail, winding up through old dunes and into forest land, with huge oak trees draped in Spanish moss, pays off with wonderful views of the salt marsh and Captain Sams Creek. There, you may spot herons, dolphins, and even an otter family that’s known to play along the bank. It’s a rewarding short hike, as long as you don’t mind the path’s difficulty.
Follow up your outdoor adventures with some relaxing pool time or a short siesta on one of the covered porches at your Equity Estates home before going out for dinner.
That night, we’ll have reservations ready for you at the elegant Royal Tern restaurant, just a few miles away. They are known for their simple-yet-sophisticated seafood dishes (the caper-crusted halibut is a particular stand-out), delicious wood-fired steaks, and an extensive, but carefully curated wine list. It’s one of our favorite places to cap off and celebrate an unforgettable vacation.
At Home on Coastal Charleston with Equity Estates
Our stunning Coastal Charleston residence combines clean modern design with a luxuriously relaxed coastal Carolina feel. This spacious, four-bedroom, beachfront home features ocean views from the main living area, master suite, and second-floor porch, as well as lush garden landscaping with private pond, an elevator and electric car charger, and direct boardwalk access to North Beach.
Take a dip in the private heated pool. Enjoy refreshing ocean breezes and evening cocktails on the covered wraparound porch. And make yourself at home in the gorgeous chef’s kitchen and many cozy indoor/outdoor living spaces. It’s the perfect coastal island destination for a family vacation or a large group getaway.
Your Destination Manager will work with you to plan your itinerary before you arrive and make sure your stay is effortless. Leave the details to us and arrive to a fully stocked kitchen and bar with groceries of your choice. With Equity Estates, comfort and luxury are yours.
Travel with Equity Estates for a unique and memorable experience. If you would like more information about investing with Equity Estates, please reach out to our Investor Relations team at 404.445.8501 or click to schedule a call. Your unforgettable Coastal Charleston getaway awaits!
