Most recent real estate listings update : Monday, May 12, 2008
Folly Beach
This eccentric and diverse beach town--likes to call itself "the edge of America." Only 10 minutes from historic Charleston, this is a tourist's world: one where there's plenty to see and do.
Crabbing, sunning, surfing, swimming, surf fishing, biking, waterskiing, and sailing are going on. You name it, Folly Beach has got it. Folly touts its 1,000-foot fishing pier, finished in 1995, complete with snack bar, tackle shop, and full-service seafood restaurant. The pier is reminiscent of the old days when beach pavilions were all the rage for dance bands and swing music.
Although there are walk-throughs along the beach that lead from Arctic and Ashley avenues to the surf for day visitors, it's best to go to the west end of the island and visit Folly Beach County Park. Admission is $4 a vehicle, but once you're inside you've got restrooms, showers, drinking water, ample parking, and probably the best open vistas on the island.
You'll find many reasonable short term accommodations at Folly Beach. There are also seasonal rentals and a lot of interesting full-time residents on the island. It is Charleston's truly original beach playground.
First of all, there's the beach--Folly's claim to fame. It runs almost 6 miles along the Atlantic side of the island. Folly has had serious erosion problems in the past; the beach was "renourished" a few years ago by mechanically pumping millions of cubic yards of sand back onto the shore, and there's talk about needing to do it again. But there's still plenty of sand, sun, fun, and (yes) folly to go around.