About The Myrtle Beach Area

Take a walk around Myrtle Beach 

About the Myrtle Beach Area

The Grand Strand, as the Myrtle Beach area is commonly called, stretches for 60 miles along the South Carolina coast and includes a collection of communities within two counties - Horry County and Georgetown County. Each community has its own identity and unique qualities.

Explore Grand Strand Neighborhoods

Up and down the Grand Strand

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce works with our local city officials to serve as a voice of progress and improvement in the region, uniting business and community, to maintain a strong economy and quality of life.

• Myrtle Beach – The City of Myrtle Beach is a residential and vacation community at the heart of South Carolina's Grand Strand coast. The name "Myrtle Beach" comes from the wax myrtle, an abundant local shrub, and was chosen in a name-the-town contest in 1900. 
   
• Atlantic Beach – Atlantic Beach is a small town nestled between North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach. Nicknamed "The Black Pearl," the rich culture of the town of Atlantic Beach was formed of mostly Gullah/Geechee people, descendants of slaves who lived for 300 years on the Sea Islands from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida.
   
• Aynor – Affectionately called “The Little Golden Town,” Aynor is located in the western part of Horry County. Aynor got its start in the mid-1800s by a man named John Eyenner. 
   
• Conway – The old live oak trees and the beautiful Waccamaw River provide the perfect setting for Conway, South Carolina’s Historic River Town. One of the oldest towns in South Carolina, Conway has all the charm of a historic Southern community. 
   
• Little River – Known for its fresh seafood, fishing charters, annual blue crab festival, and historic centuries-old live oak trees, Little River is the oldest town along the Grand Strand.
   
• Loris – Loris is well known for its annual Bog Off festival which is held on the third weekend in October. Chicken Bog is the dish of delight which includes chicken, rice, sausage and spices.
   
• North Myrtle Beach – North Myrtle Beach is the birthplace of the Shag dance, which became the official state dance of South Carolina in 1984. Strains of beach music can be heard in the Ocean Drive section nearly every night as those who love the Shag dance the night away. 
   
• Surfside Beach – Staying true to their “Family Beach” motto, Surfside Beach officially became the first autism-friendly travel destination in the world in January 2016. Surfside Beach maintains a laid-back, friendly environment. Their top priority is putting the resident's first while maintaining a quality of life for everyone to enjoy.
   
• Garden City Beach – Lying just south of Surfside Beach and straddling the county line between Horry and Georgetown counties, Garden City Beach offers a unique location to explore as it offers access to both the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and the inlet.
   
• Murrells Inlet – Welcome to the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet, a quaint, little town full of history, beauty and colorful characters. Murrells Inlet was once the lair of the infamous pirate Blackbeard. 
   
• Litchfield Beach – Litchfield Beach, named for a rice plantation once operating there in the 1700s, is a sophisticated, upscale community. Think of well-manicured landscapes, ancient live oak trees, boutique shops and fine-dining.
   
• Pawleys Island – Pawleys Island is known for its shoeless, carefree, laid-back lifestyle, which includes crabbing in the adjacent creeks, the stories of ghosts, the rope hammocks and the unspoiled stretch of wide beach.
   
• Socastee – Historic Socastee is home to one of only 10 swing bridges in the state. Built in 1935, the bridge swings on a regular schedule. 
   
• Carolina Forest – Carolina Forest area, located north of U.S. 501 between Myrtle Beach and Conway along the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway. Primarily a residential area, this master-planned community offers some great dining and shopping opportunities. 

More Grand Strand Resources

For your convenience, we've compiled a quick link reference below of additional information about the Myrtle Beach area:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• South Carolina Hall of Fame
• Myrtle Beach Area Arts & Culture
• Myrtle Beach Area Churches and Places of Worship
• Myrtle Beach Area Organizations & Clubs
• Myrtle Beach Area Nonprofits
• Myrtle Beach Area Health Care Facilities
• Myrtle Beach Area Local and State Laws
• Myrtle Beach Area Schools and Colleges
• Myrtle Beach Area Statistics
• Myrtle Beach Area Crime Rankings
• Myrtle Beach Area Water Quality
   

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has represented the Grand Strand's business community for since 1938. The chamber serves Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, Atlantic Beach, Garden City Beach, Loris, Conway, Aynor, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, Socastee and Carolina Forest.