About

Garden City Beach, South Carolina

Situated between Murrells Inlet to the south and Surfside Beach to the north, the community of Garden City straddles Georgetown and Horry counties and is a noticeably different kind of community than its neighbors to the north.

The topography of the Garden City area is the first noticeable deviation from the uninterrupted stretches of sand for which Myrtle Beach is known. Here great marshes and winding creeks divide the Garden City of the highway from the Garden City of the ocean. The weather at Surfside Beach and Garden City Beach can vary daily and in between seasons so plan and dress accordingly prior to arriving.

On business 17, Garden City share the same attributes of most of the Grand Strand's main tourist thoroughfares - beachwear stores, restaurants, amusement parks and night spots. Once off the highway, Garden City begins to change significantly. Driving over the causeway, you'll see glimpses of famed "lowcountry" characteristics. Flat as a pancake, just a few feet above sea level, you'll witness miles of marsh, sea birds, an alligator or two and once on the peninsula of Garden City you'll feel far removed from the hustle and bustle of the Grand Strand.

Once over the causeway, the small ocean village takes shape with little neighborhood eateries, taverns, souvenir shops, a bait and tackle store and a handful of the typical kinds of things for which southern beaches are famous. The most predominant feature though is the Garden City Pier. Free sightseeing for the family along its nearly 700 foot length tempts many to rent a rod and reel and give Pier fishing a try. The cafe at the pier's end offers lunch and dinner, cocktails and live music most weekend evenings.

Back on land, South Waccamaw Drive, a dead end, runs along the peninsula toward the Marlin Quay Marina, 2 miles down the road. You'll see endless rows of beach homes and condos that make up the bulk of the residential housing in the community. At the end of the road, the Gulf Stream Cafe is one of those hidden treasures that, once found, is revisited time and time again. Not only does the 2-story restaurant boast fine seafood and traditional cuisine, you'll also enjoy the best sunsets on the unobstructed views of the Atlantic and Murrells Inlet, where the sun sets in brilliant form each and every day.

Garden City's spectacular waterfront is often missed when traveling along Hwy 17, as the business section of town runs seamlessly from Murrells Inlet all the way to Surfside. Watch for the small signs pointing east and make a concerted effort to visit this hidden treasure of the South Strand! Be sure to check out Garden City Beach Rentals provided by Surfside Realty if you are planning to spend more time in Garden City. Watch for the small signs pointing east and make a concerted effort to visit this hidden treasure of the South Strand!

CHURCHES

Belin Memorial United Methodist Church - Creekfront in Murrells Inlet - Murrells Inlet, SC 843-651-5099

Chabad Jewish Center - 2803 N Oak St, Myrtle Beach, SC 843-448-0035

First United Methodist Church - 901 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 843- 448-7164

First Baptist Church Surfside Beach - 711 6th Ave N, Surfside Beach, SC 843-238-0206

First Baptist Church of Murrells Inlet - 3890 Highway 17, Murrells Inlet, SC 843-651-1105

St. Michael Catholic Church - 572 Cypress Avenue, Garden City, SC 843-651-3737

Garden City Baptist Church - 501 Pine Ave, Garden City, SC 843-651-3663

Murrells Inlet Presbyterian Church - 4499 Hwy 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet, SC 843-651-3751

Myrtle Beach Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 900 62nd Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 843-449-9150

Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church - Hwy 17 at Pine Rd, Garden City, SC 843-651-7377

Surfside Christian Church - 340 N Azalea Dr , Surfside Beach, SC 843-238-4779

Christian Church of Myrtle Beach - 1226 Burcale Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 843-236-1121

Surfside Presbyterian Church - 8732 US 17 Bypass , Surfside Beach, SC 843-650-2020

Surfside United Methodist Church - Hwy 17 at 13th Ave N , Surfside Beach, SC 843-238-2734

Temple Emanu-El Conservative - 406 65th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 843-449-5552

Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd - 700 35th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 843-839-3330

The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection - 8901 Hwy 17 Bypass, Surfside Beach, SC 843-215-4500

Trinity Presbyterian Church - 2061 Glenns Bay Rd, Surfside Beach, SC 843-650-0313

Unity Christ Church of Myrtle Beach - 1270 Surfside Ind. Park, Surfside Beach, SC 843-238-8516

Grand Strand Community Church - 3820 Holmestown Road, Surfside Beach 843-650-3878

Grand Strand Church of Christ - 2212 Glenns Bay Road | Surfside Beach, SC 843-650-9711

Kingsway Pentecostal Church - 2407 South Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 843-448-8042

Christs Church - 310 Prince Creek Parkway, Murrells Inlet, SC

843-357-6184

South Strand Assembly of God - 3507 Hwy. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC

843-651-0152

Church of God Murrells Inlet - 608 Gibson Avenue, Murrells Inlet, SC

843- 651-2577

Risen Christ Lutheran Church - 10595 Highway 17 North, Myrtle Beach, SC

843-272-5845

St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church - 4th Avenue North at Maple Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

843-238-8636

GROCERIES

BI-LO - 1610 Hwy. 17 South, Surfside Beach - 843-650-4523

(1.5 miles or 4 minutes from Raspberry Kiss)

Kroger - 2939 Highway 17 S, Garden City - 843-357-4303

(1.8 miles or 4 minutes from Raspberry Kiss)

Food Lion - 901 Garden City Connector, Garden City - 843-651-3528

(1.9 miles or 6 minutes from Raspberry Kiss)

Piggly Wiggly - Bus. Hwy. 17 N @ Glenn, Surfside Beach - 843-232-9814

(3 miles or 8 minutes from RK)

Wal-Mart - 545 Garden City Connector, Murrells Inlet - 843-357-6560

(1.6 miles or 4 minutes from RK)

Murrells Inlet Seafood - 4886 Hwy 17 Bus S, Murrells Inlet - 843-651-9309

(5 miles or 10 minutes from RK)

Emergency Healthcare/ Hospital

Grand Strand Regional - 809 82nd Parkway (off 17 Bypass), MB - 843-692-1000 (18 miles or 33 minutes from RK)

Grand Strand Regional Medical Center is a 219-bed acute care hospital serving residents and visitors of Horry and surrounding counties. Our hospital offers the only cardiac surgery program in Horry and Georgetown counties and is also a designated trauma center.

South Strand Ambulatory - 5050 Highway 17 By-Pass, Surfside Beach - 843-839-1000 ( 8 miles/ 10 minutes from RK)

From minor cuts and scrapes to major illnesses and accidents, South Strand Ambulatory Care Center serves the medical needs of residents and visitors of the South Strand. Featuring a 24-hour emergency department, laboratory and radiology services, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and support services, this facility sets the standard for outpatient medical care.

Med Plus Urgent Walk-In Care - 2347 Business 17, Garden City Beach - 843-357-2443 ( at end of Seabreeze Drive)

Warm, friendly urgent care without the emergency room wait! TOURISTS ALWAYS WELCOME! Same-day appointments available and most major insurance accepted! WALK-IN for all your medical needs: x-ray, EKG, lab, physical exams, osteoporosis, dermatology, allergy, womens care, minor surgery.

Waccamaw Community Hospital - 4070 Hwy 17 Bypass, Murrells InletT - 843 652 1000 (5 miles/ 8 minutes from RK)

Waccamaw Community Hospital, the newest hospital to join the Georgetown Hospital Family, opened in Murrells Inlet in November 2002. Waccamaw Community Hospital, an 167-bed facility, accommodates the needs of the population in the fast-growing northern section of the organization's current service area. The four-story building incorporates nearly 236,000 square feet of interior space. Twenty-four hour emergency services, obstetrics, inpatient and outpatient surgery, and medical/surgical units are available at the hospital. Critical Care Unit features the latest technology with patient/family convenience and comfort. A step-down pediatrics unit is also offered.