South Carolina’s coastal towns have always been treasures, offering sandy beaches, historic charm, and Southern hospitality. But in recent years, these once-peaceful retreats have become victim to their own success, with tourists flooding in by the thousands.
From Charleston’s cobblestone streets to Hilton Head’s pristine golf courses, the crowds keep growing, leaving locals wondering if their beloved hometowns can handle the pressure.
1. Beaufort
Bay Street used to be a place where locals could stroll peacefully, admiring the waterfront and historic architecture without interruption. Now, tour buses line the curbs, and visitors pack the sidewalks from morning until evening. The antebellum homes that once stood quietly have become photo backdrops for thousands of tourists each week.
Beaufort’s Lowcountry charm attracted filmmakers and history buffs for decades, but social media turned it into a must-see destination. Waterfront parks overflow during peak season, and parking has become nearly impossible. Long-time residents miss the days when they recognized every face on the street, but the economic boost keeps businesses thriving despite the chaos.
2. Charleston
Rainbow Row’s pastel facades have become one of the most photographed spots in America, drawing visitors from around the globe. World-class restaurants require reservations weeks in advance, and traffic crawls through downtown streets at all hours. What was once a charming Southern city now feels more like a theme park during high season.
Locals face rising rents as short-term vacation rentals take over residential neighborhoods. The Instagram-worthy streets that made Charleston famous now create frustration for people trying to live their daily lives. Yet the city’s historic charm and culinary scene continue attracting millions, making it impossible to turn back the clock on its explosive popularity.
3. Hilton Head Island
With twelve miles of beaches and world-renowned golf courses, Hilton Head pulls in millions of visitors annually. The island’s reputation as a premier resort destination means beaches fill up quickly, especially during summer weekends. Finding a good spot on the sand before 9 AM has become a competitive sport for vacationers.
Popular restaurants now have wait times stretching past two hours during peak dining hours. Traffic on the main roads crawls bumper-to-bumper, turning quick errands into hour-long ordeals. The island’s infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the constant influx, leaving both tourists and residents frustrated by the overcrowding that defines modern Hilton Head.
4. Folly Beach
Surfers once had this beach town mostly to themselves, riding waves in peaceful solitude. Those days vanished as Charleston’s popularity spilled over to nearby Folly Beach. The laid-back vibe remains, but it’s now shared with thousands of day-trippers who pack the narrow streets every weekend.
Parking has become the island’s biggest nightmare, with cars circling for hours searching for spots. The boardwalk, once a quiet place to watch sunsets, now buzzes with crowds from dawn to dusk. Longtime residents feel their quirky surf town slipping away, replaced by something louder and more chaotic than they ever imagined possible for their beloved Folly.
5. Isle of Palms
This barrier island once offered a peaceful alternative to busier beaches, attracting families seeking quiet relaxation. Short-term vacation rentals have transformed residential neighborhoods into revolving-door hotels. Every weekend brings new waves of tourists unfamiliar with local customs or quiet hours, creating tension with year-round residents.
Palm Boulevard becomes gridlocked during summer months, turning the seven-mile drive into a frustrating crawl. Beach access points overflow with people hauling coolers, chairs, and umbrellas. The island’s infrastructure wasn’t designed for this level of traffic, and locals wonder how much more growth their small community can absorb before losing its identity completely.
6. Edisto Beach
People come to Edisto specifically because it’s not Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach. The rustic charm and slower pace offer an escape from more commercialized destinations. But word has spread about this hidden gem, and summer now brings crowds that strain the island’s limited resources and small-town infrastructure.
The single grocery store gets picked clean by midweek during peak season. Local restaurants run out of fresh seafood faster than suppliers can deliver. Even the quiet beaches see more umbrellas and beach chairs than in previous decades. Edisto fights to maintain its authentic character while welcoming visitors who seek exactly what overdevelopment might destroy.
7. Murrells Inlet
Seafood lovers have discovered this inlet’s incredible restaurants, and they’re not keeping it secret. The MarshWalk, a scenic boardwalk connecting waterfront eateries, now requires patience and persistence during dinner hours. What was once a local fishing village has transformed into a weekend destination for foodies from across the region.
Traffic backs up along Business 17 as visitors search for parking near their favorite spots. The marsh views that made this place special are now shared with hundreds of other diners snapping photos. Local fishing boats still come and go, but they’re now navigating waters crowded with recreational boaters and kayakers exploring the creek system.
8. Pawleys Island
Famous for its handmade rope hammocks and “arrogantly shabby” attitude, Pawleys Island has maintained its low-key reputation for generations. But peak season tells a different story, with rental homes packed to capacity and beach access points overflowing. The island’s two-lane road becomes a parking lot as visitors arrive and depart on changeover days.
The historic hammock shops still operate, but they’re now surrounded by tourists rather than locals browsing leisurely. Finding a quiet stretch of beach requires early morning arrivals or midweek visits. Residents treasure the off-season months when their island returns to its peaceful roots, even as rental income sustains the local economy.
9. Georgetown
Cobblestone streets and 18th-century architecture make Georgetown feel like stepping back in time. This historic port town operated quietly for years, known mainly to history enthusiasts and boaters. Recent tourism surges have brought crowds to the waterfront, filling restaurants and shops that once catered primarily to locals and seasonal residents.
The Harborwalk bustles with visitors photographing shrimp boats and historic buildings. Downtown parking fills quickly on weekends, and popular dining spots require reservations. Long-time residents appreciate the economic vitality but worry about losing the small-town atmosphere that made Georgetown special. The town balances preservation with progress, hoping to welcome visitors without sacrificing its authentic character.
10. Surfside Beach
Marketed as the “Family Beach,” Surfside offers a quieter alternative to neighboring Myrtle Beach’s neon chaos. But that reputation has made it incredibly popular with families seeking calmer waters and fewer crowds. Summer months bring packed beaches and parking nightmares, with cars circling residential streets searching for any available spot.
The small-town feel persists despite the crowds, with local ice cream shops and casual restaurants maintaining their charm. Beach access points fill by mid-morning on sunny days, forcing latecomers to trek from distant parking areas. Surfside’s appeal lies in what it’s not, yet its popularity threatens to transform it into exactly what visitors are trying to escape.
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