The best vacation rentals near Myrtle Beach are often just south of the city, in quieter beach towns like Murrells Inlet, where travelers trade crowded resort strips for easier beach access, local seafood, and a more relaxed coastal pace.
Myrtle Beach welcomes millions of visitors each year, with sixty miles of coastline and more restaurants and attractions than most families can fit into one trip. But many families, groups, and style-minded beach travelers prefer to stay a few miles away from the busiest high-rises. There, the seafood comes in on the morning boats, the sand stays open well into the afternoon, and homes like Kailani House pair walkable beach access with surf-inspired design. This guide focuses on where to stay, what to do once you arrive, and how to make the most of the nearby beaches, dining, and attractions.
Why Staying South of the Strand Makes Sense
A stay in central Myrtle Beach usually means resort towers, crowded public beach accesses, and summer traffic on Ocean Boulevard. Fifteen minutes south, the pace changes. Murrells Inlet, known as the Seafood Capital of South Carolina, and neighboring Garden City Beach offer the relaxed coastal setting most families have in mind when they plan a beach trip.
Nothing falls out of reach. Broadway at the Beach, the outlets, and the major attractions are all a short drive away. What you gain is a quieter stretch of sand, a walkable beach town, and evenings that end with a sunset over the marsh.
Kailani House — Murrells Inlet, SC
Our Superhost-rated rental sleeps 8 across 6 beds — a king in the primary, a queen in the guest room, and a bunk room for the kids — with the beach a one-minute walk from the front door. Hot tub, fire pit, outdoor shower, bikes included, and ocean views, all built around surf-inspired design.
Check AvailabilityThe Beaches Within Reach
Garden City Beach sits one minute from Kailani House and remains the local favorite — wide, sandy, and unhurried, with a hometown feel the larger resort areas can’t match. The fishing pier anchors the oceanfront, and rod rentals at the bait shop make it easy to fish without bringing equipment. Surfside Beach, a short drive north, is known as The Family Beach, with clean, well-kept sand, a rebuilt pier district, and the distinction of being one of the first certified autism-friendly communities in the country.
The beaches of Murrells Inlet flank the mouth of the inlet and stay far quieter than the main Myrtle Beach strand. Marsh meets open Atlantic here, and the views make it a favorite for photography and birdwatching.
The Garden City Pier
The pier is the center of life in Garden City Beach. It extends hundreds of feet into the Atlantic, with excellent fishing, wide ocean views, and two moments worth planning around each day: sunrise over the horizon and a golden-hour sunset that warms the entire shoreline. The surrounding pier district keeps its classic seaside character — the Garden City Pavilion Arcade mixes modern games with longtime favorites, the Vintage Arcade maintains a collection of restored pinball machines, and Drippy’s Ice Cream serves generous scoops that keep a steady line at the counter.
An Evening on the MarshWalk
The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is a half-mile boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary, lined with waterfront restaurants and live music. Sunset is the time to go, when the colors reflect off the calm water and the open-air decks fill with diners. Fresh seafood, dolphin tours, and a great place to relax with family or friends. For dining recommendations along the coast, see our guide to the best restaurants near Myrtle Beach.
Lowcountry Nature Days
Brookgreen Gardens brings together renowned American sculpture, expansive botanical gardens, Lowcountry history exhibits, and a small zoo — spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather. Huntington Beach State Park is a conservation gem: the marsh causeway offers frequent sightings of alligators and wading birds, Atalaya, the historic Moorish-style castle, is open for tours, and the beach is among the most unspoiled on the coast. Myrtle Beach State Park offers quiet beach access, maritime forest trails, excellent shelling, and a long fishing pier. For more ideas, see our roundup of outdoor activities in Myrtle Beach.
The Big Day Out
Broadway at the Beach is the area’s entertainment hub, built around a central lake and home to Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, the Hollywood Wax Museum, themed restaurants, and nightlife. Barefoot Landing sits on the Intracoastal Waterway with waterfront dining, distinctive shops, the Alabama Theatre, and the House of Blues. The Market Common offers boutique shopping, tree-lined streets, and open green spaces in a polished town-center setting. For dedicated shopping days, Coastal Grand Mall is the region’s largest indoor mall, and two Tanger Outlet locations carry brands like Nike, Coach, and Polo Ralph Lauren at outlet pricing.
Golf on the Grand Strand
The area earns its reputation as the Golf Capital of the World with nearly 100 championship courses, including signature layouts from Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Robert Trent Jones. Well-maintained conditions year round, strategic water hazards, and ocean views make it easy to fit a round between beach days.
Local Tips From the Owners
- Walk the beach at sunrise. Early morning is the quietest hour on Garden City Beach and the best time to find unbroken shells.
- Time the MarshWalk for sunset. The live music, the light on the water, and the open-air decks show Murrells Inlet at its finest.
- Use the bikes. Kailani House provides them, and the flat streets make riding to the beach access and local shops faster than parking.
- Keep the summer tradition. An ice cream cone, a round at the pier arcade, and a starlit walk over the water, in that order.
Book Your Stay at Kailani House
A vacation rental near Myrtle Beach should give you quiet mornings, walkable beach access, fresh seafood, and easy reach to every major attraction. Kailani House delivers all of it, and the one-minute walk to the sand sets it apart.
Reserve Kailani HouseFrequently Asked Questions
Why stay in Murrells Inlet instead of central Myrtle Beach?
You get a quieter stretch of sand, a walkable beach town, and marsh sunsets, while Broadway at the Beach, the outlets, and the major attractions all stay a short drive away.
How far is Kailani House from the beach?
About a one-minute walk. The house sits just off the sand in Murrells Inlet, five minutes from Garden City Pier.
How many people does Kailani House sleep?
Up to 8 guests across 6 beds — a king, a queen, and a bunk room — which makes it especially easy for families to spread out.
What’s the best time to visit?
Late spring and early fall bring warm water with thinner crowds than peak summer. Spring and fall are also the most comfortable months for Brookgreen Gardens and the state parks.