Surfside Beach, SC Travel Guide: Parking, Areas and Events

Destinations › Grand Strand › Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach is in Horry County, in South Carolina's Grand Strand, with about 4,368 residents (2024 Census estimate). The Town of Surfside Beach was incorporated on March 14, 1964, according to the town's site; its 60th anniversary was celebrated in March 2024.

Population4,368Census estimate, July 2024
CountyHorry CountyGrand Strand region
Our Guides Nearby11parks, attractions, venues within 25 mi
Things to Do9 pickshours, costs, kids, dogs

Plan It in Three Lines

Where to Park
Premium lots (Seaside Drive, Yaupon Lot, 3rd/6th Avenue North, 3rd/4th/5th/6th Avenue South, 13th South Beach Side, Melody Lane): $3 per hour or $15 per day
All parking below
What's On
Dated events in and around Surfside Beach, checked on organizer pages.
Events page

About Surfside Beach

The Town of Surfside Beach was incorporated on March 14, 1964, according to the town's site; its 60th anniversary was celebrated in March 2024. source
The town describes two miles of oceanfront with beach houses, hotels, condominiums, restaurants and a fishing pier, and 36 beach access points. source
The visitor site calls Surfside Beach 'South Carolina's Family Beach' in Horry County, just south of Myrtle Beach on the Grand Strand. source
Surfside Beach is described by the town as an Autism-friendly family destination, certified since 2016. source

Areas Visitors Use

Surfside Beach Fishing Pier and Pier Village The 814-foot town-owned concrete pier at the center of the oceanfront, with a bait and tackle shop and restaurants on it; the visitor site also lists a Pier Village of shops and dining. source
Oceanfront beach (36 access points) Two miles of beach reached from 36 numbered access points along the town. source
Memorial Park Town green space at Surfside and Willow Drives where the Surfside Beach Farmers Market is held. source
Pine Drive (Surfside Bark Park, library area) The town dog park is at 412 1st Avenue N on Pine Drive next to the library. source

Getting There and Around

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is the closest, about 8 to 10 miles away, roughly a 15-minute drive (visitor site). source
U.S. 17 runs through the Grand Strand as U.S. 17 Business (Kings Highway) and the U.S. 17 Bypass; inland traffic typically uses U.S. 501, Carolina Bays Parkway (S.C. 31) and S.C. 544 or S.C. 707. source
Approximate drive distances from the visitor site: Wilmington NC about 70 miles, Charleston about 90 miles, Columbia about 150 miles, Charlotte about 175 miles. source
Coast RTA routes connect Surfside Beach with Myrtle Beach and other Grand Strand communities (visitor site). source
Golf cart and bicycle rentals are listed by the visitor site (ABW Golf Carts, Surfside Golf Cart Rental, Mr C's Bicycles). source
Town rules list pay-to-park beach accesses for rented or commercial golf carts: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th Avenue North; 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Avenue South. source

Visitor center: Town Hall (Town of Surfside Beach). 210 Highway 17 S, Surfside Beach, SC (the visitor page lists 210; another visitor-site page lists 115 Hwy 17 N); Not stated on the pages read; 843-913-6111 source

Parking in Surfside Beach

Where	Rate	When	Notes	Source
Premium lots (Seaside Drive, Yaupon Lot, 3rd/6th Avenue North, 3rd/4th/5th/6th Avenue South, 13th South Beach Side, Melody Lane)	$3 per hour or $15 per day	Paid March 1 through October 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; free outside those hours		source
Non-premium lots	$2 per hour or $10 per day	March 1 through October 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.		source
Pier Lot	$4 per hour, no daily maximum	March 1 through October 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.	The pier page lists parking as $4.00 per hour, 8 AM to 6 PM. Local resident registrations are not valid in the Pier lot.	source
Free parking categories	Free		Town registrations, Purple Heart, Disabled Veterans and handicapped placards or plates with proper decal; motorcycle trailers during bike rallies at the 13th Avenue South and 16th Avenue North lots.	source
Non-resident non-owner pass	$250 (one vehicle per household, limited to 200 passes)	Sales began February 25, 2026	Additional decal for non-resident property owners $40 each.	source

Beaches in Surfside Beach

Beach	Access and parking	Dogs	Lifeguards	Source
Surfside Beach	36 public access points; wheelchair access at 3rd Avenue North, Surfside Pier, 3rd Avenue South, 13th Avenue South and Melody Lane; beach walking mats at 3rd Avenue North, Surfside Pier, 16th Avenue North, 3rd Avenue South and 13th Avenue South. Parking paid March 1 – October 31, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (see parking).	Town Beaches page: dogs and other domestic pets are restricted on the public beach 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day; outside those hours leashed dogs are allowed. Reptiles and exotic animals banned at all times; horses and large animals not allowed. (The visitor site gives sunrise to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to sunset in summer, on leash – differs from the town page.)	Stations (mid-June to mid-August): Holiday Inn at 16th Ave N, 12th, 6th, 3rd and 1st Avenue North, Days Inn at Pier, 4th, 15th, 10th and 13th Avenue South. Swimmers no deeper than chest-deep and no farther than 50 yards. Fireworks and alcoholic beverages not permitted on the public beach.	source
Surfing, shade and vehicles	Summer surfing (May 15 to September 15) only in designated areas, 10 am to 5 pm; off season (September 16 to May 14) sunup to sundown except within 300 feet of the pier. Tents, canopies and shading devices up to 10 by 10 feet; umbrella center pole up to 7 ft 6 in and shade up to 9 ft; unattended gear banned 9 pm to 7:30 am. Motor vehicles prohibited; beach fires and grills of any kind not allowed.			source

Comparing beaches? See which South Carolina beach to pick.

Dogs

Town dog park: 412 1st Avenue N, open sunrise to sunset, closed Wednesdays 10 am to noon; owners must be 18 or older; no more than two dogs per person. source
Pets other than service animals are prohibited on the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier. source

When to Go

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30; the peak is September 10, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. source
Paid beach parking runs March 1 through October 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. source
Lifeguard stations operate mid-June to mid-August (town page). source
The town's pier history says Hurricane Hazel destroyed the pier in 1954 and Hurricane Hugo in 1989; the new all-concrete pier opened March 14, 2024. source

Things to Do in Surfside Beach

9 picks from the town’s and operators’ own pages.

Parks

Surfside Bark Park
A town dog park next to the library on Pine Drive. source
Hours
Sunrise to sunset; closed Wednesdays 10 am to noon for cleaning
Where
412 1st Avenue N, Surfside Beach, SC 29575
Dogs
Owners must be 18+, current rabies vaccination and tags, no more than two dogs per person, puppies six months and younger not permitted, aggressive dogs and females in heat not allowed
All Children's Park
An inclusive playground for children of all abilities on 10th Avenue North. source
Where
10th Avenue North
Kids
Inclusive playground
Dogwood Lake Observation Deck
A quiet overlook above Dogwood Lake on Dogwood Drive North. source
Where
Dogwood Drive North
Surfside Beach Skate Park
Free
A skate facility on North Poplar Drive. source
Cost
Free (per listing)
Where
North Poplar Drive

Beaches

Surfside Beach (Public Beach)
Two miles of oceanfront; beaches are cleaned daily; several accesses have showers, restrooms, foot showers and accessible ramps; free beach wheelchairs are mentioned by the visitor site. source
Where
36 access points
Dogs
See beaches section

Attractions

Surfside Beach Fishing Pier
An 814-foot, 25-foot-tall concrete pier owned by the town; walking on the pier is free; fishing needs a pass bought at Perry's Bait & Tackle; the pier has an elevator, the Whistling Duck and Surf Diner, and Drippy's Homemade Ice Cream. source
Hours
6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. April 1-October 31; 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. November 1-March 31. Perry's Bait & Tackle 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Cost
Pier admission free. Standard fishing pass $14.00 daily, $55.00 weekly, $200.00 annual; King pass $16.00 daily, $75.00 weekly, $300.00 annual; children under 12 $2.00 service fee; rod rental $25.00 per day. State fishing license not required. Parking $4.00 per hour 8 AM-6 PM.
Where
Surfside Beach, SC (page lists Town Hall address; pier at the town center)
Kids
The page calls it the Family Pier; children under 12 pay a $2.00 service fee
Dogs
Pets (other than service animals) are prohibited on the pier
Surfside Bowling Center
Indoors
Indoor bowling, listed by the visitor site for rainy beach days. source
Where
Highway 17 North
Mulligan's Lagoon Golf and Arcade
An 18-hole mini golf course and an arcade. source
Where
Highway 17 South

Markets

Surfside Beach Farmers Market
Free
A weekly market at Memorial Park (Tuesdays in the events list; visitor page also shows My Olive Shack's Festival of Arts & Crafts Market on Thursdays). source
Hours
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost
Free
Where
Memorial Park, Surfside Drive and Willow Drive

Coming Up in and Near Surfside Beach

Nov 2 – Dec 31The Carolina Opry Christmas SpecialMyrtle Beach · about 9 mi
Nov 3 – Dec 15Surfside Beach Farmers MarketSurfside Beach · about 1 mi
Nov 7Murrells Inlet Oyster Roast (22nd annual)Murrells Inlet · about 6 mi
Nov 11Veterans Day Service in Surfside BeachSurfside Beach · about 1 mi
Nov 12–15Dickens Christmas Show and Festivals (Myrtle Beach)Myrtle Beach · about 9 mi
Nov 14Tree Lighting Fireworks Extravaganza at Broadway at the BeachMyrtle Beach · about 9 mi

26 more on the full events calendar.

Events within 15 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.

Near Surfside Beach

Around Surfside Beach within 25 miles

1Myrtle Beach State ParkState Parkabout 4 mi
2Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenadeoceanfront boardwalkabout 8 mi
3Huntington Beach State ParkState Parkabout 8 mi
4Myrtle Beach Convention Centerconvention centerabout 9 mi
5Pelicans Ballparkballparkabout 9 mi
6Brookgreen Gardenssculpture garden, zoo and nature preserveabout 9 mi
7Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beachaquariumabout 9 mi
8Brooks Stadiumstadiumabout 13 mi
9Alabama Theatretheatreabout 19 mi
10Ramsey Grove State ParkState Parkabout 20 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Nearby Towns With Their Own Guide

FAQ

Are dogs allowed on the Surfside Beach beach in summer?

The town's Beaches page says dogs are restricted on the public beach 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day; leashed dogs are allowed outside those hours. source

What does beach parking cost?

Premium lots are $3 per hour or $15 per day, non-premium lots $2 per hour or $10 per day, and the Pier Lot $4 per hour, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 1 through October 31. source

Do I need a fishing license on the pier?

No. The pier page says a state fishing license is not required; the pass fee covers fishing ($14.00 daily standard pass). source

Is it free to walk on the pier?

Yes, pier admission is listed as free; fishing requires a pass. source

When is lifeguard coverage?

The town lists lifeguard stations operating mid-June to mid-August. source

Is there a farmers market?

The visitor site lists a free Surfside Beach Farmers Market at Memorial Park at 10:00 AM (Tuesdays in its calendar, through December 2026). source

How many people live in Surfside Beach?

About 4,368, the U.S. Census Bureau’s estimate for July 1, 2024 (Census table).

What We Could Not Confirm

Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.

Dog hours conflict: surfsidebeach.org Beaches page = restricted 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 1-Labor Day; visitsurfsidebeach.com = sunrise-9:00 AM and 5:00 PM-sunset in summer. A WBTW news report (not read, not primary) mentioned a past council vote; used the town page. Fine amounts not found.
Parking: visitsurfsidebeach.com says street parking along Ocean Boulevard and near accesses is free year-round and a paid lot is near the pier in peak season, which conflicts with the town's Parking page (paid lots March 1 – October 31). The town page is used.
Town Hall address: 210 Highway 17 S (town pages) vs 115 Hwy 17 N (visitor site); visitor center hours not found.
Lifeguard hours of the day were not found; only the station list and mid-June to mid-August season.
Official pier street address not on the page (the page lists the Town Hall address).
Visit Surfside Beach is town-credited visitor site (footer credits Town of Surfside Beach); its listings give no hours or prices.
Autism-friendly certification: town says Autism-friendly; certifying body not read.

Sources

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Surfside Beach, SC Travel Guide”, itssouthcarolina.com/destinations/grand-strand/surfside-beach/ (updated 2026-10-26). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.

Surfside Beach, SC Travel Guide

Where to Park

What's On