As the summer months approach and you plan a summer vacation, the beach generally is the one place families are drawn to.

Customarily, families living in the southwest lean towards California as our go-to spot for the beach scene as it is closer.  Our family is no different, and if we want something more off the cuff, we will take the family to Hawaii. This year, we chose somewhere out of our purview.

Of course, there was no familiarity with our vacation destination, which required some due diligence and insight.  Hilton Head Island is the perfect location to escape and enjoy the beaches, the weather, and the rich history that surrounds the area that is within an hour or two drive.  It is one of the many islands in South Carolina with its pristine white beaches and rich with things to see and do to suit every member of the family.

You may say that traveling to the East Coast is crazy, especially in the summer when the humidity is over 90%.  True. Those of us living in the southwest or west coast are not used to the humidity. However, planning your summer vacation before June 1^st is in pre-peak season.  The rates are a bit lower for the rooms, and your top humidity may be 67%.  We traveled for the last two and half weeks of May, which was perfect. The weather was great without the daily evening storms that rolled in, and the crowds were manageable. We encountered two nice thunderstorms during the entire trip.

The island has its own airport, Hilton Head Island Airport, which is very convenient since you’re only minutes away from your hotel or house rental, but the tickets are also a little more expensive.  Since I was paying for a family of seven to travel, we opted to fly into Savanah and saved almost a thousand dollars. It is an hour’s drive into Hilton Head from Savanah, and there are plenty of trees to look at along the way.  Coming from the desert, we all marveled as the lush greenery along the roadways passed us by.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is one of the cutest airports I have ever seen, if that can be said about an airport. The mock town square is placed as the waiting area before security screens you. You step into the south and exude charm.

The rental car counters are conveniently located in the baggage claim area.  There is no cost to use one of the luggage carts like you find at most airports, and the parking lot to find the rental car is located just outside the side doors, making everything easy and efficient.

Once you’re settled into your hotel or house rental, Publix, Walmart, or even Whole Foods is within ten minutes of a drive.  Everything you need is available for meals, but plan to eat a few nights out because the island has some of the best crabs on the menu.

Be sure to book reservations at the Old Oyster Factory Restaurant, built from the original oyster cannery from 1925 to 1990.  During that time, oysters were harvested from over 1700 acres of nearby creeks and wetlands and brought to the one-story concrete building located under the restaurant, which shipped the oysters all over the Lowcountry.  Be sure to try the Crab and Spinach dip. It is one of the best I have ever had while enjoying the view of the small family-owned boats navigating the eddies off of Broad Creek.

There are many well-reviewed dining options in the area. Be sure to check out another cool place called the Bank.  It’s an old bank that was turned into a beer garden with fun outdoor space, a green yard, and a large movie screen.  You are never left to wonder if you will have a great meal or experience.

Hilton Head Island offers world-class courses for the golf enthusiast.  There are over 26 championship courses on the island.  It is ranked as the #10 golf destination globally by Golf Digest.  You will find public and private courses designed with expertise, with each hole offering a view to behold. Below is one such course located in Sea Pines with the lighthouse as a focal point.

But let’s not forget the reason the trip to Hilton Head was booked. The warm water and the long stretch of the prettiest white sand are perfect for relaxing in the sun, enjoying a good book, or building a sand castle.  The thick sand makes it easy to run on or take a leisurely stroll.  When the tide is out, you will find all manner of sea life, from stingrays, horseshoe crabs, jellyfish, and starfish to name a few. 

You don’t have to worry about bringing beach gear with you or buying it, only to leave it behind your rental because it is all available at your disposal.  There are several vendors who rent from beach chairs, umbrellas, and just about anything you need for the beach.  If you’re done with lounging on the beach and sitting under the sun, hop on a bike and allow the breeze to flow through your hair.  The tides come in and out; when they do, you will find the beach a perfect place to ride a bike.  Bike rentals can be obtained from anywhere on the island. For your convenience, the rental companies will bring your bikes to you with a lock for each bike.  If you want a little extra fun, rent an electric bike and ride it along the beach at low tide just as the sun is cresting the water’s edge, and you will find there are not a lot of people on the beach at that time of the morning or take the bike along the many bike baths found all over the island where you will find yourself under Spanish moss hanging from the branches of live oak trees.

Enjoy the many parks and shopping areas you will find around the island. Coligny offers an outdoor shopping mall, restaurants, coffee shops, and, let’s not forget about the ice cream shops.  It is across from Lowcountry Celebration Park, which has a Pirate ship playground for the kids.  Walk around the park along the protected path and find the alligators and turtles in the creek.

On the north end of the island, there is Royal Point Sound, where you will find Fish Haul Beach Park.  During low tide, you can explore and discover seashore creatures.  Walk a mile plus out and see many things.  It makes an excellent backdrop for family photos at sunset.

In the central part of the island is Shelter Cove where you will find more shops, a grocery store, a playground and plenty of dining options including Giuseppe’s that serves the best pizza.  Shelter Cove also has a marina where you can catch the dolphin excursion, go crabbing, or go shark fishing.  After the Fourth of July, the marina sets off fireworks weekly during the summer.

However low-key or active you plan to be on your vacation, it is made available to you. 

When we cross over the bridge to enter onto the island it was as though each of us were able to unwind and relax. Taking the freeway at 45 miles an hour on some of the main roads was certainly a lot less slow pace than what we are used to.  It was certainly a place we will come back to. Two weeks was not enough time to enjoy all we wanted to on Hilton Head Island.  Stay tuned to next month, when we explore the richness and history of the south from Savanah to Charleston––two cities we spent our time exploring and taking in the sights.

This was written by our contributing writer, Shannon Hrimnak.