Major city · United States
Garden CityGarden City, South Carolina
Half-day stop on the Grand Strand: walk the pier, eat at Sam's Corner, then move on. One night if you want a quiet beach base.
Garden City is a small beach town on the Grand Strand, between Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet. Its main draw is the 668-foot fishing pier and a handful of casual restaurants. Most visitors pass through on a day trip from Myrtle Beach or use it as a quiet overnight stop.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid December–February (pier café closed, many places seasonal)
- Airport
- MYR
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Garden City911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Garden City, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyGarden City is a safe beach town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMYR Myrtle Beach International (About 15 minutes north by car; check).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$2–4
- Sit-down mealGulfstream Cafe dinner entreeUS$20–35
- BeerBeer at the pier barUS$5–8
- Budget bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MYR Myrtle Beach International (About 15 minutes north by car; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Oct (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Garden City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. US 17 runs through town; parking is free at the pier lot and along Atlantic Avenue. No public transit within Garden City.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 15 min
US 17 north, about 15 minutes
Boardwalk, amusement parks, shopping.
Door to door: 5 min
US 17 south, about 5 minutes
Seafood restaurants and the Marsh Walk.
Door to door: 25 min
US 17 north, about 25 minutes
Barefoot Landing and quieter beaches.
Little River
goDoor to door: 30 min
US 17 north, about 30 minutes
Fishing village and waterfront dining.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Along US 17 / Waccamaw Drive
Motels and small hotels, most within walking distance of the beach and pier.
Murrells Inlet
5 minutes south; more dining and a working waterfront.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$100–180 excl. bed
- High
- US$180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room (double)1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fishing pass, pier (per day)2 × US$9 | US$18 |
| Rod rental, pier2 × US$9 | US$18 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$41 |
| Trip total≈ US$224 per person per day, bed included | US$447 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Hot dog at Sam's CornerCash only | US$3–5 |
| Coffee | US$2–4 |
| Beer at the pier bar | US$5–8 |
| Fishing pass (pier)US$4.50 for children 12 and under | US$9 |
| Rod rental (pier) | US$9 |
| Gulfstream Cafe dinner entree | US$20–35 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sam's Corner is cash only.
- The pier café closes December–February.
- Summer weekends bring heavy traffic on US 17.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Garden CityGarden City, South Carolina
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Myrtle Beach Airport → Garden City: about US$30–50 by ride-hailing, 15 min
- Garden City → Murrells Inlet: about US$10–15 by ride-hailing, 5 min
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is the only language you'll need.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Garden City. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–September · avoid December–February (pier café closed, many places seasonal) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Garden City
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