Discover CharlestonCharleston SC: Sandy Beaches, Island Trails & Charming Neighborhoods

By Terry Bell-Aby, Realtor, CNE, Luxury Simplified Real Estate

Whether a visitor or long-time resident, just getting out and exploring Charleston SC and the surrounding sea islands is the best way to discover for yourself any number of truly beautiful and surprisingly unknown locations around the Holy City.  One might even consider some of these lesser-known neighborhoods and “off the beaten path ” locales as “hidden in plain sight! ” In Charleston, there’s simply no end to the hidden gems we could share, so here is one more delightful neighborhood and two surprises for you to consider visiting.

Shellring at St. Thomas Island

Do you love the Daniel Island lifestyle but find it is beyond your budget? Shellring offers the same easy, bike-able access to Daniel Island shops, restaurants, grocery and tennis center, but with lower HOA fees and the added benefit of quick access to I-526.  The neighborhood connects to everything Daniel Island offers via bike or golf cart at a significantly lower cost for home ownership. The charming neighborhood pool, Daniel Island schools, and highly walkable streets make this a great family neighborhood. To be a part of this quiet community, have a look at our current listing at Shellring HERE.

Beachwalker County Park

The Travel Channel lists the beach at Kiawah Island SC as one of the best beaches on the east coast and I couldn’t agree more.  The dunes and the sugary white sand make for a relaxing day at the beach. But, even if you are not staying in a luxurious beach house behind the gates of Kiawah Island, the south end of the beach is open to the public at Beachwalker County Park. Our county park system in Charleston is excellent and provides a ton of amenities including charcoal grills and picnic tables, restrooms and showers, food concessions, and my mom enjoyed using their beach wheelchair free of charge. Lifeguards are available, as are umbrellas and chairs for rental. Take your dog (on a leash of course) and watch the dolphins and children play in the surf.

The Island Trail at Grimball Gates

Looking to the southwest from the Limehouse Bridge as you travel to Johns Island, you will see a sandy strip running along the Stono River. A glimpse of this bike/ped/golfcart path disappears under the canopy of trees and you might wonder where it leads. It leads through the marsh, tidal creeks, and along the Intracoastal Waterway in a 1.63 mile loop around the island putting the great beauty of the Lowcountry literally right at your feet. The newly refurbished Grimball Gates community dock is a shady stop on the tour where you can watch the dolphins, alligators, and waterfowl that inhabit the environs coexist with the boaters that navigate the river. Residents often enjoy their happy hour there, or take in a sunset. The trail itself is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers.

If you’ve missed any of the other blogs in the series, have a look at a lesser-known downtown Charleston garden tour, golfing on the Kiawah River, and the sleepy resort village of Rockville.

Note: From neighborhoods to parks and restaurants, there is always a hidden gem to discover in Charleston SC as history and beauty are weaved throughout the lowcountry.