Garden City's beachfront is an ugly, duneless hodgepodge of high-rises and condos that literally goes to the waterline, but it breaks pretty much the same as Surfside. There are no surfing restrictions in GC, but don't get too close to the piers, or you'll get a ticket. The GC Pier is the local hotspot, and has a hot crew of surfers as well, mostly surfing the south side. Watch for sharks, as there have been a couple of attacks at the GC Pier. At the very south end of Garden City, just north of the Murrells Inlet jetty, is an outer sandbar spot called The Point. On big swells, particularly east-southeast hurricane swells, there can be a big A-frame that breaks 150 yards offshore. It blows out easily, and it only works when big.

South of Garden City, Murrell's Inlet has a multitude of killer seafood restaurants. Take a drive down Business Highway 17 and pick one. Perhaps try Drunken Jack's (843-651-2044) or the River City Cafe (843 -651-1004).

For rental information, call Beach Realty at 843-238-0849, and there's hotel and motel info on the web.

There's an arcade and fishing pier at Sam's Corner -- good for younger kids who can't drive -- but Garden City's whole appeal comes from being segregated from the hectic whirl of Myrtle Beach. Head back to Myrtle for the full selection of time-killers.

You've got one choice: Village Surf Shop and Perfection Surfboards (843-651-6396) at 500 Atlantic Ave.