Driving through balmy South Carolina, we were greatly anticipating the sunny days ahead. This Southern CA girl probably got a little more than she bargained for as the days were warm, with a good dose of humidity. But, that was nothing a good beach day couldn’t fix!

Hilton Head, SC
Coligny Beach, and its miles of white sand

Charleston, SC

Things to see

1. Pineapple Fountain
   During my visit to Charleston, I kept noticing pineapples used and represented on flags, door knockers, gate toppers, etc. and was curious about its symbolism. I soon learned that the pineapple is a mark of hospitality.Sea faring captains returning from a voyage to the Caribbean or West Indies would hang a pineapple from their front gates, an invitation for friends and family to drop by for a visit. What a lovely gesture! The largest pineapple of them all, of course, is the Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park.

   

2. Beautiful churches and architectural details
   Lots of eye candy in this city! The charming gate pictured on the right, leading to a lush alley, literally stopped me in my tracks. The area around Queen Street was particularly fun to walk around while admiring the surrounding buildings.
   
   

   St. Matthews Lutheran Church

   

   Beautiful iron gates grace this little walkway

Places to shop

1. Historic District and King Street
   You can shop till you drop here (sometimes from the heat) while taking in more of the quaint and charming store fronts.

   

2. Marion Square Farmer’s Market
   We give this market a thumbs up! There’s a good variety of vendors selling baked goods, produce, crafts, and more. They also have an area for food truck stalls. A fun place to shop, eat and browse on a Saturday.

   

3. Historic Charleston City Market
   Your one-stop shop for all sweetgrass items, including food, made-in-SC items, and other knick knacks. You can also watch demonstrations on the sweetgrass items being made.

   

   

RV/Oversized vehicle parking:
In Charleston – There’s a gem of a parking garage (yes, really) next to the Charleston Visitor Center that’s within walking distance to King’s Street and other places of interest. Parking for RVs and other large vehicles was only $5 overnight if you leave by 8am the next day. Otherwise, I believe it’s $12. Still, a great deal!
Outside Charleston – James Island County Park was a good little escape not too far from the city. Loved the dog friendly beach and cycling around the lake.

Outside Charleston

Magnolia Plantation (1/2 hour drive outside Charleston)
The plantation is one of the oldest in the South and features extensive gardens, and ponds. The main crop grown here used to be rice – Carolina gold – but after production ceased, the fields were allowed to grow back to their natural state.

The grounds and gardens are beautiful. You can stroll around on your own or complement your visit with a tram tour or boat tour for an additional fee. A visit to the nearby Audubon Swamp Garden is also a separate fee.