This South Carolina Beach is a Summer Paradise

In both South Carolina and North Carolina, we're fortunate to have so many great beaches. In fact, people travel to our area from all over America to experience our incredible beaches and views. You really can't beat a Carolina beach. Now, the experts at USA Today, along with their readers, have pinpointed the No. 1 best beaches in both Carolinas. So, get these special spots on your travel tally this summer.

There's a new survey published from the travel experts at USA Today, under their 10Best.usatoday.com section. As with all of their "10 Best" features and polls, what's special is that they ask travelers to vote on their favorite places in the United States, so the winners are recommended from real people who have been to those destinations. Here's how it works: USA Today's expert editors and readers independently select what you see on "10 Best" To begin, the USA Today editors pick the places and attractions on which travelers will vote. Then, their readers select their favorites. So, in the end, you have a tally of recommendations based on both what USA Today editors selected, plus the readers. "Warm sand, blue water, and refreshing Atlantic Ocean breezes — these elements await visitors to the sandy shores and barrier islands of South Carolina," they write. "The Palmetto State's coastline is dotted with picturesque beach towns, each with its own unique character, from family-friendly beaches to uncrowded stretches of sand."

So, which South Carolina beach was voted the No. 1 in the state? It's Pawleys Island, located on South Carolina's Hammock Coast. They note that the "beach access abounds across the shores of Pawleys Island, a tiny town located on the eastern edge of Georgetown County." Also, even though the area has just over 100 residents, that number goes up in the summer, "when beachgoers arrive to enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and surfing." That sounds like a true summer paradise. Looking at the best North Carolina beach, No. 1 on the tally is Ocean Isle Beach. They rave about the area's "soft, sandy shores and calm water that's perfect for swimming." What's even cooler is that you can actually see dolphins and "the occasional sea turtle from shore." How amazing is that? They recommend visiting the Museum of Coastal Carolina while you're there to learn about the biology of the area's "native marine creatures." I'm happy to see these beaches voted the best by USA Today. If you haven't visited these spots yet, they should make for a great road trip this summer.