What's the Difference?

When families are looking to vacation in South Carolina, the first place that comes to mind is the Grand Strand. Right in the middle of the Grand Strand is the area’s most popular tourist destination, Myrtle Beach. While this little town has its own claim to fame as one of the best vacationing spots on the East Coast, there are other charming beach communities that form one long, continuous chain down the beach.

One of these small communities is North Myrtle Beach. It’s easy to confuse Myrtle Beach with North Myrtle Beach, but folks that have been coming down for a long time know that there are several distinctions between the neighboring cities. NMB is its own town, not the “Northern” part of Myrtle Beach, and people that spend their vacation here have quite a different experience from those staying a little further south. The most noticeable difference may be the crowds. While Highway 17 can be congested for miles, traffic seems to be lighter up in NMB. In the summer, there are always people outside enjoying the beachside amusement park and shops on Main Street, but cars will never crowd the area, making for a relaxing drive wherever you need to go. NMB is much smaller than Myrtle Beach, so you’ll get the feeling you’re in a safe, friendly community right away.

Even though NMB is smaller, don’t think you’ll have to sacrifice entertainment while you’re here. There is just as much to see and do as in Myrtle Beach. There are two theaters that feature variety shows, the House of Blues, Alligator Adventure, Mini golf, and countless restaurants to discover in NMB, not to mention multiple full size golf courses in the area. Barefoot Landing is a central hub for shopping and dining, and just minutes away from your Ocean Drive Beach Rentals condo. So when you are planning your week here, make us your home base. From there you can enjoy the best the South Carolina beach has to offer!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

A Winter Monthly Residence in North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach is a prime spot for summer vacations, but many visitors from the northern United States and Canada choose to stay on the Grand Strand all winter long. Condos with sprawling ocean views and fresh sea air offer a haven from the bitter cold and heavy snow up North. Snowbirds are a vital part of the community and enjoy calling the beach home from November - April.

A Winter Beach. Photo By: Laura Hartman

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals welcomes these half-year residents with special packages. Spend your days golfing, exploring the coast, or just un-winding on your balcony. Some winter guests are becoming so attached to their second home that they are already jumping at the chance to secure their reservations for 2013! Make your North Myrtle Beach winter plans now, and you’ll get exactly the place you want for a great price.

All our North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals are close to hot shopping, entertainment, grocery stores, and hundreds of golf courses. Most Resorts have their own pools and hot tubs, restaurants, spas, and beach access. On-site gyms are perfect if you’re trying to stay in shape away from home. Save money on entertainment and food with our Endless Fun Club partners. Let Ocean Drive Beach Rentals help plan your next long-term stay for the winter of 2013.

Written By: Brandon Moss, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals 2012

Getting Around in North Myrtle Beach

One question that I get asked a lot when people make their North Myrtle Beach vacation plans is, “How close to the major attractions is our vacation rental property?” Fortunately for us at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals, all our vacation rentals are close to major attractions and amusements, shopping malls, and popular seafood restaurants. There are hundreds of golf courses, all located within a half hour drive of our properties.

You can get to most fun spots within a 5 – 10 minute drive down the road. Two main highways serve as a great guide in North Myrtle Beach. Most businesses and attractions can be found off Highway 17. If you have a greater distance to travel to your destination, then take Highway 31. Highway 31 is a quicker, less congested route that can get you to your destination in nearly half the time. This route is great to take if you have to travel more than 10 miles, or get down to Myrtle Beach quickly.

The beach strand itself is just a short walk away from any of our vacation rentals. Some family-friendly attractions, such as the Ocean Drive Pavilion, lie along the oceanfront. We recommend doing a little research before your North Myrtle Beach vacation to eliminate hassles.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Channel Homes in North Myrtle Beach

An important decision when searching for North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals is location. Where do you want to stay when you vacation at the beach? The most popular locations are oceanfront and 2nd row. There are other great alternatives if you can’t commit the money that these premium properties cost.

The channel, or canal front, properties of Cherry Grove Beach are great alternatives to vacationing on the oceanfront. Not only are you saving hundreds of vacation dollars by re-locating your North Myrtle Beach lodging preferences, but you’ll have awesome waterfront views and more space than you would have by staying in a Channel House. These properties are located just a short walk from the beach! All Channel Homes at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals come with a free golf cart rental to make it easier to haul your beach equipment to the shore. A golf cart also comes in handy when visiting the grocery store to stock up on last minute ingredients and beverages.

Community Property of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Enjoy your own private pier and floating dock at Community Property

Stay in a Channel House and enjoy water sports just a few feet away from your back deck. Channels are perfect for jet skis, kayaks, inflatable boats and rafts, and fishing boats. Guests love fishing off the floating boat docks and private piers. You can waste away your afternoons by watching abundant wildlife from the channel-facing back deck.

As you plan your family’s next North Myrtle Beach vacation, do keep the Channel Homes in mind. You may find that you enjoy the privacy and advantages more appealing than an oceanfront condo. Don’t forget your boat!

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Pack Efficiently for Your North Myrtle Beach Vacation

Don’t let the little things complicate your beach vacation. Start off on the right track to avoid family conflicts. Your North Myrtle Beach vacation begins when you drive out of your driveway or board the plane to the coast. To make your trip more enjoyable, follow our tips on how to pack your car or prepare your luggage for a flight.

Road Trips are a great idea when traveling. Most of the time, you’ll spend less money than flying and you get to see the countryside. It is important that everyone in the automobile is comfortable and has enough room to stretch, especially after a two-hour, or in some cases, five-hour nap. Don’t clutter the seats with luggage, that’s what the trunk is for! Keep only in-car entertainment on hand, such as an interesting book or iPod. Avoid packing perishable food, as spoilage may occur if packed improperly, and could provide an unpleasant odor the rest of the trip. North Myrtle Beach is a haven for grocery stores. Buy your food locally on vacation.

Think these folks packed just a little too much into that wagon?

Make use of all nooks and crannies when packing the car, but don’t stuff the available trunk space. Pillows, blankets, and linen are great, and they don’t take up much room. These things can easily fit into small spaces between luggage. Leave your windows free and clear and make sure you can see out into traffic. You wouldn’t want to wreck on your way to North Myrtle Beach by not being able to properly see out the windows.

Use common sense when packing your car. What do you really need to bring on vacation? If you find the back end of your sedan weighed-down and nearly touching the pavement, then you’ve packed too much. Grills, kitchen appliances, coolers, bikes, and beach equipment are either provided with your North Myrtle Beach Vacation Rental, or are offered for rent through area vendors. Remember to only pack the necessary clothes, bathroom supplies, and limited entertainment options. Guests always go back home with more than what they brought, due in part to the great shopping at the beach.

You have to be even more efficient if you’re flying to North Myrtle Beach. Checking bags can get pretty expensive these days. It’s not unusual to spend over $40 per bag to check. Try your best to pack everything in a suite case that will fit in an overhead compartment. Certain liquids and sharp objects can’t be taken onboard an airplane. Remember to carry on a good book or an iPod as flights can get boring.

The more efficient you pack, the more money you will save. Lighter cars will save you more gas money, and carry-on bags are mostly free on flights. Don’t subject yourself to any conflicts on your trip to North Myrtle Beach.

View Available North Myrtle Beach Vacation Rentals HERE

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

The Best Time To Rent

The summer season is definitely the busiest time of year for vacation towns such as North Myrtle Beach. School is out, the weather is hot, and many families like to be around for Independence Day to participate in the festivities on the beach. While there is no doubt that the most action takes place between Memorial Day and Labor Day, things start to heat up much earlier and folks like to stick around much later than the traditional summer season. Some people are more flexible in their vacation dates and want to know the best time of year to plan their trip. The answer to that question depends on what you want to get out of your time here.

Some vacationers look forward to the excitement of the tourist season and can’t wait to make friends on the beach, go out with fellow out-of-towners, and swim in the warm water of the Atlantic. If this is you, then June, July, and August offer the most activity. There are more people in town during July 4th week than any other week of the year, mostly because of family traditions and the Grand Strand’s impressive Independence Day events. Our famous summer-long fireworks displays are among the East coast’s favorite, the Myrtle Beach boardwalk area is bustling with activity, and the nightlife is in full swing.

For those who prefer thinner crowds, less traffic, and cooler temperatures, spring is a fantastic time of year for a trip. Though the ocean is sometimes too cold to swim, the weather stays in the 70s and 80s during April and May. Since school is still in session, families will save their trip for later in the summer. This allows for some of the most prime conditions for a vacation. All the local businesses are open, and even the seasonal ones will open in March or April. You can also take advantage of offseason prices at this time. After summer, mid-September to mid-October offers some of the best weather of the year. The ocean is still warm, the days are still long, and there is still plenty to do. Though most of the crowds have gone home, many will stay through October to golf, lounge on the beach, shop, and enjoy the area’s attractions. Remember, prices go down after Labor Day. So if you are unsure of when to take your vacation and are concerned about saving a few dollars, consider the late or early offseason and call Ocean Drive Beach Rentals to book!

North Myrtle Beach Weekend in Review

January is a popular time for snowbirds to visit the beach to enjoy our mild winter and exciting events. The winter Shag weekend is here and Ocean Drive of North Myrtle Beach is alive with sounds of beach music and tapping feet. Myrtle Beach has captured the Nation’s attention as the GOP candidates gather for a debate at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Carolina Shag events take place in North Myrtle Beach throughout the year, and the winter Shag weekend is this weekend, January 13th -15th. Many Shaggers take the entire week to make the most of a trip to the beach. We still have vacation rentals available, if you’d like to participate in the action! Even if you don’t dance (shag), there is still plenty to do in and around the beach. Most area attractions are open in the off-season.

The Republican Presidential debate will be hosted at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on January 16th. Visitors from all over the Nation are in town to participate in the political events. As you can imagine, tickets to the Debate are sold out. You may want to try and catch your favorite candidate at congressional town hall meetings, or mingling with the locals.

Aside from all the exciting things happening in the off-season, we are looking forward to a great summer season in 2012. Our beautiful North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals still have dates available for upcoming spring and summer weeks. Call ahead for special occasions with nightly rentals.

Written By: Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals, 2012