Great Condos and Location at North Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Bay Club

Few vacation destinations capture the classic beach town atmosphere like North Myrtle Beach. Here you’ll find exquisite beaches, warm water, fun attractions, genuine fresh seafood, and local gems you won’t find anywhere else. That’s why lots of families and groups choose one of the four sections of North Myrtle Beach for their special trip.

The Ocean Drive section is the center of North Myrtle Beach and is loaded with quaint gift shops, restaurants, pubs, and a seasonal amusement park that sets up every summer. You might think of it as a classic town square in the midst of a dazzling beach community. Being close to Main Street is important to some vacationers because it means leaving the car parked and having the freedom to walk to the many businesses and activities on and near Main Street. Ocean Bay Club is one of the few condo complexes that offers top notch accommodations and amenities within walking distance to the center of town.

Ocean Bay Club 1401

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals has rental properties available at Ocean Bay Club year round. Our 3 and 4 bedroom units offer all the comforts of home with extras such as indoor and outdoor pool, lazy river, hot tub, sun deck, wireless internet, and of course the incredible beach front views of the Atlantic Ocean. Each unit features a full kitchen, master bedrooms with balcony access, private master baths with Jacuzzi tubs, large living areas, and oceanfront balconies. When you rent one of our Ocean Bay Club condos, you get free parking for your entire stay and an Endless Fun Club card that will give you discounts and special offers at area restaurants and stores. All you have to do is show the card and enjoy the savings. Ocean Bay Club is also perfect for a winter rental or a spontaneous getaway. You’ll be surprised at how low our offseason rates are!

Call 877-287-2977 today to start planning your vacation at Ocean Bay Club!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful

Beautiful North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

When you're at the beach this summer, it's important to remember to pick up after yourself. We all love to bring our favorite drinks and snacks to the shore so we can stay refreshed throughout the day. But, it's no fun to walk on cigarette butts, peanut shells, and band-aids. It's not necessarily a pretty sight either - for those of us who love to see and visit North Myrtle Beach's beautiful shoreline.

A couple tips on how to make the beach more enjoyable for you and others:

Bring a trash bag with you to the beach. Trash bags are easy to pack within the cooler or beach bag. Pick up your peanut shells, candy wrappers, beer and soda cans, and cigarette butts as you finish. It's simple to do, and involves very little thought. Most sections of North Myrtle Beach feature public trash cans so you don't have to carry your trash back to your vacation rental condo or home.

You brought it down to the beach, so take it back to your vacation rental with you. Don't forget to take the cabana or beach umbrella down when you go back inside. Likewise for beach chairs, towels, beach toys, and clothes. There's a good chance that you may find your belongings missing when you come back to the same spot the next day or later that night.

I'd like to think that these are just a couple simple, common sense, ideas on how to better your day on the beach. A lot of people forget, and so it is important to remind everyone. Let's keep North Myrtle Beach beautiful for many years to come!

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

It's Summer in North Myrtle Beach, 2011

Sunshine, the roar of motorcycles, and a Saturday cook-out for our arriving guests officially welcomed our summer rental season today. Though stormy weather was forecasted for North Myrtle Beach, all we saw were sunny skies with high temperatures dancing around 85 degrees. Our hard work at preparing for our first cook-out paid off with a better-than-expected lunch crowd.

Jake cooks some delicious burgers for our arriving guests!

Our rental inventory is booked solid for this Memorial Day weekend, though we were able to accommodate a few last minute vacationers. We’re very happy to meet and great guests who came to North Myrtle Beach as far away as Ohio and Illinois. Arriving guests really enjoyed our arrival cook-out, of which we will continue with through the summer weeks (with a special surprise for the July 4th week). Staff members at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals love Saturdays, and it shows with our positive attitudes and great customer service.

There are still plenty of weeks available this summer. Don’t wait until the last minute to make your North Myrtle Beach family vacation plans. Plan early - so you can reserve the best available property for your vacation needs. With over 85 vacation rental properties, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals has a rental for every budget!

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

Book One Vacation, Get the Second Vacation Free

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals is known for their great North Myrtle Beach vacation savings. With our EZ Breezy Pricing program, we’re comfortable in saying that we have the best value at the lowest pricing at the beach. Our Endless Fun Club gives our guests real dollar savings at all the popular area businesses and attractions! What more could we offer that will ensure that our guests have the best vacation possible?

For a limited time only, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals is giving away a free vacation! Call our office at 877-287-2977 to book your 2011 North Myrtle Beach vacation in one of our nearly 90 vacation rental properties, and we’ll give you a free weekend stay at our Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort. Located along the famous Ocean Drive, our resort features its very own beach club, indoor and outdoor pools, outdoor lazy river, beauty salon, and much more! You’ll be in close proximity to great restaurants, clubs, and live entertainment. The Ocean Drive Beach & Golf resort has been a popular attraction along the Grand Strand for many years.

Rent This...

Coastal Cottage - 2nd Row in North Myrtle Beach

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals makes your vacation planning easy with the lowest vacation rental prices in town. There are over 85 properties in our inventory for every sized budget. Our rentals are perfect for couples just married, or large 15-24 people family groups. We have a special arrival day surprise for all of our summertime guests that will surely be a big hit. We’re here to help you realize your vacation memories!

Get this FREE!

Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort - Oceanfront in North Myrtle Beach

Click through on this link to learn more about our limited time May promotion. Hurry and book your 2011 weekly vacation with Ocean Drive Beach Rentals before it’s too late! I’m sure your family could use some extra time at the beach this year – one week is just not enough.

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

May is Here, Where are You?

North Myrtle Beach has been pretty fortunate through the recent Spring months. Threatening storms that caused misery through the mid-west didn't put up much of a fight along our beaches. We've escaped horrible weather, and had some excellent beachy weekends. Where were you?

May is fast approaching with a great forecast. This next week will bring sunny skies and temperatures in the 70's and low 80's. Your favorite North Myrtle Beach hotspots will be packed with happy visitors. Our beach strand will be flooded with beach-goers. Everyone knows that this is a great time to be on the beach. The humidity is low, and temperatures are up! The ocean should be warmed-up to near 70 degrees; which is much warmer than some popular northern lakes and other waterways. You can still find some great deals on vacation rentals with Ocean Drive Beach Rentals!

The weather is HERE, so where are YOU? Take a short weekend trip to North Myrtle Beach with Ocean Drive Beach Rentals this month. Time is of the essence - Memorial Day weekend is filling up fast!

Visit www.odbeachrentals.com NOW for great spring vacation rental deals!!

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

Beach Music Lives On

H.G. Worley of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals being DJ for the day.

This past week, the owners of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals and the Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort, the Worley family of North Myrtle Beach, officially brought back the Beach Music legacy of Ocean Drive and bought the famed radio station, 94.9 The Surf. The station briefly went off-air in January of this year and the Worleys acted fast to save what could have been the end of Beach Music along the Grand Strand. Locals and visitors alike have been buzzing since the sale.

The Surf can be heard within a 2 hour radius of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. That’s approximately a 120 mile radius from the Main Street headquarters of the station. Anyone with internet access will be able to listen to live streaming Beach Music tunes when the website comes live in the near future. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals will post updates on this blog as they become available. Ted Bell is the chief on-air personality of 94.9 and will bring you many great hours of quality Beach Music.

Ted Bell and H.G. Worley on Opening Day

When you’re on the beach this summer, tune in to 94.9 The Surf. It will serve as a nice compliment to the beautiful scenery on the beach strand. Don’t forget to call in to the station and request your favorite bands.

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

How About That Weather

Looking down Main Street. Gorgeous day in February!

North Myrtle Beach weather has definitely taken a turn towards the better this past week. With sunny skies and highs in the mid-70’s today, you’d think that we skipped March and progressed right into April. No, we’re not that fortunate, but after a winter full of unusually frigid days and threats of record snowfall, it looks like this mild weather is here for good, until next November.

Looking at the 10-day forecast from The Weather Channel, North Myrtle Beach will have mild temperatures in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s the rest of this month with very few rain days. The next couple of months bring in average temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s. We’re loving this weather and glad it’s finally back on the Grand Strand. Although the ocean temperature is still a little too cold for most, the sun will surely pamper your skin.

February 19, 2011 - Perfect weather for a day on the strand!

Call now to schedule your spring vacation! With our mild temperatures in full “swing,” it is the perfect time for a game of golf. We’ve got an in-house golf professional to save you dollars on your next round. Outdoor shopping centers, such as the popular Tanger Factory Outlets are a great place to hang out at after an afternoon on the beach. Most of our rental properties feature a screened porch or deck – wonderful to lazy around and fall asleep to the breezes off the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals has the right vacation rental for your spring getaway. With school in session and job limitations, most people can’t escape for a week until summer. That’s alright! Our vacation policies are flexible, in that we allow nightly stays equal to, or greater than, 2 nights until the end of May. Call us at 877-287-2977 and let us help you plan a special weekend at the beach for your family.

"Hey, I'll settle for a couple months of unusually frigid weather if it means that February will be this nice!" - J. Foutz

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

"Simple Pleasures" Joins Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

"Simple Pleasures" on Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach.

Simple Pleasures is the latest vacation home to join our vacation rental program at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals. This privately owned property meets the high standards of ten other full-sized houses in our rental inventory. Your family will want to take advantage of the great amenities that this property has to offer.

Conveniently located on the second-row along Ocean Drive, Simple Pleasures is a short stroll across the road to the wide, beautiful strand of North Myrtle Beach. Not only are you across the street from the beach, but there is a large yard to host fun family games in the warm Carolina sunshine. Enjoy a bright, colorful interior with lots of space to unwind and relax during your vacation. Tropical decorations adorn the walls and really put you in the mood.

Plenty of space with two large living rooms.

Guests who vacation in Simple Pleasures will enjoy various amenities during their stay. There are two levels of living space at this property. The lower level features three bedrooms, of which all have their own televisions, and two full bathrooms. A kitchenette and large living room with a television and DVD player nicely compliment the space. Four more bedrooms with televisions and two full bathrooms are located on the upper level. Another large living room and full kitchen are located upstairs. Enjoy morning coffee or family picnics in front of an ocean view on the spacious screened porch. As with most of our vacation rental properties, there is a grill and outdoor shower on the premises.

With occupancy of twenty people, this vacation home is excellent for large family groups. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals also manages the large home next door, Coastal Cottage, which features five bedrooms, over three bathrooms, and a fenced-in yard that includes a volleyball net, private pool, and optional hot tub. Combined, these two properties serve occupancy of thirty-six people; a perfect arrangement for church groups, family reunions, or weddings in North Myrtle Beach!

Seven beautiful bedrooms with comfortable bedding.

Large screened porch with ocean views!

A property profile with detailed information for Simple Pleasures will be online starting tomorrow, January 30th. Cruise on over to our website to view our other vacation rental homes, or some of our fine condominium and villa rentals. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals has properties for every budget and desire. Once you find that perfect vacation rental, give us a call at 877-287-2977, or book online, to reserve your next visit to the North Myrtle Beach area.

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

Perfect Time for Golf

The Grand Strand, a beautiful coastline of over 50 miles, provides one of the best values for golf in all of the United States. With over 100 courses available for your enjoyment, you and your foursome will always be able to find a course suitable to your tastes. From the group looking for a high-end experience, to a couple of friends interested in having a good time off the course as they are on it, the Grand Strand meets all needs. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals can customize your golf vacation for any size group.

You'll enjoy quality golf, tremendous value, and a fun-filled experience, on and off the course even in difficult economic times. Visitors are immersed in the game and a good time from the moment they arrive, a needed reprieve from the stress of daily life. Once the round is over, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy long into the night.

Fall and Spring are the most popular times of year for golf on the Grand Strand. The weather is perfect for a day on the links. North Myrtle Beach crowds are down, allowing for easy access to all the attractions and restaurants. There is a great supply of quality accommodations to suit all size groups. Get your group together, set your dates, and call Ocean Drive Beach Rentals for your next golf vacation to North Myrtle Beach.

Golfer-Friendly Vacation Rentals:

Conched Out in Cherry Grove

Atlantis Villas #205 & #302 along Ocean Drive

Beachy Keen in Ocean Drive Beach

Cest La Vie along Ocean Drive

Written By: David Haynes - Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Holidays at the Beach - We've Got Everything but Snow

Office Christmas Tree

We hope your holidays are off to a great start, and that your plans include time well spent on the beach in North Myrtle Beach. Of course, we don’t have the 80-degree weather that you would find in the summer or fall, but it’s mild enough for a walk on the beach or a family game of frisbee. It’s not unusual to have Christmas Day temperatures in the 70’s.

As mentioned in previous blog posts, there is a lot to do along the Grand Strand this time of year. Christmas festivities kick off this weekend, with the popular and brightly decorated Regatta along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Nutcracker Fair at Myrtle Beach’s Market Common. The city of North Myrtle Beach hosts the annual Christmas tree lighting on Friday, December 3rd. You won’t want to miss the highly anticipated Christmas Parade the following Saturday. Click through on this link to view detailed information about upcoming events along the beach.

After you’re done with all these festive holiday events, spend a day shopping at one or more of our several shopping centers located within a fifteen-minute’s drive from Main Street and Ocean Drive. There are thousands of name brand stores that call North Myrtle Beach home. Grab some local seafood along restaurant row and hit the beach for an evening stroll. You’ll find the sky is clearer along Carolina’s southern coast than anywhere else.

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals provides the most reasonable off-season prices in the best selection of vacation rentals. Give us a call for more information on how you can escape for a weekend, week, or a whole month to enjoy this holiday season away from the ordinary. We have just added several rental properties to our inventory. Come visit North Myrtle Beach this holiday season, we’ve got everything but snow!

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

Look at what you are missing

2010 Carolina Beach Music Awards in North Myrtle Beach

LIVE at the Alabama Theatre

Tim Clark Band

The 16th annual Carolina Beach Music Awards Show, or CBMAs, were held at the Alabama Theatre this past Sunday. It was such a treat, especially with the venue being decorated for the holiday season. This year’s awards show was held in honor of General Norman Johnson, band leader of the popular beach music supergoup, The Chairmen of the Board. It was great to see live performances from top artists such as, Rhonda McDaniel, Jim Quick & Coastline, Sea Cruz, Craig Woolard Band, and the National Shag Dance Team.

Every year, the big beach music party comes to North Myrtle Beach. The Carolina Beach Music Awards caps off a week full of live music at top clubs up and down Main Street and Ocean Drive. Fans take advantage of the night life Wednesday through Friday, with award ceremonies at the Spanish Galleon and Alabama Theatre over the weekend evenings. It’s just another great reason to come visit during the off-season.

For those people who missed the show this year, enjoy the pictures posted here, more of which are posted on our Ocean Drive Beach Rentals Facebook page. You can view a complete listing of the 2010 CBMA Winners here. Remember to make plans early for next year’s event, held during the first part of November 2011. Beach music fans and shaggers call Ocean Drive Beach Rentals home.

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

Sea Cruz

Rick Strickland Band

Jim Quick & Coastline

The National Shag Dance Team

Ocean Drive's Inventory Keeps Growing!

Abode Of Peace, Canal - Cherry Grove

The fall season has been very good to Ocean Drive Beach Rentals. After rounding out our first successful summer season, we have added several high quality and beautiful vacation properties. We have a much wider selection of vacation rentals to please the ever-increasing demand in the vacation rental industry.

Over 70 vacation rental properties will soon call Ocean Drive Beach Rentals home. With these properties, we cover all areas along North Myrtle Beach, from Windy Hill up to Cherry Grove Beach. Search our inventory for oceanfront, canal front, second row, and other locations. Our properties feature amenities such as flat screened HDTVs, high-speed WIFI internet access, hot tubs, private pools, billiards' rooms with state-of-the-art gaming tables (Atlantis Villas), Jacuzzi tubs, and walk-in showers. We are able to offer homes and condos priced in every budget range. No vacation is expensive with Ocean Drive Beach Rentals.

You can view a listing of all our latest additions on our specials page. Our property profiles are very detailed, with interior pictures of every room, a detailed property description, and pricing chart. Many homes feature a virtual tour. Feel free to call us TODAY for help in planning a future family vacation to the Grand Strand of North Myrtle Beach.

Don't forget about our Gift a Vacation promotion, which expires January 1, 2011.

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

Gift a Vacation This Holiday Season

We know what Santa is thinking this year...

Need an idea for gift-giving this holiday season? Think out of the box for 2010 and give something that will really impress your family or loved-one. Gift a vacation this holiday season and gift memories that last a lifetime.

If you have a family, buy the gift of a family vacation. North Myrtle Beach is an excellent destination that will help create memories that last forever. The mild year-round weather, clean beach strand, warm ocean, and top Grand Strand attractions and restaurants are more appealing than the traditional gifts. This idea is also great for couples (birthdays, honeymoons, and engagements).

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals makes it really simple. You’ll receive a free linen package and set-up when you book a week’s stay and pay in full within 10 days of making your reservation. Book a two week stay in one of our vacation rentals, pay your deposit within 10 days, and get 10% off the second week stay! SAVE money on your 2011 vacation and take advantage of our “Gift a Vacation” promotion. This holiday deal ends on January 1, 2011. You can view details by clicking this link.

We have the best quality selection of vacation rentals in North Myrtle Beach that appeal to all budgets. Choose from locations along Crescent Beach, Windy Hill, Ocean Drive, and Cherry Grove. Most reservations are on a weekly basis, but we do support nightly and monthly reservations. Whatever the occasion, we can help you find that perfect present.

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

Ocean Drive Pavilion and Amusement Park

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Ocean Drive Pavilion and Amusement Park along Ocean Drive. The amusement park is conveniently located at the horseshoe, at the intersection of Ocean Drive and Main Street. It's the only oceanfront amusement park in North Myrtle Beach, and one of the few still left in the area.

I would definitely recommend the OD Pavilion to vacationing families. The park attracts families from all over. Rides include a ferris wheel, giant swing, carousel, tilt-a-whirl, Flying Bob, and the popular tea cup ride. Younger crowds seem to enjoy the arcade, super slide, and bumper cars. In typical carnival fashion, the smell of cotton candy, carmel apples, and funnel cakes fill the air.

Free parking and admission make the Pavilion budget-friendly for everyone. Just pay as you go for ride tickets. Whether you're five years' old or seventy-five, the Ocean Drive Pavilion and Amusement Park is the place to be when you're at the beach!

Written By: Kristen Leonard - Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

The Excitement of Ocean Drive

Ocean Drive, known for its contribution to beach music and the Shag, is the center of excitement in North Myrtle Beach. This two mile strip of the Grand Strand plays host to many specialty shops, live entertainment, and beach side bars. Several condos and beach homes dot the oceanfront and serve as a prime vacation spot to visitors. With mild year-round temperatures, OD presents the perfect atmosphere for popular festivals.

North Myrtle Beach takes claim as being the birthplace for the Shag, a beach boy-style dance which incorporates techniques from the jitterbug and swing dancing. The Shag is still very much alive here, and we have plenty to show for it. It is a common sight to see expert Shaggers show off their fancy footwork and smooth moves every weekend, if not every night, along Ocean Drive and the intersecting Main Street. Society of Stranders (SOS) takes over the famous beach bars for week-long celebrations every April and September. You may want to get involved if you love beach music.

Along with Fat Harold’s Beach Bar and Duck’s, which are shagging hotspots, there are several options for energetic nightlife and live entertainment along Ocean Drive. Spanish Galleon, beside the Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort, hosts a young, hip dance crowd late night to the early morning hours. OD Pavilion is North Myrtle Beach’s only oceanfront amusement park. The Pavilion features family-friendly rides, carnival-style games, and refreshments.

Thinking about visiting Ocean Drive on your next North Myrtle Beach vacation? Leave all of your planning up to Ocean Drive Beach Rentals. They feature beautiful vacation rentals up, down, and all around the Ocean Drive section suited for all budgets, big or small.

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

Endless Summer Festival in North Myrtle Beach - October 30th

We beach people don't want the warm, summer-like weather to leave us, but we know that the cooler months lie just around the corner. It only makes sense that we close out October in style. North Myrtle Beach's own Endless Summer Festival is just a couple weeks away!

Thousands of people, locals and vacationers alike, are expected to show up at this year's event. The Endless Summer Festival will only last from 10:00 - 4:00 pm on Saturday, October 30th. It takes place down Main Street, right off Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach. There will be plenty of things to keep the family busy during those hours.

If you like beach music, than this is the place to be during the last weekend of October. Popular bands, Sea Cruz and The Extraordinaires, are going to be putting on great performances. The live entertainment will begin at 11:30 am, at the well-known Horseshoe. Enjoy plenty of great food, arts and crafts, and a children's play area. Don't forget the classic car show, for all of you car buffs. A beach volleyball tournament will be held both Saturday and Sunday.

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals of North Myrtle Beach will be participating in the festival. We'll have a bright and colorful display, and a couple staff members to greet visitors. Stop by, say hi, and grab free stuff while at the event. If you need a place to stay during the weekend, week, or even month, you can count on us for having the best available properties at the most reasonable prices.

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

Event poster compliments of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce