Escape to Edisto

September 2, 2024

Last year we purchased a SC State Park pass with funds gifted to us at Christmas. This purchase was by far a fantastic investment for our family and has encouraged us to explore our great state and discover new places. I would highly recommend purchasing a pass for your home state!

Since our children had never seen the ocean, we wanted to visit one of the 4 coastal State Parks and center our family vacation around an ocean trip. We wanted to go somewhere quiet and peaceful, a true getaway for our family. Hilton Head, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach (not all state parks, by the way) were not of interest to us despite (and because of) their popularity.

As I searched the internet and even talked with others, Edisto seemed to be what our family was looking for. In fact, many people I talked with had never even heard of Edisto! Score. That was exactly what we were looking for in a vacation.

What Edisto is Like

Edisto Island, as the name implies, sits in the ocean separated from the mainland by an intercoastal waterway. Because it is an island, the ocean shelf is more pronounced and drops more dramatically than the mainland shore. Parents should be cautious and not let little ones wander too far. The currents are strong!

Edisto is peaceful and noncommercial. We did not even scratch the surface of all the wonderful natural sights to see since we focused on "beach time" for our children, and in the future I hope to visit sights such as Botany Bay also known as Boneyard Beach.

The shells are incredible! We found a variety of shells including whelk shells, scallop shells, oyster shells, and others. Everyone in our family collected shells, but my husband found the most beautiful shell of all—an almost perfect whelk shell!

Dining

There were not as many family-friendly restaurants as we had hoped.  I will be planning more meals the next time we go (if that happens). Several restaurants we planned to visit were either closed due to storm damage or had changed hours.

For family-friendly dining, I would recommend The Waterfront Restaurant and The SeaCOW Eatery. I was able to find gluten free options at both places.

Our Accommodations

An Edisto local shared that there are no hotels on the island thus maintaining a distinct clientele. The island boasts many striking oceanfront homes, but that type of accommodation didn’t appeal to our desire for solitude nor did it play nicely in our wallet.

After spending several hours scouring AirBnB, one little cottage kept coming up in my search parameters, and I do not doubt that the Lord saved this darling place just for us! Anya’s Creekside Cottage was just what we desired: privacy, affordability, beach proximity (10 minutes away), and quaint character.

This is the creek behind the cottage.

Staying at Anya’s Creekside Cottage was our first experience using AirBnB, and the entire process—from booking to post-vacation reviews—was streamlined and efficient. For future vacations, I will definitely utilize Airbnb as much as possible. Goodbye noisy, cramped hotels!

As laid back as the booking process, Anya’s cottage exuded seaside charm and quiet comfort. Though the house was not large, its well-proportioned rooms, especially the spacious living/dining room combo, felt roomy and cozy. The well-stocked kitchen amply supplied the necessaries for cooking our family’s favorite sausage breakfast grits. After days at the beach, the efficient washer and dryer in the darling laundry area made quick work of our clothes, preparing us for another day of adventures.

As an amateur decorator, avid homemaker, and simply lover of beauty, I delighted in the lovely things at the cottage. An eight foot (I’m guessing length since I didn’t take my tape measure…hehe) antique table anchored the living area, and I wondered at its former life. Was it a kitchen counter in a hard-working kitchen?

An armoire filled with Tickled Pink vintage dishes anchored the dining area. In the mornings and afternoons, I carefully opened the armoire doors to retrieve a delicate pink cup for my usual coffee breaks. Little moments like these, connecting me to the past and the lives of others, is what made our stay at Anya’s Creekside Cottage truly unique and memorable.

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Well, before I ramble anymore, let me just say that Edisto is a wonderful vacation destination, perfect for those seeking quiet and a relaxed pace. Where do you hope to explore next?

-Ashley

Personal Disclosure

As the author of Ashley Qurollo Blog, all opinions are my own. Any possible applications are universal in nature, not directed at any one individual or people group. My sincere desire is to help others by sharing what I am learning. Nothing stated on this blog is ever intended to hurt others. Ashley Qurollo, owner of Ashley Qurollo Blog and Website, is not held liable in any way for any application of the ideas and thoughts stated here.

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