Pier, creeks and beach on the South Strand

Garden City Beach Homes and Condos for Sale

Garden City Beach is a barrier strip between the ocean and the creeks of Murrells Inlet, with a pier that has been rebuilt after two major hurricanes.

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Is Garden City Beach a good place to buy?

Garden City Beach is a South Strand beach community between Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet with oceanfront condos, raised beach houses and homes on the marsh creeks, popular with second-home buyers and rental investors. Its storm history and its location along the Horry–Georgetown county line make flood, insurance and jurisdiction checks especially important.

Below is the pier's story, the county-line question and my buying checklist.

A pier that keeps coming back

According to The Pier at Garden City, the first pier, the Kingfisher, went up in the 1940s when Garden City was a collection of fishing shacks and summer cottages. Hurricane Hazel came ashore at Little River on October 15, 1954, as a Category 4 storm with winds near 150 mph, and afterward only two houses in Garden City were left standing. The community rebuilt, along with a new pier.

The rebuilt pier served the community for 35 years until Hurricane Hugo hit on September 21, 1989. Its replacement stretches 668 feet into the Atlantic, with a covered gathering spot at the end for music and dancing (The Pier at Garden City). It is a big part of why people fall for Garden City, and why I talk about storm-ready construction with every buyer.

Which county am I in?

The Horry–Georgetown county line runs through this part of the coast, and it moved. The S.C. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office documents a 2019 change, effective April 10, 2020, that transferred 210.32 acres of Georgetown County to Horry County, and an earlier transfer of an 18.42-acre tract along Murrells Inlet Creek (RFA). County determines your tax bill, schools and services, so I verify it from the deed and tax records for every property rather than relying on the mailing address.

Homes you will find

Oceanfront condos

Mid-rise and high-rise buildings along the beach. Review reserves and insurance. See oceanfront condos.

Raised beach houses

Single-family homes on pilings, many used as rentals or family retreats.

Creek and marsh homes

Homes facing the creeks toward Murrells Inlet, sometimes with docks. See waterfront homes.

Beach, boats and parks

Horry County lists the Stanley Drive Landing at 292 Stanley Drive in Garden City, with access to the Atlantic, and the Sanford D. Cox Sr. Community Park at Garden City on Elizabeth Drive (Horry County landings, parks). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers marked the completion of the 28-mile Grand Strand renourishment with a ribbon cutting at the Calhoun Drive beach access in Garden City (Horry County).

Rentals and fees

Rental owners register with SCDOR and collect accommodations tax (SCDOR). The county hospitality fee is 3% outside city limits (Horry County Treasurer). HOA rules may limit rentals.

Insurance first

Get flood and wind quotes before your offer, confirm the zone on FEMA's flood maps, and remember new flood policies usually have a 30-day wait (FloodSmart).

Living here

Garden City is made for a beach-first routine: morning walks to the pier, afternoons on the creeks and dinner a few minutes away in Murrells Inlet or Surfside Beach. Owners who rent part-time often reserve shoulder-season weeks for themselves, when the beach is quieter. Compare that with the larger condo market up the coast before you decide.

Keep exploring

Back to the Myrtle Beach real estate guide, or continue with these related pages:

Frequently asked questions

Is Garden City Beach in Horry or Georgetown County?

It depends on the parcel. A 2019 boundary change moved 210.32 acres from Georgetown to Horry, so I verify the county from tax records for any property.

How long is the Garden City pier?

The current pier, rebuilt after Hurricane Hugo, stretches 668 feet into the Atlantic.

Is there a boat landing in Garden City?

Horry County lists the Stanley Drive Landing at 292 Stanley Drive in Garden City.

Was Garden City Beach renourished?

Yes. Yes. The federal Grand Strand project included Garden City's beaches, with a ribbon cutting at the Calhoun Drive beach access.

Want a place near the pier?

Book a consultation and I will check county, flood zone, insurance and rental rules on every Garden City property you like.

Book a consultation Call or text 704.746.7513 Email Sandy

Sources

Facts on this page come from these sources, checked November 2026. Rules and programs change, so confirm details for your specific property.