Hilton Head has little to prove as a first-rate beach destination. The 12-mile barrier island, nestled along South Carolina’s coast, stashes 26 championship golf courses, an impressive farm-to-table scene, and a 60-mile network of bike paths between its shorelines. Unlike other resort towns, however, Hilton Head feels folded into the landscape itself. That equilibrium is intentional, born from an ethos instilled by developer Charles Fraser, who led the initiative to establish the land as America’s first eco-planned community in the 1950s. The payoff: A quieter, wilder retreat where pristine wetlands, soaring palmettos, and moss-mantled oaks are inherent parts of the local character.

FRIDAY

CHECK-IN ➞ Beach House Hilton Head Island ’s oceanfront location is unbeatable for convenience

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