Sites and Sounds of South Beach, Hilton Head

South Beach is located at the very southern tip of Hilton Head Island is Sea Pines Plantation. When you look at a map, not only is it in the toe area, it looks to be the point of the big toe! South Beach is a located in Braddocks Cove on Caliboque Sound. The sites and sounds may vary a bit depending on the time of the year you visit South Beach.
You may be welcomed by colorful, talkative Parrots...but don't get too close. You may hear sounds of the sea gulls overhead (best to wear a hat), people laughing, music playing, while the aromas can be hot dogs, hamburgers, barbeque and pizZa.
Come and spend the day eating, drinking, shopping, fishing, or relaxing. You can rent boats.
You can just meander, or find a sunny or shady spot to enjoy a meal with friends.
Some area's are peaceful and serene, while others full of life and activity. It's whatever you make it.
Though you may not be able to read the sign (unless you click to enlarge the picture), this is one of the most sought after establishments. We were there in January, early in the day; when as you can see it's not very busy or crowded. This is The Salty Dog Cafe. You can't go anywhere on Hilton Head Island without seeing someone wearing a Salty Dog t-shirt, or hat. It's legendary. You can eat at The Wreck of the Salty Dog, The Salty Dog Ice Cream Store, The Salty Dog Pizza Place, or here at THE Salty Dog Cafe.

You can have your picture taken with Jake, The Salty Dog. You can read how it all came to be in any number of books. Buy the kiddo's a coloring book that also tells the legend and how Jake secured his place in nautical history.

Jake and his master, Captain John loved to fish. Captain John made his living from fishing. One day while out fishing, a huge storm came up capsizing their craft, The Salty Dog. Jake swam and swam with his friend Captain John holding on for 3 days and 3 nights until he safely reached the shores of South Beach. The towns people were so excited they built a gathering place to honor Jake, The Salty Dog Cafe. The book is adorable with wonderful illustrations, be sure and pick one up when you're there. Everyone loves South Beach, it's appropriate for all ages.

**Trying something new here, a bit unsure how it works bloglovin that is. Anyone else use it?
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Marriott's Monarch Resort, Hilton Head Island

Marriott's Monarch at Hilton Head Island, like Harbour Club, and Heritage Club (see two previous posts) is nestled inside the prestigious Sea Pines Plantation. Unlike Harbour Club and Hertiage Club, it is also on the ocean. Monarch is where it all began for Marriott. Marriott got it's start in time shares in Hilton Head and has a huge presence there. Additionally Monarch was the first of all Marriott's time shares. Though it's the oldest, don't let that fool you. It has resently gone a complete rehab. Marriott has on going projects so no facility/resort ever get's truly outdated.
Monarch is the largest of the 3 resorts inside Sea Pines with 4 buildings and a much larger resort area then the other two. Because of it's size, and it's location on the beach; it is more suitable for families with children. The 4 buildings are Magnolia, Dogwood, Camellia, and Azalea...are you getting a feel for the place yet? It's quite pretty with wonderful landscaping that attracts birds and butterflies. While I feel it's more suited to families with children then the other 2 in Sea Pines; it is also quite serene and large enough; it seem you would be able to find quiet-if that was your interest. The lobby can accomodate social gatherings of good size, as you can see by the picture.

Grab a book and rock away in the shade of The Pines and relax. This is the back porch area.I mentioned birds and butterflies...it's a a bit of a bird santuary.
The pool, the bar, and pretty pond area. One of the pools, I should say.
Another pool provides a great view of the ocean below.The buildings you see down the way, are the 4 villas at Monarch from the beach view.

While I can't say I've stayed here, or viewed the inside of the villas, I was indeed impressed with what I did see.

**Parts of the blog theme have been missing for about a week. I blieve it's tied into the many changes blogger and Google are making. Things like scheduled posts haven't been working well. Trying to play through, hoping it will come back on line. The plane white is rather boring. If not, I'll be on the look out for a new travel blog theme.**

Harbour Club at Harbour Town, Hilton Head

Harbour Club in Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island has a very nautical feel, as well as a very southern low country atmosphere. It's located only steps from restaurant and shops with fabulous water views, and still within the confines of the prestigious Sea Pines Plantation; just as Heritage Club is. If you're into boating more then beach activity this is an idea location. Tennis and golf activities are at hand as well.
Looking through the moss covered trees towards the resort you truly feel like you're in the low country. In fact, if you don't look carefully....you could miss it.
A comfortable large lobby area with plenty of common space gets plenty of use. Many social activities take place here for both Heritage Club and Harbour Club.
And what we look and feel more southern then a grand staircase leading to wide balcony's where you sit in rocking chairs and enjoy the serenity? Beyond the beautiful waterfall area is a large cheese game if you feel like making a challenge to another quest.
Sit in the shade and swing, or collect up at the nightly fires and review the days activities with friends, family, and other quests. This area is also used for common social activities between both Heritage Club and Harbour Club.
Relax in the hot tub and gaze out on sound, or take a dip in the pool to the left of this picture.

I would highly recommend this resort to those who prefer a quiet, more adult vacation spot.

*Check back for information on Monarch, Marriott's first time share*

*-*-Families are gearing up for the kids to be out of school, planning vacations, and summer activities, let Flat Stanley help you. He used to have a series here; but now he has his own blog that will be filled with ideas to make every activity a learning opportunity and promises to be fun. He's inviting you all, kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, teachers, and baby sitters to get in the act. Please visit Flat Stanley and Friends, click HERE*-*-

Heritage Club at Harbour Town, Hilton Head

The Marriott's Heritage Club at Harbour Town in Hilton Head, is as you can see, in a secluded wooded area. Would be a great place to get in out of the sun during the hotter spring and summer months. It was a bit cool for us in January; but as we traveled about to other areas of the Island we were very comfortable. (if you missed the previous post, scroll back for a color coded map of the Island to help you with locations.........the locations are significant).

Once you enter to register, these marvelous southern style stair cases take you to the 2nd floor common area. It's quite pretty and relaxing. Many of the resorts social activities take place here. A great way to get to know other quests.

Often there are member meetings held here, special events in the game room for the younger set (teens mostly), are located just beyond the bar area here on the 2nd floor. Welcome nights for the adults, and a fun after golf gathering took place here with wine and cheese. They had a golf open one day pairing the quests up, and gave away a few prizes. Very enjoyable.

We like to cook the bulk of our meals in when we travel and find the common spaces like these gas grills are a big asset. The grills are always clean, well lite for nighttime use. Often they too become a source of socialization among the quest while the cooking gets done. We took our Martini's down and sat at the table while waiting on the steaks. I highly recommend it.

An over view from our balcony showing the hot tub on the left, pool on the right. Under the little gazebo is a more private hot tub.........we enjoyed a late afternoon drink here on several occasions before time to clean up and prepare dinner.

**Next blog post will explore Harbour Town and possible Monarch Resorts. Hope to see you soon.**

Marriott's in Hilton Head, South Carolina

*those circled in yellow are timeshares located in Sea Pines, those circled in blue on the beach, orange located on the marsh side of the Island,... Green is The Residence Inn, and Red The Resort both non timeshare locations*

If you want a quiet relaxed vacation at Hilton Head, think Marriott. If you want an active beach vacation with the kids think Hilton Head, if you like to golf...think Hilton Head. Are you a history buff, think Marriott's at Hilton Head.

Marriott has a huge presence on Hilton Head Island, something for anytime of year, and a variety of budgets. Not only that, but you can focus on the type of vacation you want by the location.

There are 3 Marriott Time Shares in the prestigious Sea Pines Plantation. Marriott's Heritage Club and Marriott's Harbour Club both in Harbour Time, Mariott's Monarch on the beach. Both Heritage Club and Harbour Club are within walking distance to shopping, dining, and the harbour. The Monarch has beautiful beach front views and is within biking distance to the shopping and dining in the harbour as well as The Sea Pine's Shopping areas. All 3 locations are 2 bedroom 2 bath facilities available to owners, and renters. Beautiful accommodations to choose from. Heritage Club is the smallest and probably the most quiet if you're looking for a more relaxed adult location. Monarch is the oldest of all Marriott's timeshares, as it was the first built and where Marriott got it's start in the timeshare business. Don't let that fool you though, as they're always updated.

We enjoyed a wonderful week at The Heritage Club and plan to return. I wouldn't suggest this location for families, as the pool area is small and without the kids extra stuff that exists in many other locations. It was however perfect for us, as we like the quiet and the un-congested areas. We no longer have small children and so prefer the more adult vacation spots.

A nice galley kitchen which we found to be very efficient. We like to cook our own meals the bulk of the time on vacations. The door at the end leads to the small utility room with a stack washer and dryer.
Living room area with fireplace looking into the bar area and kitchen. The dining room is to the right of the bar stools, and sliding glass door with balcony right behind me. I was standing at the door when I took this photo.
One of 2 jetted tubs. This one is in the 2nd bedroom.
The bar area looking into the kitchen. We had our cocktails here most nights.
The second bedroom.
Master suite with jetted tub, and sliding glass door to the balcony.
The dining room area.

The villa was laid out nicely and had plenty of room, though the living room was one of the smaller one's we've seen in our travels, we found it to be very comfortable. The villa can sleep 8 with 4 in the 2nd bedroom and 2 on the sleeper sofa in the living room though I believe that would be a bit crowded in the space provided with the table able to seat 6 and the living room doesn't have seating for more then 4 or 5 comfortably.

The balcony is large enough for a table and 4 chairs, so eating outside during nice weather would be a plus.

More details for Monarch and Harbour Club (in Sea Pines Plantation) discussed in the next post, as well as more detail on the commons spaces at Heritage Club.

Biking on Hilton Head Island

There she is, my beautiful lime green bike with basket and lock. We had quite a good time the week we spent together. Rentals are everywhere on the Island, save yourself the trouble of transporting your own bike and rent for a very reasonable rate once you're there. There are public rentals, rentals at hotels, rentals on the various plantations. All are easy to obtain and reasonably priced. I rented my Lime Green Companion for $30.00 a week from Marriott's Vacation Time Shares. Each time share has an arrangement, making the process very easy. I've rented in the past while staying at Grande Ocean where due to the size of the facility there's a rental shop right in one of the parking garages. This year, we stayed in Heritage Club in The Sea Pines Plantation. I simply let the front desk know I needed a bike, and within 10 minutes the "bike guy" pulled up in his truck and got one ready for me. Quick and easy. At weeks end, I merely left my bike in the rack and he picked it up. They adjust the seat for you, check to see if you want a basket and or lock for no additional charge.

Within Sea Pines there are 17 miles of bike paths, believe I traveled them all, some multiple times. Sea Pines is private and so you do need a pass on your bike and or need to know the code to get back in the plantation's gate once you leave.

Additionally, there are 50 miles of public bike paths throughout the rest of The Island. It's fun, it's good exercise, it's pretty and a lot of fun.

I rode on the trails, and I rode on the beach which is 12 miles (though I didn't ride the whole distance on the beach). I visited historic areas on the bike and found a wonderful yarn and book shop, The Courtyard from my bike. Blogged about the yarn and book shop here, check it out.

The above map shows you the 50 miles of public paths, the toe area is Sea Pines that has it's own set of bike paths.

The Courtyard in Hilton Head, South Carolina

Hilton Head South Carolina typically makes most people think of sun, surf, sand, beach, and golf. I like all those things too; but there's so much more in Hilton Head. I'm not a golfer, so when hubby plays golf I rent a bicycle and explore. I love history and there's much of it there in Hilton Head, and I love yarn....I like to look at it, finger it, buy it, knit with it, and crochet with it. Located at 32 Palmetto Bay Road, #10-A in The Village Exchange, I was able to ride by bike to this yarn shop. Not once, but twice! On my first trip I met a lovely lady named Judy, who was manning the shop. She was very helpful. I had my sunglasses on while riding, and you can't see colors of yarn well with sunglasses on.........so once inside you take them off, right? Argh, now I can't read the labels, what type of yarn is it, what's the yardage etc. Judy was very helpful, very friendly and helped me out. I purchased 2 skeins of yarn with her help.

See the lovely reddish scarf to the right in this picture. I got yarn to make that in a different color. Look at the wonderful selection this shop has of yarns. The displays are fabulous, the space well designed. A very comfortable shop. A rocking chair invites you to sit down and study a pattern, chat with other shoppers, or read a book. Scroll back, notice the upstairs...books a plenty there, as well as the opposite side of the shop. This is a book and a yarn store. How perfect is that! A yarn after all is a story, what a perfect pairing.

Adorable handmade cards. I actually meant to buy a couple and forgot. We all have people on our list that would really enjoy such a special card.

I kept thinking about this shop and some yummy yarn I saw and ended up pedaling back a 2nd day. Again I was greeting with warmth. Had several nice conversations with other patrons and the owner of the shop, Jennifer. Turns out Jennifer and I hail from the same local; before she left the frozen tundra that can be Central Ohio and settled there in Hilton Head, South Carolina. We exchanged business cards.

I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this shop, The Courtyard to all who enjoy books, and or yarn. Please visit their webpage for a look see, and be sure and put this on your places to visit when in Hilton Head. Even if you plan to spend your time on the beach, you need to pick up a couple of books. Don't bother packing them, buy them here...that saves room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Jennifer's email is available on the webpage if you have questions.

You might be wondering if I purchased more yarn on my 2nd visit, when I could see better...you betcha. I purchased 2 skeins to make the fabulous shawl you see in the pictures just beneath the scarf. One skein for myself, and one for Darling Daughter. Later, I'll be posting about those yarns and projects on my personal blog, Sandy's Space. Please pop in for a visit anytime; I always have plenty of projects going......and currently am trying to finish a few before starting new ones.

I do plan to visit The Courtyard again on all my visits to Hilton Head and encourage you all to do the same. Tell em, Sandy sent ya. Staying in Sea Pines it was about a 9 mile bike trip for me, and well worth every mile of exercise.

I've traveled to Hilton Head 3 times, and have often blogged about it. For additional information about where to stay, what to see, lodging etc., please type in Hilton Head in the blog's search box.