Beaches--Three great beaches are within a 25-minute drive of the center of Charleston.

In the West Islands, Folly Beach, which had degenerated into a tawdry Coney Island-type amusement park, is making a comeback following a multimillion-dollar cleanup, but it remains the least-pristine beach in the area. The best bathroom amenities are located here, however. At the western end of the island is the Folly Beach County Park, with bathrooms, parking, and shelter from the rain. To get here, take U.S. 17 East to S.C. 171 South to Folly Beach.

In the East Cooper area, both the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island offer miles of public beaches, mostly bordered by beachfront homes. Windsurfing and jet skiing are popular here. Take U.S. 17 East to S.C. 703 (Ben Sawyer Blvd.). South Carolina 703 continues through Sullivan's Island to the Isle of Palms.

Kiawah Island has the area's most pristine beach--far preferable to Folly Beach, to our tastes--and draws a more up-market crowd. The best beachfront is at Beachwalker County Park, on the southern end of the island. Get there before noon on weekends; the limited parking is usually gone by then. Canoe rentals are available for use on the Kiawah River, and the park offers not only a boardwalk but also bathrooms, showers, and a changing area. Take U.S. 17 E to S.C. 171 South (Folly Beach Rd.), turn right onto S.C. 700 SW (Maybank Hwy.), to Bohicket Road, which turns into Betsy Kerrigan Parkway. Where Betsy Kerrigan Parkway dead-ends, turn left on Kiawah Parkway, which takes you to the island.