EAT, DRINK & UNWIND
Downtown Charleston is home to many
fine dining options, art galleries, rooftop bars,
museums and shops. If in search of a more laid-back
experience, however, California Dream-ing
should be on the list. The large restaurant
has ample parking, floor-to-ceiling glass and
multiple terraces that showcase views of the
Ashley River.
The commercial district in West Ashley is
equally enjoyable. The area has multiple
restaurants, shops, bars and breweries within
walking distance of each other.
A visit to nearby Folly Beach is worth it for the
vibrant, West Coast-style downtown area and
its many shops, eateries and nightlife options.
HIKING & BIKING
The West Ashley Greenway is a scenic, 8-mile
track that is mostly paved and easy to ride.
Located a short distance from most area hotels,
it cuts through the back of a few neighbor-hoods
before opening onto an exposed gravel
path with gorgeous, long-range views of the
marsh, making it feel like it’s in the middle of the
country.
Trail literature states that mountain bikes are
a must, but a cruiser with big tires would be
OK, and certainly more comfortable. Reading
about the trek from the north end of Folly to
view the Morris Island lighthouse is also a little
misleading, as an approximately 40-minute
hike to check out a Civil War-era lighthouse
that is only accessible by boat does not sound
all that appealing on an initial review. Experi-encing
it firsthand is a different story altogether
— proof that it is sometimes a good idea to
begin a journey with low expectations.
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WBM january 2021
NEXT TIME
Surfing in South Carolina is
also something that should be
approached with low expectations.
Folly is home to a number of great
setups, with lots of jetties to break
up the swells on the north end — a
famous area among surfers known
as The Washout — but it’s likely that
favorite surfboard could spend the
entire vacation in the car.
A trip to the Charleston skate park
should be a priority for those who are
thirsting for a board-sport experience.
With more than 32,000 square feet, it
is the largest skate park in South Caro-lina.
There also is a DIY-park under
I-26 that was built entirely by local
board-riders, an homage to Washing-ton
Street in San Diego that blurs the
lines between art and sport.
If that were not enough, Charles-ton
is home to a music scene that
was thriving before the pandemic
— something that is sorely missed by
everyone with an appreciation for
hearing their favorite band in person.
Top to bottom:
Patrons of Cali-fornia
Dream-ing
dine with
a view of the
Ashley River.
The Morris
Island Light-house
stands
at the entrance
of Charleston
Harbor. The
Angel Oak on
Johns Island
is one of the
largest living
live oaks in the
Southeast.
COURTESY OF CALIFORNIA DREAMING