Population: 30,000 in the city and over 12 million visitors annually

Location: in the center of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile crescent of beach on the South Carolina coast.

Elevation: 21 feet

Time Zone: Myrtle Beach is in the eastern time zone. When it is noon in New York City; it is also noon in Myrtle Beach.

Weather:

Average Temperatures:

When to Go

Spring is probably the most attractive season in South Carolina. Throughout the region, cherry blossoms are followed by azaleas, dogwood, and camellias from April into May, and by apple blossoms in May. Summer can be hot and humid in many areas, but temperatures will be cooler along the coast. Folk, craft, art, and music festivals take place in summer, as do sports events. Fall brings spectacular foliage.

In winter, temperatures average in the 60s by the shore. Summer temperatures range from the high 70s to the mid-80s.

Business Hours

Banks are usually open weekdays 9 to 3 and some Saturday mornings; the post office from 8 to 5 weekdays and often on Saturday mornings. Shops in urban and suburban areas, particularly in indoor and strip malls, typically open at 9 or 10 daily and stay open until anywhere from 6 to 10 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 5 or 6 on Sundays.

Holidays

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May;

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31.

Customs & Duties

Arriving in the United States

Contact the U.S. Customs Service (inquiries, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229, 202/354-1000

Electricity

The U.S. electrical standard is 110 volts/60 cycles AC. Visitors from other countries, traveling with dual-voltage appliances will not need a converter, but they will need a plug adapter. The standard U.S. electrical outlet takes a plug of two flat pins set parallel to one another.

Emergencies

Ambulance, Fire , Police (Phone: 911).

Hospital Emergency Rooms

The emergency room is open 24 hours a day at the Columbia Grand Strand Regional Medical Center (809 82nd Pkwy., off U.S. 17, Myrtle Beach, 843/692-1000).

Georgetown Memorial Hospital (606 Black River Rd., Georgetown, 843/527-7000).

Telephones

The country code for the United States is 1. The area code for South Carolina's coast is 843.

All U.S. telephone numbers consist of 10 digits - the three-digit area code, followed by a seven-digit local number. If you're calling a number from another area-code region, dial "1" then all 10 digits. For calls within the same local calling area, just dial the seven-digit number. A map of U.S. area codes is printed in the front of most local telephone directories.

Getting There

By Automobile

The popularity of the Grand Strand has soared, with an estimated 12 million visitors pouring in every year. It is easy to avoid traffic snarls if you travel at the right times of day and night. Plan your trip so that you will be driving U.S. Highway 501 into Myrtle Beach before 7 AM or after 7 PM Monday through Thursday, or in the middle of the day. Another rule of thumb is to stay off beach exit roads right after hotel checkout time on Saturdays and Sundays. You will be much better off to check out of your room, put the bags in the car and plan to spend time in town or on the beach until late afternoon.

An excellent highway system has recently been completed providing easy access from all directions and within the area.

If you're coming to the Grand Strand from eastern North Carolina, try Interstate 40 east or U.S. Highway 17 south to Wilmington, North Carolina. At Wilmington, head southbound on U.S. 17. Avoid rush hours.

From Charleston, take U.S. 17 north. It could be crowded at peak traffic times.

If you're traveling north on Interstate 95, take Exit 170 (clearly marked "Myrtle Beach"), near Florence. Take U.S. Highway 76 to U.S. 501 and follow it the rest of the way. Vacationers heading to North Strand beaches -- Little River, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive, Atlantic Beach and Windy Hill -- should veer to the left at Marion, cross two lanes of U.S. 501 and continue on U.S. 76. At Nichols, take a right onto S.C. Highway 9.

If you're traveling Interstate 20, follow the signs toward Florence. The road will merge into I-95 north and bypass Florence. Then take Exit 170, same as if you'd come the whole way on I-95.

If you're traveling south on I-95, take Exit 193 at Dillon. Head toward Latta, then take U.S. 501. If you're going to North Myrtle Beach, you can take S.C. 9 all the way from Dillon.

By Plane

In addition to services offered at the Myrtle Beach International and Grand Strand airports private planes and corporate jets can access the Conway-Horry County Airport, off U.S. Highway 378, outside Conway, (843) 397-9111. The airport is home of the North American Institute of Aviation, an international pilot training school.

Myrtle Beach International Airport

Between U.S. Hwy. 17 Bus. and U.S. Hwy. 17 Bypass, Myrtle Beach

(843) 448-1589

An $18-million renovation project expanded Myrtle Beach International Airport from 50,000 square feet to 120,000, and added an upper-level concourse. Two jetways now connect the planes to the terminal. Present plans are for Horry County to double the size of the existing airport, making it a regional terminal and adding a second runway.

Grand Strand Airport

33rd Ave. S. and Terminal Ave., North Myrtle Beach

(843) 272-5337

Horry County operates the Grand Strand Airport, where private aircraft and corporate jets can land. It's open 24 hours a day. You don't have to notify anyone that you're coming, but be aware that all services close for business at 10 PM.

You can leave your craft for several days while you enjoy the beach. The airport is about one block west of U.S. 17, pretty much in the heart of North Myrtle Beach.

Fixed-base operators at Grand Strand Airport are Shell Aviation and Ramp 66. Both services offer overnight tie-down for $5 per night. Fuel is also available.

By Bus

You should be able to get to Myrtle Beach on a Greyhound bus from just about any point in the United States. You'll find it easier during the summer when more buses are scheduled. The station, Oak Street and Seventh Avenue N., Myrtle Beach, is open from 8 AM to 1 PM and 3 to 7 PM. Call (843) 448-2471 or (800) 231-2222 for details.

By Train

Florence and Dillon are the two closest places Amtrak serves. The problem is you can't get to the Grand Strand from either of those cities unless you arrange for a vehicle or have friends who'll pick you up. If you decide to take the train to Florence or Dillon and then rent a car, there are two outlets that, with advance notice, can arrange for a vehicle to be at the station when you arrive

Greyhound bus service from Florence to Myrtle Beach has been discontinued.

By Boat

The most scenic and perhaps most peaceful way to get to the Grand Strand is by boat. The Intracoastal Waterway generally parallels the Atlantic Ocean for 1,200 miles from Boston to Key West, Florida.

In 1932, the Army Corps of Engineers dug a 20-mile canal, connecting Little River to the Waccamaw River. This portion goes right through the Grand Strand.

Boaters can tie up at Barefoot Landing for a day of shopping and dining and an evening of country music at the Alabama Theatre. There are numerous marinas along the waterway and the Waccamaw River where boaters can spend the night, eat in a nice restaurant, buy groceries or have their motors tuned up.