Simply put, The Sea Pines Resort is a magical place. Whether you’re looking for a quick outing or a weekend itinerary, there is so much to see, explore, and enjoy in Sea Pines. It’s the perfect place to take kids of all ages for an adventure.
Like many island residents, our family were frequent visitors before we made it our permanent home. I love pulling into Sea Pines to see the lush landscaping, massive oaks decorated with Spanish moss, and people riding bikes. Everyone just seems so relaxed and happy.
Whether you’re a resident or visitor, biking in Sea Pines is a great way to spend a day and you can tailor it to meet your group’s wishes. Not sure where to go? We (Maggie Washo, Jevon Daly and I) set off on an eight-hour adventure with a full itinerary to help you plan your next Sea Pines outing.
We kicked off the morning renting bikes from the Sea Pines Resort Bicycle Shop at 100 N. Sea Pines Drive, next to the Atlantic Dunes Club House. This location is central to the entire community and was a great launch site for our adventuresome day.
South Beach
We immediately headed down to South Beach, which is the very southern tip of Sea Pines. Most notably, it’s known as the home of the original Salty Dog Cafe. Of course, we had to stop by and do some shopping in their gift shop. Washo generously got us all matching Salty Dog sweatshirts that came in handy on our unusually cold day in April.
We strolled around South Beach Marina and checked out the sailboats and views. This marina is home to the popular Salty Dog sunset cruises, which are a great way to get out on the waterways surrounding Sea Pines.
Next, we swung by South Beach Racquet Club for a little pickleball break. I learned that Daly is a serious pickleball competitor and that it’s hard for me to see the ball without my hair in a ponytail. Unfortunately, we couldn’t play too long because we needed to conserve our energy for 10 more miles on the bike that day.
Stoney-Baynard Ruins
On our way toward Harbour Town Yacht Basin, we stopped by the Stoney-Baynard Ruins for a history lesson and to take in the majesty of its oak trees. The historic property features the ruins of a few structures, the largest being a pre-Civil War plantation home built in 1793. Its outer construction was made of tabby, including oyster shells, sand, and fresh water, then sealed with stucco. Even though most of the house burned down in 1867, parts of the strong exterior walls still stand today. The property also contains the foundations of the quarters of enslaved people.
Harbour Town Golf Links Clubhouse
Our next stop was for a delightful lunch at Links, an American Grill in the Harbour Town Golf Links Clubhouse. Here, we enjoyed a long lunch on the back porch with misto frito, salads, truffle fries, and cocktails – with a view of the club’s putting green.
Harbour Town Yacht Basin
Once we arrived in Harbour Town, our first stop was at the lighthouse. This iconic Hilton Head landmark opened in 1970 and up to 250,000 guests visit the site each year.
After catching our breath after climbing its 114 steps to the observation deck, we had a birds-eye view of the yacht basin, Daufuskie Island in the distance, and even a pod of dolphins. The lighthouse houses two gift shops and also serves as a museum with information about the area’s history.
It was time for a quick refuel at the Quarterdeck, where we stopped in for another drink and a restroom break. Washo and I headed upstairs to its upper bar for more views of Calibogue Sound. We were surprised at how busy it was for a Monday afternoon, which is a great reminder to everyone that you can easily make Quarterdeck reservations at resy.com.
Next, we hit the Harbour Town retail shops to check out clothing, shoes, and accessories, then popped into Lighthouse Kids Co. to check out their fantastic ceiling mural painted by Lindsey Spears. We also visited Hilton Head Toys for a new fishing rod for Washo to prepare for our next adventure.
As we headed out, we passed the Gregg Russell Harbour Town Playground, which is a wonderful spot for a rest or to play. This fenced play area is surrounded by oak trees offering shade and places to sit. Children of all ages enjoy the tree house, slides, swings, and sandy space. Plus, it has plenty of bike parking nearby.
Deer Island
Washo led our crew to Deer Island, an area of Sea Pines I had never explored. It’s home to dozens of elevated, circular homes perched along the marsh’s edge. I was intrigued by their unusual construction. At the end of one of the streets, we hopped on what felt like a nature trail. Washo said she had walked that trail numerous times and had passed snakes on it during previous walks. Thankfully, we didn’t see any snakes that day. The trail was narrow and lush and offered sweeping marsh views as it connected us to Calibogue Cay Road.
Lawton Stables
Our next stop was to visit our four-legged friends at Lawton Stables. Even though it was a Monday and they were closed, we still got to greet the furry friends along the fence. Mini-horses and big horses came to say hello in hopes of acquiring a snack. Unfortunately, we did not have any extra snacks but instead they got lots of pets and admiration from us.
On days they are open (Tuesday-Sunday), the stables are a wonderful place to experience a petting zoo with their llamas, pigs, and goats. You can also visit their chickens, turtles, or take a pony or trail ride. Whenever we have young children visiting for a weekend, we always take a trip to Lawton Stables.
Sea Pines Preserve
Someone in our crew is not a big fan of the Sea Pines Preserve but two of us love that spot. Its geography varies from former rice fields to swampy areas, to fishing ponds with alligators, a wildflower field, miles of walking trails, and abundant flora and fauna. This is where Washo got to use her new fishing rod from the Harbour Town toy store.
Alligators
When people ask me where they should go to see alligators, I suggest the long lagoon sandwiched between Lawton Drive and Hilton Head Preparatory School. I’ve nicknamed that lagoon Alligator Alley because it’s the spot on the island where I consistently see alligators. On a warm spring day last year, I counted nine gators in that area.
Sea Pines Beach Club
As you might imagine, by this point on our tour, we were hungry, again. We were seven hours into our tour and it was time for a visit to the beach. At the Sea Pines Beach Club, we were greeted with live music by Rhett Tanner as we headed to the outside bar for drinks, snacks, and beach views. In the distance, we spotted a wind surfer doing impressive jumps that carried him more than 15 feet in the air.
Sea Pines Center
Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to The Shops at Sea Pines Center on this trip because most of the businesses were closed by the time we finished the rest of our explorations. However, this is a “must visit” spot in The Sea Pines Resort. It’s a great place to enjoy a meal or do some shopping. You can enjoy dining at places like Truffles Cafe, Giuseppi’s Pizza, or Lowcountry Produce. Shopping options include Palmettoes, Forsythe Jewelers, and Vivid Gallery.
There are also two shops with hands-on experiences located in this shopping center. The recently opened Sea Pines Pottery allows customers to select from a wide variety of pottery options that they can decorate and glaze on their own. Sea Love is another creative option that allows shoppers to select a candle vessel, signature scent, and the opportunity to make their own candles.
On Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Center hosts its weekly Farmer’s Market from March through November. Vendors include fresh produce stands, artisans, local businesses, and baked goods.
Accessing Sea Pines
The Sea Pines Resort is a private, gated community. Visitors are welcome to visit by car but must pay a $10 daily gate fee to gain access. Only Sea Pines overnight guests and residents are allowed to access via bicycle but daily visitors are not. E-bikes are not permitted in Sea Pines.