Kiawah Island, South Carolina

This island has some of the most amazing oceanfront scenery, dining, and golfing experiences. It is only accessible by permit only. The Sanctuary is an amazingly beautiful resort. The staff at every restaurant, retail store, parking lot, etc. are very attentive to the needs of the patrons. However, there is a prevailing racist climate. The caste system becomes more apparent the longer you are there and with simple observation of how certain staff are treated by those of the lighter persuasion. The island is approximately a 30 minute drive from Charleston, SC. The commute is not bad. There is beautiful scenery, lots of mom and pop restaurants and shopping centers strewn along the way. The Charleston locals were friendly. There’s a nice and unique winery in Charleston too. We had many great dining experiences on and off the island. This exclusive island is not budget-friendly but I enjoyed our trip since it was for a milestone birthday.