Right across the street from Brookgreen Gardens is Huntington Beach State Park (16148 Ocean Hwy., 843/237-4440, www.southcarolinaparks.com, daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m., $5 adults, $3 ages 6–15, under 6 free), probably the best of South Carolina’s non-CCC state parks. Once a part of the same vast parcel of land owned by Archer Huntington and Anna Hunter, the state has leased from the trustees of their estate since the 1960s.

You can tour their “castle” on the beach, Atalaya, former home of the Huntingtons and now the yearly site of the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival. This evocative, Moorish-style National Historic Landmark is open to the public by free guided tour from Memorial Day through the end of October daily from noon–1 p.m. Extra tours happen at 2 p.m. Tues.–Sat. from October 1–31.

Today a walk through Huntington Beach State Park is a delightful and convenient way to enjoy the Grand Strand’s natural legacy. A great variety of birds use Huntington Beach as a migratory stopover. You can stroll three miles of beach; view birds and wildlife from several boardwalks into the marsh; hike several nature trails; and visit the well-done Environmental Education Center (843/235-8755, Tues.–Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.), which features a saltwater touch tank and a baby alligator.

In all it’s a great experience for the whole family, or a very romantic one for a couple.