I took a last-minute trip to a stunning South Carolina beach town with a laid-back vibe. The quiet beaches weren't even the best part.

My friend and I took a trip to Hilton Head Island.Julie Peck

• My friend and I booked a last-minute vacation to Hilton Head Island, a beach town in South Carolina.
• The area was abundant with natural beauty and reminded me of a nature preserve.

Last July, when my best friend and I suddenly found some free time and a yearning for sun and sand, we laid out our options for a trip.

As a resident of South Carolina, I considered plenty of places to visit, from Myrtle Beach to Charleston. But in the end, we ultimately settled on Hilton Head Island.

The beautiful South Carolina town has several white-sand beaches and world-class golf courses. The area, which Condé Nast Traveler named the best island in the US in 2023, is also known for nature and a small-town vibe.

I'd been to Hilton Head Island decades earlier but was eager to see how it had changed over the years. Here's what my experience on the island was like.