The Best of Our Own Backyard

Welcome to the Lowcountry. Charleston is where we call home—headquartered on a stretch of coast with winding barrier islands, flood tides, Spanish moss, an occasional Bill Murray sighting, and the best damn oysters in the lower 48. And this might sound weird coming from a brand that worships the sun-fueled summer months, but our home state really comes alive when fall rolls around. 

Once we creep past the sweltering dog days into those first cool mornings, we roll up our sleeves and get ready to reap the rewards of being a local in a place where the off season is actually the on season. The relentless crowds (and no-see-ums) have died down, the waters are teeming with redfish, and the hurricane swells bring clean, rideable waves. So join us this fall as we roll out the butcher paper, shuck some oysters, and gather to celebrate the best of our own backyard. 

Below, we’ll highlight some of our Lowcountry favorites—fishing the flood tides, praying for surf at Folly, and tossing back cash-only drinks at Dunleavy’s (home to more than a few blurry holiday parties). We’ll showcase a few locals forging their own paths in the Palmetto State, including Chef Shaun of the award-winning CudaCo. seafood market and James Island’s favorite local shaper. A proper round up of the season’s best, right here in the Lowcountry.

At one point, Shaun Brian lived in a two-person tent, foraging for food in the flats of Coral Bay on St. John. Today, he’s an award-winning chef in Charleston, cooking up innovative food concepts that rely heavily on the same scrappy instincts he grew up with.

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Photo by Oliver Meredith

It’s somewhat of a surprise to discover an iconic surf town right here on one of the barrier islands, only a few minutes away from Charleston’s historic downtown district. Folly has unexpectedly become one of the East Coast’s most prominent surf spots, despite only having a handful of proper surf days per year.

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Flood Tides & Tailing Reds Charleston’s flood tides hit hardest in September and October, when extreme tidal swings push water up onto grassy flats that are usually dry most of the year. As redfish follow this rising tide, they find themselves on the flats where fiddler crabs run rampant. This feeding frenzy creates the perfect conditions for anglers looking to catch a few tailing reds on the fly.

Oysters at Bowens Island @bowensislandrestaurant Occasionally described as “a pile of cinder blocks and boards held up by layers of graffiti,” the James Beard Award-winning restaurant on Bowens Island has been around for almost 80 years, survived a fire, and has some of the best oysters you’ll ever slurp down. The come-as-you-are seafood spot has live music on Wednesday nights, and encourages you to leave your own mark on the walls.

Camping on Capers Island Capers is an undeveloped barrier island about 3 miles long and 1 mile wide. It’s only a few miles away from the mainland and all you need to camp there is a permit and a way to get there (skiff, canoe, or whatever will fit you, your friends, and a giant cooler). The beach is covered in sun-bleached palmetto and oak trees that give it a haunted, wild feel.

Washed Up Coffee Club @washedupcoffeeclub Kick start your weekend with endorphins, caffeine, and a cold plunge. This local run club meets every other Saturday at sunrise. They start on Sullivan’s Island at Station 30, run 7-8 miles, take a dip in the ocean, then grab a cup of coffee at the SI Co-Op. All you gotta do is show up.

Get Bendy on James Island @jamesislandyoga James Island Yoga is a favorite here at Free Fly HQ. The small, intimate studio is on the north side of James Island and offers Vinyasa, Power, Yin, and Hot Yoga. We love the Unravel & Unwind class followed by a smoothie from nearby Huriyali (or a cocktail at Bar George after 5pm).