Area information
Carolina Beach is located on Pleasure Island about 12 miles south of Wilmington, North Carolina. When entering the Pleasure Island by car, you will travel over the Snow Cuts Bridge, traversing one of the main channels where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The view atop the Snows Cut Bridge is spectacular. To your left you can see the big beautiful waterfront homes that are perched on the Northern tip of Carolina Beach. To your right, you will most likely see traveling boats and fisherman casting rods along the banks of the Cape Fear River.
The commute from Wilmington to Pleasure Island is just over 20 minutes. US-421 is the main road leading to Carolina Beach. This four lane road can experience moderate to heavy traffic depending on the time of day and the amount of travelers increases during the summer months.
St. Joseph’s Place, Seagrove, Harbour Point, Otter Creek, Wilmington Beach, Carolina Bay, Ocean Ridge, Olde Mariners Village, Sound Haven, and Oceana are some prominent subdivisions in the area of Carolina Beach.
Wilmington, North Carolina and surrounding areas, also known as the Cape Fear region, is home to approximately 100,000—but this number continues to grow everyday. The city of Wilmington was incorporated in 1866 and has long been North Carolina’s principal seaport. This beautiful, old city stands between sandy, white beaches of easternmost shore of the Atlantic and the rolling, coastal Carolina foothills. The area is home to a bustling trade port, an exciting movie industry, both wonderful public and privates school systems as well as one of the most temperate climates on the East Coast.
The Downtown Historic District of Wilmington serves as rich and colorful reminder of the city’s history throughout the years. Running amongst centuries old live Oaks are hybrid cars and wireless internet signals. Stunning antebellum mansions line the city blocks of this unique coastal paradise on the cutting edge of technology and industry. Visitors can still take horse-drawn carriage rides through our city streets and there is no shortage of pubs and restaurants to get your fill of fantastic Southern food and drink.
There is also no denying the powerful presence of the art, music and culture in our community. From the powerful Cameron Art Museum to the grandeur of Thalian Hall downtown, the arts are thriving in the Cape Fear region. There are over a dozen private galleries and studios around the area, many featuring our proud local artists and sculptors. Aside from the canvas, the musical art of our city is one of great strength. On any given weekend, you can see multitudes of musical performances of all genres of music. Local favorites are always playing and larger, renowned artists visit the city year-round to hold shows at our first-rate musical venues.
One of the city’s biggest attractions is UNC Wilmington, part of the North Carolina public education system. The University was ranked one of the “Best of the Southeast” by the Princeton Review in 2008. Many students come for the excellent Nursing School as well as one of the best Marine Biology programs in the country. The University provides employment for many in the area and continues to educate the future leaders of tomorrow while providing them with a safe and healthy coastal environment to thrive in.
Our local film industry, affectionately dubbed “Hollywood East” by actors, directors and producers, has grown to host some of the top-rated television shows of today. The largest of those series is One Tree Hill and in the past, the hit show Dawson’s Creek was filmed here also. HBO has shot in the area as well as many other major motion pictures. The area saw its first big break come in 1983 when Frank Capra, Jr. was scouting for a film location and stumbled upon our unique and beautiful city. More than 20 years later, Sony owned Screen Gems Studios is still churning out hits and box-office thrillers. Wilmington is the premiere filming location because of its temperate and sunny climate as well as its many versatile scenic locations.
Because of our beautiful weather, many choose to raise a family here or seek it as a retirement location. Students at our schools and colleges get to experience an average of 224 days of sunshine a year with average temperatures in the 60’s! Out-of-state visitors and transients are often shocked by the tranquility and pleasantness of the climate here. The springtime months are the most exquisite as the city blooms in rich explosions of color signaling the annual Azalea Festival. This event celebrates the stunning local flora and brings hundreds of visitors to the area, augmenting out our economy and industry. Our summertime population also swells with visitors as so many come to experience our fabulous mid-Atlantic beaches.
Southeastern North Carolina is a place rich with character and local flavor, but it’s so more than that—it’s a place to call home. Our area is a place to raise a family, a place to own a home and a place to make your own. From the coastal waters to the cobblestone city streets, the Cape Fear region has been attracting visitors for centuries. Come visit today, you just might never want to leave!