If you are looking for the perfect seaside destination to spend hours, days or weeks, look no further than the quaint City of Seal Beach, CA. Established in 1915, Seal Beach is located approximately 28 miles south of Los Angeles, nestled between Long Beach and Huntington Beach. If you are flying into town, I suggest the less congested airport(s) of either John Wayne (SNA) or Long Beach Airport (LGB). The town only has about 25,000 residents, and has an incredible vibe.
While the beach is only 1.5 miles long (1st Street through Surfside), it’s wide and sandy, offering everything from beach sports to great kitesurfing and windsurfing. You can’t miss the 1,865 ft wooden pier which is the second longest in the State of California (first is Ocean Beach, San Diego). It’s ideal to take a walk to the end, and see Catalina Island on the horizon, as well as, view the always present cargo ships from ports around the globe. Fishing on the pier is free, and the regulars always have a story of “the one that got away”!
It may also be possible to catch a glimpse of the seals (for which the city is named), or just sit on one of the many benches and relax with a good book. If you are not fortunate enough to view the seals in the water or on the beach, look for the bronze statue of “Slick the Seal” at the entrance to the pier. Dedicated in 1985, every year, hundreds of locals and visitors alike are seen taking a photograph or hugging the statue for good luck!
The weather is generally good year round, and although we stay with family when in town, the suggested accommodations would be:
- Ayres Hotel Seal Beach (ayreshotels.com) which is located just about 10 minutes from the beach, and conveniently located to dining, interstate (very little noise though) and the airport.
- Pacific Inn Seal Beach (thepacificinn.com) my personal favorite, The Pacific is located just a few blocks from the beach, walking distance to Main Street and all the shops and restaurants.
- Hampton Inn (hilton.com) is approximately 2 miles (non-walkable) from the beach and is your standard conveniently located Hilton property.
A must do is Main Street. I have been there so many times, and still always find something new, spending hours exploring the many interesting boutiques, stores, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and of course the Red Car Museum.
The Red Car, and the Pacific Electric LA-Newport Line has a history unto itself (www.streetcar.org). Take the time to stop by the museum in the town square, and learn more of the history of Seal Beach. The hours are limited so would suggest calling 562.683.1874.
I love to workout, so if not walking on the beach, this past trip took me to a fabulous Pilates Class at:
- Body Oasis Pilates Studio (bodyoasispilates.com) Gerise is the owner and instructor and is awesome! You need to book an appointment as her studio is quite popular, so call or email Gerise Reaves – [email protected]/714.313.2950
After a morning class, walk or just BECAUSE, head to:
- The Crema Cafe (cremacafe.com)/562.493.2501 Crema serves breakfast and lunch 7 days a week with the BEST Chai Latte ever to cross my lips, and the Cinnamon Rolls are totally worth the calories. Great menu in general with Indoor/Outdoor seating and pet friendly.
Cooking Italian for dinner, wanting to grab a sandwich, or just take in the smells of old Italy? Run, don’t walk, across and down the street to:
- Angelo’s Italian Deli (angelositaliandeli.org)/562.431.1113. Family owned business (the cashier yells out “MA, do we have anymore bread?”) the shop is filled with Imported pastas and Cheeses, meals to go, sandwiches, salads, bakery, meats and likely the BEST Asiago cheese on the planet. Definitely worth the trip!!
I could go on and on about the interesting places on Main Street, but of course, you will have to find yours and share with us!!
A few that you should not miss though are Brita’s Old Town Gardens, Home by the Seashore, and Bistro St. Germain that has a great wine and beer selection from around the world.
If you love good food (as we all do) and THE BEST SEAFOOD EVER!! a restaurant that never, ever, disappoints is:
Walt’s Wharf
201 Main Street
562.598.4433 (recommend reservations)
www.waltswharf.com
The history is that local dentist Walt Babcock and his wife Mona launched Walt’s Wharf with the fish originally coming from his own fishing boat, The Patriot. The walls are covered with memorabilia that has their story come to life. The Babcock’s also started a vineyard in the ’80’s and have many of the wines featured in the restaurant. The building that houses Walt’s was built back in the 1920’s, and today Mona and her daughter Brenda continue offering an exceptional customer experience. Love just stopping in, sitting at the bar with a glass of wine and a dozen oysters.
Also while you are in town, if looking for a great, reliable, place to have a manicure and/or pedicure you need to call:
- Solara Nail Bar (solaranailbar.com)/562.588.3027
Just calling to make an appointment with Nick Pham the owner, you immediately have the sense an old friend is on the line. Nick greets you at the front with a huge smile, and his team is professional and fabulous! The shop and service are five-star and welcome genders of all ages!
Spiritually, there are several churches in the area. When in town, I attend St. Anne’s Catholic Church (www.stannesealbeach.org) , which is only several blocks from the beach. St. Anne’s goes back to 1921when it was just a small mission church. Rev Fleming was assigned then as the pastor and luckily was also an experienced carpenter. A generous woman from Chicago donated a $1,000 dollars along with several other parishioners and the beginning of the church buildings were erected in their current location on 10th.
Also, very Honorably Mentioned is the World War II National Submarine Memorial (www.tracesofwar.com) 800 Seal Beach Blvd. Located outside the gates of the Navy base in Seal Beach, the Memorial is a site for personal reflection that pays tribute to over 3,000 of the country’s submariners who never returned from the War.
I truly hope you enjoy Seal Beach as much as I do, and again if you do visit, we would welcome your feedback and favorites that you came across!!!