Top 5 Things to Do in Seal Beach, CA (2024)
Seal Beach At-A-Glance
| Population | 24,937 |
|---|---|
| Area | 11.8 mi² |
| Best known for | Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach/Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge |
| Character | Sleepy beach town that doesn't have the hustle and bustle of neighboring Long Beach or Huntington Beach |
Seal Beach is the northernmost beach of the Orange County beaches, located right next door to Long Beach. Although seals frequented the area long ago, you probably won’t find any there today.
Much of the city’s area is dedicated to the Naval Weapons Station military base, but people still go there to surf or to check out Main Street, the downtown part of Seal Beach lined with shops, bars, and restaurants.
1. Seal Beach Pier
The Seal Beach pier is the second largest wooden pier in the state of California.
2. Downtown Seal Beach
There are many bars and restaurants on Main Street. Some of the most popular include:
Nick’s Deli (on our list of best breakfast burritos)
Ilios Greek Mediterranean Cuisine
Crema Cafe
3. Spaghettini Restaurant
Iconic Seal Beach establishment with live jazz performances. Recommended for brunch or dinner. Reservations highly recommended.
4. Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is “essential for migratory birds of the Pacific Flyway and support federally and state listed endangered species.”
Free tours are available to U.S. citizens once a month.
5. Seal Beach Red Car Museum
The Seal Beach Red Car Museum is essentially a Pacific Electric Railway car from the 1920s that has been restored. Before car culture became dominant, these trolley cars were a major mode of transportation that connected Orange County with Los Angeles.
You can pass by the Seal Beach Red Car Museum as you stroll around downtown Seal Beach.
