Seal Beach.(Orange County)

What to Do

(See also Huntington Beach, Long Beach)

Seal Beach is the quintessential small seaside town with a charming downtown suitable for strolling and shopping, and a long pier capped with Ruby's Diner at the end. The beach has flat waves that make swimming easier here than at the nearby beaches in Huntington Beach. Seal Beach has a sleepy, relaxing sort of charm, and you'll forget how close you are to Los Angeles.

You'll find lots of interesting little shops along the three block stretch of downtown on Main Street. Irish pubs abound and there seems to be a bakery and coffee shop about every third store, so pace yourself.

Activities & Attractions

The main thing to do here is walk along Main Street, stroll down the pier, and play on the beach or grassy lawn next to the beach. This beach is perfect for swimming because it lies in a protected harbor, with flat, glassy waves. You can go to the end of the pier and take a shuttle out to a fishing barge. Even if you don't fish, it's fun to go out there, because there is a restaurant on the barge that serves steak on deck. Inquire locally. The Naples area and Belmont Shores are a stone's throw to the north, for more activities. A gondola ride in Naples would be a fine way to spend the evening. (See Long Beach.)

Bookstores & Coffeehouses