Top 4 Things to Do in Seal Beach

WHERE IS SEAL BEACH?

Seal Beach is located just outside of Long Beach. Technically in Orange County, Seal Beach is between Long Beach and Huntington Beach – less than 7 miles away from downtown Long Beach. Just a short trip away, it’s definitely worth the excursion during your time in Long Beach!

WHY IS IT CALLED SEAL BEACH?

Sorry to get your hopes up, but seals don’t frequent Seal Beach these days. While Seal Beach is named after the seals that used to be in abundance on the shoreline of this seaside town, today you’ll find more neighborhoods, restaurants, and shopping than seals. However, you can visit Slick, the bronze seal statue that lives at the pier entrance. While you generally won’t be seeing seals on the beach these days, Seal Beach does offer a cute, quaint downtown area to explore and a laid back attitude with prime surfing spots.

TOP 4 THINGS TO DO IN SEAL BEACH

Seal Beach and Pier

We can’t have a list of things to do in a beach town without starting with what it’s known for – the beach! It’s why people visit, after all. You’ll be greeted at the entrance by Slick, the bronze seal statue. While the pier itself doesn’t take long to walk up and down, though it is supposed to be the second longest pier in California, it’s a prime spot to watch the waves, boats, surfers, and sunsets. It also has a periscope installed to use and look far out into the ocean. It’s simply a calming place to slow down and enjoy the beautiful, wide beaches and get some salty fresh air. 

Seal Beach Main Street

Connected to the Seal Beach Pier, Main Street is the place to go for all things food, shopping, and strolling. A bustling street, this stretch in Old Town Seal Beach offers boutique clothing stores, home decor stores, surf shops, antique stores, and much more. Even if you’re simply window shopping, there’s plenty to see. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, visit one of the numerous mom and pop bakeries, fine dining restaurants, sandwich shops, or a quick place to grab a snack. You can even rent a bike if you don’t have your own to explore everything up and down Main Street and the residential areas that surround it!

Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge

The Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is 965 acres of protected wetlands and home to a number of wildlife species, including falcons, turtles, round stingrays, and more. Part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is located within the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. Because of this, it’s only open to the public during special events and monthly walking tours held on the last Saturday or each month (except December). There are also limited, arranged tours for groups of 15-20 that can be organized throughout the year, but these need to be scheduled 2-3 months in advance.

San Gabriel River Bike Trail

We’ve talked about walking trails in Long Beach before, and one of them happens to start in Seal Beach. The San Gabriel River bike trail has its southern entrance in Seal Beach. For 28 miles, it’ll take you all the way to Whittier Narrows Recreation Area near Los Angeles. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise with beautiful views and an easy road to navigate. It’s perfect for all skill levels, whether you’re going on a bike ride, a run, or simply a quiet walk. There are also plenty of little parks along the way to stop and rest at!