Seal Beach Day Trip: Exciting Activities & Hidden Gems

Home to the second-longest wooden pier in the United States, Seal Beach is the perfect blend of a rustic old surf town and a new upscale cultural community. Seal Beach offers a relaxed, low-key vibe perfect for a single day—think beach lounging, casual exploration, and sunset views without the crowds of bigger spots like Huntington Beach. Aim to arrive early (parking can fill up) and focus on the waterfront and Main Street core. Here are some options for your itinerary:

Things to Do in Seal Beach for a Day Trip

Start your day at the iconic Seal Beach Pier, which is the second-longest wooden pier in California at over 1,800 feet. Here, you can enjoy a stroll with beautiful ocean views, watch surfers, or fish for perch and halibut (no fishing license required from the pier). If you enjoy relaxing, you can wade in the gentle waves at the nearby mile-long beach, which is ideal for beginners and families. For the active visitor, bike and kayak rentals are available nearby. Pro tip: Don’t forget to bring sunscreen! Facilities at the beach include restrooms and showers.

Take a walk along Main Street, from Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to the pier. You’ll find plenty of boutique shops, art galleries, and antique stores, as well as the historic Bay Theatre, a charming 1920s venue. Treat yourself to some gelato or shop for surf gear at places like Clark’s Surf Shop. If you’re interested in history, be sure to visit the free Red Car Museum, which features a restored 1920s Pacific Electric trolley car and local artifacts.

For outdoor enthusiasts, consider hiking the easy 1–2 mile trails at Gum Grove Park or along the edges of the Los Cerritos Wetlands, a vast salt marsh restoration project. Birdwatchers can book a free monthly tour of the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Naval Weapons Station (open to U.S. citizens only—call 562-799-0179 for availability).

Evening: Watch the Sunset and Wind Down: Catch the golden hour from the pier, where you can enjoy spectacular views of Catalina Island and the Long Beach skyline. After that, join a beachside bonfire (permits required) or enjoy live music along Main Street. If you have extra time, consider biking along the nearby San Gabriel River Trail, which offers a beautiful 28-mile paved path through wetlands.

Seal Beach: Enjoying the Sandy Beach

The main attraction for visitors to this charming seaside town is the beach, with soft sand, abundant sunshine, and temperate waters. These elements create the perfect aquatic playground for swimming, surfing, and fishing, all while offering a panoramic view of the majestic Pacific Ocean. For animal lovers, Arbor Park is a dog park on the beach, so your furry family members can play in the sand and sun, too.

Historic Seal Beach Red Car

Car No. 1734, a Pacific Electric Railway repair and track maintenance car, sits on the corner of Main and Electric downtown. The Red Car is not currently open to the public. Still, it offers visitors a glimpse of the mass transit system that once served Southern California, running from downtown Los Angeles along the coast to Newport Beach. Seal Beach Historical Foundation, which owns the red car, offers free Main Street walking tours once a month; advance registration is required.

Seal Beach Dining & Nightlife

Seal Beach features casual, ocean-inspired dining along Main Street. Enjoy fresh seafood, comfort food, and beachside patios.

Walt’s Wharf: Fresh seafood like grilled shrimp skewers in a cozy atmosphere. Price: $$$ | Location: 14020 Bolsa Chica Rd
The Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar: Southern-inspired dishes with ocean views; half-price bubbly on weekend brunch. Price: $$ | Location: 420 Main St
Sunny Side Cafe: Hearty bowls and crepes on a dog-friendly patio. Price: $–$$ | Location: 5225 E 2nd St
The Beach House, Seal Beach: Elevated seafood and steaks with beachfront seating and stunning sunset views.

Price: $$$ | Location: On the beach near 2nd St.

History of Seal Beach, California

Seal Beach, originally known as Anaheim Landing in the 19th century, served as a key boat landing for nearby inland areas, part of the vast Rancho Los Alamitos Spanish land grant. Incorporated on October 24, 1911, it evolved from a quiet coastal outpost into a vibrant resort town in the early 20th century, boasting bathhouses, a massive roller coaster, gambling ships anchored offshore (from 1928–1939), and a bustling pier that drew crowds from across Southern California.

Pacific Electric Railway’s “Red Cars” connected Los Angeles to the Pacific Coast starting in 1904, fostering growth until the line’s decline in the 1950s. During World War II, the U.S. Navy acquired much of the land in 1944 to establish the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, transforming the area into a munitions hub for the Pacific Fleet. Today, it covers about two-thirds of the city’s land and includes the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, which protects endangered species.

Nearby Points of Interest

Long Beach (5–10 min north): Aquarium of the Pacific (world-class marine exhibits) or the Queen Mary (historic ocean liner turned museum/hotel). Stroll the Naples Canals for Venice-like gondola rides.

Huntington Beach (15 min south): “Surf City USA” for the iconic pier, surf museums, and Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (similar wetlands hikes).

Getting to Seal Beach

Seal Beach is located on the border between LA and Orange Counties and is a short drive from anywhere in Southern California. With the abundance of sand, sun, sea, and tea, a vacation in Seal Beach promises to provide some great memories.

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