Seal Beach
Seal Beach
4.5
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244 within 3 miles
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74 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
415 reviews
Excellent
285
Very good
103
Average
21
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Frank R
Las Vegas, NV370 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
We went to Seal Beach for our trip to So Cal this year we go to a different So Cal beaches every year for a week , it's a small town between Long Beach and Huntington Beach , they have a Merchant Strret with a lot of shops, We went to Walt''s Wharf for dinner good food and busy but we were able to get a table quickly it was outdoors which was fine. Afterward we went shopping there a clothing shop called Purple Golore there everything was mostly purple. I went morning fishing every day on the pier since pier fishing is free no license require on most California piers the beach was long and narrow compared to Huntington beach. Their restrooms were clean and at the entrance to the pier down one level.
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zonnie
13 contributions
Feb 2022
My cousin, best friend, and I decided to take a cruise to the Mexican Riviera, but stayed in Seal Beach prior to the cruise. We absolutely loved it here. The town is so quaint, friendly, and beautiful. Felt very safe. It was fun to walk out on the pier. It was a bit windy, but we enjoyed the sun, watching the people and a few surfers. Also, great shopping and great food!
Written November 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HSR112
Hillsborough, NJ233 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
There were many surfers by the pier when we went, but since it was a chilly day in January there were not many other people. Lots of kids and many people taking pictures. Parking on the street is free but in the lot you have to use the pay station. The beach was clean, but I didn’t see any lifeguards.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James Weaver
Irvine, CA2,171 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
As we drove North up PCH ( Pacific Coast Highway ) from home, you turn left ( the scenic route ) at the Navel Weapons Station. This Sunday afternoon a ship in docked, Hull number 22, The USS San Diego. An amphibious troop carrier, capable of carrying 700 Marines to anywhere in the world. I have in the past seen the Nuclear Flag flying with other ships docked here. Meaning, Nuclear weapons were being loaded or it is a Nuclear powered ship, I believe. Did not notice it, perhaps missed it. Always nice to see the Navy in this area, their sailors getting shore leave? Reading about the Station, some 25 to 30 ships port here yearly. It is a very small dock and large ships cannot come into it. The downtown area is about 4 to 5 blocks long, dotted with shops, restaurants, a newspaper office, a couple of bars with Irish themes. Often parking is difficult, managed to find a spot with a two hour limit. Great time browsing, will be back...to eat and drink when we can.
Written March 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gabriele S
11 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Small town feel! Great walkability to lots of little shops and restaurants. Beautiful sunsets and the pier is great for people watching and to watch the surfers. One of the best places in SoCal!
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Erma
Eagle River, AK2 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Clean, beautiful town with lots of little shops and restaurants. Would definitely return.went with my son 16 year old son and his friend. They skateboarded around, I felt it was safe enough a town to let them go out on their own.
Written May 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Linda Magin
19 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Wonderful to stand alongside children, families- all ages- watching the seals surfing the waves onto the beach, climbing on rocks, sunning themselves. There’s also pelicans, squirrels... plenty to watch. Can’t go down to beach as breeding season. Must see for just watching simple beauty of animals having fun
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RippedOff42
Oklahoma City, OK254 contributions
Jul 2020
While on vacation, took my wife and her sister to Bell Gardens to reminisce about houses they lived in and Jr High and High School, FYI I am a land locked OKIE, wife wanted to go to Seal Beach, where she hung out as a teenager. SO we went. Main Street and lot's of eatery's and parking was curb side. We walked out on the pier and it was Beautiful, Lot's of sand and very wide. There were lots of young people on the beach playing and having fun. Be aware old men, lots of skimpy swim ware. I had no ideal that a beach this beautiful was so close to LA. NICE. We ate at The Hangout, close to the pier. Outside seating, (Covid) and the food was really good. It was a good afternoon. Area was clean and well kept. Enjoy.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roy
9 contributions
Jun 2020
Talk about pear pressure! If one doesn't visit the pear, one has not visited Seal Beach. There really isn't any tourist things in Seal Beach. It's just a nice town with nice people.The party town is Hollywood, but that's far away.
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tricia V
Yucaipa, CA10 contributions
Jul 2022
It's been several years since I spent a day at Seal Beach. I remember it being a nice, quiet place to spend the day. It is still surprisingly quiet...but now I know the reason why is because the beach is kind of gross. The sand feels sticky and oily. The is quite a bit of trash on the beach. And there is a lot of goopy red stuff (I assume some kind of seaweed) in the surf. It feels gross against your skin, so I didn't swim. But my grandkids did, and my granddaughter has curly hair. A bunch of that red stuff stuck in her hair and it took two long sessions of washing and hair detangler and combing out to get it all out. It was disgusting. I won't be going back there. And I realize it isn't Seal Beach's fault...this situation just is what it is. But I was really disappointed that I wasted a day off to spend it at a gross beach. So hopefully I can help someone else avoid that!
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LHanson
1 contribution
Hello!! Is there sunbathing on this beach?? I read somewhere that this was a recreational beach... we want to go to a beach with the kids and hang out for the day.
I was wondering how crowded it would be if I were to go on Saturday during the month of April 2021
Hello all,
Are there restroom at the end of the pier? I know there are some at the beginning; but how about the end were Rubis use to be. Thanks
Roy
9 contributions
Not any more. With the removal of the Ruby's after their fire, there are no structures there now. Just the railing.
The bathrooms are under the pier toward the north end. Just walk down the ramps toward the beach. There are entrances to both men and women's on either side of the pear.
Should we expect the beach to be very crowded during the summer?
Mike M
Seal Beach, CA29 contributions
The beach tends to be crowded near the pier and the jetty where parking lots and restrooms are located, but the beach is large and stretched out, so there is plenty of space for everyone. It's parking that is a premium during summer, so get there early, and if you park on streets, be sure you read street signs.
Gloriousglo
Indiana173 contributions
Is the beach handicap accessible to use a walker with wheels?
LizBrick
93 contributions
A wheel chair can access the pier. I think there is a cement ramp to the beach. Please check!
Ruth H
4 contributions
Are there any public lockers available near the beach?
michaelbkolsky
Surprise, AZ1,079 contributions
not to my knowledge
Jeannie
3 contributions
Are beach tents allowed on this beach? How big can they be?
pb7711111111111111
Riverside, CA358 contributions
I too have seen beach pop-ups but no huge tents...not sure on size allowed, the beach itself is not huge so I can't imagine anything too large would be allowed.
Bob
Seal Beach, CA1 contribution
Can I surf fish from the beach next to the pier?
MissssBeachy
Seal Beach, CA40 contributions
Hi sorry this soooo late. You can fish from the pier.
conrad s
Chester, UK2 contributions
Are there seals on the beach?
MissssBeachy
Seal Beach, CA40 contributions
Walk about 5-10 minutes to the LB Marina and you might see seals.
Seal Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Seal Beach
- Hotels near Seal Beach:
- (0.18 mi) The Pacific Inn
- (0.11 mi) Steps to Beach! Ocean-View Luxury Home w/ Rooftop Deck & Private 2-Car Garage
- (0.15 mi) Beachfront Getaway w/ Breathtaking Ocean Views; Steps from Beach and Main Street
- (0.31 mi) Chic, Newly Renovated Beach House 1/2 block from the Pacific Ocean in Seal Beach
- (0.32 mi) OCEAN VIEWS from PRIVATE 25FTx12FT DECK
- Restaurants near Seal Beach:
- (0.10 mi) Sweet Jill's
- (0.09 mi) Old Town Cafe
- (0.10 mi) O'Malley's On Main
- (0.08 mi) Angelo's Italian Deli
- (0.07 mi) Nick's Deli
- Attractions near Seal Beach:
- (0.07 mi) Hennessey's Seal Beach
- (0.07 mi) Wild Native
- (0.07 mi) Knock Knock Toys and Gifts
- (0.12 mi) Clancy's in Seal Beach
- (0.17 mi) Seal Beach Food Tours