Seal Beach beach vacation rentals

Located on the coast about 45 minutes south of Los Angeles, the Orange County town of Seal Beach offers a window into Southern California’s mellower side. The state’s second-longest wooden pier juts out into a stretch of the Pacific Ocean filled with small fishing boats. And although there aren’t as many seals living here as when the town was first established, you may spot a few playing in the water early in the mornings. For guaranteed sightings, you can enjoy the seal emblems, murals, and statues that adorn the city streets.

Surfers and sun-seekers populate the town’s beachfront, and if you’re looking to explore beyond the sand, you can rent a bike and ride along the San Gabriel River Bike Trail or hike through Gum Grove Park near the Los Cerritos Wetlands.

Seal Beach’s colorful Old Town is a tree-lined pedestrian area populated by local businesses. The district hosts bakeries, cafes, ice cream parlors, and restaurants serving fresh fish and chips. Quirky gift stores offer maritime souvenirs, and you’ll find art galleries, antique shops, boutiques in town as well.

Southern California is famous for year-round sun and pleasantly warm weather, and Seal Beach is no exception. Summer is the most popular season to book Seal Beach vacation rentals as the days are long and sunny, and the town is especially lively with an outdoor concert series from July through August. It’s a good idea to keep plenty of sunscreen on hand during your visit. As water temperature dips slightly in fall, a seal sighting becomes far more likely. The winters are brief, but the temperatures can get quite chilly during the evenings, so it’s best to bring warm layers. Rain is more common from January through March, but spring brings the arrival of new seal pups and the blooming fields of California poppies.

Seal Beach Municipal Pier

Just minutes from the town center is the Municipal Pier, where you can try to spot dolphins and seals in the ocean waters below. It’s an excellent place to take in the sunset or sunrise, and you’ll find restaurants along Main Street where you can grab a bite or a drink to enjoy. With showers, restrooms, changing areas, and parking lots, this is the most accessible beachfront in town.

Old Town

If you’re looking to grab a bite or a drink, this downtown district hosts bakeries, seafood restaurants, cozy breakfast cafes, and bars, among other offerings. The shaded, tree-lined sidewalks will keep you cool as you pop into local galleries or scour shops for maritime-themed goods. Bonus if you arrive on wheels: parking for both bikes and vehicles is plentiful here.

Beaches

The town has about 1.5 miles of soft sandy shoreline to enjoy — whether that means stretching out with a good book, surfing, swimming, or taking out a boat. You’ll find numerous seashells along the main beach, making this a popular spot at low tide. You can also explore the San Gabriel River’s end at the northern beach, or observe the surfers at Surfside Beach.