Seal Beach exudes classic California vibes: old-school and laid back, it stands in contrast to hustle and bustle of neighboring Long Beach and nearby L.A. “It still has a very old-town feel with its downtown,” says Allison Van Wig, a Realtor and broker associate who has sold properties in the area for over two decades. “It’s got a different feel than our neighbors, which have modern vibes, while Seal Beach has more of a kicked-back, relaxed ‘I’m on vacation’ vibe.” Named for the large seal populations historically drawn to its shores, the city is bordered by protected natural spaces that help preserve its quaint character. “It’s not built up with huge buildings; it’s still very quaint,” adds Laurelee Barnes, broker associate with RE/MAX College Park Realty. “I think the people who live in Seal Beach probably don’t ever want to move.”
Old Town Seal Beach is proud of its laid back, small town beach town vibes.
Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge protects the remaining wetlands ecosystem in the area.
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Hanging at the Seal Beach Pier
The beach stretches for a mile and a half and is popular with surfers as well as sunbathers. It also features the Seal Beach Municipal Pier as well as a playground. The pier is the second longest in the state and is a tourist attraction all of its own. The playground is right on the beach, giving kids one more thing to do. Electric Avenue Median Park stretches 12 blocks between Sixth Street and Ocean Avenue in the city's Old Town neighborhood and is a popular route for joggers and dog walkers. “There’s something for everyone. There are a lot of grassy areas where people can spread out and have a picnic with a view of the ocean,” Van Wig observes.
Seal Beach residents can stroll to and from Main Street via Electric Avenue Median Park, which stretches nearly a mile.
Seal Beach's iconic pier is a year round attraction for locals and tourists alike and is the focal point for many events.
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Main Street has 'Mayberry' vibes
Main Street leads from Highway 1 to the beach and is lined with restaurants and boutiques. The corridor around Highway 1 houses more chain restaurants and services. “Seal Beach Fish Company is a newer restaurant with a very laid-back vibe,” Van Wig says. Pavilions, in the same area, handles groceries and everyday basics. A short drive inland reveals broader shopping complexes in Long Beach or Huntington Beach, located about seven to nine miles away. Some residents also commute to larger malls in Los Angeles or Orange County when they need bigger retail outlets.
Bring your family and pets for a day of fun at the Seal Beach Classic Car Show on Main Street.
Seal Beach Fish Company serves seasonal sustainable line caught seafood in a casual contemporary dining room.
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Seaside and hillside homes
Old Town, which is located south of the 1 near the shore, features compact cottages from the 1930s to 1960s, often on 2,500-square-foot lots. Renovated two-story homes from the 2020s also appear here, adding a contemporary twist while preserving the area’s coastal charm. In contrast, The Hill—an inland district north of the highway—primarily contains 1970s-era single-story ranch houses on larger parcels. The median home price in Seal Beach stands around $390,000, encompassing everything from smaller seaside bungalows to more expansive inland properties. Farther north, Leisure World Seal Beach, a 55-plus active community, has co-ops and condos priced from about $225,000 to $500,000, making it a popular choice for seniors who value a beach-adjacent lifestyle. “This is a great place for seniors to be close to the beach, restaurants and everything fun,” Van Wig explains.
These classic bungalow and cottage style homes line the streets near the ocean in Seal Beach.
'The Hill' in Seal Beach has larger homes with great views and offshore breezes.
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Summer concert series at the pier
Seal Beach organizes a summer concert series at the pier on Wednesday evenings from mid-June to early August. Other gatherings include a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and an annual community Thanksgiving dinner. The Joint Forces Training Base in nearby Los Alamitos holds a Fourth of July celebration, complete with a parade, reenactments and fireworks.
Seal Beach has many events and summer concerts in Eisenhower Park at the base of the pier.
Crowds gather around the live music at the Annual Fish Fry in Seal Beach.
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Some of the best schools in the state
Children in Seal Beach typically attend Los Alamitos Unified, which gets an A-plus grade on Niche. Los Alamitos High stands out for its accomplished athletics programs and a show choir that won a national title in New York City in 2023.
Los Alamitos High School has been serving the Seal Beach Community for many years.
Jack L Weaver Elementary is a highly rated school in the Los Alamitos Unified School District.
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Major highways provide easy access
Highway 1 runs through Seal Beach, connecting to Long Beach about seven miles north and Huntington Beach about nine miles south. The city is also situated between greater LA and greater Anaheim. Seal Beach is situated on the 405 and the 605, which connects the region north-to-south. The 30-mile drive to LA can take as long as 90 minutes, depending on the time of day. “People commute all over the place because you have so many options here,” Van Wig says. “You’re 20 minutes from Disneyland, 30 minutes to John Wayne Airport and 40 minutes to LAX.” Most residents travel by car, but there are bus stops along Highway 1.
Sea rise and flooding concerns
There are a few environmental risks associated with Seal Beach, including moderate risk from air quality. The city is also prone to flooding during storms and exceptionally high tides, all of which can create sewage overflow and water quality issues.
According to data provided by the FBI, property and violent crime rates are slightly higher than the national average but lower than the state average. Recent numbers suggest a downward trend.
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