01
Best overall pick
Seal Beach Main Beach
Old Town & Pier • Classic Small-Town Strand • Local Favorite For All-Around Beach Days
A broad, easygoing beach by the pier with small-town charm steps from Main Street cafes and shops.
This is the beach most people mean when they say 'Seal Beach': wide sand, a long wooden pier, and a laid-back, family-friendly feel. The surf is usually manageable for beginners, there are restrooms and showers along the sand, and volleyball courts dot the shoreline. Park along Ocean Avenue or in nearby lots, then wander up Main Street for coffee, tacos, or a post-beach ice cream.
02
Most low-key shoreline
Surfside Beach
Between Seal Beach And Sunset Beach • Quiet Local Stretch Behind The Homes • Best For Peaceful Walks And Surf Checks
A tucked-away strand backed by a gated community, ideal if you like your shoreline calm and mostly locals.
Surfside Beach feels like a secret between Seal Beach and Sunset, with soft sand and consistent but not overwhelming surf. Beach access is more limited here, so most people reach it by walking up the shoreline from the edges of Seal Beach or Sunset Beach rather than trying to park right at the colony. There are no services on the sand, so bring water, snacks, and anything else you might need.
03
Best mellow alternative to the pier
Sunset Beach
Along Pacific Coast Highway • Laid-Back Neighborhood Beach • Great For Uncrowded Afternoons
A narrow, relaxed strip of sand with a local feel, fewer crowds, and easy come-and-go street access.
Just a few minutes south of Seal Beach, Sunset Beach offers a slower-paced scene than the bigger resort stretches. You get a long, walkable shoreline, modest surf, and room to spread out without feeling packed in. Park along Pacific Coast Highway or in neighborhood streets, then head over the dunes for a simple, no-frills beach day that still has a couple of casual bars and eateries within walking distance.
04
Best for bonfires and bike rides
Bolsa Chica State Beach
North Huntington Coast • Wide State Beach With Fire Pits • Top Choice For Groups And Evening Hangs
Three miles of wide sand, fire rings, and a beachfront bike path make this a go-to for day-to-night gatherings.
A short drive down PCH from Seal Beach, Bolsa Chica is where locals go for classic fire-ring evenings and roomy group setups. The beach is broad and flat, with lifeguard towers, restrooms, and concessions, plus a paved bike path that runs along the sand. Expect a day-use parking fee, but in exchange you get easy access, organized facilities, and space to stay from midday sun through sunset s'mores.
05
Most iconic surf scene
Huntington City Beach
Downtown Huntington Beach • Lively Pier And Surf Hub • Best For People-Watching And Classic Oc Energy
A bustling stretch by the Huntington Beach Pier with big-surf culture, busy sand, and plenty of food and bars close by.
If you want a high-energy day after Seal Beach's calm, head to Huntington City Beach and its famous pier. Surfers line up near the pilings, volleyball courts stay busy, and the strand is framed by bike traffic, shops, and restaurants along the beachfront. Parking is mostly paid lots and structures, but in return you get a full-service beach day with rentals, events, and a lively scene from morning through sunset.