From Nukes to Sea Shells, We Love Seal Beach
By Steve Lowery

PHOTO by JOHN GILHOOLEY

We love Seal Beach and not just because it has the bomb. We love it for its quaint charms, its sea shell shops and Christian Science reading rooms. We love Seal Beach because when we think of Seal Beach we don’t think of its well-appointed homes or its Naval Weapons Station which, the story goes, is chocked full of nukes, making Seal the most heavily-fortified town this side of East St. Louis. No, we love Seal Beach because when we think of it we think of Main Street, those few blocks of pavement that intersect charm with commerce and stretch from Pacific Coast Highway to the Seal Beach Pier. On it, you’ll not only find sea shell shops and Christian Science reading rooms, but bars, board shops, restaurants, toy stores, antique shops, tea rooms, ice cream parlors and a nursery. Yes, you’re going to Main Street, and once you’re there you’re never going to need to get in a car again. You’ll eat well, drink well, move your legs, feel the ocean, watch a movie, lull and loll and generally love life. It’ll be a great day.

Pacific Inn
To be honest, we were going to have you start your day waking up in the storied Seal Beach Inn’s quaint cottages, but the more we thought of it, the more we realized that wouldn’t be right since the storied Seal Beach Inn no longer exists. So, you’re waking up at the Pacific Inn, which is just a block off Main. It’s clean and useful if lacking in charm. The rooms are currently being remodeled and the bathrooms—the most important part of any beach accommodation—have already had their makeover. Be sure and ask for a room that overlooks the park or you might get a room that overlooks the drive-up window at the neighboring Taco Bell. The Pacific has a a pool, a Jacuzzi and a little breakfast place all its own. They also offer guests a voucher for a free breakfast at Hennessey’s Pub on Main. That’s nice—but you’re not going to Hennessey’s. 600 MARINA DR | SEAL BEACH 90740 | 562.493.7501

PHOTO by JOHN GILHOOLEY

Nick’s
You’re going to Nick’s Deli, which is as local a local place as you’ll find locally. Upon entering you’ll notice a constant flow of folks approaching the counter to order, nearly every one of them opting for the breakfast burrito. From the rich longhorn cheddar to the specially seasoned chorizo and freshly sliced bacon, this is what the Seal Beacher eats. When the deli opened in 1984, business was relatively slow until one of the employees suggested the addition of a Mexican hometown favorite. This is one story. Another is that the burrito was invented by Nick’s parents and relocated here. Either way, when the item was first introduced on the hand-written menu board that hangs above the cashier’s counter, they sold about 15 of them a day. These days, Nick’s pumps out about 450 burritos a day, even more on weekends. 223 MAIN ST | SEAL BEACH 90740 | 562.598.5072

PHOTO by JOHN GILHOOLEY

Seal Beach
After you walk off your burrito by strolling Main, you’re heading down to the beach. Seal Beach is kind of impervious to crowds since its served by two relatively small parking lots. It has a consistent but small wave, which is great for kids and those whose water skills aren’t Olympian. There’s a small playground for kids on the south side of the pier.

Ruby’s
All that ocean has made you hungry, so you’re going to start walking toward the Ruby’s at the end of the pier—being careful to admire the bronze statue of a seal, but not to touch the bronze statue of a seal, because by midday it’s pretty much a George Foreman grill. Be advised that Ruby’s doesn’t have a restroom, so if you have the urge you best use the public facilities now. Now the walk, which is pretty long and will take you past lovers and fishermen—some fishing for fun, some for dinner—and, finally, to Ruby’s. You can order from the take out window and bring the food back with you. We’d prefer you go inside, order something good, and wash it all down with an excellent shake. Can you do that for us? 900 OCEAN AVE | SEAL BEACH 90740 | 562.431.7829

PHOTO by JOHN GILHOOLEY

The Abbey/Fairy Tea Cottage
It’s late afternoon and we’re giving you a choice. Ride out the afternoon heat with a cold beer or a lovely cup of tea. The Abbey is well known for having a very knowledgeable beer staff, who always stock the place with a great selection of suds. The place is dark and cool, the staff is cool and friendly as are the patrons. Plus, they have really good food. At the Fairy Cottage you can have really excellent tea served hot or iced, and, depending on your appetite, pair it with finger sandwiches and/or desserts. The cottage is a bright, charming place, with beautiful china and lace. It looks like something out of A Little Princess, which was my nickname in college, but that really has nothing to do with this. THE ABBEY | 306 MAIN ST | SEAL BEACH 90740 | 562.799.4246 | FAIRY TEA COTTAGE | 810-812 ELECTRIC AVE | SEAL BEACH 90740 | 562.431.0200

Café Lafayette
You’ll see the crowd standing outside of Walt’s Wharf and deservedly so. It’s a lively, fun place to not only have a great piece of fish, but to hoist one or four with friends. Terrific place for larger parties. But we’re assuming it’s just you and a special someone so we’re sending you to Café Lafayette, which is intimate and romantic and serves terrific Mediterranean fare. The wait staff is very kind, everything’s good and while the portions are good size, save some, you know, for the possibility of love. Oh, who are we kidding, that part of our life is over. 330-E MAIN ST | SEAL BEACH 90740 | 562.598.9566

Bay Theatre
One of our most favoritist theaters in Southern California. The Bay is a single screen theater that runs some of the best films around, many of them of them hard-to-find fare. Every summer they have ongoing programs featuring classic films every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. The classics range from Lawrence of Arabia to Goonies and, at the end of June, they’re featuring Jaws. Yeah, Jaws. 340 MAIN ST | SEAL BEACH 90740 | 562.431.9988

Tags: Special Issues, To Do