Orange County family guide
Things to Do in Seal Beach with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Seal Beach on the map
📍 Where Seal Beach is
Seal Beach sits in Orange County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~6 mi / 10 km). It's roughly 23 mi (37 km) from Downtown LA and 89 mi (144 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Family attractions near Seal Beach
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Seal Beach.
Marine Park (Mother's Beach)
A calm bayside beach in Alamitos Bay with shallow water and almost no waves — the reason locals bring toddlers here rather than to the open coast. Play equipment and grass behind the sand.
Free
Rancho Los Alamitos
A free historic ranch with an adobe ranch house, four acres of early-twentieth-century gardens and a barnyard of horses, sheep, goats and chickens. Free, and the animals do the work with young children.
Free
Colorado Lagoon
A tidal saltwater lagoon with a sandy swimming beach, a playground for two to twelve and a marine science education centre. Check before promising a swim — the season is not published and there has been channel construction on site.
Free
Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum
A free contemporary art museum on the Cal State Long Beach campus. Its Second Saturday Family Days with hands-on projects are the family draw — most other weekends it is closed.
Free; campus parking $10–$15
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
A free Japanese garden on the CSULB campus with a koi pond children can feed and a tea house. Hours genuinely vary and it closes for private events, so reserve or ring before going.
Free; reservation required
Bolsa Chica Conservancy Interpretive Center
A small indoor wetlands nature centre at the reserve's Warner Avenue edge, with coastal ecology exhibits, aquaria and free parking. A separate building from the reserve trails themselves.
FreeFarmers markets in Seal Beach
Seal Beach Village Certified Farmers' Market
Year-round village market with produce and prepared foods, walkable to Main Street and the pier.
Festivals & annual events in Seal Beach
What Seal Beach is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Seal Beach Lions Community Fish Fry
Seal Beach's longest-running community event — a two-day Lions Club fish fry at Eisenhower Park beside the pier, with fried fish plates, carnival rides and live bands. Proceeds go to local charities.
2026 edition (Jul 18-19) has passed; the Lions Club has not posted 2027 dates
Local restaurants in Seal Beach
The Hangout Restaurant
28-year Main St. breakfast spot with coloring books and high chairs ready.
Finbars Italian Kitchen
Family-owned NY-style Italian since 1996 with house pasta and focaccia.
Osteria Mare Blu
Cozy made-to-order neighborhood Italian on Main Street.
Walt's Wharf
Family-run Main Street seafood classic since 1970, a longtime spot for birthday and special-occasion family dinners.
Nick's Deli
Counter-serve neighborhood favorite famous for hearty breakfast burritos and staff who treat you like family.
Hennessey's Tavern
Casual Main Street SoCal-institution tavern with indoor/outdoor seating and an easy family-friendly menu.
Local shops in Seal Beach
Knock Knock Toys & Gifts
Tiny owner-run Old Town toy shop focused on creative, learning-based toys over big-box.
Up Up and Away
Old-school Main Street kite-and-novelty shop stocked with kites, flags, and beach toys.
Endless Summer
Main Street women's beachwear boutique with coastal apparel, accessories, and decor.
Main Street Mercantile
Curated Old Town shop of unique gifts, home decor, and artisanal goods.
Something Fine
Main Street gift-and-greeting-card shop with handcrafted gifts, decor, and jewelry.
Jennings & Allen
Artisan gift-and-home shop tucked into the Old Town Gardens.
Harbour Surfboards
Historic surfboard maker and shop selling boards, apparel, and accessories on Main Street.
Beachin
Main Street surf-and-beach shop with graphic tees, coastal gifts, and beach gear.
Seasonal & outdoors near Seal Beach
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Seal Beach.
More Orange County family guides
Seal Beach family FAQ
Where can families eat in Seal Beach?
Local, family-friendly spots in Seal Beach include The Hangout Restaurant, Finbars Italian Kitchen, Osteria Mare Blu and Walt's Wharf, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Seal Beach guide cover?
Our Seal Beach family guide includes 6 local eats, 8 local shops and 1 farmers market — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.