About Us

Welcome to Seal Beach!
The City of Surf, Sun, & Fun!

The City of Seal Beach is a Charter City located in Orange County, California. Seal Beach sits on the coast as the gateway to Orange County between the cities of Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Governed by a five member council, who are elected by district, the city operates under the council/ city manager form a government.

The City of Seal Beach is well known as a quaint, small-town atmosphere. City programs, non-profit groups and businesses provide a variety of services, exciting events and activities in which residents can participate and enjoy.

City services include police, fire, paramedic, marine safety, recreation, parks, public works, development services, animal control, and information technology. The City employs 96 full-time employees and over 200 part-time and seasonal staff.

On October 27, 2010 the City of Seal Beach will celebrate its 95^th anniversary. In commemoration a Founders Day Dinner Dance, Concert by the Pier, Greenbelt Festival & Parade, Historical Slide Show, Tennis Mixer, and Golf Tournament will take place.

The City of Seal Beach encourages community involvement and is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment within a sound economic atmosphere, and ensuring the highest possible quality of life for our residents, businesses and visitors, as well as providing an efficient and effective government which is open and responsive to the needs of the community and works for the benefit of all.

Browse through these pages and discover Seal Beach’s wide array of activities and interesting destinations including our recently restored beach, pier, shopping, and fine dining.

History of Seal Beach

Seal Beach is located on the coast of northern Orange County encompassing 13.23 square miles. Seal Beach is the home of Leisure World, a gated senior citizen community of almost 9,000 residents. The 5,256- acre Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, and the 920- acre Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, comprises 2/3 of the land within the 13.23 square- mile city.

Seal Beach was incorporated October 27, 1915 and the current City Charter was adopted in 1964. J.C. Ord, a Civil War veteran known as “the father of Seal Beach,” was the first resident of Seal Beach in 1901. The population in 1915 was 250 persons, including children. Bay City was renamed Seal Beach in 1916. California Seal Lions, commonly called Seals, were a regular part of the scene along the coast and a perfect name for the new town.

On January 16, 1916, it was reported in the newspaper, the POST, that Frank Burt, who had managed the concessions at the recent Panama Pacific Exposition just closing in San Francisco, was coming to Seal Beach. His purpose was to establish an amusement zone for Fun and Frolic in this small beach village. The Jewel City Amusement Company was formed and a new 1,865 feet long pier was constructed in early summer 1916. The original pier was built in 1906. The famous Seal Beach roller coaster must have been sensational because the screams from the down-swoops could be heard in Long Beach!

In 1944, the U.S. Navy purchased 5,000 acres of land and established the Naval Weapons and Net Depot. The Navy displaced everyone living in Anaheim Bay. Some of the old homes were moved to Old Town Seal Beach and many are still here today. In 1953, the Wildlife Refuge comes into existence.

Leisure World was built on 541 acres of the Hellman Ranch property in 1961 and was annexed in 1964. College Park East and West construction took place in 1964-1965. The Surfside Colony became apart of Seal Beach in 1969 and the population grew to 24,441 by 1970.  

The Navy Weapons Station commissioned the USS Dewey in 2010, the most advanced destroyer to date.

The City of Seal Beach Nourishment project recently won the 2010 Best Restored Beach Award. Due to the City’s beautiful beaches and pleasant weather, Seal Beach attracts more than 2,000,000 visitors each year making recreation an important factor in the local economy in this otherwise residential community.

Demographic Chart

Climate Protection and Sustainability:

ABOUT THE CLIMATE
(SOURCE: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE)