by Jennifer Bioche

Created on: December 11, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Tucked away off an easy left turn from Southern California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the city of Seal Beach isn’t a page turner in your travel agent’s tour book. It happens to be a hop skip and a jump from Disneyland in Anaheim and literally the last town in Orange County, which borders its attention grabbing neighbor, Los Angeles. Still - if you’re already longing for breezy summer days, look no further, as the region has something for everyone, even the small town dweller who might regard the Golden State as a place to get swallowed up in with its dense population and car-chasing freeways.

Seal Beach is a breezy, quaint town with a population around 27,000. Its main street is quaint, yet modest - no over done upscale boutiques you’d find up and down Hollywood’s Rodeo drive. The shopping is nice - clothing, art, seaside collectibles, and plenty of casual eateries. The week days are quiet and basically crowd free, early risers strolling the charming tree-lined sidewalks will find seniors drinking coffee and the occasional dog walker. Unlike California’s busier cities - this is the best of both worlds, beach side easy with the welcoming spirit of the Midwest.

Active travelers can enjoy a run up and down the stretch of sidewalk along the beach, with access to the city’s pier, which boasts the longest stretch in the state. At the pier’s end, stop by  Ruby’s diner, a throwback to the 50’s with red and white booths, a jukebox, and the world’s best milk shakes sits at the end with nothing to view but the Pacific, the fishermen camped out long the docks, and if you’re lucky, the resident pelican who is surprisingly tame.

The best kept secret in lodging in Seal Beach can be reserved through Vacation Rentals by Owner, www.vrbo.com at The Pineapple Cottage. The same web site will display other homes or condo’s to rent, but the Cottage’s location away from the main drag made for private and quiet lodgings.

Guests at the Pineapple Cottage are welcomed by husband and wife owners Elena and Kye Osti, who live on the property, a gorgeous restored 1940’s home made into a duplex. The interior is Tommy Bahama-esque, minus the pretense. Cool avocado green walls with tasteful furniture, a full kitchen, and personal touches absent from most chain hotels. The cottage is a single story, one bed / one bath that is so well laid out it can sleep up to five people.

Two skylights invite

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