Seal Beach Pier and Playground

The Seal Beach Pier and playground is an amazing spot especially for the toddler/preschool crowd.

The playground is called Eisenhower Park which sits at the base of the pier — almost more in the parking lot than at the beach.

The intersection of Main Street and Ocean Avenue is a great spot to start your exploration of Seal Beach. 

For those who may be wondering, piers are for strolling. You’re at the beach! Take it slow and enjoy the scenery. 

Your kids will spot everything from surfers, to swimmers, to starfish and shellfish on the pier pilings.

How to Get to Seal Beach Pier Playground: The pier is at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Main Street. I usually get there by taking the 405 or 22 to Seal Beach Boulevard.  Head towards the beach on Seal Beach Blvd. which turns into Ocean Avenue.  You’ll see the pier on your left when you reach Main Street. (Or you can turn right on Pacific Coast Highway from Seal Beach Blvd and turn down Main Street.  Enter the south parking lot from 10th Street. Enter the north parking lot from 8th Street. MAP TO EISENHOWER PARK AND SEAL BEACH PIER

Highlights:

• I just love to be near the ocean on outings with my kids
• Bring some sand toys and let the kids play in the sand
• This pier has a wide beach and views of Long Beach/San Pedro to the north
• The playground is smallish, but just right for the little ones.
• It’s fenced!

• Seal play sculptures
• 2 bench swings, 2 baby swings (with views of the pier and ocean when the sand berm isn’t stacked too high!)
• Most kids were playing tag or pretend.
• Lots of grandparents and large families on the day we visited.
• Play Trip: Before you head to the beach, walk up the south side of Main Street to Electric Avenue, then cross and head back to the beach on the north side of Main Street. First, stop at  Nick’s for their famous breakfast burritos or stop at Sweet Jill’s for a fresh-baked cinnamon roll to bring with you on a picnic back at the beach.

Be Aware:

• The playground is parking lot adjacent, so make sure there’s no escaping the gates and darting into the busy parking area.
• This is a BUSY park because of its location.
• Ruby’s Diner used to be at the end of the pier, but a fire in 2016 destroyed it. 

Checklist:

• Enter the pier parking lot off Ocean Avenue or park in the metered spaces in downtown Seal Beach. You’ll have to pay either way, so it’s more convenient to park in the lot. If you want to park close to the playground, it’s on the south side of the pier.  Parking is $3 for 2 hours or you can get the whole day for $6. More info on Seal Beach parking here.

• All piers are subject to closure due to high waves or storm surge.
• Play surface: mostly sand with some recycled rubber.
• Restrooms right near playground under the base of the pier.
• Police substation overlooking the playground at the base of the pier.
• Official information on the playground at Eisenhower Park from the City of Seal Beach
• Official information about Seal Beach parks
• Map of Seal Beach Streets
• Nearest local OCPL library branch: Seal Beach (Mary Wilson) Library

You might also like:

• San Clemente Pier
• Rush Park in Los Alamitos
• Little Cottonwood Park in Los Alamitos
• Heritage Park Play Island in Cerritos

Originally posted in June 2011.