Seal Beach, California

I have been so busy this summer and the fact that it stays light so late, makes it hard for me to find time to blog. The fact that I sprained my ankle three weeks ago, and I still can't walk on it for any length of time, has also put me in a less than cheerful mood. I have been spending some time in Seal Beach, a place where I used to live before I moved to Santa Monica, and I enjoy the contrast.  Seal Beach is a little known beach town, in between Long Beach and Huntington Beach, and has managed to keep it's charm. I was able to hobble around this weekend and take some pictures to share.  This first picture is the view from my very dear friend's house, the reason I spend so much time in this community.  Every time I visit, there is always a party, no matter what time or day it is.  When you are lucky enough to live right on the beach, you feel obligated to share it with others.  The beach is never that crowded, mainly because it is off the beaten track and there isn't much parking, so it's a great place to spend a relaxing day.  Right next to the beach is the most darling Main Street you will ever find.  The fact that it has five Irish Bars in a three block radius, makes it a natural for St. Patrick's Day.  They block off the street and the local police serve coffee and offer taxi's to anyone who needs one. Most people need one.  There are lots of great restaurants, but Walt's is the best of the best.  It has been in business for at least fifty years and is still going strong.  Great seafood. If you are ever in the vicinity, you should definitely eat here.
My all time favorite pizza, Z Pizza, is a chain, but they don't have very many, so it's a real treat every time I am in the vicinity.  I guess there is a reason they call it "Mayberry by the Sea."    One store I love, is the Temecula Olive Oil Company.  They have the best olive oil, vinegars and olives.  All of my favorite things.  I even drank some vanilla-fig vinegar with a chaser of citrus olive oil.  I know I will go back and buy them.
It really does take you back in time.  Every time I visit, I feel I have gone on a vacation far from Los Angeles.  It also has a pier, and there are always fishermen hanging out.  They actually catch fish and on any given night you can walk by and see the fish swimming in buckets full of bloody water.  Grosses me out.
 This is the view from my friend's balcony.  It's a hard life, living right on the beach.