Sunset Beach is an unincorporated community in north
Orange County, California. Located south of Seal Beach and Surfside, many
houses reside on sand beaches, with hotels, restaurants and shops situated
along Pacific Coast Highway, the primary road passing through this one
mile stretch of land. The 100-year-old community consists of a mix of long
time residents and newcomers who share a passion for the beach and
independence in ingenuity in protecting their treasured location in North
Orange County.
What's special about Sunset Beach is its small town
charm?
This community has its own association that sponsors annual activities
such as a Mother's Day Weekend Art Festival, Christmas parking lot "No Parade",
Chili Cookoff and a Mile Long Garage Sale.
Locals know Sunset Beach for its quaint post office, the
center of social life, where events are posted and residents get their
mail and for the greenbelt which once served as the right of way for the
Pacific Electric Red Car. The electric car brought tourists to town from Los Angeles
in the days of rum runners and casino gambling boats off shore.
With
views of the Long Beach skyline, Sunset Beach offers soft sand, beach volleyball
nets, ample restrooms and is favored for windsurfing pictured above. There
are no beach concessions, (there's Jack in the Box, however), there's no
cement beach path (it ends flatly at Warner Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway
where Sunset begins) and on the other end at the north side of town is
the water tower house and the beginning of gated Surfside.
Across the street from Sunset Beach is the bay, ideal
for launching kayaks.
A television soap opera show called Sunset Beach
brought interest to this folksy town. As for any similarities to the Sunset
Beach they know and love, residents chuckle and say there are none.
Make a turn down one of the numbered streets 5th through
24th or turn west at the stoplight on Broadway. One block later you'll
dead end at the sand, in the land of Sunset Beach. Free parking is available
though limited on summer weekends.
Getting there: Sunset Beach is located on Pacific Coast Highway.
From San Diego Freeway, take Seal Beach Blvd. exit. Travel South - East
for several miles. Take a left at Pacific Coast Highway and drive approximately
2 miles.
Hotel Reviews
Econo Lodge
Ramada Ocean
