A trip to Seal Beach would not be complete without a visit to the Red Car Museum on the old Pacific Electric Right of Way. Car No. 1734.  This rare Pacific Electric tower car built in 1925 now serves as the museum headquarters.

It was once a roving machine shop sent out to troubleshoot problems along the 40-mile Pacific Electric LA-Newport Line. A center tower was used for repairs and maintenance on the overhead lines. It operated for almost 50 years until 1950.

The Red Car in Seal Beach is not a large museum by any means. Nevertheless, it is ranked as one of the locals favorite Saturday afternoon haunts.

In the Red Car, guests are invited to sit and watch a video documenting the Red Car ride would have been like during its operations between 1904 and 1950s or close to it.

The volunteer staff and curator are outstanding in their enthusiasm and willingness to share time and stories, explain memorabilia and and help guests.

Some of the interesting signs, tickets, pins, pictures and other items in the museum are donated from people who have a collection of items relevant to the museum such as actual tickets, hats, pins, etc.

From match folders, poker chips, a bingo set and cards that were used at the Airport Club in Seal Beach, known later as Glider Inn and now Mahe, to sterling silver service from the Jewell Cafe that stood at the foot of the Seal Beach Pier near the amusement rides and attractions, the collectible items are interesting enough to draw in the guest to discover that such things existed.

Who could have known that Seal Beach once enjoyed an incredible beachfront amusement park like its neighbor, Long Beach with its Pike? Seal Beach was once a cosmopolitan place that featured thrills, rides, a solid vacation influx from Los Angeles and offshore rum runner boats where gambling took place. 

It makes life today in Seal Beach appear kind of sleepy and not at all like what once existed.

The museum  displays photographs of early Seal Beach, sea shells and Indian artifacts collected locally. It also has reference library of local history with detailed regional maps. 

Open the second and fourth Saturdays from Noon to 3 p.m., the museum provides the most comprehensive look into the history of Seal Beach.

Donations are accepted. Call Marie Antos, Historical Society President 562-430-1450 Location: Electric Avenue near Main St., next to Mary Wilson Library.