In 1923 Cecil B. DeMille filmed “The Ten Commandments” and Moses’ parted the “Red Sea” on the flat sea shore of Seal Beach. ~ Seal Beach Chamber
If you drive about 45 minutes south of Los Angeles, along the coast of Orange County, you’ll happen upon Seal Beach. You wouldn’t think it given the laid back vibe and family-friendly atmosphere, but the city has quite the storied past. Legend has it that, at one point, Seal Beach was known as “Sin City”; a drop off point for rum runners during prohibition, and a place where prostitution was found in the upstairs of more than one Main Street establishment.*
Today, Main Street is the spot for Sunday family brunch — The Crema Cafe serves delectable baked goods to-go like Kouign Amann and almond croissants if you don’t have patience for a 40-minute table wait. The century-old pier attracts a fishing crowd and Sunday strollers.
Overall, Seal Beach seems very cool, calm, and collected. Perhaps the city was inspired by the Ten Commandments to clean up its act?
Marina Chetner 
Reblogged this on Amanda's Words / starfire8me and commented:
beautiful!!!
the black and white shot is my favourite.
Thank you! It felt like a black and white shot, if you know what I mean?!
Beautiful SoCal
Indeed! Thanks Cornelia!
Love the history of the beach, particularly the Parting of the Sea. Interesting to see that Kouigh Amman is sold in California. I’d never heard of it until I came to France: it’s a speciality from Brittany, which I’m sure you knew. I just didn’t think the Franco-American link went that deep:)
Thanks Roger. I have no idea to the background of Kouign Amann except that it is full of butter! The first time I tried it was in downtown LA — in a spot called the Bread Lounge in the Arts District and I haven’t looked back 🙂 Have you ever attempted to make it?
Lovely pictures. I really like the pier photos, especially the black and white one! 🙂
Thanks Gabriele! There are so many piers in California — this one filled with so many fishing rods!
You guys are SO spoilt for beautiful sand.
Indeed!! I know it 😉
This beach is fantastic! I would be them. Wonderful!
It’s like that along the Californian coast — you would love all the beaches then!
Smashing series of photographs Marina. Oh I would so love to visit California. The problem is, I think I’d want to stay and that’s not easy to do these days.. 🙂
An extended visit would do the trick Adrian — maybe after summer when the weather isn’t so hot but pleasant enough to get up pre-dawn (sans the fog) and take some of your gorgeous landscapes. I vote for a Sept-Nov stay 😉 Thank you!
Reblogged this on Beatz kane Blog.
I love your pictures of that beautiful beach.
Thank you so much, Gerard!
Oh wow, those snapshots just make me want to fly over and claim my rightful spot on the beach 😀 Even though the flight would be around 10 hours, I definitely think it would be worth it!
You should do it 🙂 No regrets!! I am glad you enjoyed them –thank you!
So much summer! I am already in the “it’s-going-by-too-quickly nostalgic mode”. Trying to eek out as many beautiful weather experiences as possible.
Gosh the ocean is endlessly gorgeous… : )
I was feeling the very same way today Karen — even though the temps are sky high and I am sweating (non-Bikram style) !! Thank you!
Hy Marina, as a fan of you, hmm, I wonder if you have one of your amazing shuts to send me as a gift. In my school of music we have to elect the new director and for the new candidate, my candidate, we do not find the right image for his electoral site. Do you have same “musical” pic?. Am I outrageous? If yes, I beg your pardon. Pasquale
Pasquale, what musical pic do you mean? Did you see one on my site? If so, let me know. Thanks!