Seal Beach was incorporated in 1917 and became a charter city in 1964. It is located on the coast of northwestern Orange County encompassing 11.97 square miles. Neighboring communities include Huntington Beach, Westminster, Los Alamitos and Long Beach.

The city is administered under a council-manager form of government, and is governed by a five-member City council elected by district serving four-year alternating terms. The City Clerk is also elected and both the City Attorney and City Manager are appointed by the City Council.

The City’s beautiful beaches and pleasant weather attracts more than 2,000,000 visitors each year making recreation an important factor in the local economy in this otherwise residential community. To accommodate visitors Seal Beach maintains a municipal pier, a beach park, and a skate park.