Visit the Red Car Museum on the old Pacific Electric Right of Way. Car No. 1734

SEAL BEACH, CALIF. — This is a rare Pacific Electric tower car built in 1925. Lovingly paint and restored, it  serves as the Red Car  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 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. (subject to change) the museum provides the most comprehensive look into the history of Seal Beach. Donations are accepted. Tel: (562) 683-1874.
Address: Electric Avenue near Main St., next to Mary Wilson Library. 

According to former Seal Beach Red Car Museum president Laura Alioto, "Seal Beach had the buzz. You went there for fun in the sun." Bath palaces, a giant roller coaster, gaming rooms, gambling ships, rum runners and wicker boardwalk carts can be seen in historic photos sold in an art shop in downtown Seal Beach.

Scintillating lights illuminated the water and night bathers from the second longest pier in the state. Bathing Pavilion with 1000 dressing rooms renting for 25 cents each, opened directly onto the beach. Their motto was: A beach without an undertow.  

How did people arrive and find out about this fun place? They took the red car from Los Angeles to the beaches — Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach were among them.<