Up to the thirties, Sea Point was a little seaside resort out of town, where affluent Capetonian citizens had their holiday and weekend homes. From the fifties on, highrising apartment houses were erected. Similar to Hillbrow and Johannesburg, it was regarded to be chic - á la New York - to live in a high building.
The promenade of Sea Point, which stretches to Mouille Point is also very popular. It is a jogger's mile and many people meet here for a walk and a talk. The beaches in Sea Point are not very good for swimming. The surf is too powerful and the coast too rocky. But there is the huge seawater swimming pool.
The neighbouring suburb of Green Point is famous for its big Sunday market; a fleamarket with thousands of stalls around the stadium. Mainly African arts & crafts are being sold here.
Sea Point has a different face nowadays. "Upper Sea Point", on the slopes of the Signal Hill is characterised by expensive private mansions. Down at the sea promenade you find a long row of luxury apartment blocks. In between lies the Main Road with pubs, music clubs, coffeeshops and some good restaurants like the Chinese Mr Chan or bistros like the lively New York Bagel. But also stripclubs, brothels, gambling places, drug trafficking and the like can still be found here.
Left: Apartment blocks in Sea Point. Top right: Promenade. Bottom right: Green Point and Sea Point
More information and accommodation in Sea Point and Green Point to be found on the blue INFO page.