Welcome to Seaside! Pedal past candy-colored cottages, watch glassy waves curl under gray skies, and sink your toes into one of the most beloved beaches on the Oregon Coast — Seaside is where saltwater taffy, carousel rides, and endless boardwalk charm meet the Pacific’s wild edge.
☑️ Seaside Checklist
- Book your Flight: Fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), then drive 90 minutes west through lush, winding forest highways
- Reserve your Hotel: Stay in a beachfront motel or vintage motor court just steps from the Promenade
- Join your Tour: Book a guided kayak trip or a historical walk through Lewis & Clark landmarks
🎡 Day 1: Boardwalk Classics
- Seaside Promenade: Start your day with a breezy stroll along this oceanfront walkway — waves on one side, charming inns and beach bikes on the other
- Turnaround at the End of the Trail: Snap a selfie at the Lewis & Clark statue marking their epic journey’s final stop
- Seaside Aquarium: Peer into tanks of swirling sea life, and don’t miss the chance to toss snacks to the rowdy harbor seals out front
- Carousel Mall: Ride the vintage carousel, grab a funnel cake, and browse quirky shops that smell like cotton candy and sunscreen
- Lunch at the Arcade Strip: Pick up fish and chips or a gooey grilled cheese, then wander the retro arcade with a pocket full of tokens
- Rent a Beach Cruiser: Pedal down quiet backstreets lined with pastel beach cottages and blooming hydrangeas
- Bonfire on the Beach: End your day around a driftwood fire with roasted marshmallows and the sound of waves in the dark
🦀 Day 2: Coastal Icons
- Haystack Rock Stop: Make a short drive to nearby Cannon Beach for tidepools and picture-perfect views of this massive sea stack
- Lewis & Clark Salt Works: Step back in time at this humble but fascinating site where explorers boiled seawater to make salt
- Downtown Seaside Stroll: Pop into kitschy shops selling shark-tooth necklaces, log cabin fudge, and everything tie-dye
- Seaside Inverted Experience: Snap playful photos in rooms flipped upside down — your feet on the ceiling and your grin ear to ear
- Lunch at a Crab Shack: Crack into buttery Dungeness crab legs or slurp chowder in a sourdough bowl on a patio with sea views
- Seaside Historical Society Museum: Duck into this local gem to see vintage swimsuits, surfing photos, and stories of how Seaside became Oregon’s beach town
- Seaside Helicopters Tour: Soar above the crashing coastline for views that’ll make your jaw drop — especially at golden hour
🍦 Day 3: Retro + Relax
- Morning Beach Walk: Grab a coffee to-go and wander the morning shoreline, watching dogs chase gulls and surfers bob on the waves
- Captain Kid Amusement Park: Ride go-karts, play mini-golf, and channel your inner kid at this old-school roadside favorite
- Antique Mall Browsing: Dig through vintage postcards, glass floats, and coastal treasures — you never know what you’ll find
- Tillamook Ice Cream Cone: Get the biggest scoop they’ve got and sit near the carousel to people-watch as drips hit your hand
- Souvenir Stop on Broadway: Pick up saltwater taffy by the pound, Seaside hoodies, and jars of sea salt harvested nearby
- Lazy Afternoon on the Prom: Sit on a bench, watch the clouds roll in, and listen to the waves — it’s what Seaside does best
- Dinner at a Classic Fish House: End with fried razor clams, coleslaw, and a cold Oregon ale as the sun fades behind the dunes
💡 Seaside Tips
- Pack Layers: Fog rolls in fast — it’s beachy, but not always bikini weather
- Bring Cash for Games: Arcades and taffy shops often skip the credit card
- Beach Fires are Allowed: But keep them 50 feet from grass and tide
- Tidepool Safely: Watch your step and never turn your back on the waves
- Arrive Early for Parking: Especially on sunny summer weekends
- Windproof Your Hair: Ocean breezes here are no joke
- Check Sunset Times: You don’t want to miss the show — bring a blanket and claim your spot
📅 Seaside Calendar
- Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament (August): Thousands of players hit the sand for the world’s largest amateur beach volleyball event
- Seaside Muscle & Chrome (June): Classic cars line Broadway for a weekend of chrome, engines, and rock ‘n’ roll
- 4th of July Fireworks: A big beach boom show that lights up the whole coastline
- Seaside Art Walk (First Saturdays): Galleries and shops stay open late with local art and live music
- Sandcastle Day (July): Builders of all ages sculpt sea creatures, castles, and wild ideas in the sand
- Hood to Coast Relay (August): Thousands of runners end their epic trek from Mount Hood right on Seaside’s beach
- Holiday Lights Parade (Nov): Twinkling floats and carolers usher in the season down Broadway
🐟 Seaside Menu
- Dungeness Crab Legs: Sweet, buttery, and best eaten elbows-deep with a bib and lemon wedge
- Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl: Creamy, comforting, and served steaming with a view of the ocean
- Fried Razor Clams: Local favorite — crispy on the outside, tender on the inside
- Saltwater Taffy: Pulled and wrapped right in front of you — grab a paper bag and mix your own flavors
- Oregon Shrimp Cocktail: Cold, snappy little shrimp piled into a cup with zesty sauce
- Fish & Chips Basket: Golden, flaky cod with a mountain of fries and tartar sauce galore
- Tillamook Ice Cream: Rich, creamy, and Oregon-proud — get it in a waffle cone, even if it’s 60 and foggy