Seaside

Seaside, Oregon, invites you to fly kites on its wide beaches, build sandcastles under open skies, and stroll a century-old oceanfront promenade. Founded as a 19th-century railroad resort, this coastal town sits where the Necanicum River meets the Pacific, 90 miles west of Portland. Rainy winters and cool summers shape its rhythm, but Seaside stays active year-round with events like the world’s second-largest beach volleyball tournament and July fireworks launched over the ocean. You can pedal swan boats along quiet waterways, explore tide pools filled with marine life, or walk to a replica saltworks site where Lewis and Clark’s expedition once boiled seawater.

The Seaside Promenade and Beachfront

Walk or bike the 1.5-mile Seaside Promenade, a concrete pathway built in the 1920s that curves along the Pacific. Begin at the Turnaround, a circular plaza marking the western end of the Lewis and Clark Trail, where a bronze statue honors the explorers. South of this spot, a reconstructed salt cairn demonstrates how the expedition produced salt for food preservation. The beach extends for miles with soft sand suited for bonfires, collecting shells, or riding fat-tire bikes available for rent. During low tide, look for purple sea stars and green anemones clinging to rocks near Tillamook Head.

Annual Events and Festivals

Seaside’s Fourth of July celebration includes a parade, live bands, and fireworks launched from barges offshore. Over 1,000 teams compete in the Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament each August, turning the shoreline into a temporary sports arena. In September, the Salt Maker’s Return event recreates Lewis and Clark’s salt-making process with costumed interpreters. From March through December, galleries on Broadway host monthly art walks displaying works by regional artists.

Outdoor Adventures Beyond the Beach

Hike Ecola State Park’s trails, 10 minutes south, to see jagged sea stacks and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse rising from the ocean. Rent kayaks or paddleboards to glide through the Necanicum River’s slow-moving waters, passing beneath bridges dotted with cafes. The Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge protects 30,000 acres of tidal marshes where elk wade and seabirds nest, reachable by private boat or guided tours. For sweeping views of the Columbia River and coastline, hike the 5.2-mile Saddle Mountain trail with its steep final ascent.

Historical Sites and Local Lore

Examine vintage vacation photos and Clatsop tribal tools at the Seaside Museum. Drive 18 miles east to Camp-18 Museum, where antique logging equipment and a restored steam engine highlight Oregon’s timber industry. Touch sea cucumbers and feed squid to bat rays at the Seaside Aquarium, operating since 1937 with indoor tanks and outdoor seal pools.

Family-Friendly Attractions

Spin on the hand-carved carousel at Seaside Carousel Mall, then play classic arcade games like Skee-Ball at Funland, open since the 1930s. Rent swan-shaped paddleboats on the Necanicum River or tandem bicycles for cruising the Promenade. Pose for photos in the Seaside Inverted Experience, a studio with furniture fixed to the ceiling for playful optical illusions.

Dining and Coastal Flavors

Taste Dungeness crab cocktails at the Bell Buoy, a casual seafood counter with harbor views. Try sushi rolls with locally caught fish at Tora Sushi Lounge or grab maple-bacon doughnuts at Dundee’s Donuts before browsing surf shops on Broadway. SISU Brewing pours IPAs and porters in a renovated 1930s theater space, serving burgers and fish tacos.

Practical Information

Pack layers for Seaside’s climate: summer temperatures average 65°F, and winter rainstorms rarely drop below freezing. No sales tax applies to purchases, and beach access parking remains free. Reach the town via Highway 26 from Portland or Highway 101 along the coast. Buses connect to Astoria and Cannon Beach, while the Seaside Municipal Airport accommodates small aircraft. Most beaches, parks, and the Promenade charge no entry fees.