Seaside Travel Guide
Best neighborhoods, things to do, and when to visit
Seaside, OR
Seaside anchors the northern Oregon coast with a 1.5-mile boardwalk called the Prom, a turnaround marking the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail, and arcade games a block inland. Tillamook Head rises to the south, where forest trails climb above the surf.
Boardwalk strolls · Beach town · Coastal hiking
Airport
Portland International Airport, inland to the east of Seaside
Language
English, with Spanish spoken at some shops
Currency
US dollar (USD, $); cards accepted, small cash handy
Ideal trip length
Two to three days, ideally a long weekend
Best time to visit Seaside
July – September
Average temperature
51-69°F (10-20°C), The driest stretch of the year, with morning fog that usually lifts by midday.
Crowd Level
High
Reason To Visit
Midsummer through September brings the driest skies and highs near 69°F (20°C), so the Promenade, the beach, and Tillamook Head trails stay comfortable well into the evening.
Fall eventMt. Angel Oktoberfest
Mt Angel
Things to do
Walk the 1.5-mile Promenade at low tide, hike the Tillamook Head trail toward Ecola State Park, then rent a bike for a slow loop past the Turnaround.
Popular events
Spring
Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival, North Coast Comedy Night, Spring Longview Dark Market
Summer
Hood to Coast Relay Finish, Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament, Fourth of July Fireworks
Fall
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, Seaside Parade of Lights, Seaside Oktoberfest
Winter
Portland Winter Light Festival, Newport Seafood & Wine Festival, Artistry in Wood
Where to stay in Seaside
Three coastal bases near Seaside, from golf-town calm to headland views and quiet dunes.
Cannon Beach
A walkable beach town south of Seaside, known for its wide sand and rocky sea stacks.
Known for
Haystack Rock views and gallery-lined streets
Nearby neighborhoods
Seaside
Gearhart
A low-key town just north of Seaside, with dune trails and a long stretch of open beach.
Known for
Historic golf links and quiet dune-backed beach
Things to do nearby
Seaside Beach North Promenade
Nearby neighborhoods
Seaside
Sunset Beach
Dunes, pine woods and a broad beach north of Gearhart, with few crowds most days.
Known for
Uncrowded sand and easy access to Fort Stevens
Must see places in Seaside
Sea stacks, tide pools and a 1920s promenade along Oregon's north coast
Seaside Beach North Promenade
A 1.5-mile concrete walkway built in 1920, set above the sand with benches facing the Pacific.
Neighborhood
Seaside
Things to do nearby
Seaside Aquarium, Necanicum River
Time needed
1-2 hours
Seaside Aquarium
Historic aquarium with touch tanks, seal feedings and marine education programs.
Neighborhood
Seaside
Things to do nearby
Seaside Beach North Promenade, Seaside Museum & Historical Society
Time needed
1 hour
Seaside Cove
A rocky corner at the mouth of the Necanicum, good for tide pools and watching surfers.
Neighborhood
Seaside
Things to do nearby
Seaside Beach North Promenade
Time needed
1 hour
Haystack Rock
A 235-foot sea stack rising off Cannon Beach, ringed by tide pools and nesting seabirds.
Neighborhood
Cannon Beach
Time needed
1-2 hours
Ecola State Park
Coastal park with hiking trails, ocean viewpoints and access to Indian Beach.
Neighborhood
Cannon Beach
Time needed
2-3 hours
Hug Point State Recreation Site
A cove with sea caves, a small waterfall and traces of an old wagon road on the sand.
Neighborhood
Arch Cape
Time needed
1-2 hours
Lewis And Clark National Historical Park
A replica winter fort with forest paths, set between Astoria and Seaside.
Time needed
2 hours
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Riverfront museum covering bar pilots, shipwrecks and Coast Guard rescues on the Columbia.
Neighborhood
Astoria
Time needed
2 hours
Places to eat and drink in Seaside
Cajun-Creole and Caribbean dishes with tropical drinks.
Bell Buoy of Seaside
Family seafood market and chowder counter selling Dungeness crab and canned Pacific salmon.
Highlights
Cooked Dungeness crab
Why do locals love it
Crab is cooked on site, so you can take it straight to the beach.
Norma's Seafood & Steak
Longtime Broadway restaurant known for clam chowder and fried Pacific oysters.
Highlights
Clam chowder, fish and chips
Why do locals love it
A short walk from the Prom, with a menu built around local catch.
Osprey Café
Small breakfast spot near the Necanicum River with Latin American touches on the plate.
Highlights
Chilaquiles
Why do locals love it
Morning cooking with masa and chiles rather than standard diner fare.
The Stand
Counter-service taqueria serving fish tacos, burritos, and salsas made in house.
Highlights
Fish tacos
Why do locals love it
Quick, hearty plates for the drive back from the beach.
Seaside Coffee Roasters
Roaster and cafe pouring espresso and drip coffee a block from the beachfront turnaround.
Highlights
House-roasted coffee
Why do locals love it
An easy stop before an early walk down the Promenade.
Hop & Vine Bottle Shop and Taproom
A bottle shop and taproom where pours and takeaway bottles share one counter.
Highlights
Taproom pours, bottle shop
Why do locals love it
Drink a pint on site or take a bottle back to the rental.
Castaways
Cajun-Creole, French and Caribbean dishes arrive alongside tropical drinks in a cozy room.
Highlights
Cajun-Creole and Caribbean dishes, tropical drinks
Why do locals love it
Tropical drinks and Creole cooking in a cozy setting.
Riley's Restaurant & Lounge
A restaurant and lounge in Seaside, with table seating and a separate bar area.
Highlights
Full bar
Why do locals love it
Dining room or lounge, depending on the evening.
Explore Seaside: The best travel itineraries
Two routes through Seaside and the north Oregon coast, from the Promenade and beach to sea stacks and forest viewpoints.
Experienced Airbnb hosts in Seaside
270+
Places to stay in Seaside
1,130+
Verified guest reviews in Seaside
51,020+
Average rating in Seaside
4.8
1 Day trip
A single day built around the 1920 Promenade, the wide sand at Seaside Beach, and a seafood dinner a few blocks inland.
Morning
Walk the Promenade
Benches face west, so mornings are calmer for a full out-and-back walk.
Afternoon
Beach time
Check the tide chart before heading out for wider stretches of dry sand.
Evening
Seafood supper
Order the clam chowder alongside the fish and chips.
3 Day trip
Three days of beach walks, tide pools and small museums, moving from the Necanicum River south to Cannon Beach and north toward the Columbia.
Morning
Walk the 1920 Prom
Benches face the Pacific along the full 1.5 miles, so pick a windward layer.
Afternoon
Touch tanks and seals
Check feeding times when you arrive to plan the rest of the afternoon.
Evening
Chowder near the beach
Order the clam chowder if the line is long and you want something quick.
Morning
Haystack Rock at low tide
Time your visit to low tide for the tide pools around the base.
Afternoon
Ocean viewpoints at Ecola
A day-use fee applies at the park entrance station.
Evening
Cajun-Creole dinner
Ask about the tropical drinks list before you order.
Morning
Lewis and Clark Salt Cairn
A short residential-street stop, best paired with a walk to the beach.
Afternoon
Forest paths at Fort Clatsop
Wear shoes that handle damp trails through the woods.
Evening
Shipwrecks and bar pilots
Leave time for the Columbia River Bar exhibits near the entrance.
5-7 Day trip
Start with the beach at your door, then work outward to tide pools, sea caves, forest viewpoints and a riverfront maritime museum before circling back for chowder.
Morning
Sand first
Wind picks up after midday, so go early for the calmest stretch.
Afternoon
Promenade walk
Benches face the Pacific the whole way, so pace yourself.
Evening
Chowder and fish
Portions run generous, so consider splitting the fish and chips.
Morning
Seals and touch tanks
Buy a tray of fish at the door for the seal feeding.
Afternoon
How Seaside grew
Small rooms, so an hour is usually plenty.
Evening
Bottles and taps
Take a bottle to go if the taproom seats are full.
Morning
Tide pools at the rock
Check a tide table; low tide opens the pools at the base.
Afternoon
Town and museum
Downtown galleries sit within a few blocks of the museum.
Evening
Cajun and Creole plates
The dining room is small, so reserve ahead on weekends.
Morning
Coffee before the road
Order the house roast and take it to the promenade.
Afternoon
Headland viewpoints
Bring layers; the overlooks stay windy even in summer.
Evening
Caves and a waterfall
Go at low tide to reach the sea caves and old wagon road.
Morning
The winter fort
Forest paths loop from the replica fort, so wear real shoes.
Afternoon
Bar pilots and rescues
Start with the shipwreck galleries if time is short.
Evening
Crab to finish
Cooked Dungeness travels well if you want it back at the rental.
Family travel
Build sandcastles on the wide beach, ride the bumper cars at Seaside Carousel Mall, and meet seals at the Seaside Aquarium.
Couple travel
Share a quiet stroll to the Turnaround and Lewis and Clark statue, then browse the shops and galleries along Broadway.
Solo travel
Walk the 1.5-mile Promenade at sunrise, then climb Tillamook Head trail from Seaside Cove for wide Pacific views.
How to get around Seaside
Metro and train
Seaside has no passenger rail service. Travelers arriving by train to Portland continue west by bus, shuttle, or car to the coast.
Bus
Regional coastal buses link Seaside with Astoria, Cannon Beach, and Portland. Check the operator for current routes, stops, and timing before you travel.
Rental car
Most visitors arrive by car, often renting in Portland. Summer parking near the Promenade fills early, so plan for a lot a few blocks inland.
Walking
The flat Promenade runs about 1.5 miles along the beach, and downtown is easy on foot. Pack a rain shell and layers for cool, damp mornings.
Generated with AI and may contain mistakes. Sources include third-party travel data and Airbnb data from listings, hosts, and host guidebooks. Updated September 2026.