By Mariah Cannon

If you’re anything like myself, exploring more of the Oregon Coast is always on your list! This past March I was able to visit Seaside and in this blog, I’ve curated the ultimate weekend itinerary of things to do whether you’re staying for a weekend or just passing through. Adjust the itinerary to what best suites you!

Some History on Seaside

Seaside was home to the Clatsop Tribe in the days before much exploration in the now U.S. though soon an outbreak of smallpox brought over by fur traders would kill 90% of the Clatsop population. The town was later discovered by Lewis and Clark and was founded in 1899.

Seaside was a large musician and tourist town, many came there to experience the coastal treasures, and lots came to play music. The town went through everything from Tsunamis – one of the most destructive in the U.S. in 1964, riots, to attacks during WWII. A Japanese submarine was caught six miles outside of the town, coming for Fort Stevens – just a few short months after Pearl Harbor.

The town holds so much history and incredible places to walk around and explore, as well as plenty of locals that are always willing to chat!

Reminders

Please remember to leave no trace and keep the land and places you visit better than you found them so generations after us can keep enjoying and exploring!

Getting to Seaside

Seaside is a rather small town in population on the Oregon Coast line. A car will do you just fine getting around, whether you’re flying into Oregon or driving. The closest airport to Seaside is Portland (PDX) located about an hour and forty-five minutes (90 miles) away. If you’re driving, some nearby larger towns are:

• Astoria, OR – 14 miles
• Tillamook, OR – 37 miles
• Portland, OR – 78 miles
• Seattle, WA – 197 miles
• Bend, OR – 247 miles

Places to Stay

We stayed at Coast River Inn by OYO and really enjoyed our stay. Pleasant and clean atmosphere and vibrant colors throughout the hotel. Other great options include:

• Seaside Oceanfront Inn – Best overall $$
• Shilo Inns Seaside Oceanfront – Best budget friendly $
• Best Western Plus Ocean View – Best Ocean View $$-$$$
• Inn at the Prom – Best access to downtown and the Promenade $-$$

Bonus: All of the hotels I mentioned are pet friendly!

Day 1

1. Start by grabbing some coffee and breakfast at Bagels by The Sea which has some incredible bagels, as the name states, and a really welcoming atmosphere and staff.
2. After you fill up on breakfast, take a stroll around Painted Rock Beach. There’s a lot of fun rocks and also a prime beach for finding sand dollars and hermit crabs.
3. Take a stop at Tillamook Head Lighthouse and vast in the massive cliff sides and never ending ocean views.
4. Drive 7 miles to Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site to explore tide pools and stunning beaches.
5. After exploring Arcadia, drive a bit more South to Hug Point State Recreation Site to find secret caves, a waterfall, and so much more before beginning the drive back towards Seaside.
6. After spending the day hiking and exploring around, grab some delicious food at Ruby’s Roadside Grill. A pet friendly place with amazing burgers and milkshakes! We were the only ones there for lunch and all of the staff were so kind. They even have “Canine Cuisine” for your furry friends.
7. You can’t have dinner without dessert… So make sure to grab some delicious Gelato from Sea Star Gelato. They have tons of flavors and unique treats!

Day 2

1. Start your morning off by grabbing some fuel from Seaside Coffee Roasters.
2. While your coffee and food is still kicking in, check out the 1.5 mile Promenade at Seaside Beach. Here you’ll find a 15 foot paved walkway with endless views of the beach and Ocean, swing sets on the beach, and depending where you start on the Prom, you’ll get to see the famous Turnaround – where a statue of Lewis and Clark stands in the center. This stature signifies when they had reached their final destination West, before sailing home.
3. Now that you’re on the Prom, check out the Seaside Aquarium. This is quite the gem, I never knew about it until we were walking and seen a large sign for it. It’s a small aquarium, you find loads of sea creatures or whales, but you will find a kind group of locals and tons of small sea life. Make sure you grab a small bag of food when buying your admission, as there is a super fun surprise waiting for you at the end, Seals that you get to hand feed. This was super fun for us, they’re fun creatures to be up close with. Please go through the whole aquarium before seeing the seals, do not go to them first. Below is a snip of pricing from their website. No need to buy tickets in advance.
4. After you’ve had your fill on seals and sea life, continue exploring downtown. I recommend starting at the Prom or the Turnaround and venturing into the endless shops and goodie stores Seaside has to offer. Some fun ones are:
   • Carousel Mall
   • Funland Arcade
   • Seaside Museum
   • Schwietert’s Cones and Candy
   • By the Sea Gifts
5. Grab lunch at Dooger’s Seafood & Grill. We didn’t get to eat here, but the locals say it’s worth the stop!
6. If you’re feeling up to checking out some epic views and getting your workout in for the day, it’s time to hike up Saddle Mountain. A 4.7 mile round-trip hike gaining over 1,700 feet of elevation in a couple short miles. A popular trail that, on a clear day, shows you mountains ranging from Mt. Hood to St. Helens. May and June are the best times to visit for wildflowers!
7. Head back to seaside for some dinner at Dundees Bar & Grill. As of Feb 2024, they are under construction, but should be done by summer time!
8. Before retiring to your hotel, make sure you grab some homemade ice cream from Zinger’s. A fun atmosphere and tons of great flavors!

If You Have Additional Time

• Rent all different types of bikes across three locations in Seaside at Wheel Fun Rentals. They also offer kayak rentals!
• Check out the Fort to Sea Trail at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park.
• Hike the Cape Falcon Trail at Oswald West State Park, among many other epic trails!
• Eat at Bell Buoy where they were local before local was cool! Their motto is dock to dinner table.

Save this pin for future travels and adventures!

Lets Get Adventuring!

Mariah