Seaside Oregon...a cheesy beach resort town
Seaside's cheesiness is its charm. Don't fight it--go native and get a taffy, ride the bumper cars & carousel, feed the seals and buy that cheesy neon green Seaside hoodie.Seaside is the classic beach town, Oregon's first seaside resort, dating back to the mid 1800s.. The promenade is a 1.5 mile paved walkway, the only beachside path of its kind in Oregon, where you enjoy views of Seaside Beach and Tillamook Head, the Lewis & Clark's parties furthest point south (& west).
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The beach, consisting of three miles of sandy beach, has attracted visitors from around the globe for more than 150 years. Once were there you'll dip your toes in and run back to the boardwalk. Shortly after you'll see the cottages from the early 1900's. The cottages were a great place for the Portlandites to spend some quality time at. Seaside was known as the end of the railroad line in the early 1900's. Many people from Portland would hop the train to the end of the line at Seaside on the week-ends. They could travel round-trip for $0.25. The promenade dates from the 1920s and there's something distinctly East Coast about it, like a Jersey shore relic. Walk past the aquarium for a 20 minute RT walk.*
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Historic Downtown, boardwalk & promenade: At the Promenade (pictured above with Tillamook Head in the background), a statue of Lewis and Clark greets you. About a 10 minute walk down the Promenade*, their Salt Works reconstruction a block from the beach shows how a small party from the Corps boiled saltwater for salt. Interpretive signs. Nearby, at the foot of Broadway St., is the End of the Trail Monument. By the time the expedition makes it to Fort Clatsop 15 miles north of here, their salt cache is gone. The captains sent five men to establish the salt camp. They chose Seaside because the seawater had a high salt content here, and the game and wood were abundant. Captain Clark pronounced the salt "excellent white and fine." They used the briny bounty to cure elk and other wild game for charcuterie to nibble alongside wild onions, licorice root and berries they traded with local tribes during their journey home.
- Fuel up for the day
- Buoy's Best Restaurant (1800 S Roosevelt Dr.) has the finest, freshest seafood in town, straight from the Bell Buoy Fish Market next door. One of the only places approved to clean and sell razor clams, cut out the middleman and get the clam chowder, which made a respectable showing last year. It's rich & buttery thanks to an overnight marinade. Also be sure to grab oyster shooters ($3) and breaded cod with waffle fries ($10). Most Casual
- Norma’s Seafood & Steak - In a lighthouse building
- Finn’s Fish House
- Doogers Seafood & Grill – The most up-scale but still casual dress.
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- Stock up on fresh fudge and saltwater taffy
- Amuse Yourselves-Visit the 'Blasts from the Past'--
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Relive Your Childhood--
Even if you’re not a “carousel person” you’ll enjoy this spot, no matter your age. The Seaside Carousel Mall is beloved, where 24 whimsical animals twirl beneath a kaleidoscope of colorful lights. This is the place to visit for gifts and souvenirs. For $3 a ride, ride the vintage Lusse Auto Scooter bumper cars (like this 1953 model styled after the curvy, chromed-out Chevy's of its era) and the Tilt-A-Whirl, all over 60 years old... Then head next door to Pronto Pup for a made-to-order corn dog or Maggie's on the Promenade for a sit down lunch or dinner.
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Playland is now Bumper Cars/Tilt-A-Whirl
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*Seaside Promenade Hike...
Like to hike?...then take the scenic Seaside Oregon Promenade Hike. It's an up to 3.5 mile loop hike with no elevation gain. Begin at the "Turnaround". It's a small circular plaza overlooking the beach. A statue of Lewis and Clark begins your hike. The Lewis & Clark Salt Works is a 15 minute walk south. By the time the expedition makes it to Fort Clatsop, their salt cache is gone. The explorers promptly order their men to start evaporating Pacific Ocean seawater to extract their own "excellent, fine, strong and white" sea salt. They use the briny bounty to cure elk and other wild game for charcuterie to nibble alongside wild onions, licorice root and berries they trade with local tribes during their journey home.
Then head north from the statue along the Promenade. You'll walk on the 15-foot wide paved walkway passing downtown hotels and the grassy little dunes. Two blocks into your hike you'll pass the Seaside Oregon Aquarium. Shortly after you'll see the cottages from the early 1900's.
A little historical side note - the cottages were a great place for the Portlandites to spend some quality time at. Seaside Oregon was known as the end of the railroad line in the early 1900's. Many people from Portland would hop the train to the end of the line at Seaside Oregon on the week-ends. They could travel round-trip for $0.25.
At 12th Avenue the Promenade ends. Walk to the left on the dunes, northward. You'll soon reach a solitude beach. Walk along the beach. In the distance you'll see the Light House on Tillamook Rock.
The beach will end at the mouth of the Necanicum River. You can walk up the little grassy hill and continue northwards to the end of the Necanicum estuary. You'll find this a remarkable quaint spot, worth the visit.
To return, you can re-trace your steps or simply walk on the grassy hill into town. Walk along the various streets, passing shops until you reach Broadway. Take Broadway towards the Promenade where your car is parked.
Like to hike?...then take the scenic Seaside Oregon Promenade Hike. It's an up to 3.5 mile loop hike with no elevation gain. Begin at the "Turnaround". It's a small circular plaza overlooking the beach. A statue of Lewis and Clark begins your hike. The Lewis & Clark Salt Works is a 15 minute walk south. By the time the expedition makes it to Fort Clatsop, their salt cache is gone. The explorers promptly order their men to start evaporating Pacific Ocean seawater to extract their own "excellent, fine, strong and white" sea salt. They use the briny bounty to cure elk and other wild game for charcuterie to nibble alongside wild onions, licorice root and berries they trade with local tribes during their journey home.
Then head north from the statue along the Promenade. You'll walk on the 15-foot wide paved walkway passing downtown hotels and the grassy little dunes. Two blocks into your hike you'll pass the Seaside Oregon Aquarium. Shortly after you'll see the cottages from the early 1900's.
A little historical side note - the cottages were a great place for the Portlandites to spend some quality time at. Seaside Oregon was known as the end of the railroad line in the early 1900's. Many people from Portland would hop the train to the end of the line at Seaside Oregon on the week-ends. They could travel round-trip for $0.25.
At 12th Avenue the Promenade ends. Walk to the left on the dunes, northward. You'll soon reach a solitude beach. Walk along the beach. In the distance you'll see the Light House on Tillamook Rock.
The beach will end at the mouth of the Necanicum River. You can walk up the little grassy hill and continue northwards to the end of the Necanicum estuary. You'll find this a remarkable quaint spot, worth the visit.
To return, you can re-trace your steps or simply walk on the grassy hill into town. Walk along the various streets, passing shops until you reach Broadway. Take Broadway towards the Promenade where your car is parked.
