Seaside, Oregon: It all begins and ends at the Prom
Written: Oct 09 '06 (Updated Oct 10 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Wide, beautiful beach; promenade walk; fun activities for kids and adults alike
Cons: Can be busy during certain events
The Bottom Line: A great getaway for Portlanders and a nice place for Oregon visitors, too.
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| pilarzmom's Full Review: Seaside, Oregon |
One word comes to mind when I think of Oregon beaches: cold! But somehow that doesn't stop people from enjoying their breathtaking beauty and having fun while visiting them. Even my kids, who grew up enjoying the warmer beaches of California and Hawaii, still have a special place in their heart for the Oregon beaches. One of their favorite places to visit in Oregon whenever we are there is the quaint little coastal town of Seaside, just 80 miles away from Portland.
The Promenade
While many beach towns in California have their piers and boardwalks, here in Seaside it's the Promenade, or "Prom" as the locals call it. This 15-foot wide paved walkway follows the sea wall, beginning at the circular loop known as the "Turnaround". The Prom is great for walking, rollerblading, or even renting bikes or surreys, the 4-wheeled cycles large enough to carry 4 or even 6 people. The complete round-trip distance to the end of the Prom and back is a little over 3 miles.
On your stroll or ride you'll go past several hotels as well as the famous Seaside Aquarium. This privately owned aquarium opened in 1937 and is most famous for its seals. Indeed many people go here just for the opportunity to feed these lively fellows, the majority of whom were born and raised here in captivity. There are a few other fish tank displays as well as an area for kids to touch some of the sea life. Overall, it's fun for the younger set, although you don't really get too much for your money. ($7 adults, $3.50 kids) Adults and older kids would probably enjoy the Oregon Aquarium down in Newport a bit more.
If you make it to the end of the Prom, you can continue your walk on the beach, eventually ending at the mouth of the Necanicum River. If you're lucky and the weather is clear you might able even to see the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse perched precariously on top of Tillamook Rock about a mile offshore. This lighthouse was somewhat of an engineering feat as the rock it sits upon was susceptible to the rough ocean surf and appears totally unapproachable by boat. The lighthouse managed to stay in operation for 77 years, from 1880 to 1957
Other Activities
One of my kid's favorite activities is renting a "chopper" from Wheel Fun Rentals (153 A Street). These low riding 3-wheeled bikes are great for taking a spin out on the hard sand. They're not cheap, $15 a half hour, but they are so much fun that you'll be tempted to keep them out an hour.
As you walk through the cute downtown you'll be tempted to do some shopping, with many little souvenir shops. But perhaps the larger temptations, especially if you've got a sweet tooth like me, are the candy shops. When I was growing up I looked forward to going to Seaside because I knew I'd come home with a nice fresh bag of salt-water taffy, which was as much fun to watch it being made as it was to eat. Nowadays I go for some of the delicious fudge from Portland Fudge Company (102 S. Broadway). I feel like I have died and gone to heaven when I leave this candy shop.
Of course the Funland Arcade (201 Broadway) is always a stop if you have kids. It has a ton of video games, along with air hockey, big screen TVs, and pinball machines. After you have blown all your change, head across the street to the Bumper Cars. Even adults have fun here and it's always busy.
But perhaps the biggest attraction is simply the beach. Although most of the year it can be quite chilly, I have experienced some trips there during the early fall when it was very warm and pleasant. However, both kids and adults will find plenty to do during the cooler months on this wide, flat beach. It's perfect for kite flying, sand castles, and even clam digging. I can remember my dad dragging us up at the crack of dawn to go dig clams, although I think they all got away from me.
If you do venture down in the winter and early spring, beware of the storm warnings. This is one time where you'll definitely want to stay off the beach. Instead, get a beach-view room from one of the local hotels and enjoy the spectacular storms from the warmth and comfort of your room.
Seaside events to be aware of
As nice as Seaside is, there are times when you probably don't want to be there since it can be overrun and crowded and impossible to find parking. Seaside has a convention center which is actually quite booked and busy, due to the popularity of this beach town. I'd advice checking out the calendar on www.visittheoregoncoast.com to see if any major events are happening during your stay or planned visit. Seaside does play host to a kite festival, beach runs, arts festivals, several beauty pageants, as well as numerous small conventions. However, the big one to watch for (or avoid) is the weekend of the Hood to Coast Relay. I actually had the pleasure (pain) of participating in this event where teams of runners and walkers make their way all the way from Mt. Hood to the Oregon Coast over a 197 mile course. This event, with over 16,000 participants, takes place every year in August and the town will be overrun with teams and their vans since the event finishes here. The motels and hotels will be filled with sweaty, stinky athletes, and the restaurants will be filled as the participants refuel after this grueling and somewhat insane event.
Places to stay
Seaside may be a small beach town, but since tourism is its principal industry, there's no shortage of places to stay, from the typical chain hotel/motels, cottages, B&B's as well as camp grounds. Most of my trips have been day trips but the few times I've actually stayed overnight we've always tried to secure a room on The Prom. The Shilo Inn (30 North Prom) is probably the largest property in Seaside, followed closely by the Best Western (414 North Prom). Both are safe bets and their beach front location can't be beat.
Eats
My two personal favorites in Seaside on both on Broadway: Pig 'N Pancake (323 Broadway) and Moby's Chowder House (111 Broadway). As you probably guessed Pig 'N Pancake is a great place for breakfast, anytime your feel like it. This is always a hit with the kids. Moby's offers delicious seafood, and of course, nice clam chowder to warm you up on a cold coastal day.
Summing it up
For a day, for a weekend, or as your base for exploring the rest of the central and northern Oregon coast, Seaside is a great choice Although a bit more touristy than some other laid-back Oregon coastal towns, it is popular for easy accessibility from Portland, just a straight shot out the Sunset (Hwy 26). If you're passing through Portland and got an extra day to spend a day at the beach, Seaside is the logical choice. It's a beautiful stretch of beach and is relaxing for young and old alike.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Sep - Nov
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