If ever a seaside resort was aptly named it is surely Seaside on Oregon’s North Coast.

This classic coastal resort town has been handsomely endowed by Mother Nature – miles of sandy beaches and dramatic ocean views.

In addition, Oregon’s first seashore resort has everything going for it that its name implies – the major visitor attractions which has enabled it to remain one of the coast’s most popular year-round destinations.

But, while it has everything you’d expect from a seaside resort for families, Seaside is more than just a day at the beach.

It equally appeals to couples, as a weekend-getaway and to groups as a corporate retreat or the perfect place for meetings and conferences. Its fine Civic and Convention Center is the envy of many municipal bodies along the coast. The annual Miss Oregon Pageant, the official state finals of the Miss America contest, is among the many events and festivals the Center hosts. Among regular events in Seaside is an artwalk on the first Saturday of each month promoting the work of many artists at galleries, shops and restaurants.

From its landmark 1.5-mile Promenade strollers, joggers and bike riders can look out on the rainforest-covered Tillamook Head. A sculpture at the centre of the automobile turnaround, which was designed to turn traffic around when the street dead ends at the Pacific Ocean, designates the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

On your Promenade walk you’ll want to stop to feed the seals at the Seaside Aquarium, a coastal attraction for over 70 years. Aquarium workers stand-by to hand you bits of chopped fish to toss to the playful seals, each seal with its own personality, each with its own splashy routine to attract your attention. Lording over the lunchtime feeding frenzy is Wyatt, the Rocking Horse seal which sea-saws back and forth on the large rock in the middle of the seal tank. You’ll also meet Drexler and Scully, two sneaky fish thieves who surge in front of the other seals to intercept the fish thrown to them. Watch out for Reagan who is determined to soak every visitor to the bone as he splashes in the pool.

The aquarium also features live displays of Northwest marine life and a hands-on discovery center for kids. Here they can actually touch sea anemones, sea stars and prickly sea urchins in the “Touch Tanks” .... although it is hands-off the tentacles of the octopus in its open floor pool.

The standard seaside entertainments are present in Seaside in spades. The young at heart can enjoy amusements at the carousel, arcades, miniature golf, bumper cars and boats, the miniature train, paddle boats and canoes.

Funland Arcade provides the Oregon Coast’s largest arcade with hundreds of arcade and redemption games: Fascination, Skee Ball, Air Hockey, Bumper Cars, Pinball, Dance, Dance Revolution, racing games and much more.

The Seaside Carousel Mall has more than 15 great stores, all under one roof. Here you can ride the carousel, have an old-time photo taken, get your portrait drawn by a local artist or play in the mall’s arcade.

One of Oregon’s most famous sons and probably the nation’s most loved culinary hero, James Beard, spent his childhood summers in the Seaside area and raved about the regional seafood like Dungeness crab, Willapa Bay oysters, and fresh Chinook salmon from which Seaside chefs draw for their inspired dishes.

Some of the quirky restaurant names are equally inspired. Who would have thought a restaurant named the Pig ’n Pancake would become a local institution. Here for breakfast (or the rest of the day) you’ll find a choice of 35 delicious pancake varieties including the Pig ‘n Pancake’s own family recipes. Try their delicious steaks, seafood and chowder too.

For a quick lunch there is the Tsunami Sandwich Company where you can enjoy hot and cold sandwiches that will blow you away. Its signature MegaTsunami Pastrami will set you up for the day. There’s also the house-recipe clam chowder and chili in bread bowls, or hot dogs and sausages. Among the desserts are 16 flavors of hand-scooped Tillamook Ice Cream.

James Beard would no doubt have been delighted to dine at Seaside Oceanfront Inn and Restaurant, one of only two oceanfront restaurants. There Jason Alldrin, the restaurant’s Executive Chef and Iron Chef Goes Coastal competition winner, is dazzling diners with his culinary creations. The Inn, built in 1994, is a boutique hotel with 14 themed rooms.

Seaside is a place where mountains and two rivers meet, so nature lovers are in their element. That’s why it’s called the “City within a Park" . You can crab, clam and fish; hike, bike, kayak and birdwatch (for raptors, shorebirds, water fowl, song birds and migratory neotropicals); and surf at the Cove.

Seaside is even prepared for the occasional inclement weather in the fall – David Posalski will take you out of your comfort zone to experience the thrill of hurricane force winds and crashing waves with his Oregon Storm Tours. His tours will also take you to popular local destinations.

A short drive away, just north of Seaside is Fort Clatsop, an authentic recreation of Lewis & Clark’s winter camp in 1806, and Fort Stevens State Park.

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Where to Stay

The Shilo Inn & Suites Hotel is right on the beach in the center of the cultural and tourist attractions of Seaside. The spacious oceanfront rooms offer guests spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and glorious sunsets. Children under 12 stay free with an adult at Shilo Inns.

The new Rivertide Suites Condominium Hotel on the Necanicum River is Seaside’s newest and only all-suite upscale hotel. It’s a short walk to the beach and Downtown Seaside.

For more information visit the Seaside Visitors Bureau and for other coastal information visit the Oregon Coast Visitors Association

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