Between local seafood and craft brews, miles of shoreline to comb and arcade games new and old to play, it’s easy for the hours to fly by in Seaside. Here’s how to make the most out of every moment on your next three-day trip to the Oregon Coast.
Day 1: Crab Legs and Craft Beer
Start your Seaside adventure at the Welcome Center. The friendly staff will fill you in on places to enjoy local beer and fresh seafood, boutiques to browse, and fun outdoor activities up and down the North Coast. Grab a selfie in the big orange Adirondack chair to officially kick off your trip.
Your next stop should be one of Seaside’s stellar seafood eateries. Order your Dungeness crab legs fried, steamed or spicy Cajun-style at Dooger’s Seafood & Grill, or grab a classic seafood boil loaded with shrimp and steamer clams at The Crabby Oyster, both on Broadway. Nearby Norma’s Seafood & Steak is the place for albacore fish ’n chips and legendary chowder that’s chock-full of clams and potatoes.
Walk off your feast by heading toward Seaside’s wide-open, dog-friendly beach. Pop into Cotton Club on Broadway or The Aspirin Shop and Under the Big Top in the Seaside Carousel Mall for last-minute essentials like sunglasses, sand pails and kites. If your pup is in tow, Beach Puppy is a must for a new Frisbee or doggie rain jacket. Stroll down Broadway to the historic Turnaround and walk along Seaside’s 1.5-mile paved Promenade before heading onto the sand. New Mobi-mats at Avenue U on the south end of the Promenade and 12th Avenue on the north end make it easy to roll onto the beach.
Afterward, wind down with a Sneaker Wave IPA and a house-smoked brisket sandwich at Seaside Brewery, located in the renovated city-jail building. Or walk a few blocks west on Broadway toward the historic Times Theatre & Public House, which houses Sisu Beer brewery, and sit down to a crisp lemon lager and lager-battered fish tacos. Life is good.
Day 2: Beachcombing and Boutique Browsing
Wake up and grab your kids, running shoes or dog toys and hit the sand. If beachcombing for whole sand dollars is your mission, check the tide tables first, as low tide is when most treasures are found. Don’t forget to stop by the Seaside Aquarium first to feed some seals and grab a beach cleanup bag — for every person who fills a bag, you can get $5 in cleanup coins redeemable at local coffee and cookie shops as a thank you for helping keep our beach clean.
After spending the morning with the seagulls and seashells, it’s brunch time. The banana pancakes at Oregon’s original Pig ’N Pancake on Broadway are a sure-fire hit with the kids; try them with whipped cream on top. In North Seaside, Ocean Bakery Cafe is steps from the sand and has a build-your-own Beachcomber Breakfast Sandwich with vegan options or a perfectly gooey Surfside Salmon Melt. For a tasty breakfast or lunch in South Seaside, the Garden Omelette at Osprey Café is loaded with seasonal veggies.
After filling up, set out on foot to explore downtown Seaside and its pretty pocket gardens, locally-owned boutiques and antique shops. Along Broadway hunt for unique finds at Seaside Antique Mall, pop into Beach Books for a great beach read and wander into Seaside Carousel Mall to find everything from cozy Seaside hoodies to children’s toys. If you’re looking for deals on designer goods, head to Seaside Outlets off Highway 101.
When wine o’clock rolls around, settle into Nonni’s Italian Bistro and share a bottle of Oregon pinot along with warm bowls of cioppino, a seafood stew. A couple of blocks north, CHēZ wine bar and deli serves a mean charcuterie board to enjoy with your Oregon wine or bubbly.
Day 3: Go-Karts and DIY Memories
Plan your day’s adventures while waking up with a cup of locally roasted joe from Seaside Coffee House. Caffe Latte in the Carousel Mall is another solid choice for strong espresso drinks and any last-minute souvenirs. Controversial Coffee specializes in creative drinks with a kick, while nearby Beach Day Coffee is just a few minutes’ walk from the Prom.
Feeling buzzy? Round up the kids for some good old-fashioned arcade fun. Follow the sounds of pinball, Skee-Ball and next-gen arcade games into the sprawling Funland Arcade on Broadway; then check out the vintage bumper cars and Tilt-A-Whirl rides across the street (a covered location means they’re open year-round). Seaside Laser Tag & Arcade in the Carousel Mall is an awesome way to nab some seriously fun family time, and the outdoor Captain Kid Amusement Park off Highway 101 has something for everyone, including a classic 1972 rollercoaster and zippy go-karts.
As your Seaside adventures wrap up, it’s time to make your trip unforgettable with a customized souvenir. Put your beach selfies or sandy-dog photos onto a coffee tumbler at Crafted in Seaside on Broadway, or check out Burly & the Bean to roast your own coffee beans to take home. If you’d like to leave something behind for Seaside to remember you by, add a colorful rock to Painted Rock Beach to visit again on your next Seaside trip.
