Seaside, Oregon is a picturesque resort town that has been attracting families and vacation goers for over a century with its famed boardwalk and beach promenade, miles of beautiful coastline, and a beloved and bustling main street. A visit to Seaside is more than just a day at the beach!

We have compiled a “Best of Seaside” list with some of our favorite things to do in this charming beach town…from sand, surf, and scenery to shopping and seafood. Ready to plan your next fall getaway to this beloved beach town? Meredith Lodging has you covered with our beautiful collection of Seaside vacation rentals.

Places to Stay in Seaside, Oregon

Where is Seaside, Oregon?

Best Places to Eat and Drink in Seaside, Oregon

Start your day off sweet AND strong. Begin your day with a strong cup of coffee from Dough Dough Bakery and a side of something sweet. This friendly and laid-back bakery serves up its own signature roast of Cannon Beach’s well-known Sleepy Monk coffee, called Cool Kids. The bottomless drip coffee is delicious, and the chicory pour-over has a kick. Pair your choice of morning beverage with a flaky chocolate tahini roll, delicate scone, or perfectly baked cookie. This shop is part bakery, part wine shop, and part pizza spot … what’s not to love?!?.

Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch at Osprey. Whether you want to enjoy an early breakfast before exploring the local sites, or prefer to have a leisurely start, Osprey Café has something for everyone. Serving standard classics like French toast, omelets, biscuits and gravy, as well as breakfast burritos, avocado toast, and granola. They also serve lunch with delicious burgers, salads, sandwiches, daily specials and a soup of the day. This casual and friendly Seaside café will win over the whole family.

Fuel up like a local. In need of an afternoon pick-me up after a long day of exploring? Rise & Grind, a drive-through conveniently located right on Highway 101, also proudly pours Sleepy Monk coffee. This little beach hut packs a caffeine punch, serving all the classics, as well as artisanal creations like tumeric golden milk lattes, espresso-infused chai, and bulletproof-style coffee.

Hit Happy Hour with your favorite pup. Hungry after a long day on the trails? Head to The Relief Pitcher! This local hangout is known for its tasty food, friendly service, and dog-friendly patio. Try the pastrami burger or the fish tacos with your choice of hand-cut fries or slaw.

Get your delicious seafood fix. No trip to the coast is complete without a stop at The Crabby Oyster. Guests can choose from pan- or deep-fried oysters, shooters, or oysters on the half shell. The menu also offers clam chowder, signature seafood boils, fish and chips and crab melts! Sip on a local draft microbrew and toast to another memorable day at the beach.

Indulge your sweet (or salty!) tooth. Swing by the Seaside Candy Man before heading back to relax at your cozy Meredith Lodging rental. The Seaside Candy Man has over 172 flavors of saltwater taffy, as well as a wide variety of chocolates, candies, ice cream, fudge, popcorn, and cotton candy to choose from.

Seaside Family Friendly Activities

Feed the seals. The Seaside Aquarium is one of the oldest aquariums on the West Coast, hosting generations of visitors since 1937. Come feed the resident seals, observe live displays of Northwest marine life, and enjoy the hands-on discovery center for kids. They also have a 35-foot skeleton of a Gray Whale on display!

Take a stroll. There are several more challenging hiking trails nearby, but if you are looking for a nice and easy stroll for the whole family – leashed pups included – head to Gearhart Ridge Path. This 3-mile trail overlooks Gearhart’s shoreline. Take a detour due west and you can walk along the sand. Keep an eye out for sand dollars at low tide, as well as local elk herds that can be seen strolling along the dunes.

Enjoy some fast fun for all ages. The Seaside Arcade has been providing fun for all ages since 1931. Offering hundreds of arcade and redemption games, as well as classic favorites like Skee-Ball, Air Hockey, Bumper Cars and Pinball, we guarantee kids young and old will have a blast at this Seaside tradition!

Start your engines. Take a lap at Captain Kid Amusement Park’s recently opened go kart track! You can also play a round of mini golf, climb a 26-foot rock climbing wall, ride a rollercoaster, and try out the GyroXtreme Rotate and Tumble, used by NASA to train astronauts in weightlessness. This park is a must stop for family fun and memories!

Walk the famous Seaside Prom. Seaside’s 1.5-mile oceanfront promenade and its famous automobile turnaround are among ­Oregon’s most famous landmarks. Offering stunning panoramic views since 1920s, the Prom is the perfect place for a morning jog, casual stroll, or taking in a stunning sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Seaside Outdoor Recreation Activities

Book that tee time. If golfing is your game, then you are in luck! The Seaside area offers several golf courses. To the south, you will find the Seaside Golf Club located along the scenic Necanicum River. To the north, you’ll find Gearhart Golf Links, the oldest course in Oregon and the Highlands at Gearhart, an executive-style course overlooking the beach.

Paddle or pedal on the water. Seaside offers so much to see and what better way to explore and breathe in that fresh salty air than on wheels? Wheel Fun Rentals has plenty of rentals to choose from – cruisers to tandem to surreys – even a triple – large enough for your whole group to have some wheel fun! Wheel Fun also rents everything you need for a fun-filled day out on Seaside’s scenic riverways. Grab a kayak, paddle boat, canoe, or paddleboard and enjoy a unique perspective from the water!

Seaside from the sky! High Life Adventure Park offers a unique experience for all ages and experience levels. Choose your own level of difficulty as you make your way through The Octagon of Obstacles and Aerial Challenge Course which features 30 platforms and over 50 challenging elements.

Surf that Seaside break. Seaside offers some of the Pacific Northwest’s best surfing conditions. Local surf shops Clean Line Surf and Seaside Surf Shop have all the rental and retail gear you need to hit the waves. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you gear up and offer advice on the best spots to surf for your skill level.

Shop till you drop. Located in the center of downtown, you will find dozens of specialty shops, boutiques, galleries, and even an operating carousel at the Seaside Carousel Mall.

Looking for some antiques or a special treasure to take home? Head to the historic Gilbert District.

Ready to start your holiday shopping? Stop by the Seaside Factory Outlet Center. With no sales tax, your visit to Seaside is the perfect opportunity to start tackling that holiday shopping list!

Ready to plan your Seaside fall getaway?

We are here to help! You can view our entire Seaside Collection online or call our Reservations Team at 877.778.9055 to book your stay. We hope to see you soon! In the meantime, follow us on Social and post those vacay pics with #STAYWITHMEREDITH.