Things to Do in Seaside, Oregon (A Local’s Honest Guide)

If you’re looking for things to do in Seaside, Oregon, I’ll be honest with you up front: this is the Oregon coast town that locals love to dismiss as “too touristy.” And honestly, parts of it are. The main drag (Broadway) has saltwater taffy shops and souvenir stores selling the same driftwood coasters you’ll find at every coast town from here to Gold Beach. But that’s not the whole story. There’s also a gorgeous 1.5-mile Promenade, one of the best coastal hikes in the entire state (Tillamook Head), and an arcade scene that’ll make you feel 12 years old again. In the best way.

Seaside is about 80 miles from Portland, roughly a 1.5-hour drive if traffic cooperates. It’s one of the closest beaches on the Oregon coast, which is exactly why it gets crowded. But if you know where to go, there’s a lot to love here.

Walk the Promenade

The Promenade (or “the Prom” if you want to sound like you’ve been before) is a 1.5-mile paved walkway that runs right along the beach. It’s one of the best walks on the entire Oregon coast, and I don’t say that lightly.

You’ll pass beach houses, small hotels, and benches with views straight out to the Pacific. The south end hits the Turnaround, which is this big circular monument marking the end of the Lewis and Clark trail. It’s genuinely a cool piece of history, even if it’s surrounded by people eating ice cream cones. Early mornings are the best time to walk it if you want it mostly to yourself. The light is better then anyway.

Hike Tillamook Head Trail

This is the real gem. The Tillamook Head Trail is a 6-mile one-way hike (or 12 miles out-and-back) that connects Seaside to Indian Beach in Ecola State Park. You’ll hike through old-growth Sitka spruce forest, pass the ruins of a WWII radar bunker, and get ocean views that’ll stop you in your tracks.

Fair warning: the Ecola State Park end of the trail is currently closed due to landslide damage, so you’ll need to do it as an out-and-back from the Seaside trailhead. That’s still a solid hike. The trailhead is at the south end of town, and you’ll gain about 1,200 feet of elevation. Bring layers. It’s often foggy up top even when it’s sunny at the beach. This is one of the top hikes on the Oregon coast, period.

Hit the Arcades

Here’s where Seaside’s touristy reputation actually works in its favor. The arcade scene here is legitimately fun. Funland is the classic, with rows of skee-ball lanes, claw machines, and enough ticket games to keep you busy for hours. The Seaside Carousel Mall has bumper cars, a vintage carousel, and more games.

If you have kids, this is absolute gold. If you don’t have kids, it’s still gold. Nobody judges you for playing skee-ball at 35. I speak from experience. These aren’t fancy or modern, and that’s the whole point. They’ve got that old-school boardwalk energy that most coast towns have traded in for boutique shops.

The Beach Itself

Seaside’s beach is wide, flat, and honestly beautiful. It’s great for kite flying, long walks, and just sitting and watching the waves. The beach itself doesn’t care about the souvenir shops behind it. It’s the same wild Pacific that you’ll find at any Oregon beach.

Bonfires are allowed in designated areas (check with the city for current rules). Sunset bonfires are one of the best free things you can do here. Bring your own wood from the grocery store rather than gathering driftwood.

Where to Eat in Seaside

Skip the tourist traps on Broadway. Seriously, just walk past them. Here’s where locals actually eat:

Osprey Cafe is the local favorite, and it’s not on the main drag, which is exactly why it’s good. Solid breakfast and lunch, reasonable prices, and you won’t be sitting next to someone wearing a “I Survived Seaside” t-shirt.

Maggie’s on the Prom does breakfast right. It’s on the Promenade, so you get the views without the Broadway chaos.

Tsunami Sandwich Company is exactly what it sounds like: unpretentious sandwiches that are actually good. Perfect for grabbing lunch before a hike or beach afternoon. Don’t overthink it.

Walk to Gearhart

Here’s a secret that isn’t much of a secret anymore: walk 15 minutes north on the beach from Seaside and you’re in Gearhart, which is basically the anti-Seaside. Quiet, residential, gorgeous beach, no arcades, no taffy shops. Just houses, dunes, and ocean.

This is where Portland locals actually stay when they visit this stretch of coast. If you want the north coast experience without the crowds, Gearhart is your answer. Stop by McMenamins Sand Trap pub (yes, it’s attached to a golf course, and yes, the food is good). It’s one of those charming Oregon coast towns that flies completely under the radar.

Day Trip or Overnight?

Seaside works perfectly as a day trip from Portland. It’s about 1.5 hours each way via Highway 26 (the Sunset Highway). You can combine it with Cannon Beach, which is just 15 minutes south, for a full coast day. That’s honestly the ideal plan: arcades and the Promenade in Seaside, then Haystack Rock and galleries in Cannon Beach.

If you’re staying overnight, consider booking in Gearhart or Cannon Beach instead of Seaside itself. You’ll get a quieter experience and you’re still just minutes away from everything Seaside offers. For a bigger Oregon coast road trip, you could also add Astoria (30 minutes north) to make a full weekend of it.

For more ideas on the Oregon coast, check out our guide to the best things to do at the Oregon coast. And if you’re wondering about bringing your pup, here’s what you need to know about dogs on Oregon beaches. You can also see how far the Oregon coast is from Portland with our full driving guide.

FAQ

Is Seaside, Oregon worth visiting?

Yes, but go in with the right expectations. If you’re looking for a quiet, quaint beach town, Seaside isn’t it. But if you want a fun, energetic coast town with a great beach, an excellent paved promenade, solid arcades, and one of the best coastal hikes in Oregon starting right from town, it’s absolutely worth the trip. Just skip Broadway’s tourist traps and explore the edges.

How far is Seaside from Portland?

Seaside is about 80 miles from Portland, which takes roughly 1.5 hours to drive via Highway 26 (the Sunset Highway). It’s one of the closest Oregon coast towns to Portland, which is why it’s popular. On summer weekends, expect the drive to take closer to 2 hours due to traffic.

Is Seaside or Cannon Beach better?

They’re different vibes. Seaside is the lively, family-friendly, arcade-and-taffy town. Cannon Beach is the quieter, artsy, gallery-and-wine town with Haystack Rock. Most locals would say Cannon Beach is “nicer,” and they’re not wrong. But Seaside has its own charm if you’re not trying to be too cool for skee-ball. Honestly, the best move is to visit both since they’re only 15 minutes apart.

Seaside gets a bad rap from Oregon locals, but I secretly love the arcades. What’s your take? Drop a comment below.

Quick Tips

• It's one of the best walks on the entire Oregon coast, and I don't say that lightly.
• If you don't have kids, it's still gold.
• Bonfires are allowed in designated areas (check with the city for current rules).
• Bring your own wood from the grocery store rather than gathering driftwood.
• Skip the tourist traps on Broadway.