Seaside is open — and easy — for folks of all abilities. From where to stay to what to do, we’ve got a rundown of tips to make your Seaside stay fun for everyone in the family.
Go Kayaking
To experience Seaside by water, rent a kayak from Cleanline Surf and ask them to deliver it for you to the ADA-accessible launch at Broadway Park. Click here to see how wheelchair-bound paddlers can use this ramp. As you head north on Neawanna Creek, you’ll need about an hour to paddle to the Necanicum Estuary, a partially-enclosed, coastal body of water where river and seawater mix. Look to the skies to spot great blue herons and various shorebirds.
See the City
Wheelchair users will love the 1.5-mile paved Promenade, which stretches from Avenue U to 12th Avenue along Seaside’s beach.
Travelers who are able can even sit in a four-wheeled surrey to cruise on downtown streets. Both Wheel Fun Rental and Prom Bike Shop rent surreys that can accommodate between two and nine people. Wheel Fun’s cost runs $25 to $45 per hour, while Prom’s surreys rent for $20 to $40 per hour, depending on size.
Fun on the Sand
Seaside is one of only a few Oregon Coast communities that offers complimentary use of beach wheelchairs. You only need to contact the Sunset Empire Parks and Recreation District at least two weeks in advance to make your reservation. For now, you must have a vehicle that can transport the chair from the Bob Chisholm Community Center to the beach.
If you want to get right down on the sand, head four miles north to 10th Street in Gearhart, where a stretch of shoreline allows vehicles to drive on the beach. The sand here is typically hard-packed, so your car won’t get stuck. It’s also a good spot to find sand dollars as the tide recedes — mementos from your trip to the Oregon Coast.
Comfy Lodging
Nearly two dozen Seaside hotels can accommodate guests with wheelchairs such as Inn of the 4 Winds, popular for its idyllic location. The beachfront hotel has an ADA-accessible queen bedroom with a gas fireplace on the first floor. You have access to your own patio where you’ll look out onto the small dunes and the beach beyond. The hotel provides everything that your family will need: beach towels, blankets, mini wagon and lawn chairs. And don’t forget to grab some freshly baked cookies and saltwater taffy at check-in. You can search for ADA-friendly lodging options here.
Kayaking photo by Don Frank
