Any reason is a good reason to head to the Oregon Coast. Whether you have an official “spring break” or not, we think that you’ve earned some time in Seaside’s salt air. Here are a few suggestions on how to spend your spring getaway.
Fun with Toddlers
Plan your vacation based on creatures, large and small. Check the tide table and ocean conditions in the morning so you can schedule your beach time at low tide. That’s when the sea reveals her many treasures. Toddlers and preschoolers will delight in finding sand dollars, sea stars, giant bull kelp and more. As always, never turn your back on the water and don’t go out with kids when the waves are rough. When you’re ready for a break from the beach, stroll over to the Seaside Aquarium. Don’t worry about timing your visit with the seals’ feeding times because you and your crew can feed them yourselves! Or take a flat, 1.8-mile loop along the Mill Ponds Trail, which will be renovated with dedicated parking spots and public art in the coming months. Spring is the perfect time to spot colorful, neo-tropical migratory birds. And make sure to get a scoop at Sea Star Gelato and visit the iconic Seaside Carousel, where your child can ride an ostrich, seahorse or pig. Have your camera ready!
Fun with Elementary School-Aged Kids
Start your day with a walk or bike ride along Seaside’s 1.5-mile oceanfront Promenade. You’ll have to stay on the nearby street if you want a multi-person, four-wheeled surrey but that’s a whole lot of fun, too. You can rent from Prom Bike Shop or Wheel Fun Rentals. After your ride, the kids (and you, too!) will be ready for a little treat. Stop in at one of Seaside’s many sweet shops for some confectionery concoctions and saltwater taffy. We recommend a handful of marionberry, a flavor that you’ll probably only find in Oregon. Next, challenge the kids to a game of Fascination (think skee-ball + bingo) at Funland Arcade. Not familiar with this famed past-time of arcade addiction? Give yourself a leg up by reading here before you go. If the kids lose, be prepared for them to take their revenge across the street at Interstate Amusement’s bumper cars.
Fun with Teens and College Students
Kick it up a notch! We’ve found that the more challenging, the better with this crowd! Hike the 10.5-mile (round trip) from Tillamook Head Trailhead to Indian Beach. The trail has an elevation gain of 1,100 feet and offers views of the “Terrible Tilly” lighthouse offshore. Or hit the water — either in a kayak along Neawanna Creek to the Necanicum Estuary or on a surfboard at nearby Short Sands for a lesson. Not that your teens need any excuse, but you certainly will have earned a nice juicy burger at Ruby’s Roadside Grill, Seaside Brewery, or Sam’s Seaside Cafe. End your day with a selfie session in front of one of Seaside’s many Instagram-worthy murals.
Fun for Kid-Free Vacationers
Kids don’t have to have all the fun! Wake up at Seaside’s historic (and adults-only) Gilbert Inn and enjoy a hearty breakfast and a cup of the North Coast’s own Sleepy Monk coffee. Now that you’re fueled up, tackle the challenging, 4.5-mile (round trip) Saddle Mountain Trail about a 30-minute drive east from Seaside. On a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River, Coast Range and some of the Pacific Northwest’s most notable peaks. After that exertion, book a massage at Healthy Hub Massage and Wellness or Shear Pleasures Salon & Spa, followed by a SISU Beer brewed onsite at the Times Theatre or a glass of wine at one of Seaside’s downtown tasting rooms. End your day in front a heaping bowl of Nonni’s spaghetti and meatballs.
