Skip to content

Seaside Stories

How to Treasure the Beach

February 21, 2018 | by Shellie Bailey-Shah

No one owns the Oregon Coast — it belongs to everyone. Thanks to 1967’s landmark Beach Bill, Oregon has some of the most protected coastline in the country, where public beach access is guaranteed. We take our beaches seriously. And it doesn’t matter to us that some beach days may require hiking boots instead of sandals or a polar fleece instead of a bikini. Here’s how to love every minute of your time on Seaside’s beaches.

Get Gear and Snacks

First, gear up — beach chairs, towels, pails, shovels and a pop-up tent to protect against any wind or rain as a bonus. If you forget anything for the kids, just swing by Under the Big Top Toy Shop inside the Seaside Carousel Mall. Bring a cooler and pack it with lunch. I suggest stopping at Tsunami Sandwich Company on Broadway Street, where you can order the to-die-for pastrami sandwich and a bottle of Oregon-made Hot Lips fruit soda.

Claim a Sandy Spot

Now claim your spot on Seaside’s wide stretch of sandy shore. If you need to be near public restrooms, you’ll want to stick to the area around the Turnaround on Broadway Street. Have the kids grab shovels and buckets and get to work on those sandcastles. Whether you decide to actually go swimming will depend on your tolerance for cold water. Even in the summer, ocean temperatures don’t get higher than the mid-60s and more typically hover around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a surfing lesson from Oregon Surf Adventures — thick wet suits will keep you warm.

Play It Safe

If you’re near the water’s edge, especially with young children, be careful of sneaker waves — sudden, unpredictable surges of water that can pull you out to sea. As a rule, never turn your back on the ocean. And don’t allow your kids to climb on logs, as they can unexpectedly roll over onto a child. Watch for any special signs posted along the beach, which may, for example, alert you to unusual currents. Finally, when you leave the beach, take everything with you, including trash. We follow the “leave no trace” rules here.

Pay It Forward

If you really want to earn a gold star, visit Seaside in March or September for one of SOLVE’s beach cleanup days. The local group   host smaller cleanups the first Saturday of every month. You’ll be joining the scores of Oregonians who volunteer to protect one of our state’s most treasured resources.

 

and so much more!

Cozy Up With Bookstore Owner Karen Emmerling

SEASIDE SPOTLIGHT: Our latest profile in a series focused on the behind-the-scenes movers who make Seaside the unique destination ...

Insider Tips: Exploring the Prom Like a Local

It’s difficult to imagine Seaside without the historic Promenade, the famous lamp-lined trail that stretches along the sandy bea...

Camping in Seaside

Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner. One of my very favorite things to do during Memorial Day weekend is to go camping. I love setting up the tents, snuggling in a warm sleeping bag, sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows for s’mores, and smelling like a campfire all weekend. I love every bit of it! If you’ve never camped by the Pacific Ocean then you are missing out! You get to add the salty air, sandy beach, and all the benefits of being near Seaside to add to your camping experience.

Snail Mail: the Agony & the Ecstasy

Snail mail in Seaside circa 1909.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum: On the Water’s Edge

A visit to the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria.

Paragliding on the North Coast

Adventure and fun with paragliding on Oregon

Seaside Promenade

I walked along the Prom last weekend on a beautifully bright and sunny day and found myself surrounded by walkers, runners, people on all sorts of wheels, strollers, couples holding hands, and dogs of all sizes leading their people around. I also heard all sorts of accents and languages-and saw plenty of cameras.

Holidays in Seaside

Some say Seaside, Oregon, shines brightest in winter — warm chowder, cheerful shops, blustery walks on the beach, all without th...

Terrible Tilly

A brief history of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, or better know as "Terrible Tilly"

Savor Oregon Wines at Seaside’s Tasting Rooms

In autumn, when the coastal air turns brisk and blustery, you can uncork and unwind in downtown Seaside with other wine lovers for...

Seaside Guide to Beachcombing

With one of the longest, sandiest, and most spacious beaches on the Oregon Coast, Seaside is the perfect spot to go looking for tr...

How to Experience Seaside’s Prom Centennial

Centennial anniversaries don’t happen all too often. Once every hundred years, in fact! We’ll show you how to celebrate all ye...

1859 – Oregon’s Magazine: 72 Hours In Seaside

1859 came to Seaside/Gearhart area and spent 72 hours in our fair neck of the woods. Day One they highlighted the historic Gilbert...

Golden Age Arcade

Seaside's classic golden age arcade.

Bird is the Word

Birding opportunites abound in Seaside and the surrounding area.

Beauty and the Beach (and a Photo Bomb)

The sundial in Seaside has been around since the 1940s - you can check it out on the promenade today.

Bell Buoy Stays in the Family

SEASIDE SPOTLIGHT: Our first profile in a series focused on the behind-the-scenes movers who make Seaside the unique destination i...

Paddle Neawanna Creek
How To Paddle Seaside

Kayaking and paddle boarding options abound in Seaside, Oregon. Find out what you need to know to float the coast....