Skip to content

Seaside Stories

Plug and Play While Your EV Charges in Seaside

February 23, 2022 | by Michelle Kehm

Whether you’re driving your electric vehicle along the entire 363-mile Oregon Coast Electric Byway or the shorter but equally scenic North Oregon Coast Electric Byway, Seaside is the perfect place to stop, plug in and explore. You can take a quick hike through the rain forest and grab a bowl of smoked-salmon chowder before you hit the road — or you can stay at an ocean-view hotel and peruse Seaside’s boutiques and breweries while your EV charges overnight. However you’d like to pass the time while your car juices up, these Seaside walking tours let you plug in and play. 

Shop Till You Drop

On the north side of town, Seaside Outlets offers an impressive lineup of discount retail stores, as well as a Tesla Supercharger in the parking lot. Pop into the Pendleton and Nike outlets, and then nab some Pacific Northwest outdoor gear — and throw an axe in the dedicated throwing lanes — at Scout Northwest Trading Company. When hunger hits, walk across the lot to Legends Public House for a hearty steak sandwich, or swing by Grizzly Tuna across the highway for the best albacore fish and chips you’ve ever tasted. (Dog owners, don’t forget to ask for a treat for your pup!) If you catch a matinee at the nearby Seaside Cinema, your Tesla should be fully charged by the time the credits roll, or if you want to hit the beach for an hour or two of playtime, walk west on 12th Avenue until you hit the Prom.

 

Stroll Along the Prom

Whether you’d like to stay the night or charge and go, The Resort at Seaside is located on the Prom and offers a level-two charging station that’s open to the public. Seaside’s downtown area is also walking distance from SaltLine Hotel, which offers EV charging for guests. Plug in and walk to nearby Wheel Fun Rentals for a beach cruiser to ride along the 1.5-mile Prom. Pedal through the bustle of activity at the landmark Turnaround, feed the seals at Seaside Aquarium, and soak up the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and rain-forest-covered Tillamook Head. When you feel peckish, pop into Salmon River Smokehouse for a bowl of locally smoked salmon chowder. Across the street, both family-friendly Evoke Winery and Hop & Vine offer local wines and beers on tap, or grab a burger at the renovated Times Theatre, which is also home to Sisu Brewing. Be sure to check out the on-site brewing vats — and then sip a beer while you watch weekend sports on the movie screen. If you’re traveling with the kiddos, hunt for sand dollars on the beach, and the sprawling Funland is a great way for the whole family to spend the afternoon. Lastly, hit up Sea Star Gelato or Zinger’s before you hit the road, because no trip to the beach is complete without ice cream.

 

Explore the Historic Gilbert District

The River Inn at Seaside offers level-two EV charging for guests and is located just a few blocks from the shopping, galleries and eateries of Seaside’s historic Gilbert District. Located at the intersection of Broadway and Holladay Drive, the four-block district is the oldest part of Seaside. Walk to Broadway and hang a right to cross the Necanicum river, and you’ll see the 1914 Gilbert Block Building and the 1913 Kirwen Building. Explore the nearby C&R Mercantile, a must-shop for high-end clothing, and Fairweather House and Gallery, which has unexpected art galore. Next pop into Beach Books for the novel you’ve been dying to read, and wander next door to Dough Dough Bakery for a warm chocolate-tahini roll and cup of local Sleepy Monk coffee. If you’d rather wind down than caffeine up, The Whet Spot offers 20 beers on tap, many of them local, and light bites. Seaside Brewery, housed in the old Seaside jail, serves up heartier pub fare and an epic selection of IPAs, pilsners and stouts brewed on the premises. Sitting by the toasty outdoor fire pit with a pint is a great way to pass a couple of hours.
 


 

Hike and Surf at the Cove

Enjoy a chili cheeseburger and frosty milkshake while your EV charges for free at Ruby’s Roadside Grill, located on Highway 101 on the south side of town. If you’re looking for a sit-down breakfast, Ruby’s is also a stone’s throw to Avenue U and the tasty eggs Benedict at Osprey Café. After you grab a bite, it’s a short walk to Seaside’s most popular surf spot, the Cove. Seaside Surf Shop rents surfboards and boogie boards, in case you’d like to catch some waves while your EV charges. Just south of the Cove, the Tillamook Head Trail winds 1,000 feet above the Pacific through an old-growth Sitka spruce forest. Hike part or all of the 12.6-mile out-and-back trail and your car will likely have a good charge upon your return. If your EV still needs more juice after your adventures, challenge yourself on the aerial obstacle courses at High Life Adventure Park, located on Highway 101, before you unplug and drive into the sunset. 

EV Charging map courtesy of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association
Photo courtesy of Travel Oregon

and so much more!

View from the North Prom

Beautiful view from Seaside's north promenade.

Learn More
How To Surf Seaside

Surfing in Oregon? Yes! The North Coast has some of the best breaks in the Pacific Northwest. And yes, the ocean is a bit nippy, b...

Learn More
Children feed the Harbor Seals at the Seaside Aquarium in Seaside, Oregon.
How to Seaside Inside

Don’t get us wrong: Plenty of beach lovers come to Seaside in the cooler, drizzlier months to enjoy the great outdoors. That’s...

Learn More
Wave Energy

Wave energy refers to energy generated from the power of waves near their surface. There are different types of devices designed to convert wave energy, but the ones that seems to be most in use at the moment as researchers continue to investigate this source of renewable energy are buoys. Columbia Power Technologies, an Oregon-based alternative energy company, recently launched a prototype wave energy buoy in the gentle waters of the Puget Sound as it races to be one of the first suppliers of wave-generated energy.

Learn More
Golfing at the Beach

I adore golfing! I love walking along the greens, the feel of a driver in my hand, and I love watching the ball fly through the air. Unfortunately for me, I’m not very good at golf. I can hit the ball straight but not far, and my putting is atrocious! Regardless of my lack of skills I still love it, and thankfully my boyfriend is also incredibly patient while I putt away. As a treat for his patience I’m planning to take him golfing in Seaside. Golfing on a green course with the Pacific Ocean nearby is an incredible experience. There is one golf course in Seaside, and a few close by in Gearhart (just two miles from downtown Seaside).

Learn More
Top Things to Do With Young Kids

Seaside has long been a favorite family retreat, but it’s an especially good choice for families with young children. Why? Becau...

Learn More
Mural Walking Tour

Seaside has a flourishing art scene with quaint galleries and a monthly art walk in the historic Gilbert District, but it also has...

Learn More
Churches in Seaside

The buzz of summer is in the air as Seaside welcomes ever-increasing waves of visitors, happily sharing the beauty and bounty of our coastal getaway. As numbers increase on sidewalks, in shops, on roads and in restaurants, our local houses of worship also expand. Some folks desire a peaceful respite during a busy vacation; brides anxiously check out venues for future nuptials; history buffs enjoy the areas older churches; and some just enjoy connecting and worshiping with others of like-minded faith.

Learn More
How to Plan a Romantic Stay in Seaside

Plotting your Valentine’s Day plans? This year swap the heart-shaped box of chocolates and grocery-store flowers for an escape t...

Learn More
Dining Gluten-Free in Seaside

Potato Leek Soup and Kale Salad from Dough Dough Bakery / photo by Jon Rahl Avoiding gluten doesn’t mean giving up flavor or var...

Learn More
Fun on the Way to Seaside

You wrap up work on Friday, load your kids into the car and make a beeline for Seaside. We certainly share your enthusiasm, but th...

Learn More
The Amazing and Colorful History of Seaside

The Lewis and Clark expedition reached the sea near Seaside. Seaside has one of the most compelling stories you’ll find anyw...

Learn More
Portland to Seaside by Bus

Visiting Seaside without a Car

Learn More
Iconic Seaside in Stereo

by Joshua Heineman Director of Tourism Marketing This is something of a detective story. To fully appreciate it, you first need to...

Learn More
How to Catch Your Dinner: Learning the joy of razor clamming in Seaside, Oregon

The way to dig for razor clams and what to do with them once you catch them in Seaside, Oregon...

Learn More
Everyone Needs a Spring Break

Any reason is a good reason to head to the Oregon Coast. Whether you have an official “spring break” or not, we think that yo...

Learn More
Your Guide to the Perfect Summer Getaway in Seaside

Summertime means it’s time to load the kids and pups into the car for a long weekend or weeklong vacation in Oregon’s original...

Learn More
MotorTrend Magazine – Epic Drives: Classic Cobra Visits Seaside

MotorTrend Magazine makes the trek to Seaside, Oregon to show off a Classic Cobra

Learn More