Ready to fill your picnic basket with handmade sandwiches, Locally-made goodies and a can of your favorite Oregon wine — then enjoy it all in the fresh air? Seaside has plenty of places to dine al fresco. Spend the day relaxing at a park with your family and pup, having a romantic picnic for two on the beach, or taking in ocean views from a Prom bench. Here are some ways to enjoy a summery day with the perfect spread.

Add Sandwiches and Seafood to Your Basket

Seaside is full of local eateries and gourmet snack shops that will help you assemble the perfect al fresco picnic basket, even for the pickiest eaters. 

For your picnic-menu mains, Prep Kitchen on Highway 101 north of town is a win for freshly prepared grab-and-go eats. The pulled-pork sandwich with Oregon marionberries hits both sweet and savory notes; vegetarians and vegans can opt for the Mediterranean Harvest Melt with pesto and roasted eggplant. Pick up other popular portables, such as wrapped Spam musubi (Spam and rice wrapped in seaweed), add a few frosty cans of Public Coast Brewing Co. root beer or Fort George craft beer, and you’re good to go.

For groups and family picnics, The Pearl bar nearby offers “Big Ol’ Sandwiches” that will surely satisfy. An Italian meat grinder is laden with soppressata, coppa and salami. The Cajun shrimp po’ boy is the size of your head and loaded with shrimp and house-made Cajun remoulade. All sandwiches are served on freshly baked, 8-inch sesame rolls and will easily feed two people. 

If you’re craving a seafood picnic spread, Salmon River Smokehouse downtown has vacuum-sealed slabs of house-smoked salmon, jars of smoked-salmon spread, fresh bagels and boxed crackers. Add a smoked-salmon panini and prepared salad to the mix, and head to the picnic tables in the dog-friendly outdoor area for a quick bite. 

Bell Buoy on Highway 101 is practically a Seaside legend and the spot to load up on freshly caught seafood. Choose your container size and have it filled with shredded Dungeness crab and ready-to-eat prawns — be sure to ask for the house-made cocktail sauce on the side. Smoked seafood lovers should opt for oysters, razor clams, or succulent pieces of ahi tuna and black cod. Top it off with a fresh loaf of Cannon Beach Bakery bread.

Enhance Your Spread With Fixins and Beverages

For fresh fruits, berries, cheeses, baked goods, veggies and other local goodies, be sure to hit the Seaside Farmers Market on Wednesdays in the Sunset Recreation Center lot, starting mid-June. 

And you’ll need to level up your picnic basket with locally produced goodies like hot sauces, mustards, sweet spreads and vegan jerky from Oregon & More. For hand-harvested berry jams and packaged Oregon hazelnuts, Oregon Marketplace south of town is the place to go. And don’t forget dessert — Whistleville Market has a tantalizing selection of award-winning Chocopologie chocolate. 

Topping off your Seaside picnic with some Oregon wine or seasonal craft brews is a must. Just remember, glass is not allowed on the beach so opt for a can! Hop & Vine Bottle Shop and Taproom is conveniently located near the Prom and offers a robust selection of wine and specialty beers. If you have a sweet tooth, pop into downtown’s Buddha Kat Winery for handcrafted, award-winning dessert wines like the Framboise Chocolat port-style wine, which pairs perfectly with cheese. 

Scenic Spots for Your Picnic

Next it’s time to pick your picnic spot. Grab a picnic table or patch of grass at The Cove on the south side of town, and watch the surfers shredding. 

The paved Prom, which stretches 1.5 miles from Avenue U on Seaside’s south end to 12th Avenue on the north, is lined with benches that are perfect for a small spread, or take one of the quick trails over the grassy dunes for a leisurely picnic on Seaside’s almost 3-mile-long stretch of sand. Seaside’s beach is accessible to more visitors than ever, thanks to the longest Mobi-Mat beach access on the Oregon Coast. See how easy it is to roll out to the beach with your loaded beach wagon packed with picnic supplies at either the end of Avenue U or 12th Avenue. If you’re picnicking with the family, head to one of Seaside’s many city parks. Try Cartwright Park in South Seaside for convenient covered tables on a drizzly day and plenty of play structures for kids, or share a meal on the deck at Quatat Park before hopping on a rental swan boat to paddle the peaceful Necanicum River.

Frequently Asked Questions About Picnicking in Seaside