Last weekend I had the pleasure of riding the Seaside Streetcar around town. It was a pristine coastal afternoon and I found myself equipped with some free time and a bag of saltwater taffy. The Seaside Streetcar is a classic vintage open air design with shiny brass railings and wooden benches with wrought iron legs. It’s definitely an experience of riding in style. The circular route around town passes all of the major areas and Seaside attractions including the Aquarium, Convention Center, Turnaround, Lewis & Clark Salt Cairn, and the Cove.

There is something peaceful about being able to sit back, relax in the fresh breeze, and watch the town roll by. The Streetcar has a special kind of pageantry about it that attracts stares, smiles, and friendly waves. Cruising down 12th avenue, we hit the bridge and the crabbers were out in full force. The driver gave an encouraging “honk” and all the crabbers and bystanders turned and waved as we passed by.

It was an especially active day downtown on Broadway. But from the elevated seats of the Streetcar, it was the perfect vantage point for excellent people watching. The Streetcar driver is a first-rate resource for historical information and comments on local sites as well.

It’s a great way to travel around town for a tour of the local sights and also a highly practical form of transportation to your favorite Seaside destination. The Streetcar will be running on weekends through Labor Day and costs just $1.00. For a time table and list of stops, go to the Sunset Empire Transportation District website at ridethebus.org.