Seaside, Oregon Family Vacation Guide
Seaside Beach, facing south along the water's edge
Seaside, Oregon is a small and sleepy town located along Highway 101. As per Oregon’s requirements, the beach is open use and there are no portions of private property on the beach. This makes it an amazing and idealistic location for a lovely getaway.
What to Know Before Visiting Seaside, Oregon
Every summer there is a huge volleyball tournament played on the Seaside Beach. This does tend to take over the town. I recommend checking here for the next tournament before trying to book because prices increase and availability of lodging in the surrounding areas are difficult to come by during this time.
Summertime is when the weather is perfect for beach play and outdoor exploring, but prices are high as the town expects traffic along the highway for tourists and Portlanders escaping to the coast. We went in early October after busy season and it was wonderfully relaxed, but the weather is more unpredictable.
PLEASE teach your kids about beach safety before visiting the coastline. Kids who are new to the ocean need to learn the basics about tide patterns and always have an adult watching for sneaker waves, which creep up suddenly and can carry small humans further out than they can handle. Always check Seaside’s tide schedule before heading out, teach YOURSELF about Sneaker Waves and PNW Beach Safety, and I recommend this YouTube video for teaching kids about ocean safety.
Seaside is committed to keeping this beautiful massive stretch of public beach clean for everyone. There is a great program that will give your family monetary value to participating local businesses for helping clean up the beach, including the arcade! See the details of this program here.
Also please see my favorite ideas and resources on preparing children for your trip.
Where to Stay
We rented this cute little Airbnb house near the beach boardwalk. It was the perfect location - close enough to quickly access the beach, a short walk from Main Street, and easy to find. The home included beach toys and clam tubes to use, a washer and dryer, comfortable beds, and plenty of seating for gathering. The kitchen was well stocked with tools, so it was an easy lift for a family to feed everyone from the house. It was also pet friendly.
Fun Things to Do in Seaside, Oregon with Kids
Seaside Beach
Follow the easy-to-reach beach walk down to the Broadway Street stairway entrance for a grand experience, or find the fastest walking path from your local stay to the ocean. This is a huge beach front and its completely free public access.
Clamming is best in the morning, so we made sure to save one early morning start for the beach front. There are always volleyball players out on the beach that sometimes will let you join, and a swing set is available for community play near the Broadway Street access. Incredible sand sculptures are often found around the foot of the flagpole near the Broadway Street entrance. Fires are allowed to be started on the beach depending on local recommendations, so always check here before starting a fire.
Seaside Tilt-A-Whirl
Located on Broadway Street a short walk down from the beach center, there is a cute little arcade, tilt-a-whirl, bumper cars, and mini golf. A great break when its feeling too hot outside, this indoor play area is a beloved memory for many locals and guests alike. Prices vary and require a digital card payment or cash for their system’s payment cards but they are reusable for multiple days.
Seaside Carousel Mall
Located down Broadway Street, this little mall is a great place for souvenirs, a small arcade, and a beautiful historic carousel. We stopped for dessert at Rascal’s Candy Store and explored the shops when it was warm enough outside to need a break indoors.
Seaside Aquarium
The Seaside Aquarium is a beautiful small powerhouse of education open year round, and the exterior window has an incredible skeleton replica of a whale. It is definitely worth a stop along the boardwalk even if you don’t have time for a full visit. Their website has a beach camera so let the kiddos watch the waves before you go! Don’t forget to ask them for the beach clean-up bag to earn your beach coins!
Parent Note: there is no public restroom at the aquarium itself (public restrooms are located at the Turnaround, three blocks south of the Seaside Aquarium), so have the kids go before you go!
Captain Kid Amusement Park
For the adventure seekers, the Captain Kid Amusement Park is a small and mighty location with great family fun for kids age 3+. Open from February to October, their retro paper tickets system is a hit with the kids and it also makes it possible for families to only pay for what they want at the moment. Parking is free and there are no additional admission fees besides tickets, and prices are kept reasonably low for family accessibility.
Local History & Museums
Seaside is full of fun little historical gems and a beautiful little museum to help keep track of the local history. Some great mentions include the end of the NPS Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail and the Lewis & Clark Salt Works site. Their website can link you with a local historical tour guide and they also have a list of additional museums in other areas nearby so you can keep the learning tour running your whole journey.
Painted Rock Beach
On the south side of Seaside, this little beach is full of beautiful painted rocks left by locals and tourists alike. It’s a fun little side quest for kids to see all the things they can find and free to access. Definitely worth the stop!
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Famous Cannon Beach is a short drive away from Seaside, so be sure to take an afternoon to visit. It would also be a great location for a family photo session playing in the sand! Read about our favorites in Cannon Beach here.
Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Seaside
Grocery Stores & Hotel Cooking
We shopped at the local Safeway across the river for the best prices within the city limits. There is also a Grocery Outlet on the southern side across the river that can help with a budget friendly shopping trip. For local sea food, a stop at the Seaside Market on Avenue U is a good option. Depending on the time of year you visit, pick up some local fresh food and small business shopping at the Seaside Farmers Market. Definitely remember to stock up on beach-friendly snacks and bring reusable water bottles to fill up in the hotel!
Bagels By The Sea - $
This is a great on-the-go breakfast spot with a large menu of bagels, coffee, and lunch sandwiches. Their menu is large enough to easily please lots of different preferences and service was quick. It is further east of the beach boardwalk so it may be more accessible by car or on your way in or out of town depending on your schedule.
Sam’s Seaside Cafe - $
Tucked in by Tilt-A-Whirl, this little cafe was a great family joint. They have toys available for the kids to play with while they wait, a fun wall full of drawings left by customers, and a great local menu for family dining. Its a short walk down Broadway Street from the beach boardwalk and a short 2 minutes from the local Gelato shop for dessert afterwards.
Sea Star Gelato - $
A cute little ice cream parlor with great options and a fun atmosphere. Their lineup changes daily so its worth the stop for a big lover of cold creamy desserts. This makes for an easy stop on a hot day for a quick treat!
Pig N Pancake - $$
The breakfast spot in the Northwest, they are very busy during their opening hours. We highly recommend going early, and even having someone in the group head out to be put on the waitlist as soon as possible. Their kids menus are highly kid friendly, portions are large, and their staff are great with families. Definitely order their bacon if that’s your thing, its excellent.
Dundee’s Bar & Grill - $$
Casual American cuisine in a sports bar vibe, but still a local establishment. The food is excellent even with its high variety menu, and its a favorite for our Portland residence family who visit this area often.
Seaside Beach, Oregon along the coastline in the early morning.
Overall Reflections
Seaside is a fun little getaway town with great prices for the PNW, amazing beach access, and nearby major attractions like Cannon Beach. It is also a great stop along Highway 101 or a little family escape from Portland. See if you can fit it into your family’s PNW trip!
