As a beach resort, Seaside might be said to date to the winter of 1805-06, when explorers Lewis and Clark established a salt-making camp on the beach here, perhaps partly to escape the inland gloom of Fort Clatsop, where it rained all but twelve days of their 106-day stay.

Later Seaside became known as the end of the railroad. In the 1920s Portland families would board at 6:30am, bring breakfast to eat on the train, pile out for a few hours on the beach, and return in the evening—all for a 25-cent fare.

Today tourists crowd the strip of arcades, fast-food joints, and gift shops lining Broadway. Away from the neon lights, however, Seaside’s old-fashioned charm and picturesque natural setting have survived. The 3-mile walking loop described here visits the best of old Seaside: the beachfront Promenade, the Necanicum River estuary, and the cottage-lined back streets.

From Highway 101, follow . . .

Other Options

The Promenade also extends . . .

Tillamook Head viewed from Seaside Beach