Oregon: Seaside

Seaside is a popular summer vacation resort town, with throngs of Pacific Northwest residents annually packing up their cars and heading to the shore. Unlike the beaches of the east coast, there are not too many rinky-dink boardwalk towns in Washington and Oregon. Seaside is pretty much the major destination for such silly family amusements as bumper cars and corndogs.

But Seaside has much more too offer, and it draws me back time and again. The ocean activity in this part of the state is dramatic and always pleasant to listen to. The sea breeze makes summer nights cozy for strolling along the beach and watching the sun set over the horizon. Even in winter I have a great time visiting the Oregon coast. While the weather is often rainy and cold, the lack of visitors make enjoying the natural splendor of the place that much easier.

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Seaside is pretty small in size and can be easily navigated by foot.

The Shilo Inn resort is located right off the beach and the main drag through town, gauranteeing that you will be right in the center of all the activity. Not that there is too much going on most of the year in this sleepy little town. In the off-season you can enjoy the quiet and peaceful beach as well as the glowing sunsets that are impossible to miss from any oceanfront room. The 24 hour indoor pool is popular with younger visitors, and the spa and fitness areas are unusual though certainly welcome amenities for such a small town. The restaurant and lounge are alright, though better dining options can be found in town.

Norma's is the quintessential seafood choice in Seaside, with faithful customers returning again and again. While we're glad they do healthy business it can result in some long waits during the summer months.

The menu is fairly straightforward, with generous portions of standard fish and chips, halibut, and a variety of shellfish. While the selection is somewhat limited and unexciting, the freshness and light preparation make for flavorful and healthy dining. Desserts can be hit or miss, but the fruit cobbler I had on my most recent visit was notable.

How absolutely silly to write about a miniature golf course, but there's no denying that Ten Tiny Tees is a popular institution in Seaside. According to my parents there seems to have been no changes or modifications to the golf course in the past 30 years, and the price seems to be nonwavering as well. Located on the town's main drag, Ten Tiny Tees is a diversion that you stop at as you make your way down the street towards the beach. Silly but lots of fun, especially watching uncoordinated parents whack at the ball repeatedly.

Seaside lies at the end of the Lewis & Clark trail, where the two explorers finally reached the Pacific Ocean. A monument celebrating the discovery stands at the circular loop drive where Broadway Street ends and the stairway down to the beachfront begins. Three miles of uninterrupted soft sand line the shore, great for long walks and beachcombing. The water is usually not too rough, making it an ideal swimming spot compared to the more dramatic wave action along much of the Oregon coast.