Seaside, Oregon Weekend Itinerary

I live in the Pacific Northwest, so I am fortunate to be only a few hours away from some pretty incredible escapes. When I need a quiet getaway, though, I love heading to the Oregon coast. In particular, I really enjoy staying in Seaside, Oregon. It’s beautiful, family-friendly, has incredible outdoors activities, and it’s a short drive away from Cannon Beach. Although there are plenty of other things to do there, here are my favorite go-tos when I’m planning a weekend itinerary for Seaside, Oregon.

I recommend staying either directly in Seaside, Oregon or one of the neighboring towns, such as Gearhart. I usually find a place to stay using AirBnB or VRBO. When booking, I look for views and proximity to the beach, and I really prefer to have a place with a kitchenette.

I’ve stayed in the heart of Seaside, on the southern end of the Promenade, and mid-town a few blocks from the beach. While I have enjoyed all of the locations, my favorite stays always end up being the ones with an ocean view. On my most recent trip, I stayed in a condo at a place called The Tides with my best friend. It was an adorably decorated room with a stunning view, and I would definitely stay there again.

Once you figure out where to stay, here are my tried-and-tested recommendations for some activities to check out during your trip.

Day 1

• Arrive in Seaside and get checked into your lodging.
• Eat dinner at Seaside Brewery or other restaurant of your choice.
• Walk along the beach and watch the sunset. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you to watch the darn sunset whilst sinking your toes into the sand, but just case you didn’t know… sunsets on the beach are a definite Oregon coast bucket list item!

Day 2

• Get up early (groaning optional) and stroll along the Seaside promenade with coffee in hand. There is a Starbucks in town if you’re craving dessert in a coffee cup instead of actual coffee. I said what I said… I also drink my coffee black, so I might be a hardcore coffee snob from Seattle.
• Get a breakfast bagel sandwich (or whatever) at Bagels by the Sea.

• Enjoy some shopping at the local stores. Almost everything is walkable, and there are also outlet shops a short drive away.
• Check out the Lewis and Clark “End of the Trail”, which is right next to the local shopping.
• Play on the Aerial Challenge Course at High Life Adventure Park. If heights aren’t your thing, this might not be on your Seaside bucket list.
• Pack a picnic and enjoy watching the sunset from the beach. If you don’t like eating sand, maybe don’t actually eat on the beach.

Day 3

• Get some breakfast at the Osprey Cafe (or wherever you want because I’m not going to tell you how to live your life – ha!)
• No Seaside, Oregon weekend itinerary would be complete without hiking and sightseeing at Ecola State Park. This is easily a most-of-the-day trip, so bring plenty of water and snacks. And definitely don’t forget your camera because the views are spectacular!

• Get a late lunch or early dinner at Pelican Brewing Company.
• Cannon Beach should be on everyone’s Oregon Coast bucket list! Plan to spend some time experiencing the tide pools and soaking in the views. Be sure to watch the sunset from the beach!