Staying Cozy in Seaside in Winter: Itinerary and Best Bets
The historic homes of Seaside’s Promenade offer a location like no other on the oceanfront dunes with a non-stop show of storms and sunbreaks all winter long.
Is anyone else thinking about a safe, self-contained holiday getaway with space to breathe and get outside?
Surfing (or watching surfers) at the cove in Seaside, Oregon, is also a year round activity.
We took a quick October getaway to Seaside, Oregon, and it turns out the off-season revealed a beautiful and natural side of this coastal town I never knew. I was looking for sunny, salty autumn air with a clean and unique hotel experience. I hadn't stayed overnight in Seaside since childhood. Much was exactly as I remember, but so much about modern Seaside blew me away. Especially the south end of town.
Here the top 8 reasons we'LL be BACK (+ Our OVERNIGHT Itinerary)
The proximity to the dune trails and beach are unmatched for some of Seaside’s rental homes.
The historic waterfront homes near the south end of the Promenade are beautiful, big and perfect for family gatherings. They have views for days, and direct access to the sand.
The Promenade. There’s nothing like it on the Oregon Coast. It's 1.5 miles long and 15 feet wide. It is the ideal spot to stretch your legs without walking in the sand (rain or shine). On the southern residential end things are quiet and scenic.
The proximity to Portland. Seaside is just a 1.5-hour drive from my home. Easy trip.
The abundance of new or updated and affordable hotels in the winter. The Saltine, The Ashore, The Tides By the Sea, Inn at the Prom, Coast River Inn, The Seaside Oceanfront Inn
The seafood. There is no shortage of year-round coastal seafood cooked to order or ready for you to take back to your rental.
The hiking: plenty of choices for views and hikes, especially the Tillamook Head Trail.
The surf scene. Our family includes surfers. The Cove is both a locals hangout and has options for newbies. Even if you're not suiting up, it's a great winter activity watching the surfers from your car.
Mountain biking. Some trails already exist, and new trails are in the works. We'll be back with bikes.
Our 1 Night Seaside Itinerary in late October (with the dog)
Sleep:
Ashore Hotel: A trendy boutique alternative to national chain hotels. This spot has hip amenities (craft beer on tap in the lobby) and a modern coastal industrial aesthetic. The original converted motel is now a 22-room dog-friendly inn featuring thoughtful details that make it feel like a true vacation. We utilized the free cruiser bikes for the whole family. The kids loved the tiny heated saline pool and sauna. I loved the lobby bar and firepit to sit around with said drinks. There's also a small lobby kitchen serving tapas at night and gourmet room-service breakfast in the morning.
See:
The Salt Works: I never knew this marked historic site existed right off the Promenade. It is the original site of Lewis & Clark's salt-making operation and a worthy stop on your walk.
Walk and Bike: We walked then cruised the Promenade all the way to The Cove where we pulled off to watch the surfers.
Hike the Tillamook Head Trail: Not a small feat 6.3 miles (each way) with elevation change and often muddy in fall and winter. This hike leads to long Pacific Ocean views.
Eat:
☆ Holiday-Specific Travel Tips I wrote for “Visit Seaside” ☆
2020
We picked up Tom's Fish & Chips downtown and walked it back to our room for dinner. There are many options for safe take-out dining in in Seaside. For a breakfast, we ordered the hotel's very affordable house-made farm egg sandwiches and gourmet waffles with berries for distanced dining in our cozy room.
