How to Spend a Perfect Summer Day in Seaside, Oregon
You’re here. The Oregon coast stretches out in front of you. The kids are awake, and the question is: what should we do first?
Here’s how to make the most of a summer day in Seaside — from a hot breakfast that sets you up right, to an evening bonfire on the beach.
Start with a Real Breakfast
Fuel up before you hit the sand. At Quality Inn Seaside Oregon Coast, hot breakfast is included — hot eggs, waffles, coffee that keeps coming, no extra charge. It’s one less thing to figure out, and it means you’re on the Prom by 9 a.m. instead of hunting for parking downtown.
Walk the Promenade
Seaside’s 1.5-mile Promenade — locals call it the Prom — is where every beach day starts. The concrete walkway has run the length of the beachfront for about a century, so it’s as much a part of town as the sand itself. Walk as far as you want, then turn back when you’re ready.
Go in the morning if you can. The coast is calmest before the wind picks up in the early afternoon, so you’ll share the sand with runners, off-leash dogs, and a few families staking out their spot instead of the midday crowds. The packed sand near the water is firm enough to bike — rent from Wheel Fun Rentals or Prom Bike Shop.
With younger kids, the Turnaround at the center of the Prom is the landmark — shops, ice cream, the main beach access, and the bronze statue marking the official end of the Lewis and Clark Trail. Older kids might rather walk south toward Tillamook Head, or north to watch crabbers off the 12th Avenue Bridge.
Spend the Middle of the Day on the Beach
This is why you’re here: boogie boards, sandcastles, low-tide sand dollar hunts. Summer waves run smaller than fall and winter, so it’s a good window to try surfing or a skim board — Seaside Surf Shop and Cleanline Surf will set you up and point you to the right stretch for the day’s conditions.
Time the tide if you can. Low tide is when the sand dollars and tide pools turn up, so it’s worth a quick check before you head out.
Cannon Beach, just down the coast from Seaside.
When the wind does pick up, the Cove at Seaside’s south end is calmer and more sheltered — it’s where a lot of families with little kids end up in the afternoon. Bring a kite; the Oregon coast is made for it. Packed a cooler? You’re set. If not, the Prom has food carts, fish and chips, and elephant ears.
Afternoon: Get Off the Beach for an Hour
By mid-afternoon, even beach-loving kids need a break. Three easy pivots:
- Necanicum Estuary walk — a flat, easy trail where kids spot bald eagles, blue herons, and river otters. Tide pools appear at low tide.
- Historic Gilbert District — Seaside’s oldest neighborhood: local shops, Beach Books, the Seaside Antique Mall, and the Tea Artist for boba tea. Walkable from downtown.
- Kayak or paddleboard the Necanicum River — Wheel Fun Rentals at Quatat Park rents kayaks, SUPs, even swan boats. Calm water, a quiet view of town you won’t get from the beach.
Dinner on a Patio
Let someone else do the cooking tonight. Three good calls, all with outdoor seating:
- Finns Fish House — local razor clams, a fire pit.
- Seaside Brewery — three patios, burgers that hold up.
- Salmon River Smokehouse — smoked fish, a harbor view.
Kids melting down? Grab pizza or fish and chips to go and head back to the room. No judgment — you’ve been outside all day.
End with a Beach Bonfire
If you’ve got the energy, this is the best part. Seaside allows bonfires on the open sand, and summer evenings here are why people come back year after year.
Bring firewood, marshmallows, and a lighter. The beach clears out after 8 p.m., so you’ll have space to yourselves, and summer sunset runs late — around 9 p.m. — so you can watch it from your bonfire spot. Fire rules can change seasonally, so it’s worth a quick check of the current City of Seaside guidance before you light one.
Kids will remember this part.
Where to Stay
By the end of a day like this, what you want is a short walk back and not much left to think about. That’s the case for staying a block off the Prom at Quality Inn Seaside Oregon Coast — you can leave the car parked all day, walk to everything on this list, and breakfast is already handled in the morning.
Families usually notice how easy the stay feels: clean rooms, a hot breakfast so nobody’s hunting for food at 8 a.m., and staff who know the town. Doris and Anice — the GM and AGM, both here more than a decade — run the place, and guests often mention them by name. It’s part of why the property has earned two Choice Hotels Gold Awards (2024 and 2026).
Summer dates fill up early on the Oregon coast. If you’re planning a trip, book ahead.
The Team at Quality Inn Seaside Oregon Coast
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I park for a Seaside beach day?
Downtown and Promenade parking fills up by midday in summer. If you’re staying a block off the Prom, the easiest move is to leave the car at the hotel and walk — most of a beach day in Seaside is on foot anyway.
Is the Seaside Promenade good for strollers or wheelchairs?
Yes. The Prom is a flat, paved path running the full 1.5-mile length of the beachfront, so it’s easy going with a stroller or wheelchair.
When is the calmest time to be on the beach in Seaside?
Mornings. The coast is usually calmest before the wind picks up in the early afternoon — which is also when families with younger kids tend to move to the more sheltered Cove at the south end.
Are beach bonfires allowed in Seaside?
Yes, bonfires are allowed on the open sand. Fire rules can change seasonally, so check the current City of Seaside guidance before you go.
Where can I rent bikes, kayaks, or paddleboards in Seaside?
Bikes are available from Wheel Fun Rentals and Prom Bike Shop near the Prom. For kayaks, paddleboards, and swan boats on the calm Necanicum River, Wheel Fun Rentals at Quatat Park is the spot.
What time does the sun set in Seaside in summer?
Around 9 p.m. at the height of summer — late enough to fit a full beach day in before an evening bonfire.
Last updated July 2026. Beach fire rules and tide times change with the season — check current City of Seaside guidance and a local tide table before you go.