HMC

My husband & I are going to Oregon in two weeks and are going to take his grandmother to the coast to stay for a few nights. Any suggestions on an oceanfront condo in Seaside? Does anyone have any suggestions on places to eat or things to do in Seaside?

Thanks

jimshep

Why not stay in Cannon Beach, six miles south of Seaside. It is a much nicer place. Tolovana Inn is an ocean-front condo in Cannon Beach.

Kalypso is the best place to eat in Seaside.

We prefer the Wayfarer Restaurant in Cannon Beach to some of the more highly touted ones.

Ecola State Park, near Seaside and Cannon Beach, is a delightful place.

Oswald West State Park, 10 miles south of Cannon Beach is also worth a visit.

kimamom

Lucky you! Seaside is gorgeous. We're remodeling a beach cottage there, steps away from the beach. It should be open for business soon, but later this summer.

You may want to check with the vacation rental places in the area, but I would hurry, they book really fast in this area.

There is lots to see/do in Seaside. There is a prom that you could walk that runs by the ocean, a small but fun aquarium, surrey bikes to rent to ride around town, lots of shopping and coffee shops. Then there's just the old-fashioned sitting on the beach that I enjoy the most, taking in the gorgeous views of Tillamook Head.

We like Doogers for seafood, also there's the cajun place, Lil Bayou. We haven't tried Kalypso but I've heard good things about it.

IMO, for the best eats, go to Astoria, just about 20 minutes away. There's the Fulio's Pastaria, that is amazing in downtown Astoria, also the Silver Salmon Grille that has the best salmon in the area, the Ship Inn for awesome fish and chips.

Your grandmother would also enjoy the Maritime Musesum, that is very informative. We spoke with the curator on our last visit and will be having an exhibit there for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. Also, Fort Clatsop is interesting and a trip up to the Astor Column.

CB is pretty, but many of the shop owners are opting out of CB and moving to Astoria. It was recently featured in the NYT. There is also a huge complex in Seaside that is a time-share type thing that you may be interested in, even if you don't buy into the place, I'm assuming you could stay there.

Does it have to be a condo? There's a very quaint B&B right on the prom, that looks really nice. I believe it is the Seaside Inn, B&B. Also, the oceanfront Shilo Inn is very nice, located directly on the prom and walking distance all the cool shops, restaurants, etc. Have a great time! We hope to spend a month there this summer when our cottage is completed.

Seaside/CB/Astoria are all so close, you shouldn't have any trouble visiting them all. ***kim***

Just a note about Oswald West State Park: there is quite a hike down to the beach there. I don't know how good of shape your grandmother is in, but you may want to take this into consideration.

Manzanita is also very pretty, just minutes away from CB. There is an amazing viewpoint around there that is definitely worth a stop for pictures.

Fodorite018

I agree about going to Cannon Beach instead of Seaside. Seaside is sort of like a big carnival in atmosphere. We also prefer the Wayfarer restaurant, which is a part of the Surfsand Resort. The Surfsand is very nice and oceanfront, but like other places it has rooms that do not face the water so be sure to ask regardless of where you stay.

kimamom

I get really bored in CB, there isn't much to do there, but the scenery is pretty. A small street of shops and the beach, that's about it. Seaside has much more to offer in that way, IMO.

Ecola State Park is very nice. There are picnic tables and trails to hike around. Indian Beach is also very pretty, but here is a short hike down to that beach also. Does your grandmother mind the hiking? If so, you may want to check out which beaches require the walk down. Seaside does not require any hiking at all.

Since your original inquiry was about Seaside, I hope I have answered some of your questions about this great place. In two weeks, you should beat the summer crowds that will be huge in Seaside, especially July and August.

There is also Norma's Seafood Diner that just had a small write up in Sunset magazine about a great place for clam chowder on the coast. ***kim***

kimamom

I just found a cool website for you, www.seasideor.com Click on places to stay and you will find tons of vacation rentals! ***kim***

HMC

Thanks for all the information!! Kim, I will check out that website.

Thanks, again

kimamom

You're welcome! And the name of the oceanfront condos are called Trendwest Resort. Looks like they are going for around 200/night but they are beautiful and right on the beach! ***kim***

Scarlett

Topping this for my friend who is trying to decide between Cannon Beach & Seaside.

mooselywild

What kind of people are you and your husband- junk food/touristy/strip mall or quaint high class shoppers and nature lovers? If it's the former- Seaside! If it's the latter, Cannon Beach! Seaside has more convenience type stores and activities: CB has strict building codes (no neon lights, McD's, or chains), and a beautiful beach w/ Haystack Rock. Almost sickeningly artist haven/quaint. Cheaper/more available housing probably in Seaside. Easier beach access in CB.

Andrew

Can't we simply agree that some people prefer Seaside and others prefer Cannon Beach? I like both places although as a photographer I prefer Cannon, obviously.

Andrew

mooselywild

I think the argument is just a sign that everyone agrees the Oregon Coast is great wherever you go

EnricoIV

We always stay in Gearhart, and love it there. Small, quite, secluded -- just north of Seaside.

magiccarpet

If, when in New York City, you would rather stay in Astoria than Manhattan, then, when on the Oregon Coast, you may prefer Seaside to Cannon Beach.

kimamom

Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Depoe Bay, Lincoln City, it's all good here!

We just ventured down to Newport for a visit to the aquarium. Great scenery, loved the Cape Foulweather Lookout and Gift Shop!

Had some great pizza at Pacific Way in Gearhart last night! The salmon fishing is wonderful right now. Hubby and daugther returned with 4 good size fish. We will be eating salmon for qutie awhile here in our cozy cottage by the sea in Seaside! ***kim***

happytrailstoyou

The residential neighborhood of Seaside is very pleasant.

Kal

***Kim***
You guys still going to Kauai or have you been already?
Feel free to drop me a line if you haven't and are....
Mucho mahalos!
Kal

Scarlett

Kal, I did notice a kimiwilli (sp?) posting about Hawaii, is that what you are looking for?

I like Cannon Beach if we are still voting lol...I noticed on another forum that the reviews of a place called Doogers ended up being something about the food and a word that sounds like doogers , ha!
We liked Mo's so that tells you what I know about eating at our nice Coast ~

mooselywild

<giggle> Scarlett! Yeah, the similarity between "Dooger" and...another word.. occured to my younger sis and I when we ate at Dooger's as kids (we went every year to CB from the time I was a toddler for about 20 yrs.) and our parents were less than amused. Dooger's is a chain-y type restaurant that serves mainly deep fried sea food (in case you wondered). And there's nothing wrong with Mo's! Great view, with "Spiky" the swordfish. Another childhood favorite. Have you had their "Cannonball" Chowder?? C

Scarlett

mooselywild...the chowder is the first thing I ever had at Mo's...when we came to Portland in 2004 for a visit, it was a recommendation from one of the Portland locals ... I listened to them!
I like it! I like the view while eating it, I like the nice chatty waitress and I like Cannon Beach lol...
LOL... -oogers