There’s something about exploring a place by bike. It’s relaxing, carefree and simple. And you can’t check your cellphone and ride at the same time … OK, you could, but we strongly advise against it! Instead act like a kid and throw your worries to the wind. In Seaside, you have plenty of ways to explore and plenty of choices when it comes to your ride — whether it’s two-, three- or four-wheeled adventure. Here’s what you need to know.
On the Beach
If you want to maximize your beach time, ride you own bike along the packed sand at low tide. Or rent a bike specially designed for coastal cruising. Prom Bike Shop (622 12th Ave.) rents Funcycles, which are low to the ground with a slingback seat and three wheels for $10/1.5 hours. Or the shop rents fat-tired beach cruisers — single or tandem — for $10 to $15/hour. Wheel Fun Rentals (151 Avenue A) offers three- and four-wheeled sand bikes including the Quad Sport, Chopper, and two-person Deuce Coupe for $15-20/hour and cruisers for $10/hour. Before setting out, make sure to check the tide tables.
Around Town
One of Seaside’s main attractions is its 1.5-mile paved, beachfront Promenade, which stretches from Avenue U to 12th Avenue, a great spot for an easy two-wheeled tour.
While you certainly can ride a traditional bike along the boardwalk, it’s arguably way more fun if you rent a four-wheeled surrey to tour the rest of downtown Seaside (though surreys are not permitted on the Prom itself). Both Wheel Fun Rentals and Prom Bike Shop rent surreys that can accommodate two to nine people. Wheel Fun’s family-friendly rides run $25 to $45/hour, while Prom’s surreys rent for $15 to $36/hour, depending on size.
Wheel Fun has a self-guided bike tour and map that you can download. If you’re on regular bikes, follow it along the promenade, through Goodman and Necanicum Estuary parks and up to Tillamook Head. The ride itself will take about an hour, but with stops and lunch, plan for three hours.
In the Forest
If you’re more of a hardcore mountain biker, adventure awaits. All of Seaside’s trails, which are gravel roads, are located on the Lewis & Clark Oregon Timberlands, a private tree farm. Some trails have technical sections, where you’ll need to bike uphill. To choose the right trail for your ability, click here for trail descriptions, directions, distance and elevation gains.
