We know kids love Seaside. And Seaside loves kids. But you can, of course, enjoy Seaside without the youngsters in tow. Whether you’re planning a couple’s getaway or simply seeking a quiet weekend away, here are a few ways you can enjoy adult-only time at Oregon’s original beach town.
1. Hike for Epic Lighthouse Views
A moderate climb on the Tillamook Head Trail affords hikers glimpses of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. The forlorn lighthouse sits atop a rock formation about a mile offshore. The lush trail begins at Elmer Feldenheimer Forest Preserve on the south side of Seaside and stretches 6.3 miles to Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach. With an elevation gain of 1,126 feet, this trek will make you sweat, but pays off with panoramic views of the Pacific. It’s a quintessential Oregon Coast hike. You can find more trails in and around Seaside here.
2. Learn to Surf, Bodyboard or SUP Together
Try something new with classes offered by Northwest Women’s Surf Camps. The surf camp presents a range of weekend couples and co-ed classes, which include bodyboarding clinics and yoga stand-up paddleboarding (SUPing) on a freshwater coastal lake. You can also reserve private lessons.
3. Relieve some Tension
If you’re a little sore from all that physical exertion, check in for a side-by-side couple’s massage at Healthy Hub Massage & Wellness or Shear Pleasures Salon & Spa. Choose from relaxation, hot-stone or deep-tissue treatments and feel the stress just melt away.
4. Dine without Coloring Pages
It’s no secret that Seaside excels at classic beach eats — from big burgers to ocean-fresh Dungeness crab. But the food scene doesn’t end there. Here are a couple tips for a dinner for two.
You can’t miss the homemade Italian standbys like spaghetti and meatballs at Nonni’s Italian Bistro. It has a “Lady and the Tramp” kind of charm, right down to the red-and-white-checkered tablecloths. And the dinner portion is large enough to share, just like in the movie.
Or for a DIY oceanfront dinner, stop at Tora Sushi Lounge and pick up your favorite sushi, sashimi and nigiri rolls. Then head to the area locals call “the cove,” on the south end of Seaside to watch surfers shred waves while you dine and catch the sunset.
Find even more places to eat here.
5. Toast to Two
You don’t have to go to wine country to sample Oregon’s top vintages, or Portland for craft beer nirvana. Seaside is home to three tasting rooms: Naked Winery, Buddha Kat Winery and Westport Winery.
Located in the old Seaside Jail, Seaside Brewing Co. offers a range of brews on tap made with Oregon coastal rainwater. Try the Marionberry Hefe for a light, thirst-quenching tartness or the Stormcrow Oatmeal Stout for perfect storm-watching refreshment.
Tip for parents: If you’re worried that the kids are going to be envious of your adults-only days in Seaside, just stop by Schwietert’s Cones & Candy. There you can pick up a big bag of treats to make everyone happy.
Photo of Tillamook Head Trail by Susan Seubert
