Seaside, Oregon

1. Stroll along The Seaside Promenade

The Seaside Promenade, fondly known as the Prom, is a 1.5-mile-long boardwalk running alongside the Pacific Ocean in town. The Prom was initially built from wood in the 1920s, but today it has been paved over in concrete, making it a convenient route for joggers and cyclists.

On one side of the promenade are beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and sandy dunes, while the other side shows off historical motels and beachside cottages. This Seaside hub also has a sightline to beautiful Tillamook Head and includes the famous End of the Trail statue of Lewis and Clark on a roundabout along its path.

2. Relax in the Arcadia Beach State Recreation Area

The Arcadia Beach State Recreation Area sits along the coast of Oregon where it meets the Pacific Ocean, creating a tranquil oasis with lovely ocean views and a calming seaside breeze. Located just south of Cannon Beach, the beach area here stretches for about a mile and opens up views of the rest of the coast as well as the headlands that form its borders.

This territory is less crowded than other nearby beaches, making it a choice spot to enjoy the seaside away from the crowds. The location has basic amenities for a trip to the beach, including restrooms and a picnic area.

Address: US-101, Arch Cape, OR 97102, Phone: 503-986-0707

3. Learn about local history at the Clatsop County Historical Society

The Clatsop County Historical Society works to preserve the history of this part of Oregon by restoring and displaying some of its significant historic buildings for the public. In total, the society operates four different venues, which differ greatly from one another in terms of their styles and uses.

The Queen Anne-style Flavel House, which was built in 1884, provides information about the Victorian period, while the neoclassical Heritage Museum discusses the history of the entire county in its displays. The Uppertown Firefighter's Museum, a boxy red brick building, traces the history of firefighting in the region through a collection of memorabilia, which includes a 1946 Mack fire truck.

Address: 714 Exchange St, Astoria, OR 97103, Phone: 503-325-2203

4. Relax on Clatsop Plains beaches

Clatsop Plains is the official and somewhat misleading name for an 18-mile stretch of sandy Pacific coast beach known to most by the more appropriate folk name of Clatsop Beach. The area is named for the Clatsop Native American tribe, who lived in the region in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Clatsop Plains includes two beaches, Sunset Beach and Columbia Beach, and is the location of the Peter Iredale, the skeleton of a shipwrecked British sailing vessel. In addition to creating beautiful beach and inland areas, Clatsop Plains is also the place from which the state of Oregon harvests the vast majority of its razor clams.

5. Go fishing at the Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site

The Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site is a tranquil, secluded area that leads out to the majestic waters of the Pacific Ocean. Unlike other more popular beaches, Del Rey offers a quiet place to enjoy the sun and sand; beachcombers can relax, fish, play, or fly a kite in peace without any crowds or noise.

Facilities are also available that provide horseback rides along the beach. Those in search of razor clams come to this spot to harvest these special creatures of the Pacific Northwest and many stay into the evening to watch the sun set over the horizon.

Address: Warrenton, OR 97146, Phone: 800-551-6949

6. Explore the tide pools in Ecola State Park

Ecola State Park is another coastal beach park along the Pacific waters of Oregon. The park is located 2 miles to the north of well-known Cannon Beach and it has both sandy beach areas and inland hiking trails. The beach at Ecola State Park is known as Indian Beach and has a spacious area for relaxing by the waves and exploring in and around the tide pools.

Another favorite site at the state park is Ecola Point, which opens up views of the ocean and the rocky cliffs as well as of Tillamook Lighthouse. Eight miles of the Oregon Coast Trail run through the park and camping facilities are available to hikers.

Address: 84318 Ecola Park Rd, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, Phone: 503-368-5154

7. Step back in time at Fort Clatsop

Fort Clatsop, which sits inside the Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks, was used as an encampment site for the Corps of Discovery during the winter of 1805–1806. This national monument includes two main structures, a visitors center, and a replica of the fort itself.

The center has an interpretive area and exhibit hall, which provide information about the history of the site as well as two educational films and a gift shop. Visitors can explore the monument on a self-guided audio tour or hike or take an excursion with one of the on-staff rangers, who often dress up in period costumes.

Address: 92343 Fort Clatsop Road, Astoria, OR 97103, Phone: 503-861-2471

8. See the Lewis & Clark Salt Works exhibit

The Lewis & Clark Salt Works is another interesting exhibit within the Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks. The Corps of Discovery, a group of early 19th-century voyagers who were part of the Lewis and Clark expedition, reached the Columbia River region of Oregon in the winter of 1805 and set up camp during the cold months.

By the time they arrived, they had run out of precious salt, which had been used to season and preserve the explorers' meals. To compensate, they created the salt works, a furnace system in which they constantly boiled ocean water to extract its salt. The stone furnace still stands and can be visited today, a reminder of the hardships faced by the first expeditioners of the Pacific Northwest.

Address: 56 Lewis and Clark Way, Seaside, OR 97138, Phone: 503-861-2471

9. Take the boat to the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge

The Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge is truly off the beaten path as it includes a series of rarely trodden islands in the Columbia River. The 20 islands of the refuge, which are only accessible via boat, cover 27 miles, reaching all the way up to the state of Washington.

The refuge includes a range of different wildlife habitats, such as upland pasture, forested swamps, marshes, and tidal sand flats. These ecosystems create homes for gulls, raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, and many other species. Reptiles, amphibians, and mammals also find space on this 33,000-acre territory, and a great number of fish use the estuary for feeding and spawning. The refuge is popular for boating, hiking, paddling, and wildlife observation.

Address: Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge, OR 97103, Phone: 360-795-3915