Seaside sits at the northern end of the Oregon coast, about 80 miles northwest of Portland via US-26 — roughly 90 minutes from PDX airport — and 25 miles north of Cannon Beach on US-101. It is the oldest coastal resort town in Oregon, established in the 1870s as a summer destination for Portland families, and it has never lost that exuberant, slightly faded-postcard character. The defining feature is the Promenade: a 1.5-mile concrete seawall walkway ('the Prom') running from the Turnaround roundabout in the north to 12th Avenue in the south, built in 1921 and still the social spine of the town. Families push strollers, teenagers rent surrey bikes, and grandparents park bench-side while the beach stretches west at low tide. At the north end of the Prom, the bronze Lewis and Clark End of the Trail monument marks the point where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark first reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805 — Seaside proudly bills itself as 'the End of the Trail.' The Seaside Aquarium, just off the Turnaround, has been welcoming families since 1937; it is small by major-city standards but charming, with harbor seals you can hand-feed from the dock. Broadway Street, running inland from the Turnaround, is the classic Oregon beach midway — arcades, go-karts, taffy shops, bumper cars, and a miniature golf course — the kind of commercial strip that Cannon Beach has deliberately kept out.
For reunions, Seaside's strengths are capacity and affordability. The town has a substantially larger hotel and condo inventory than Cannon Beach, including several full-service properties with 100+ rooms, and rates run 25-40% lower than comparable Cannon Beach properties. The Seaside Civic and Convention Center can host a banquet for 500, and Clatsop County Fairgrounds (3 miles south) provides a large outdoor gathering option. Family-reunion groups of 50-150 who need a block of rooms, a banquet hall, and beach access within walking distance consistently find Seaside easier to book and more affordable than any other northern Oregon coast town. Fort Stevens State Park (10 miles north) adds a full campground, a Civil War-era military battery, and a famously photogenic shipwreck — the Peter Iredale, the most-photographed wreck on the Oregon coast. Tillamook Head, rising 1,200 feet directly south of town, provides a serious ridge hike with coast views that end at the Ecola State Park trailhead above Cannon Beach.
Where it is
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Things to do (with the family)
Hand-curated. Every entry links to its official source so you can plan without guessing.
The Promenade ('the Prom')
The 1.5-mile concrete seawall built in 1921 connecting the Turnaround to 12th Avenue is the social heart of Seaside. Walk, jog, or rent surrey bikes. Fully paved, flat, and wheelchair/stroller-accessible. The daily multi-gen anchor activity. Free.
Official source ↗Seaside Aquarium
A beloved small aquarium open since 1937 with harbor seals you can hand-feed from the dock using smelt purchased at the door. Touch tanks, local fish, and tide pool exhibits. Small enough to do in 90 minutes — perfect for ages 3-12. $8-10/adult, discounts for kids.
Official source ↗Broadway Street arcade and midway
The 4-block commercial strip running inland from the Turnaround — classic amusement arcade, go-karts, mini golf, bumper cars, and saltwater taffy shops. The energetic, affordable activity hub that makes Seaside the family-beach-town alternative to quieter Cannon Beach. Prices vary per activity.
Official source ↗Lewis & Clark End of the Trail monument (Turnaround)
The bronze monument at the Turnaround roundabout marks the spot where the Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the Pacific coast in November 1805. A free, walk-to historical landmark with strong interpretive value. Pairs well with a Fort Clatsop visit (10 min north) for the full Lewis and Clark day.
Official source ↗Fort Clatsop / Lewis & Clark National Historical Park
The reconstructed winter fort where Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1805-06 is 5 miles north of Seaside. Living-history demonstrations, ranger programs, and 6 miles of forest trail. Free admission with National Parks pass; $10 without.
Official source ↗Fort Stevens State Park (Peter Iredale shipwreck)
Ten miles north of Seaside via US-101 — the most-photographed shipwreck on the Oregon coast. The British four-masted schooner Peter Iredale ran aground in 1906; its rusting bow ribs still rise from the beach at low tide. The park also has a Civil War military battery tour, a lake beach, and 600+ campsites.
Official source ↗Tillamook Head trail (Ecola access)
The Tillamook Head trail climbs from the south end of Seaside's beach to 1,200 ft above sea level, running 4.5 miles through old-growth Sitka spruce to the Ecola State Park trailhead above Cannon Beach. One of the most dramatic hikes on the entire Oregon coast — arrange a car shuttle at the Ecola end. 9 miles RT from Seaside.
Official source ↗Surrey bike rental on the Prom
Multiple rental shops at the Turnaround rent surrey bikes (2- and 4-person pedal cars), single bikes, and electric beach cruisers. The Prom is flat and fully paved. A 1.5-mile end-to-end Prom cruise takes 20-30 minutes on a surrey. One of the most reliably fun multi-gen reunion activities on the coast.
Official source ↗Seaside Beach bonfire
Seaside allows beach bonfires in designated areas south of the Turnaround. The wide, sandy main beach is ideal — bring firewood (available from local hardware stores) or purchase from vendors near the beach access. An evening bonfire with s'mores is the classic Seaside reunion closer.
Official source ↗Astoria day trip
Twenty minutes north on US-101, Astoria offers the Astoria Column (panoramic view from the top), the Columbia River Maritime Museum, a strong coffee-and-brunch scene, and the Goonies filming location walk. A reliable half-day or full-day excursion from a Seaside base.
Official source ↗Ecola State Park (day trip from Seaside)
The upper Ecola trailhead is 5 miles south via US-101. The cliff-top viewpoint and Indian Beach cove are the highlights — both accessible on a 1.5-mile easy forest trail from the day-use area ($5/car). The artsy town of Cannon Beach is another 2 miles south. Easy to combine as a half-day road trip.
Official source ↗Seaside Farmer's Market (summer Sundays)
A weekly summer market on the Prom plaza near the Turnaround — local produce, seafood, baked goods, and crafts. Open Sunday mornings June through September. A low-key morning activity that feeds into the Prom walk naturally. Free to browse.
Official source ↗Oregon Film Museum (Astoria)
Twenty minutes north in Astoria, the Oregon Film Museum is housed in the original Clatsop County Jail used in the opening scene of "The Goonies." Interactive exhibits, Oregon film history, and a Goonies photo wall make this the nostalgia anchor for any 1980s-era reunion.
Official source ↗Find more things to do for your Seaside, Oregon reunion
The picks above are general. Inside the Reunly app, Rosi tailors local activities, meals, and printables to your actual dates, group size, ages, and budget - and saves them straight to your reunion plan.
Where to hold your reunion near Seaside, Oregon
Outdoor pavilions, county parks, fairgrounds, and event grounds within driving distance - places where your group can actually gather, not just visit.
Seaside Civic and Convention Center
🏛 Event CenterThe largest dedicated indoor event venue on the northern Oregon coast. Ballroom, breakout rooms, full commercial kitchen, and AV equipment. The go-to Seaside reunion banquet venue for groups of 60-500. Walking distance from the main hotel corridor.
Reserve / info ↗Fort Stevens State Park — Group Picnic Areas
🏞 State ParkFort Stevens State Park (Oregon's largest state park at 3,700 acres) has multiple group picnic shelters and day-use areas near the beach and Peter Iredale shipwreck. Reserveable group sites accommodate up to 150. Add Civil War battery tour and lake swimming for a full reunion day.
Reserve / info ↗Clatsop County Fairgrounds
🎪 FairgroundThe Clatsop County Fairgrounds in Astoria offers large covered outdoor pavilions and indoor multipurpose buildings for group events. The largest outdoor gathering option within a 20-minute drive of Seaside — ideal for very large family reunions (100-500 people) who need tented or covered space.
Reserve / info ↗Shilo Inns Seaside Oceanfront — Banquet Rooms
🏨 Resort / LodgeThe largest hotel in Seaside (112 rooms, oceanfront) has on-site banquet rooms and meeting space for group events. The all-in-one lodging + event venue solution for Seaside reunions of 30-120 people. Indoor pool, fitness center, and direct Promenade access.
Reserve / info ↗Necanicum Estuary Park — Riverside Picnic Area
🌳 County ParkA city-maintained riverside park along the Necanicum River running through downtown Seaside. Picnic tables, open lawn, and a paved path connecting to the Prom. A free, walkable outdoor gathering point for smaller reunion sub-groups.
Reserve / info ↗Fort Clatsop / Lewis & Clark NHP — Outdoor Grounds
🏔 National ParkThe reconstructed Fort Clatsop site has outdoor picnic areas and ranger-program space adjacent to 6 miles of forest trail. Group ranger programs can be reserved in advance through the NPS. A historically distinctive outdoor venue for reunion groups with a Lewis and Clark interest.
Reserve / info ↗👥 With Reunly
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Good for
- Classic family beach-town reunions with mixed generations (aquarium, arcade, Prom all in one)
- Large-group reunions (50-150 people) needing hotel room blocks and banquet space
- Budget-conscious groups: lodging 25-40% less expensive than Cannon Beach
- Lewis & Clark history buffs (End of the Trail monument + Fort Clatsop)
- Groups with young kids who want rides, arcade games, and supervised aquarium experiences
- Drive-from-Portland long weekends (90 min via US-26, easy year-round access)
Practical logistics
- Closest Airports
- Portland International (PDX) 80 miles east via US-26 and US-101 — 90 minutes in normal traffic, the dominant access point. Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) 4 hr north. Eugene (EUG) 3.5 hr south. No regional air service to the northern Oregon coast.
- Drive Times
- Portland 90 min · Astoria 20 min north · Cannon Beach 25 min south · Salem 2 hr · Seattle 4 hr · Eugene 3.5 hr.
- Group Lodging
- Seaside has substantially more group-lodging inventory than Cannon Beach. Best group options: Shilo Inns Seaside Oceanfront (112 rooms, indoor pool, group rates), Seaside Inn at the Convention Center, Ebb Tide Oceanfront Inn, Holiday Inn Express (good value, 100+ rooms), and beachfront condo complexes along the Prom. Vacation rentals via Vrbo and Airbnb fill in the 4-8 BR house market. Peak summer rates are 25-40% lower than Cannon Beach equivalents.
- Rental Companies
- Seaside Vacation Rentals, Pacific Vacation Properties, and North Oregon Coast Vacation Homes are the local agencies. Vrbo and Airbnb cover the broader inventory. Shilo Inns group sales handles blocks of 20+ rooms directly.
- House Size
- 3-5 BR is standard Seaside vacation rental inventory. 6-8 BR oceanfront condos exist along the Prom and on the Necanicum River. For 50+ people, the standard play is a Shilo Inns or Holiday Inn Express room block. The Seaside Civic and Convention Center handles banquets of up to 500.
- Peak Season
- July 4 through Labor Day — highest hotel rates, warmest beach weather (58-65°F), aquarium and arcade at full capacity. The Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament (typically August) packs the beach. Book 5-7 months ahead for summer weekends.
- Shoulder Season
- May-June (pre-summer: cooler at 50-58°F, uncrowded, 30% off peak rates, good for a Lewis & Clark history trip or Tillamook Head hike). September-October (post-summer: similar weather, dramatically fewer crowds, 25-40% off rates). Winter is rainy and off-season for most services but the Prom is still walkable and Fort Stevens is open year-round.
- Restaurants
- Norma's Ocean Diner (Prom-side, classic diner, clam chowder, group-friendly) · McKeown's Restaurant (pub food, local seafood, casual groups) · Sam's Seaside Cafe (breakfast anchor, Prom area) · Pig 'N Pancake (Oregon coast chain, big breakfast, good for 20+ on short notice) · Tsunami's Bar & Grill (casual, ocean views) · Osprey Cafe (breakfast, coffee). Seaside lacks the fine-dining concentration of Cannon Beach but has reliable, affordable, family-friendly options throughout. Groups of 20+ should call ahead; no reservation required at most spots outside peak summer.
- Kid Friendly
- Among the most kid-friendly destinations on the Oregon coast. The Seaside Aquarium (harbor seal feeding, touch tanks) is excellent for ages 3-12. Broadway Street arcade, mini golf, and bumper cars cover ages 6-15. Surrey bikes on the Prom work for all ages. Fort Clatsop ranger programs are good for ages 8-14. The beach is wide and sandy — great for sandcastles, kite-flying, and bonfires at any age.
- Accessibility
- The Promenade is fully ADA-accessible — 1.5 miles of flat concrete, no steps. Most Broadway Street attractions are accessible. The Seaside Aquarium has step-free entry. Fort Clatsop visitor center is ADA-accessible; fort replica has one step. Fort Stevens paved roads are accessible by car. Shilo Inns and Holiday Inn Express have ADA rooms. The Tillamook Head trail is not accessible.
- Weather Window
- Oregon coast summer: 58-65°F days, 48-55°F nights. Morning fog is common June through August, typically burning off by noon. Rain possible any month. Seaside is slightly warmer and drier than Cannon Beach (a few miles of rain shadow). Spring (May-June): 50-60°F, occasional showers. Fall: similar to spring, uncrowded. Winter: 45-50°F, very rainy.
- Park Fee
- Fort Stevens State Park $5/car day use; camping varies. Ecola State Park $5/car (day trip). Fort Clatsop / Lewis & Clark NHP $10/person without National Parks pass; free with. Seaside beach, Promenade, and Turnaround monument are free.
- Official Site
- https://www.seasideor.com/
When to go
July through Labor Day for the warmest weather and fullest activity programming — aquarium, arcade, surrey bikes, and beach bonfires all at peak. Book 5-7 months ahead for summer weekends; the Shilo Inns group blocks go quickly after February. September and October offer very similar weather with 25-40% lower rates and dramatically thinner crowds — the best value window for a large-group reunion. May and June add the Lewis and Clark interpretive season at Fort Clatsop and Tillamook Head wildflowers at lower rates. Winter (November-March) is rainy but the Prom walk, Fort Stevens, and Astoria remain worthwhile for groups who do not need beach weather.
Best for your group size
Small group · 10–25
10-25 fits in a single 4-6 BR Seaside vacation rental near the Prom or a block of 8-12 rooms at Ebb Tide Oceanfront. Meals at Norma's Ocean Diner or Pig 'N Pancake on short notice.
Medium group · 25–60
25-60 should book a Shilo Inns group block (20-40 rooms) or Holiday Inn Express plus one vacation rental compound. Convention Center banquet room is the easiest group-dinner venue for 40-80 people.
Large group · 60+
60-150 groups book Shilo Inns Seaside Oceanfront (112 rooms) as the primary block plus Ebb Tide or condo overflow. The Seaside Civic and Convention Center ballroom (seats 500) is the only northern Oregon coast indoor venue that handles banquets at this scale without splitting across multiple restaurants.
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Sample 5-day Seaside reunion (summer)
A starter agenda you can copy into Reunly's Schedule and customize for your group.
Wednesday - Arrival & Promenade Evening
- 12:00 PM PDX airport pickups and caravan west on US-26
- 1:30 PM grocery stop at Seaside Safeway (US-101, last major store)
- 2:30 PM check-in at Shilo Inns Seaside Oceanfront or vacation rentals
- 4:00 PM Promenade walk — north end to south end, 1.5 miles one way
- 5:30 PM Lewis & Clark End of the Trail monument photo at the Turnaround
- 6:30 PM surrey bike rentals at the Turnaround (1-hour family loop)
- 8:00 PM group dinner at Norma's Ocean Diner (clam chowder, groups welcome)
- 9:30 PM evening Prom stroll as the fog rolls in
Thursday - Seaside Aquarium & Broadway Street
- 7:30 AM breakfast at Pig 'N Pancake (big tables, fast service for groups)
- 10:00 AM Seaside Aquarium — harbor seal feeding at opening
- 11:30 AM walk north Prom, browse souvenir shops
- 12:30 PM lunch at McKeown's Restaurant (pub food, easy groups)
- 2:00 PM Broadway Street arcade run (set token budgets)
- 3:00 PM mini golf competition (group tournament)
- 4:30 PM go-kart session (teens + adventurous adults)
- 6:00 PM beach free time / sandcastle building
- 8:00 PM cook-in dinner at the rental
Friday - Fort Stevens & Fort Clatsop History Day
- 8:00 AM breakfast at the rental
- 9:30 AM drive north to Fort Clatsop / Lewis & Clark NHP (20 min)
- 10:00 AM ranger living-history program + fort replica walk
- 12:00 PM drive to Fort Stevens State Park (5 min north of Fort Clatsop)
- 12:30 PM Peter Iredale shipwreck at low tide (check tide chart the night before)
- 1:30 PM Military Museum + Battery Russell observation deck
- 3:00 PM Fort Stevens Coffenbury Lake swim beach (free, lifeguard in summer)
- 5:30 PM return to Seaside
- 7:30 PM convention center group dinner or Norma's reservation
Saturday - Cannon Beach Day Trip & Evening Bonfire
- 8:30 AM breakfast at Sam's Seaside Cafe
- 10:00 AM drive south to Ecola State Park ($5/car)
- 10:15 AM cliff-top viewpoint trail (1 mile RT) — Haystack Rock panorama
- 11:00 AM continue to Cannon Beach — Haystack Rock tide pools at low tide
- 1:00 PM lunch on Hemlock Street (Driftwood Restaurant)
- 2:30 PM Cannon Beach gallery walk (Icefire Glassworks glass-blowing demo)
- 4:00 PM return to Seaside
- 5:30 PM buy firewood (Seaside Hardware) and bonfire supplies
- 7:30 PM beach bonfire south of Turnaround — s'mores and sunset
Sunday - Tillamook Head Hike + Departures
- 7:30 AM breakfast at the rental (active hikers only)
- 8:30 AM shuttle car to Ecola State Park trailhead, hike group to Seaside south-end trailhead
- 9:00 AM Tillamook Head hike departs from Seaside side (4.5 miles, 1,200 ft climbing)
- 1:00 PM arrive Ecola trailhead — collect shuttle car, drive to Portland
- 9:00 AM (non-hikers) late Prom walk, souvenir shopping on Broadway, check-out
- 11:30 AM non-hiker group departs for PDX
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Build the Seaside, Oregon reunion schedule in minutes
Drag the sample itinerary above into Reunly's Schedule, add per-event RSVPs, and share one link with the whole family. Rosi (our AI) fills in gaps from your group size and dates.
Reunion organizer tips
Book room blocks at Shilo Inns or Holiday Inn Express 5-7 months ahead for summer. The Seaside Civic and Convention Center banquet room requires a separate reservation (seasideconvention.com) and fills for summer weekends by March. Bundle lodging + venue early — they are managed separately.
The Prom is the daily anchor — plan it for mornings before the midday crowd. Surrey bikes from the Turnaround rental shops ($30-45/hour for 4-person surreys) extend the fun to members who cannot walk the full 1.5 miles. Grab coffee at Sam's Seaside Cafe or Pig 'N Pancake on the way.
Schedule the Seaside Aquarium early in the trip for family members with young kids. Arrive at opening (10 AM) to beat the midday rush. Buy smelt at the door ($1/tray) for the harbor seal feeding — the highlight for ages 3-10. Budget 90 minutes; attach a Broadway Street arcade run afterward for the 6-14 age group.
Plan the Fort Stevens day strategically. Fort Stevens State Park (10 miles north) has the Peter Iredale shipwreck (most photogenic at low tide), Military Museum, swimming lake, and the battery observation deck all in one day-use footprint. Check the tide chart — the shipwreck at low tide is worth timing. Add Fort Clatsop (5 min south of Fort Stevens) for the Lewis and Clark history anchor.
Tillamook Head hike requires car shuttle. The trail runs 4.5 miles from the Seaside south-end beach up to the Ecola State Park trailhead above Cannon Beach. Arrange 2-3 cars: hike group drives to Seaside trailhead, shuttle car parks at Ecola (pay the $5/car day-use fee). End the day with lunch in Cannon Beach — the arc from Seaside to Cannon Beach on foot is a legitimate Pacific Northwest bucket-list experience.
Budget 1 evening for a Broadway Street arcade run, especially for groups with kids aged 6-16. Set a per-person token budget ($20-30/person), pick 2-3 group activities (mini golf, go-karts, bumper cars), and build in ice cream on the Prom after. This is the Seaside experience that Cannon Beach does not offer.
The beach bonfire is the evening anchor. Seaside allows bonfires in designated areas south of the Turnaround. Buy firewood from a local hardware store (Seaside Hardware on N Holladay Dr), gather at 7 PM after dinner, and stay until the Pacific sunset is gone. No permit required; first-come on spots. S'more supplies from Safeway on US-101.
Astoria is a genuine half-day trip (20 min north). The Astoria Column (164 steps to a panoramic 360° view), Columbia River Maritime Museum, and the Goonies filming location walk take about 4-5 hours. Best for groups with members interested in history, film, or Columbia River estuary scenery. Lunch at the Blue Scorcher Bakery or Baked Alaska before returning.
Larger groups (50-100 people) should price out the Seaside Civic and Convention Center as their primary meal venue. The convention center ballroom seats up to 500; catering can be arranged through their approved vendor list. At $15-25/person for a catered group dinner, it frequently undercuts splitting 4-5 restaurant reservations for a large group.
For groups with members who want quieter time, Cannon Beach is 25 minutes south. Schedule one afternoon in Cannon Beach — Ecola State Park, Haystack Rock tide pools at low tide, and one restaurant dinner on Hemlock Street — as the contrast day to Seaside's energy. The two towns complement each other well over a 4-5 day reunion.
Use Reunly to coordinate the schedule across a large Seaside group. The RSVP tool handles which families are joining each day trip (Fort Stevens vs. Astoria vs. Cannon Beach); the budget tracker splits convention center dinner costs and aquarium tickets; and the polls feature lets everyone vote on which evening is bonfire night versus Broadway Street night.
How Reunly helps you plan it
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Smart guest list
Drop in any spreadsheet - Rosi (our AI) reads multi-sheet, color-coded family groups, even handwritten exports. RSVP, dietary, T-shirt, paid status all in one row.
Open in Reunly →Public RSVP link
Share one link with the whole family. They RSVP per event (Friday BBQ, Saturday dinner) without making an account. You see live counts.
Open in Reunly →Budget that adds up
Track estimated vs. actual, who paid, who still owes. Auto-creates per-guest fee rows from your registration cost.
Open in Reunly →Day-by-day schedule
Friday welcome BBQ, Saturday photo, Sunday brunch - with location, meal flag, and per-event RSVPs.
Open in Reunly →Name tags + printables
Avery 5160 sheets color-coded by family, programs, welcome packets, packing lists - auto-filled from your data.
Open in Reunly →Rosi the AI helper
Stuck on a reminder email? A budget? A timeline? Click Rosi anywhere in the app - she drafts it from your live data.
Open in Reunly →Plan your Seaside, Oregon reunion with Reunly
Free to start. Build your guest list, share an RSVP link, track payments, and print name tags - no spreadsheets.
Frequently asked
What is the Promenade and why is it so popular?
The Promenade ('the Prom') is a 1.5-mile concrete seawall walkway built in 1921, running the full length of the Seaside beach from the Turnaround roundabout to 12th Avenue. It is flat, fully paved, and wheelchair/stroller-accessible. Families walk it morning and evening; surrey bikes are available for rent at the Turnaround. It is the social center of Seaside and the activity that distinguishes the town from every other Oregon coast destination.
How large a group can Seaside accommodate for a reunion?
Seaside is the best large-group option on the northern Oregon coast. The Shilo Inns Seaside Oceanfront (112 rooms) plus nearby overflow hotels can absorb 80-120 rooms in a block. The Seaside Civic and Convention Center ballroom seats up to 500 for banquets. Groups of 50-150 people consistently find Seaside easier and less expensive than Cannon Beach for this reason.
How does Seaside compare to Cannon Beach for a family reunion?
They are 25 minutes apart and deliberately different. Seaside is a classic family beach town — Promenade, aquarium, arcade, go-karts, larger hotels, more affordable rates, Lewis and Clark history. Cannon Beach is quieter and more upscale — Haystack Rock, Ecola State Park, boutique galleries and dining, no arcade. Groups with young kids or tight budgets lean Seaside; groups seeking quiet and art lean Cannon Beach. A 4-5 day reunion can easily combine both.
What is the Peter Iredale?
The Peter Iredale is a British four-masted steel schooner that ran aground on the beach north of the Columbia River mouth on October 25, 1906. Its rusting bow and ribs still rise from the sand at Fort Stevens State Park, 10 miles north of Seaside. It is the most-photographed shipwreck on the Oregon coast and best seen at low tide when the full bow section is exposed. The scene is most photogenic at sunset or sunrise.
Can we have a beach bonfire at Seaside?
Yes — Seaside allows beach bonfires in designated areas south of the Turnaround roundabout. No permit is required; spots are first-come. Bring firewood (available from Seaside Hardware on N Holladay Dr) or pick up a bundle at Safeway. Avoid driftwood in Oregon as it is often treated or water-logged. Summer evenings burn from about 8:30 PM when the sun sets; bring layers as temperatures drop to 48-55°F after dark.
Is the Seaside Aquarium worth it for a reunion group?
Yes, especially for groups with children ages 3-12. The harbor seal hand-feeding is a genuine highlight — purchase smelt trays ($1/tray) at the entrance. The touch tanks and local fish exhibits are well-maintained. The aquarium is small (90-minute visit); pair it with the Broadway Street arcade for a half-day program. $8-10/adult, less for children. Arrive at 10 AM opening to beat the midday crowd in peak summer.
What is the best venue for a group banquet in Seaside?
The Seaside Civic and Convention Center (seasideconvention.com) is the best northern Oregon coast indoor banquet venue — the ballroom seats up to 500. Book 6-9 months ahead for summer weekends. Catering is arranged through their approved vendor list. For smaller groups (20-60), Norma's Ocean Diner on the Prom and McKeown's Restaurant take group reservations on shorter notice.
How far is Fort Clatsop from Seaside?
Fort Clatsop / Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is about 5 miles north of Seaside via US-101 — roughly a 10-minute drive. Fort Stevens State Park (Peter Iredale shipwreck) is another 5 miles north, making a combined Fort Clatsop + Fort Stevens day a natural 25-minute drive loop from Seaside. Ranger living-history programs at Fort Clatsop run daily in summer.
Other reunion-friendly spots nearby
Helpful planning guides
The complete family reunion checklist
12-month, 6-month, and day-of checklists organizers actually use.
Read the guide →Family reunion budget guide
How to estimate, track, and split costs without spreadsheets.
Read the guide →Family reunion on a $2,500 budget
A real budget breakdown for a destination reunion under $2.5K.
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