When you’re ready to explore more of Oregon’s North Coast, Seaside makes the perfect base camp for adventuring. You can spy whales and shipwrecks, tour lighthouses and old bunkers, and make new discoveries in old-growth forests and tide pools. Here are several natural areas not far from your accommodations in Seaside that will leave you breathless. 15 Minutes Away Lighthouse Spotting at Ecola State Park Just south of Seaside, Ecola State Park marks the southern end of Tillamook Head, a massive rocky bluff forested in Sitka spruce. You’ll find a few different trails in the park, each leading to either a stunning swath of sand punctuated by massive sea stacks or scenic viewpoints to spy Tillamook Rock Lighthouse aka Terrible Tilly, 2 miles (3.2 km) offshore. Ecola is also home to maps and signs that are part of the Oregon Film Trail, noting prominent filming locations from “The Goonies” and “Kindergarten Cop” at Ecola Point, as well as “Point Break,” “Twilight,” “Short Circuit” and “The Goonies” at dreamy Indian Beach at the north end of the park. (Note the $5 day-use fee at the park.) After exploring Ecola, head south to the artsy town of Cannon Beach, filled with bustling galleries, shops and cafes, and flanked by a broad 2-mile (3.2-km) stretch of sand. A highlight of any beach walk here is exploring the marine-life-rich tidal pools (look, don’t touch) around Haystack Rock, a soaring monolith that rises 235 feet (71.6 m) above the surf. It’s an especially dramatic site at sunset and makes for a memorable photo op. 30 Minutes Away Chasing History at Fort Stevens State Park A key outpost for American military defense at the mouth of the Columbia River between the Civil War and World War II, Fort Stevens is a favorite spot for family visits year-round. Visible from a stretch of sandy coastline perfect for beachcombing, the Peter Iredale shipwreck is a reminder of the North Coast’s dramatic past. Find a trail at the park for hiking or biking; swim or paddle in Coffenbury Lake; have fun with the family on the 18-hole discgolf course, with a challenging shot from the top of a gun battery. Or just bring your binoculars to one of several lookout towers to spy whales, seabirds and other wildlife. Just 9 miles (14.4 km) east of Fort Stevens, the historic river town of Astoria is known for its seafood-canning and lumber past and its friendly sites and attractions today. For a fantastic view of the riverfront — as well as the coastline down to Seaside and distant peaks like Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier — drive up to the base of the 125-foot (38.1-m) Astoria Column, an iconic 1926 obelisk set in a 30-acre (12.1-ha) hilltop park just a short distance from downtown Astoria. Find a grassy spot on the hillside for a picture-perfect picnic. The Columbia River Maritime Museum is a must-visit for nautical history of the Columbia River — stories of shipwrecks, cannons and early fishing life. The nearby Flavel House Museum showcases an impressive display of historic Queen Anne architecture. And the Oregon Film Museum next door is a hub for movie buffs. OREGON STATE PARKS Short Sands Beach oregon’s north coast Make Seaside your base for coastal exploring. 32 seasideOR.com
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