Seaside

As a resort town, Seaside has somewhat spruced up its kitschy, arcade-filled reputation and now supports a bustling tourist trade, with hotels, condominiums, and restaurants lining a traditional promenade. It still has fun games, candy shops, and plenty of carny noise to appeal to young people, but it has added more in the way of shopping and dining that appeals to adults, and it's home to some of the most affordable lodging options on this stretch of the coast. Only 90 miles from Portland, Seaside is often crowded, so it's not the place to come if you crave solitude. Peak times include mid- to late March, when hordes of teenagers descend on the town during spring break; and late June, when the annual Miss Oregon Pageant is in full swing. Just south of town, waves draw surfers to the Cove, a spot jealously guarded by locals, and the dramatic hike along the Oregon Coast Trail to Tillamook Head connects with Cannon Beach's famous Ecola State Park.