Dog-Friendly Seaside, Oregon

Interpretive sign along the Promenade talking about the history of Seaside

Seaside, Oregon was our second stop on our Adventureweiner bike tour. We found Seaside to be a bit more dog-friendly than Astoria. I saw a lot more dogs around town, on the beach and there were water bowls at more stores than not.

When we arrived I was surprised to learn that apparently in Seaside they eat dogs…or at least they used to. Seaside was so named because it was a place where some men on the Lewis and Clark Expedition stopped to make salt from saltwater to season their bland……..dog!

In Seaside we passed over a hotel for an adventurous try at using Warmshowers.org – basically a worldwide couch surfing, or yard surfing, exchange for touring cyclists. After checking in at our host’s house we rode our bikes to the U street Tavern (formerly Goose Hollow at the Cove) around the corner to eat dinner.

They serve typical pub fare but I never met a cheeseburger I didn’t like. This place has a special place in my heart now though because it’s where S gave me my engagement ring! (see it and read the full story here)

After we ate,  rode our bikes along the Promenade into town and people watched at the turn-around.

We got some handmade ice cream at Zinger’s. Guess what was next door? THE MAN STORE! Ha, ha.

I thought that was so funny. S went inside to see if there was anything cool for his man cave at home but didn’t walk out with anything he wanted to carry on a bike for another 40 miles.

We rode down to the only pet store I could find in town – Beach Puppy. It was one of the best pet stores I have ever been in. They had practical items, hard to find items, cute handmade harnesses and doggie bling. They also had some of our favorite products including the Bamboo Silicone Bowl, Musher’s Secret Paw Protector and Spot Lit.

The coolest thing they had was a Guardian Gear Aquatic Pet Preserver for teacup Chihuahuas. It was the smallest doggie life jacket I have ever seen! Go tiny adventurous dogs!

After the ice cream, strolling the beach and dunes and watching the sunset from the Promenade turn around, we went back to our host’s house and sat around trading stories and adventures for a while.

In the morning walked into town and went to a restaurant with a great view we had seen along the Prom the day before.

Maggie’s on the Prom was a “hidden” restaurant I had not seen during my online research. We only knew they allowed dogs on their cute stone deck because we went in and asked. I had the Spicy Italian Scramble with fruit and it was the best breakfast I have ever eaten out next to the caramelized pecan and banana stuffed french toast at Elements in Whistler, BC.

While S checked out the aquarium I wandered town looking for other dog-friendly restaurants and shops. Online, I had only found a couple of restaurants listed but I found many more when I walked the town.

Here is the dog-friendly stuff we found to do in Seaside during our visit.

Sights and things to do

• Beach – stroll the beach, play in the sand, watch the sunset (when it’s not foggy…which it can be there often I hear) or have a beach bonfire.
• Rent a Bike – You can rent a recumbent beach bike at Wheel Fun Rentals and let your dog pull you. Wheel Fun Rentals is located at 153 Avenue A.
  
• Promenade – This 1.5 mile, shared-use, concrete path from the 1920′s is the only one like this along the ocean coast in Oregon. It is among ­Oregon’s most famous landmarks. There are bathrooms under the turnaround with outdoor showers so can wash your pup.
• Lewis and Clark Saltworks – This salt oven from 1806 is located in the Lewis and Clark Historical Park at Beach Drive and Lewis and Clark Way.

Eats (all outdoor seating)

• Maggie’s on the Prom - 581 South Prom. Upscale but reasonable prices.
• U-Street Tavern – 220 Ave U.
• Fultano’s Pizza – 215 Broadway Street
• Bee-Bop Burgers - 111 Broadway Street; 50’s style diner.
• Big Kahuna Pizza and Subs - 111 Broadway Street, Suite #1 Right next door to Bee-Bop Burgers.
• Creative Juice Smoothie Bar - 111 Broadway Street, Suite #12. No outside seating but walk up window. Had to mention because the best smoothie I have ever had. It was all fruit.
• Bell-Buoy of Seaside. 1800 Roosevelt Drive. Out on the highway.
• Dog Water café – 1111 N Roosevelt #204. At the factory outlet center off of highway

Shopping

• Beach Puppy – 614 Broadway Street.
• Various shops around town – think I saw at least 10 that were dog friendly – although you had to carry your dog in some so maybe only for small dogs.

Bike Shops – Of important note to Oregon Coast cyclists

• Prom Bike and Hobby Shop – 622 – 12^th Avenue. Great selection of bike rentals, bike repairs and bike sales. Open 7 days a week.