Vacationing on the Oregon Coast at Seaside

The Northern coastal regions of Oregon's coast can be accessed from
Seaside
. Choose one of Seaside's motels, or a bed and breakfast as head quarters and plan to spend at least one day exploring north of
Seaside
.

The first town to the North of Seaside is Gearhart which is mostly residential and has a quiet small town feel. There is beach access and a lovely sandy beach to play on. Gearhart also has the oldest golf course in
Oregon
and the requisite bowling alley and lodging.

Further North, about a 30 minute drive, is Fort Clatsop National Memorial. The 1805-06 winter camp of Lewis and Clark has been reconstructed on this site which is a detailed replica of

Fort
Clatsop

. The site is open year around and has an interpretive center where the famous Corp of Discovery journey is traced and explained.

West of the
Fort
Clatsop
site is

Fort
Stevens
State Park

. The park has broad natural areas and historical sites. There are remains of military fortifications that were part of World War Two gun emplacements which overlooked and guarded the mouth of the
Columbia River
. One famous attraction here is the artifact of the 1906 ship wreck of the Peter Iredale. If you have an active family that gets the fidgets cooped up in the car this is the perfect place to turn them loose for an afternoon of exercise and fun. There are miles of trails to hike and bike and explore. For the military minded there is a military museum; for the naturalist there are acres of wildlife observations and some of the finest bird watching opportunities available.

Astoria is most northerly city on the Oregon coast and it is also the oldest settlement west of the
Rocky Mountains
. The Columbia River Maritime Museum is a must see with a world class collection of exhibits including World War Two warship artifacts and the lightship Columbia.

While in
Astoria
make a point of visiting the Captain George Flavel House. The regal Victorian mansion has been meticulously restored by the Clatsop County Historical Society. Other must see places are the

Heritage
Museum