The Promenade — the Prom to anyone who has been here more than once — is the defining feature of Seaside. Built in 1920, the 1.5-mile concrete walkway runs the length of the beach, wide enough that cyclists, joggers, and families pushing strollers can pass each other without negotiating. The ocean is on one side; candy shops, rental stands, and small hotels are on the other. The whole thing has a pleasantly old-fashioned seaside resort atmosphere that feels neither forced nor ironic — Seaside has been doing this for over a century and has gotten comfortable with it.
On a clear summer day the Prom is busy from morning to evening. On a gray weekday in October it is nearly deserted and the combination of wide empty beach, crashing surf, and the smell of salt water is worth the drive from Portland on its own. The south end terminates at the Lewis and Clark Turnaround; the north end fades into the more residential stretch of beach. Bikes can be rented on Broadway for a few dollars an hour.