🏙️ Seaside Webcams Online — Watch the Beach and Ocean Live

Seaside — Gateway to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon

Seaside is a small resort town on the northern Oregon coast in Clatsop County, where the history of American westward expansion meets the vast Pacific Ocean. This is the place where the Lewis and Clark expedition first reached the sea after a long journey across the continent, and where the spirit of adventure is still felt today. The town is located just 80 miles from Portland, making it a popular weekend getaway destination for residents of Oregon's largest city.

Seaside webcams allow you to see this coastline from anywhere in the world — surfers catching waves near the shore, strolls along the promenade, and the endless strip of sandy beach merging with the horizon. The resort town on the Pacific Ocean preserves the atmosphere of an old seaside resort with wooden houses, a promenade, and the smell of salt spray.

The Prom — Heart of the City

The Seaside promenade, known locally as "The Prom," stretches 1.5 miles from 12th Avenue in the north to Avenue U in the south. This concrete path was built in the 1920s and has remained the city's main artery ever since, lined with hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. On one side lies the endless ocean with coastal rocks, and on the other are picturesque villas and hotels in Victorian style.

At the center of the promenade is the so-called "Turnaround" — a loop where Broadway Boulevard ends and the ocean view begins. A statue is installed here marking the end of the historic Lewis and Clark route. This is a popular photo spot where tourists pose against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and the sandy beach stretching to the horizon.

Seaside Aquarium — Marine History Since 1937

The Seaside Aquarium was founded in 1937 and is one of the oldest aquariums on the US West Coast. It is located at 200 N Prom right on the promenade, making it easily accessible for tourists strolling along the coast. The aquarium building has its own history — it was built on the site of a former swimming pool (natatorium) that closed in the early 1930s, then served as a salmon hatchery and even as a wrestling arena.

The Seaside Aquarium became the first aquarium to launch a captive seal breeding program (harbor seals). Visitors can feed these friendly marine mammals, which children especially enjoy. The aquarium houses over 100 species of marine life — from sea stars with 20 "arms" to crabs, wolf eels, moray eels, and octopuses. This is a place to discover the life of the Pacific Ocean tidal zone in Oregon.

Lewis and Clark Salt Works

At the southern end of the Seaside promenade lies the historic Lewis & Clark Salt Works — the place where expedition members harvested salt from November 1805 through January 1806. The expedition spent about 2 months here, extracting salt from seawater to preserve meat for the return journey back to civilization.

This was the first place on the coast where the expedition reached the Pacific Ocean. Today, a monument and informational displays mark the salt works site, telling the story of the soldiers who maintained fires under seawater boilers around the clock to produce precious salt. Without this salt, the expedition would not have been able to preserve supplies for the return through the Rocky Mountains.

Beach and Ocean — Seaside's Natural Element

The sandy beach of Seaside is a wide strip of golden sand stretching from the base of the promenade to the water. Unlike many California beaches, there are no high cliffs or narrow coves here — just the open ocean and endless horizon. Surfers come here year-round, though the water remains cold even in summer — temperatures rarely rise above 15°C.

A unique feature of Seaside is the ability to drive on the beach. From September 16 to April 30 this is allowed without restrictions, while from May 1 to September 15 it is prohibited. During the ban season, the beach is entirely given over to pedestrians, runners, and those who enjoy walking along the water's edge. The tidal zone here is extensive, and during low tide you can see sea stars, anemones, and crabs hiding under rocks.

Broadway and Downtown

Broadway Street is Seaside's main commercial artery, running perpendicular to the coast. Restaurants, ice cream shops, souvenir stores, and small galleries are concentrated here. The downtown architecture preserves the spirit of the mid-20th century — neon signs, wooden facades, and cozy cafes with ocean views.

A few blocks from Broadway, residential areas begin with houses in Oregon resort architecture style. Many are rented out to tourists during the summer season. Seaside is a tourism-driven city: winter is quiet and empty, while summer fills the promenade with families, surfers, and travelers seeking solitude on the coast.

Climate and Best Time to Watch

Seaside's climate is temperate maritime, with cool summers and mild rainy winters. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 20°C, and fog is a frequent morning visitor to the coast. Winter temperatures hover around 5-10°C, but rain can fall for weeks at a stretch. The best time to visit is September and October, when the fog lifts and the ocean still holds summer's warmth.

Seaside webcams online allow you to assess weather conditions before your trip. On clear days, the outlines of Cape Disappointment to the south and Cape Lookout to the north are visible from the promenade. During storms, waves rise several meters high, crashing against the shore with a deafening roar — this spectacle attracts photographers and extreme filming enthusiasts.

Neighborhoods and Surroundings

Seaside is surrounded by several small settlements, each with its own character. To the north lies Gearhart — a quiet town with art galleries and seafood restaurants. To the south is Cannon Beach with its famous Haystack Rock, one of the Oregon coast's iconic landmarks. Between them is Seaside, the most "resort-like" of the trio, with its promenade, aquarium, and old seaside resort atmosphere.

East of Seaside begins the territory of the Clatsop Indian tribe, from which the county takes its name. These lands were home to Native Americans long before European arrival, and today archaeological sites remain that testify to the millennia-long history of the coast.

What the Cameras Show

Seaside webcams are installed at key points throughout the city, allowing you to observe coastal life in real time. The camera at the Seaside Aquarium broadcasts views of the beach and ocean — you can see surfers, people strolling along the promenade, and coastal rocks. Additional cameras cover the downtown area and the intersection of Broadway with the promenade.

Seaside online streaming is available for free and without registration — just select the camera you're interested in to find yourself on the Oregon coast. Watching the city in real time lets you assess the weather, beach crowd density, and ocean conditions before your trip. Seaside webcams operate around the clock, and at night you can see the moon's path on the water or the city lights reflecting in the surf.