Enjoy the best of Seaside California. This ocean-side community overlooks the beautiful Monterey Bay on the Central Coast of California, approximately 115 miles south of San Francisco. Seaside’s great location gives visitors an opportunity to experience all of the amenities that the Monterey Peninsula has to offer. From wine tasting to whale watching…and everything in between. Explore the breathtaking beauty and abundant sea life of the Monterey Bay by hiking, biking, kayaking, parasailing, or scuba diving. For land lovers, there’s world-class golf at the Bayonet and Blackhorse Courses, eclectic restaurants and plenty of shopping, or just take a stroll down to Seaside Beach and wiggle your toes in the sand. Continue to read our Seaside California Travel Guide and start planning your vacation to beautiful Seaside! For a list of all the area beaches << Click Here >>.
Seaside California Weather (When to Visit)
The best time to visit Seaside is between April and May. Spring offers warmer temperatures, fewer crowds and food festivals dishing out delectable eats, including Pebble Beach Food & Wine and the Artichoke Festival in Castroville. Summer is the most popular time to visit the Monterey Peninsula, but it can still be chilly, so bring a sweater regardless of the season. Fall is another good time to visit, but the chance of rain increases starting in October. Seaside’s central California location subjects it to mild temperatures during the winter, with the average low reaching 48 degrees. Winter also brings lower hotel prices and the celebrity-heavy AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am event held in February, making Seaside an attractive destination year-round.
Best Seaside Area Beaches
Roberts Beach
Roberts BeachThis beach is an excellent spot to relax or walk at the edge of the water, but swimming here can be dangerous due to rip currents. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail meanders through the dunes in this park. This bike trail continues south to downtown Monterey and north into the city of Marina.
.
.
Seaside Beach
Seaside BeachSeaside Beach is the northernmost of three separate sections of Monterey State Beach. There is a lifeguard on staff during the summer months, but this section of the coast has strong rip currents so swimming is not advised.
.
.
Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Fort Ord Dunes State ParkThis recently opened State Park has a 1,500 foot trail to 4 miles of ocean beach with beautiful views of Monterey Bay. From the parking area visitors may also take a stroll on the new boardwalk to a bluff top viewing platform.
.
.
Del Monte Beach
Del Monte BeachDel Monte Beach is a hidden gem known to Monterey Bay locals. It’s tucked away from the main streets and located on the back side of a coastal housing community. There is a boardwalk trail through the dunes with benches and picnic tables to rest on.
.
.
Carmel Beach
Carmel BeachCarmel Beach has good surf and breathtaking sunsets. Evening sunsets are a community event at Carmel Beach; join the locals and bring a picnic meal and a bottle of wine while you watch the greatest show in Nature’s evening schedule.
.
.
The Best of Seaside Restaurants
Gusto Handcrafted Pasta And Pizza $11 – 30
Gusto is a lively New Restaurant Specializing in Fresh Italian Pasta and Pizza. Bring your appetite, your kids and your neighbors to enjoy being part of the family! Denis’ zest for life is contagious and it is his goal to make your dining experience fun, memorable and delicious. Telephone: 831 899-5825 Web: Gusto Handcrafter Pasta and Pizza.
Googie Grill $11 – 30
“Googie” is a word that stops people in their tracks. It’s fresh, fun, and memorable! Think George Jetson, 1950’s bowling alleys and coffee shops and Disney’s Tomorrowland. Their menu includes old family recipes and classic plates with a modern twist. Customers go to Googie to enjoy delicious breakfast specialties, amazing sandwiches and burgers, cooked to perfection steak and fish, and homemade desserts. Telephone: 831 392-1520 Web: Googie Grill.
Stammtisch Restaurant $11 – 30
German Restaurant Stammtisch is one of the top restaurants in Seaside – just ask the critics and their regular customers. They combine culinary delights with style and personal flair to create a unique experience every time you visit them. They strive to make each visit satisfying and memorable. Telephone: 831 899-3070 Web: Stammtisch Restaurant.
The Oven Pizzaria $11 – 30
Using fresh, quality ingredients The Oven’s menu continues a tradition of New York style pizza, along with a signature San Francisco sourdough pizza. Locals and visitors of Monterey County can have their favorite slice of pizza pie, whether it’s thin crust East Coast style or West Coast style. Telephone: 831 899-1762 Web: The Oven Pizzaria.
Baan Thai Restaurant $11 – 30
This restaurant is a family-owned and operated establishment. Baan Thai means ‘Thai House’, a sign to their customers to expect authentic Thai cuisine and hospitality. They treat their guests like family, and want customers to feel cozy and at home. They prepare each entree with fresh ingredients to ensure the highest quality. Telephone: 831 394-2996 Web: Baan Thai Restaurant.
The Best of Seaside Bars
Post No Bills Craft Beer House
They offer a wide range of Craft Beer, and Ciders from all over the world. With 17 rotating taps, and over 300 bottles for consumption on or off premise. Telephone: 831 324-4667 Web: Post No Bills Craft Beer House.
Cuz’s Sportsman’s Club
A locals bar with three dart boards, pool table, and live music on Thursdays. Wednesday night hosts Monterey Bay Dart League matches. Tuesdays there pool and/or dart tournaments. Telephone: 831 394-2666 Web: Cuz’s Sportsman’s Club.
Carbone’s
Carbones is a great bar, reminiscent of cheers. Sal the owner is friendly and kind and if you are new and or by yourself he will make you feel welcome and introduce you to other friendly customers/regulars. There is a nice fire pit outside. Dart boards inside and outside, pool table and Foosball table. Wednesday nights they have a luck of the draw darts tournament and good fun people participate. Telephone: 831 643-9169 Web: Carbone’s.
Crown & Anchor
They have the best selection of 20 British & International beers on tap plus California Craft beers. Their pub has an impressive selection of Single Malts, Irish Whiskeys and Small Batch Bourbons. In addition to the regular menu we offer Daily Specials, Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free Menu. Telephone: 831 649-6496 Web: Crown & Anchor.
Easy Street Billiards
Easy Street is an old school pool room with some modern touches. They strive to create a fun atmosphere. There are a number of games to play including pool, darts, & shuffleboard. They offer a large beer selection in both bottles and on tap, and happy hour is daily from 4-7. They also offer a good selection of food including, chicken strips, cheese sticks, jumbo dogs, corn dogs, nachos and much more. Telephone: 831 333-0825 Web: Easy Street Billiards.
The Best of Seaside Area Hotels
Hello Leahrae, Your website is really great! All information that you need to visit a place collected in one site. Seaside California seems to be amazing and a must go!
It is a must go place! I hope you can vacation here soon! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Great post about Seaside California. I love the beach. Seaside California is really attractive to me…. and the food LOL. It looks like a really amazing place. It should be the nice beach vacation when I go to California. I really want to try all the restaurants you have recommended one by one. With my two kids, beside beach, do you have any suggestion on where they can play?
Thx for you sharing
You will love Seaside CT. It is a beautiful place and your kids will have a ball. Not knowing their age, it is hard to say what activities would be good for them. Of course the beaches are fun for all ages, the parks, and the wildlife is all wonderful. Thanks for visiting Beach Travel Destinations.
This post on Seaside California has grabbed my attention! I have been looking into a California beach vacation, and it appears that central California is the place to go. So much to see and do. Thanks for all the attention you put into this article. It has helped me a lot to start planning!
Central California is probably my favorite part of the state, along the coast that is. So beautiful, so many beaches, things to do, and just wonderful. If you need any help in planning please let me know. Thanks for stopping by!
Another great vacation spot, Leahrae, never been to California either so this would be a new one for me. I think I would have to learn how to parasail or scuba dive if I came here. There is something I don’t know whether I would want to do. And that is eating at the Google Grill after being on Google all the time working on my blog and writing I don’t know if it would feel like a vacation(lol).
LOL on the Google Grill 😀 I am a foodie so I would not let the name bother me! Anyway, central California is wonderful and you would have a fantastic vacation here. Thanks for visiting my Seaside California Travel Guide.
Artichoke festival??? I’m in! But it sounds like it’s kind of cool in April and May. I know some people love that, but I’m a warmer-weather girl myself. Is there a time to go when it’s mid-70s / lower-80s, even though I may miss out on the Artichoke Festival? 🙂 I really love the idea of going to Seaside California. I’ve only been to San Diego. San Diego is gorgeous, but it would be fun to explore other areas too.
Believe it or not, the warmest months are going to be August – October. It doesn’t really every get up to the 70s – 80s here. You will find during these months that it will be have daily highs of around 68. I hope that is warm enough for you 🙂 Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Wow, that is a lot of interesting info. I had no idea there was so much there. I visited Seaside when my husband graduated from USMC bootcamp at Camp Pendleton, in San Deigo. It was a beautiful city, but I may need to go back, it seem a missed a lot.
Always worth revisiting 🙂 The whole central California coast is beautiful. Thanks for visiting Beach Travel Destinations.
I love seaside- the views, the attractions, and the food!! It’s all amazing. It’s been a while since i’ve been there but I think it’s time for a trip back and see some new things like the wetlands and revisit Cannery Row!
Always go back to Cannery Row! Yes, I love the beach but I am also a foodie. The food is wonderful, you are right! Thanks for stopping by!
What an awesome place! My dream is to go to America but its so darn big. However, Seaside California looks like a good starting place as it ticks all the boxes.
I do have a few questions, Firstly, what kind of whales can you see as my misses loves sea life. Secondly, you say its cooler between April and may what is the average temprature?
Okay, the average temperatures are going to be in the mid to upper 60s, which to some is warm. I live in Florida, so anything in the mid to low 60s is cold for me! You are going to see Grey Whales, Blue Whales, and Humpback Whales in Central California 🙂 I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need any other information. Thanks for visiting my Seaside California Travel Guide.
I always find wonderful gems on your site. Seaside California is the first that I can get to in just a few hours drive however. Yay. Looks like I finally get to go on a trip. There seems to be tons of attractions. I will probably check out the aquarium and frog pond wetlands first. The food prices look to be on the higher side than what I am used to. I can plan for that thanks to your great article. Thank you
You are so welcome Maryann, and Seaside is close for you! How nice that must be. Have a wonderful time and please let me know if you need anything else!
Aww, I wonder how you can always make so many detailed guides on various beach destinations!
I used to think that beaches cannot differ too much but forget me, I was wrong. Very often, it’s more than just the beach – what you can eat there, what’s the culture at different beaches, what activities you can do there.
I particularly like the way you listed things to do at this beach destination! Kayaking is also fun and it’s like viewing the scenery in a sporty way! One question, though, is it possible for us to bring our own kayak boat and kayak on our own here?
Thank you Crystal for taking the time to stop, visit, and leave me comments. You can most certainly take your own Kayak and/or boat. That is perfectly fine….beats renting one for sure! And you are right…beaches are not all alike!
Hello! I just love your website! I find it strange that spring offers warmer temperatures than summer. What are the average temperatures in spring? Someday when my kids are graduated from high school I hope to move somewhere warmer so I’m always on the lookout! Thank you for another amazing post!
Hi Lynne, and glad you enjoyed my Seaside California Travel Guide. The weather in the spring is going to be in the mid to upper 60s. Nice weather and of course you have the sunshine 🙂 Come back and visit again!
This is a place where I would love to go one day. Thanks to your informative article I have all the information I need 🙂
Monterey Bay is on my ‘To Do’ list.
Can you recommend a good vegetarian restaurant?
Thank you for visiting my Seaside California Travel Guide Dany. Definitely do not miss Julia’s in Pacific Grove for a great vegetarian restaurant. Please let me know if you need anything else 🙂
Wow, again you have given me all of the information that I require to visit Seaside and have a wonderful holiday. Many thanks for the effort that you have put into collecting and sharing information about this ‘need to visit soon’ holiday destination.
Kind regards
Andrew
Thank you Andrew for stopping by and leaving me some comments. Glad you enjoyed my Seaside California Travel Guide.
Leahrae, What can I say about California? I’ve only been there once and want to go back and you make it so much easier by presenting places like this. I’ve always loved aquariums and that would be one place I would go and see. I also love marine wildlife so I know I would enjoy Monterey Bay.It looks like this has all there is to offer. What I love is that you spell everything out to make it easier for the traveler to plan their trips. Thanks for some awesome information 🙂
You are welcome Rob, and glad you enjoyed reading my Seaside California Travel Guide. Hopefully you can make it back to California someday soon! Thanks for stopping by!