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
This 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.
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Seaside Beach
Seaside 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.
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Fort Ord Dunes State Park
This 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.
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Del Monte Beach
Del 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.
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Carmel Beach
Carmel 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.
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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
Seaside seems like a good base if you want to explore Monterey without staying right in the busiest areas. The mix of beaches, trails, and nearby attractions makes it feel pretty convenient. I didn’t realize some of those beaches had strong currents though, so that’s good to know ahead of time. Del Monte Beach sounds like a quieter spot compared to the others. Is spring really the best time to visit for weather and crowds? And are most of these beaches within a short drive of each other?
Seaside works really well as a base because it’s close to Monterey, Carmel, and the rest of the peninsula while still feeling a bit less crowded. Spring is one of the better times to visit since you get milder weather, fewer tourists, and easier access to restaurants, beaches, and local events. The beaches in this area are all fairly close together, usually within a short drive, which makes it easy to explore multiple spots in a single day. It’s also worth noting that while the scenery is beautiful, the water tends to stay cold year-round and rip currents are common, so most visitors stick to walking, relaxing, or enjoying the coastal views rather than swimming.
Seaside looks like a great base for exploring Monterey Bay, especially with beaches, golf, and all those nearby activities. I noticed you mentioned strong rip currents at some of the beaches, so I’m wondering if most visitors treat them more for walking and scenery rather than swimming? Also, is Seaside generally quieter than staying right in Monterey or Carmel?
That’s a smart observation. Many Seaside area beaches, especially along Monterey State Beach, are better known for coastal walks, photography, biking the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, and wildlife viewing rather than swimming because rip currents can be strong. Travelers often search Monterey Bay beaches safe for swimming California before choosing where to enter the water, and nearby Carmel Beach is usually one of the more swim-friendly options when conditions allow. Staying in Seaside tends to be quieter and often more budget-friendly than Monterey or Carmel, while still keeping you close to whale watching tours, Pebble Beach golf, wine tasting, and the scenic Monterey Peninsula attractions.