What to Do in Seaside, CA | Dunes, Golf, And Bay Time

Seaside is best for Fort Ord dunes, coastal biking, golf, local food, and easy Monterey Bay day trips.

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Planning What to Do in Seaside, CA works best when you treat the city as both a real stop and a smart Monterey Bay base. Seaside has its own beach access, dune trails, golf, parks, and food scene, then Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel sit close enough for half-day add-ons.

The right plan starts outdoors. Spend the morning on Fort Ord Dunes State Park or the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, use midday for golf or a low-effort park break, then save the evening for Broadway Avenue dining or a short ride into Monterey.

Most organized bay tours leave from Monterey rather than Seaside, so the nearest useful activity hub is five to ten minutes away by car from central Seaside.

Seaside, CA Activities: Where To Start

Seaside is strongest for open-air activities: dunes, ocean paths, golf, parks, and easy access to Monterey Bay attractions. Start with Fort Ord Dunes State Park if the weather is clear, because the bluff views make the city feel much more coastal than it looks from Highway 1.

California State Parks says Fort Ord Dunes State Park covers nearly 1,000 acres and includes four miles of Monterey Bay beach. The park is not a swim-and-sunbathe beach in the classic resort sense; it is better for walking, biking on paved former military roads, reading the interpretive panels, and looking across the bay.

Seaside also works well when Monterey hotels are expensive. Staying in Seaside can keep you close to Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Pacific Grove without sleeping in the busiest tourist strip.

The Main Things To Do In Seaside

The main things to do in Seaside cluster into three groups: coast, golf, and local food. The table below gives the fastest way to match the activity to your trip style.

Fort Ord Dunes State Park Is The First Stop

Fort Ord Dunes State Park is the strongest single answer for a Seaside trip because it gives you beach, dunes, bay views, and local history in one stop. The mood is quiet and open, with fewer storefront distractions than Monterey’s waterfront.

Use the 8th Street or 1st Avenue access area, then follow the boardwalk or paved paths toward the bluff. Wind can be sharp on the exposed dunes, so bring a layer even when downtown Seaside feels warm.

• Go early for calmer wind and easier parking.
• Stay on marked routes to protect dune habitat.
• Use the park for walking and biking, not a long beach-swim day.
• Give yourself 60 to 90 minutes if you want the bluff, signs, and beach view without rushing.

Bike Or Walk The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is the easiest way to turn Seaside into a low-stress bay day. The paved route runs along the Monterey Bay corridor, so you can walk a short section or bike toward Monterey without dealing with beach-road traffic.

For a simple plan, start near Seaside or Del Monte Beach and point south toward Monterey. Riders can continue toward Cannery Row and Pacific Grove, while walkers can keep it short and return for lunch in Seaside.

Good fit: Choose the coastal trail if you want fresh air without committing to a hard hike. Choose Fort Ord Dunes if you want wider views and fewer people.

Play Bayonet And Black Horse If Golf Is The Point

Bayonet and Black Horse make Seaside a real golf stop, not just a cheaper place to sleep near Monterey. The two public 18-hole courses sit on former Fort Ord land and are known for firm tests, sloped greens, and bay-area wind.

Bayonet is usually the tougher-feeling round, while Black Horse gives many players a slightly more open rhythm. Rates move with date, demand, and tee time, so check the course directly before you plan a golf day.

Eat Around Broadway Avenue

Broadway Avenue is the practical food center for a Seaside evening. The area has casual restaurants, bars, and newer dining rooms that feel more local than the heavy tourist blocks in Monterey.

Maligne has helped put Seaside dining on the map for travelers who follow Michelin Bib Gourmand picks, but you do not need a formal dinner to make the area worthwhile. The better move is to treat Seaside as your dinner base when you want a slower night after the aquarium, trail, or golf.

How Many Days Do You Need In Seaside?

One full day is enough for Seaside itself, and two days work better if you want Monterey, Pacific Grove, or Carmel without rushing. Seaside is compact, so extra time is mainly useful for nearby Monterey Bay stops.

A one-day Seaside plan should stay simple: Fort Ord Dunes in the morning, lunch near Broadway Avenue, the coastal trail in the afternoon, then dinner in Seaside or Monterey. A two-day plan can add Bayonet and Black Horse, Monterey Bay Aquarium, or a Pacific Grove coast drive.

Where To Stay For Easy Access

Seaside is a practical base if you want lower-stress access to Monterey Bay without sleeping directly on Cannery Row. Look near Del Monte Boulevard, Fremont Boulevard, or the Highway 1 side of town if you want fast drives to the dunes, Monterey, and Pacific Grove.

Use the map to compare Seaside stays with nearby Monterey and Marina options, especially on weekends when waterfront Monterey rates climb.

Do You Need A Car In Seaside?

A car makes Seaside much easier, especially if you want Fort Ord Dunes, golf, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pacific Grove, or Carmel in one trip. Travelers staying near a bus route can manage parts of the peninsula without driving, but the smoothest Seaside trip is usually car-based.

Driving distances are short, but the stops are spread out. If you are flying into San Jose, San Francisco, or Monterey Regional Airport and plan to see more than Seaside, compare rental options before locking in your hotel.

A Simple One-Day Seaside Plan

The best one-day Seaside plan puts the coast first, then saves flexible stops for later. Morning weather is often kinder for dunes and biking, while evening works better for food.

Pick Your Seaside Day By Travel Style

Seaside works best when you choose one main reason to be there instead of trying to race across the whole peninsula. The city rewards a calm plan: one coast stop, one meal, and one nearby add-on.

• For a first visit: Fort Ord Dunes, the coastal trail, and dinner on Broadway Avenue give you the clearest sense of Seaside.
• For families: Laguna Grande Regional Park, the coastal trail, and Monterey Bay Aquarium make the day easier than a packed beach-and-driving route.
• For golfers: Build the day around Bayonet and Black Horse, then keep dinner local.
• For a Monterey Bay weekend: Sleep in Seaside, spend one day in Monterey, and use the second morning for Fort Ord Dunes before leaving.

If you only have a few hours, go straight to Fort Ord Dunes State Park. If you have a full day, add the coastal trail and a Broadway Avenue meal. If you have a weekend, Seaside becomes the low-pressure base for Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and the wider bay.