Seaside, CA Area Guide

Founded in 1888 by Dr. John L. D. Roberts as East Monterey, Seaside began as a resort community subdivision on 160 acres of Monterey Peninsula land. The city was later renamed Seaside and grew substantially alongside Fort Ord, a major U.S. Army post that operated from 1917 until its closure in 1994. Many former military buildings have since been repurposed.

Fort Ord National Monument now preserves thousands of acres of that former base, with Seaside serving as its gateway. Throughout the city, murals and public art installations celebrate the area's roots, reflecting a community that grew significantly by the mid-1960s as Seaside became a notable residential hub on the Central Coast. Each July 4th, the Red, White and Blues festival at City Hall honors that enduring military heritage.

Dining in Seaside has expanded considerably in recent years, with new restaurants and breweries opening along Del Monte and Fremont boulevards. What once required a trip into Monterey can now be found closer to home, across a range of casual spots and neighborhood gathering places. Fremont Boulevard in particular draws residents looking for everyday options, while the broader peninsula puts world-class dining just a short drive away.

Getting around Seaside means relying primarily on a personal vehicle. Highway 1 and Highway 218 are the main routes connecting the city to the rest of the peninsula and beyond -- Monterey is a 6-mile drive down Highway 1, Salinas lies 14 miles to the northeast, and San Jose is roughly 70 miles north via Highway 1 and Route 101.

Monterey-Salinas Transit bus service links Seaside to Marina, Sand City, Monterey, and Salinas for those who prefer not to drive. Monterey Regional Airport is just under five miles away, about an 11-minute drive. Sidewalks cover most residential streets, and the Monterey Peninsula's recreational trail network is accessible to cyclists and walkers looking for scenic coastal routes.

Laguna Grande Regional Park is a 13-acre green space at the heart of Seaside's outdoor life, with a scenic lagoon for fishing, a soccer field, playgrounds, a walking path, and some of the best birdwatching in the area. Summer brings Movies in the Park and Sunday Blues in the Park to the lagoon's shores, making it a regular community gathering spot.

Fort Ord National Monument borders the city and opens up more than 86 miles of trails through rolling hills and maritime chaparral, welcoming hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Monterey State Beach is a short drive away, with soft sand, surfing, fishing, and volleyball. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, also within easy reach, offers rugged coastal hiking and tide pools. The Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course -- developed on former Fort Ord land and purchased by the city in 1997 -- provides two par-72 championship courses that host tournaments throughout the year.

Rental rates in Seaside come in below the California statewide average for one-bedroom apartments, making it one of the more accessible options on the Monterey Peninsula. Rents here are also modestly lower than those in neighboring Monterey.

Fremont Boulevard is Seaside's main shopping corridor, with boutique clothing stores and grocery options within easy reach. Big-box retailers sit just west of Fremont in Sand City, and the Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey adds a wide range of retail choices a short drive to the south. Edgewater Monterey Bay and Seaside Plaza are also within a few minutes of most residential areas.

Fort Ord National Monument's 86-plus miles of trails, direct access to Monterey State Beach, the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course, Laguna Grande Regional Park's year-round events, and proximity to Cannery Row and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve give Seaside an outdoor and cultural richness that few small coastal cities can match.