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Seaside is a city of about 32,000 people on the shore of Monterey Bay, between Monterey and Sand City to the south and Marina to the north. For much of the 20th century its fortunes were tied to Fort Ord, a huge Army training post that closed in 1994. Former base land now holds California State University, Monterey Bay, new neighborhoods, golf courses and protected open space.
The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail runs along the city's edge beside Highway 1, linking Seaside with Cannery Row and Pacific Grove to the south and the dunes of Fort Ord Dunes State Park to the north. Inland, Laguna Grande Park surrounds a pair of lakes shared with Monterey, and the trails of Fort Ord National Monument offer hiking and mountain biking across oak woodland and grassland.
Seaside is generally less expensive than neighboring Monterey and Carmel, making it a practical base for exploring the Monterey Peninsula, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Big Sur and the Salinas Valley wine country.
A state park on former Army land with about four miles of sandy beach backed by restored dunes on Monterey Bay. A boardwalk and paths lead from the parking area to the shore, past old military bunkers. Swimming is unsafe due to strong currents and cold water, but walks and sunsets are excellent.
A section of Monterey State Beach along the Seaside and Sand City shore, with wide sand, low dunes and calm views across Monterey Bay toward the Monterey Peninsula. It is good for walks, beachcombing and sunsets. The water is cold and currents can be strong, so swimming is not recommended.
Protected public land on the former Fort Ord base, with over 80 miles of trails through oak woodland, grassland and maritime chaparral. It is popular with hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, and spring wildflowers are lovely. Stay on marked trails, as unexploded ordnance areas remain closed.
The paved coastal trail runs through Seaside beside Highway 1 and the dunes, connecting south to Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row and north toward Marina. It is ideal for an easy bike ride or walk with views over the bay. Rent a bike in Monterey and ride north along the shore.
A park shared by Seaside and Monterey around Laguna Grande and Roberts Lake, with a paved walking path, lawns, picnic areas and playgrounds. Ducks, geese, coots and herons are common on the water. It makes a pleasant stop for an easy loop walk of under an hour, especially early in the morning.
Two championship golf courses built on Fort Ord for Army personnel and now open to the public, with tree-lined fairways and views of Monterey Bay. Bayonet is known as one of the more demanding layouts in the area. Book tee times ahead, and expect cool, breezy afternoons near the coast.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
