We shared the first four days of our end-of-summer week at the beach with my daughter, her husband and their two boys. Two years ago, just after they moved to Oregon from the Chicago area, we also spent time in Seaside with them; and Sean, our older grandson, remembered our great times there and was eager to repeat some of his favorite activities. First on the list was a visit to the Seaside Aquarium, a convenient short stroll just down the Promenade from our condo fronting the beach.
The aquarium is the oldest privately owned aquarium on the West Coast, having opened in 1937 and residing in a 1924 building that once housed the town’s natatorium (a salt water indoor swimming pool/bath house). As we approached the building, we admired the huge whale skeleton displayed in the window. Three-year-old James corrected me, saying it was a dinosaur, not a whale. (I could see his point.) Once inside (with masks required and social distancing observed) we began our circuit around the various tanks filled with all sorts of interesting fish and other sealife native to the northern Pacific Ocean.
We admired the giant Pacific octopus
in her large, open pool before turning our attention to a slew of touch tanks just waiting to be explored.
These held all manner of interesting critters, from hermit crabs, star fish and spiny urchins
to sand dollars, clams and sea anenomes.
Young James preferred to watch and not touch,
but Sean was eager to check everything out.
Of course, we had to buy some fish to feed to the seals before we headed out the door, and they earned their treats with their very entertaining antics.
The next day, after checking out when low tide would be, we trekked a few miles down Highway 101 to visit Cannon Beach to get some more hands-on time with sea creatures in the tide pools around Haystack Rock. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, and while a lot of other people had the same idea we did, there was plenty of space to ramble about.
The boys (well, and we adults, too) immediately started wading through the shallow water,
keeping an eye out for and identifying some of the creatures we’d seen the day before at the aquarium. There were plenty of anenomes to gently touch and watch as they retracted their silky, sticky tentacles,
and sharp eyes spotted tiny fish and hermit crabs in the shadows of rocks jutting from the sand.
We splashed and strolled about for about an hour, but gradually the colder water of the incoming tide encouraged our retreat to drier ground. It was the perfect outing to complement our aquarium visit and one I’m sure the boys will remember until our next visit to the coast.
— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor
Read This Next
Norwegian Debuts Late Disembarkation Option
March 2025
Mar 15, 2025
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedMarch 2025
Mar 15, 2025Norwegian Debuts Late Disembarkation Option
Norwegian Cruise Line just launched a new late check-out service on select ships and European sailings, allowing passengers to remain on board the ship until 12:30–1 p.m. to enjoy a few more hours of relaxation, lunch and other amenities before going home. The new service still requires passengers to check out of their staterooms by 8:30 a.m., but guests can now store their luggage at the cruise terminal for the remaining hours.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Daily
Mar 14, 2025Glamorous Flamingo Las Vegas Gets Pool Makeover
Chances are you already know the name, but what you may not have heard about the iconic Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas is the celebrated pool is undergoing a $20 million transformation of its GO Pool.
Airlines
Mar 14, 2025Don’t Miss Out on All Nippon Airways’ Sweepstakes to Explore Japan
All Nippon Airways, Japan’s largest 5-star airline, launched a contest to give travelers a chance to win a trip to go beyond Tokyo and experience Japan’s under-the-radar destinations. One winner will receive two round-trip economy-class tickets from a U.S. ANA gateway city to a unique destination within ANA’s extensive domestic network, such as Komatsu (KMQ), Odate (ONJ), Okinawa (OKA), Oita (OIT), Sapporo (CTS) and Tottori (TTJ).
Sponsored Content
A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways
This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.
Daily
Mar 14, 2025Hotel Zeppelin Launches Dead-icated Stay in Honor of Grateful Dead’s 60th Anniversary
Hotel Zeppelin in San Francisco is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead with an exclusive Dead-icated Stay offer. Hotel Zeppelin is all about celebrating its city’s countercultural tradition, and this offer helps them honor the band’s legacy and its roots in the Bay Area.
Thiou Restaurant Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 12, 2025eFlyer News
Mar 12, 2025Air India Partners with Lufthansa Group, Virgin Australia
India’s leading global airline recently announced its expansion of codeshare partnerships with both Lufthansa Group and Virgin Australia. Through these new partnerships, travelers can enjoy access to more than 100 routes combined across the Indian subcontinent, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
eFlyer News
Mar 12, 2025SH Hotels & Resorts Rebrands to Starwood Hotels
SH Hotels & Resorts, parent company of 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels, celebrates its 10th anniversary by officially rebranding as Starwood Hotels, reviving the iconic brand created by Barry Sternlicht nearly 30 years ago.
ShareThis