Seaside, CA Road Trips
With 3 routes heading out and 2 heading in, Seaside, CA works well as a modest departure point in the Pacific Coast. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 292 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Seaside, CA head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
372.3 mi
San Bernardino, CA
Quickest Drive
3h 3m
Fresno, CA
Plan Around Seaside, CA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Seaside, CA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Seaside, CA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Seaside, CA
Driving from Seaside, CA
Expect an average of 292 miles and about 5h 42m behind the wheel when leaving Seaside, CA. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 372 miles (7h 13m), while the shortest is just 151 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Seaside, CA include San Bernardino, CA (372.3 mi, 7h 13m), Santa Ana, CA (351.4 mi, 6h 50m), and Fresno, CA (151 mi, 3h 3m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 292-mile drive from Seaside, CA, expect to burn about 11.5 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 3 mapped routes leaving Seaside, CA and 2 routes heading into Seaside, CA, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 151 to 372 miles.
The longest mapped route from Seaside, CA covers 372 miles and takes approximately 7h 13m. Shorter options start at just 151 miles.
The average route from Seaside, CA runs about 292 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 42m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Seaside, CA include San Bernardino, CA, Santa Ana, CA and Fresno, CA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Seaside, CA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
31,964
Median Income
$82,303
Median Home Value
$692,600
Median Age
33.7
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Seaside, CA
Seaside is a city in Monterey County in the Central Coast region of California. It is on the coast of the Monterey Bay, just north of the city of Monterey. Formerly the site of the Fort Ord military base, Seaside now has a PGA Tour-hosting golf course and the California State University of Monterey Bay. It is a good home base from which to see all the towns on Monterey Bay. Sand City, a three-square-mile town with a population of around 300, is surrounded by Seaside on three sides. A former sand manufacturing area, it has become an artist's colony, and its industrial buildings now house an array of galleries.
Seaside Beach and Sand City beach are great places to watch the sun set. 1 Sand City. This former industrial site is now has a large number of artist's galleries, most open to the public. It also has an annual arts festival, the Sand City Westend Celebration, every August. (updated Nov 2015)
Seaside Beach is a popular spot for kite-flying, while Sand City beach is known for its parasailers. 1 Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course, 1 McClure Way, ☏ +1 831-899-7271, [email protected]. These two golf courses were originally the golf course for the Fort Ord military base, and have been upgraded since. The Bayonet Course is a 7,104 yard par 72 that may be the most difficult course on the Monterey Peninsula, while the Black Horse Course is a 7,024 yard par 72. Weekday/Weekend rates: $135 for a morning tee-time, $65/$80 after 2PM, $40/$45 for late afternoon, $75/$95 for seniors (60+) and $35 for juniors (17 & under). (updated Nov 2015) 2 Frog Pond Wetland Preserve, Canyon Del Rey Rd (between General Jim Moore Blvd and Highland St), ☏ +1 831-372-3196. A unit of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, this 17-acre wetland is open to the public and an excellent place for birdwatching. Limited parking is available on the shoulder of Canyon Del Rey Road. Wildlife present in the preserve includes frogs, deer, hummingbirds, towhees, mallards and western fence lizards. Free. (updated Nov 2015)
1 Seaside Seafood & Market, 789 Trinity Ave, ☏ +1 831-394-2027. Serves fresh, local produce and seafood with both California and Caribbean influences. (updated Nov 2015) 2 Stammtisch, 1204 Echo Ave #C, ☏ +1 831-899-3070. An authentic German restaurant run by a Bavarian couple renowned up and down the coast for its fantastic menu of genuine German comfort food. (updated Nov 2015)
Other Brother Beer Co, 877 Broadway Ave, Seaside, ☏ +1 831 747-1106. T-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Taproom with indoor and outdoor dining. Also sells to-go beer at their “Mini-Mart”. Has food from Ad Astra. (updated Jan 2022)
1 Holiday Inn Express, 1400 Del Monte Blvd, ☏ +1 831 394-5335. $100+. (updated Nov 2015) 2 Sand Dollar Inn, 1875 Fremont Blvd, ☏ +1 831 899-4221. $50+.
Most visitors get to Seaside by driving. It is located directly on coastal Route 1. Visitors coming from Route 101 South can take Route 68 west to Route 1 North; visitors coming from Route 101 North can take Route 156 west toward the Monterey Peninsula. Route 156 merges with Route 1 South and leads directly to Seaside. Visitors can also take Amtrak's Coast Starlight to Salinas, and then take Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) Route 20 to the Edgewater Transit Exchange, at the Edgewater Shopping Plaza in Sand City, across the street from Seaside.
Seaside is a small town and can easily be seen on foot. Many people use bicycles to get around and they can be rented from vendors near the beach in Monterey. For car drivers, traffic jams are rare, and parking spots are plentiful. Bus service from Monterey-Salinas Transit gives access to Seaside and nearby towns, such as Monterey and Pacific Grove.
Travel tips adapted from Seaside (California) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Pick your one-way drive time and see where you can go from Seaside, CA.
No routes in this time range.
destinations from Seaside, CA.
Trips to Seaside, CA
Nearby Hubs
Other cities within driving distance of Seaside, CA that also have route pages.
Escape Planner
Where to go from Seaside, CA?
Curated day trips, weekend getaways, and overnight routes — grouped by how much time you have and the kind of trip you want.
Drives from Seaside, CA in your inbox
Monthly note with new routes, weekend drive ideas, and seasonal picks for CA. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Browse more CA road trips or choose a route from Seaside, CA above.