Overlooking the river in Seaside, Oregon is the River View Inn. It is located four blocks from the beach and four blocks from downtown. Either is a reasonable walk if it is not raining.

This is an inexpensive but clean motel with entirely adequate rooms for a long weekend at the beach. The rooms are relatively spacious and offer the usual amenities.

About a block away from the motel, right across from the city police station, is a coffee shop that serves hearty breakfasts as well as lunch and dinner at reasonable prices. Follow the river to the main street downtown and you'll find the Pig N' Blanket, which is popular for all meals. Good food and plenty of it.

Seaside is where the famous Lewis and Clark expedition reached the Pacific Ocean, and there is a monument at the beach commemorating that event. It is also where the Dorchester Conference, American oldest political conference, is held annually. Founded by Republican Senator Bob Packwood in 1964, Dorchester addresses hot political issues in a relaxed atmosphere. Everyone in attendance takes part in the discussion and votes. Dorchester is "Where politics is fun!" That is also a pretty good description of Seaside itself.