Seaside: Beach, Parks and Golf

Explore Seaside through its beach, coastal trail, parks, golf and local history. These topics highlight different aspects: along the coast, the focus is on a specific stretch of beach, a trail with two directions and particular recreational activities. Parks are defined by walking paths, picnic areas and parking; the golf courses can be compared in concrete terms by their length, par, landscape and history. City Hall, the town’s early history and a community mural broaden the cultural perspective.

Beach and Coastal Trail

Seaside Beach is the northernmost of three separate sections of Monterey State Beach. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail runs behind the beach. Southbound, it leads to downtown Monterey; northbound, it passes through Sand City to Marina. The beach and trail offer different points of reference for getting your bearings: Seaside Beach is a distinct section of the State Beach, while Monterey, Sand City and Marina indicate the trail’s two directions. At Monterey State Beach, visitors can kayak, fly kites and play volleyball. The three activities offer different experiences: kayaking on the water, kite-flying and volleyball on the beach.

Parks and Trails

The southern section of Laguna Grande Regional Park has walking paths. Roberts Lake offers paths, picnic areas and parking. The parks therefore have different features: at Laguna Grande, the walking paths are in the southern section; at Roberts Lake, picnic areas and parking are added to the paths. If you are mainly looking for places to picnic, Roberts Lake stands out; at Laguna Grande, the location of the paths in the southern section is the key distinction.

Comparing the Golf Courses

Golf is another clearly defined focus. Bayonet Golf Course is 7,104 yards long and a par-72 course; holes 11 through 15 are known as “Combat Corner.” Black Horse measures 7,024 yards, is also par 72 and offers panoramic views of Monterey Bay. The difference in length is 80 yards, with the same par. The courses can be compared by their shared par, similar length and distinct features: Black Horse for its views of the bay, Bayonet for its named “Combat Corner.”

The years also indicate different historical roles: Bayonet was built in 1954 on land used as a training facility for Fort Ord. Black Horse was designed by General Edwin Carnes in 1964. Bayonet’s history is therefore tied to its construction on land used by the military, while Black Horse’s is tied to its design. Bayonet also has narrow playing corridors and steep bunkers with severe penalties.

Architecture and Local History

City Hall is another notable cultural landmark: it is an architectural landmark in Seaside and was designed by Edward Durrell Stone. Seaside’s origins included scattered campsites of the Indigenous Rumsien people and Mexican gardens. In 1910, John L. D. Roberts successfully advocated for the U.S. Army post at Fort Ord to be located in Seaside. These historical reference points therefore span the town’s early beginnings and an initiative to choose the location of the military post.

A community mural was unveiled in connection with Lupita’s Bakery. It honors the family’s roots in Oaxaca, their journey to Seaside and the legacy of their late mother, Lupita. Alongside architectural history and early themes from the town’s past, it brings a family story into focus.

Discover more destinations: Moss Landing, Greenfield, Salinas, San Lucas, King City, Big Sur, Spreckels, Pacific Grove.

For the broader travel overview: Monterey.