This may not be a recipe but if you’re anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

Seaside, Oregon

This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

Seaside, Oregon. This was my childhood, the Oregon coast. We often came for a week or a weekend and it was so fun to explore little antique shops, eat at the local restaurants and search the beach for sand dollars. I finally had the chance to take my family to the coast and they got to experience the jutting rocks, frigid water and lush, dense and majestic forest.

If you go, head to Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. I love that little town, but was so sad to learn that a disease killed off the tide pools. We searched and searched but we are determined to come back and find something another time. Either way Haystack is ginormous and the kids loved seeing it.

This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

I’m going to be totally honest, the Seaside Aquarium is a little sad, but it’s a must. The seals are not taught tricks but they figure them out on their own. One, with it’s big brown cow eyes would pop out of the water and slap it’s fins on its chest to get the attention of the kids throwing the fish. Best time ever. Clearly our little one was not about to throw the fish herself. Ever.

This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

You may not be used to the fact that all year round it’s quite chilly in the evenings on this beach, but don’t fret, just snag some wood and head down to the beach for a bonfire. The secret to bonfires at Seaside is to find a little grassy hill and build your fire at the base, in the sand dig a little well and build your fire. That’s what will keep the wind from freezing you to the bones. We roasted marshmallows and played Bean Boozled. It’s so stinking fun!! Cade got a skunk bean and we all about died laughing at the poor sucker!

This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

I bet you aren’t surprised that this was my favorite part, the big elephant ear. It’s tradition, folks and I’m a die hard for just the cinnamon sugar but you really can’t go wrong. IT’S THE BEST THING EVER!! EVER!

This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

I love our beach trips to Seaside, but Manzanita, though the beach isn’t as big and free of ocean debri is one of my favorite spots. The little town is darling and the Farmer’s market is just perfectly perfect. Make sure you head there on a Friday evening, grab some local produce because I promise it’s the most flavorful and sweet and wonderful fruits and veggies you’ll bite into. Plan on eating dinner there and enjoying some live music then take a stroll down to the beach to watch the sunset.

This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

As you’re heading out of town you’ll find little roadside stands with the best, sweetest berries, ever. Snag a few to eat on your way to the airport. So yum.

Portland, Oregon

This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

Whenever we visit Portland, Oregon I promise myself that I’ll take a drive through Vancouver where I grew up but we always end up having such a nice time in Portland we never really make it over there. One of our stop is at Tilt where I happen to have found some of my favorite fries ever.

This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

And trust me, I know hot fries like no other.

This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

But to make it even better there happens to be awesome food and killer pie too. This is the fried chicken sandwich or, mother clucker and it is juicy, crisp, salty, creamy and everything else you’d want in a bacon and coleslaw topped chicken sandwich.

tilt pie This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

Then there’s the pie. The pies are so stinking delicious!!! We got a few and took them out to seaside for a big dinner on Sunday complete with ribs, loaded mashed potatoes, cornbread and that luscious lemon berry salad. Just look at that banana cream pie! It’s huge and it was perfection.

After a delicious lunch at Tilt you really should just stroll around the Pearl District. Or you could always head to Powells Books which is meant for wandering and browsing and just being there.

lavendar This may not be a recipe but if you're anything like us you like to get out and see the country you live in and eat as much good food as possible, so obviously I had to share some of my favorites both new and old for Seaside Oregon with a dash of Portland.

Before your trip is over make sure you hit up the PSU (Portland State University) Farmer’s Market on Saturday. There are a few other locations but that’s our personal favorite. You’ll want to leave with your arms full of the most beautiful bundles of fresh flowers, a fat Pine Street Biscuit, and heck, why not grab a breakfast burrito while you’re at it. No, really. The breakfast burritos are crazy delicious.