Where is Seaside, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Seaside, California Located in the United States? - Seaside is a city located in the Monterey County in California, United States. Seaside lies between 36.6116 Degrees North latitudes and -121.851 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Seaside, Monterey, California

Where is Seaside Located in Monterey, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Seaside in Monterey County, in the U.S. state of California.

Seaside Map, California, USA

About Seaside Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Seaside, Monterey County, California

Seaside is located in Monterey County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the central part of the state in the state of the United States along the Monterey Bay coastline of California’s Central Coast region. The city was incorporated in 1954 and was named for its coastal location overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and it developed from a military-support community near Fort Ord into a residential city serving the Monterey Peninsula area.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Seaside is 33,025 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 3,500 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Seaside covers a total area of approximately 9.3 square miles (about 24.1 square kilometers), including about 9.3 square miles (24.1 square kilometers) of land and a minimal amount of water area.

Location and Surroundings

Seaside is situated north of Monterey and south of Marina, positioned along the eastern shoreline of Monterey Bay. The city features coastal dunes, residential neighborhoods, and nearby former military lands that have been redeveloped for education and recreation. State Route 1 runs through the area, providing a major transportation route connecting Seaside to surrounding communities along California’s Central Coast.

Top Attractions

Seaside offers coastal parks, golf courses, and recreational areas that support tourism and outdoor activities. Popular destinations include the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses, Seaside State Beach, and nearby Fort Ord National Monument with extensive hiking and biking trails. The city hosts community festivals and cultural events throughout the year.

Transportation

Seaside is served by State Route 1, offering convenient highway access throughout Monterey County and California’s Central Coast region. Public transportation includes regional bus services connecting the city to surrounding communities across the Monterey Peninsula. The nearest major airport is Monterey Regional Airport, located approximately 4 miles to the south.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Seaside City Website.

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Seaside, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CitySeaside
CountyMonterey County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWestern United States
Latitude36.6117° N
Longitude121.8517° W
Elevation33 ft (10 m)
Land Area (sq mi)9.03
Water Area (sq mi)0.07
Total Area (sq mi)9.10
Population (2020 Census)18,351
Population Density (per sq mi)2,033.3
ZIP Codes93955
Area Code831
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST), UTC−8
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC−7
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code0670712
Congressional District19th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Seaside

Transportation FeatureDetails
Airport NameMonterey Regional Airport
IATA CodeMRY
PortPort of Monterey
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 1, California State Route 218, and California State Route 68
Train/Amtrak ServiceAmtrak Thruway bus connections serve the Monterey area; the nearest Amtrak rail station is in Salinas.
Local Bus/Transit ServiceMonterey-Salinas Transit (MST) provides local and regional bus service throughout the Monterey Peninsula.
  • U.S. Route 1 runs along the western side of Seaside and connects the city with Monterey, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, and other coastal communities.
  • California State Route 218, also known as Canyon Del Rey Boulevard, provides an east-west connection through Seaside toward Monterey and the inland communities.
  • California State Route 68 connects Seaside with Monterey and the Salinas Valley, providing an important route across the Monterey Peninsula.

Top Places to Visit in Seaside, California

Landmark NameType
Fort Ord National MonumentNational Monument
Seaside State BeachBeach
Laguna Del ReyPark
Monterey State BeachBeach
Fort Ord Dunes State ParkState Park
Bayonet & Black Horse Golf CourseGolf Course
General Jim Moore Boulevard TrailRecreation Trail
Monterey Peninsula CollegeCollege Campus
Old MontereyHistoric District
Monterey Bay AquariumAquarium

Driving Distances from Seaside, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
MontereyCalifornia410 min
MarinaCalifornia510 min
Pacific GroveCalifornia615 min
Del Rey OaksCalifornia310 min
Sand CityCalifornia25 min
SalinasCalifornia1825 min
Carmel-by-the-SeaCalifornia915 min
WatsonvilleCalifornia3540 min
Santa CruzCalifornia4550 min
King CityCalifornia601 hr

Colleges and Universities in Seaside, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
California State University, Monterey BayPublicUniversityPublic university serving the Monterey Bay region
Monterey Peninsula CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer and career education
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language CenterPublicUniversityForeign language education for the U.S. military

Waterbodies in Seaside, California

Monterey Bay, Pacific Ocean, Laguna del Rey, Roberts Lake

Golf Courses in Seaside, California

Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Course, Del Monte Golf Course, Monterey Pines Golf Course, Laguna Seca Golf Ranch

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Seaside, California

Landmark NameType
Fort Ord National MonumentNational Monument
Fort Ord Dunes State ParkState Park
Seaside State BeachBeach
Laguna del ReyPark
Bayonet & Black Horse Golf CourseGolf Course
General Jim Moore Boulevard TrailRecreation Trail
California State University, Monterey BayUniversity
Monterey State BeachBeach
Monterey Bay AquariumAquarium
Old MontereyHistoric District

Waterbodies in Seaside, California

Monterey Bay, Pacific Ocean, Laguna del Rey, Roberts Lake

Golf Courses in Seaside, California

Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Course, Del Monte Golf Course, Monterey Pines Golf Course, Laguna Seca Golf Ranch

Seaside, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Seaside was incorporated as a city in 1954 after developing from a small coastal community on the Monterey Peninsula.
  • The area grew significantly during the 20th century as the U.S. Army developed Fort Ord nearby.
  • Fort Ord operated as a major military installation from 1917 until its closure in 1994, leaving a lasting influence on Seaside and surrounding communities.
  • California State University, Monterey Bay opened in 1994 on part of the former Fort Ord military base.
  • Seaside's location along Monterey Bay has supported recreation, tourism, education, and coastal conservation as major parts of the local economy.

References

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