Seagulls, Saltwater Taffy & Shenanigans: The Seaside, Oregon Scavenger Hunt Saga
Let me preface this story with a simple truth: I joined a scavenger hunt in Seaside, Oregon thinking it would be a light stroll down the promenade, maybe spot a sea lion, solve a riddle, win a sticker—boom, wholesome beach vibes.
What I got was a three-hour tour of glorious chaos, saltwater stickiness, and what I can only assume was a haunted carousel horse.
Step 1: Meet the Team (Regret Everything)
My team consisted of:
- Me (unprepared, under-caffeinated),
- My cousin Lacey (a competitive board game enthusiast who once flipped a table over Uno),
- A guy named "Coastal Dave" (whom we met at a fish-and-chips stand and somehow adopted mid-hunt), and
- Lacey’s dog, Bark Twain, who was not officially allowed but wore a very convincing emotional support vest.
We were given a list of 25 items and clues, a pencil (which Coastal Dave immediately lost), and a warning: “Do NOT antagonize the seagulls.”
I laughed at that warning. Foolish. Naïve. Laughing-me had no idea what was coming.
Step 2: Saltwater Taffy Is Not a Weapon (But Try Telling That to a Seagull)
Our first clue led us to the iconic Seaside Promenade, where we had to “snap a selfie with the guy who never skips leg day.” Obviously, that meant the “Muscle Man” statue. Easy.
Except the statue was surrounded by a gang of seagulls who had clearly taken over the area like it was their turf. One of them—whom I now refer to as “Tony Peck”—stared me down and stole a piece of taffy out of Lacey’s hand.
Coastal Dave tried to reason with them by flapping his arms and yelling “GO BACK TO NATURE!” which only made things worse. Bark Twain, bless his little terrier heart, barked once and immediately got ignored by the gulls. I think they respected him.
We got the photo. But I have the emotional scars.
Step 3: Find the “Secret Sand Dollar of Destiny”
Some clues are simple. Others make you question your life choices.
We were told to “seek the secret sand dollar that shines at noon.” After an hour of digging in the sand like caffeinated crabs, we discovered this meant a small glass sand dollar hidden in a tidepool behind the aquarium, under a rock shaped like “Gary Busey’s face.”
What does that even mean!? Surprisingly, Coastal Dave found it. Even more surprisingly, he used to be a glassblower. The man is a mystery wrapped in a Hawaiian shirt.
Step 4: The Carousel Incident
One clue required us to “ride the steed of thunder and scream the sacred chant.” This translated to: ride the indoor carousel and yell “SEASIDE FOREVER!” while holding up a souvenir clam shell.
Fun fact: Doing this gets you banned from the carousel for “inappropriate enthusiasm.”
We didn’t win that clue. But we did get a round of applause from a group of confused tourists and one toddler who I think made us their new heroes.
Step 5: Victory Is Overrated but Ice Cream Is Not
After chasing a man in a crab costume (clue #19), interviewing a very suspicious pelican statue (clue #21), and solving a riddle involving a map, a hot dog, and a gift shop cashier named Darla (clue #23), we called it a day.
We came in 7th place out of 9 teams. One team was just two retirees who thought it was a bird-watching tour and still somehow beat us.
But we ended the day at Zinger’s Ice Cream with double scoops, sandy shoes, and a group selfie that looked like we’d just survived a reality show called Extreme Coastal Madness.
Seaside, Oregon, is a full-contact, saltwater-scented adventure waiting to happen. Especially if you add a scavenger hunt, a rogue seagull, and a guy named Coastal Dave.
Next year, we’re bringing helmets. And a backup pencil.
