Hailed by Time magazine as perhaps “the most astounding design achievement of its era,” Seaside is credited with founding a global town-planning movement known as New Urbanism.
Founded by Robert and Daryl Davis in 1981, Seaside’s innovative small town design was carefully planned. With its nine unique beach pavilions, cobblestone streets, quaint cottages, white picket fences, and picture-perfect parks and storefronts, it’s no wonder that The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey was filmed here. Indeed, as Newsweek once proclaimed:
“…with its cozy, narrow streets and its jumble of pastel-colored homes, Seaside is probably the most influential resort community since Versailles.”
Photo: Bud & Alley’s Facebook page
But in a town that Hollywood (and Southern Living) made famous, life here is very real, even though it often has a surreal quality.
You’ll find kids walking to Seaside Neighborhood School, and the The Repertory Theatre, where actors are busy rehearsing for tonight’s big show. Travel is by foot or bicycle. There’s a town grocer (the famous Modica Market), a book and record store (Sundog Books and Central Square Records), charming art and jewelery galleries, cafes, toy shops, clothing boutiques, a weekly farmer’s market, outdoor concerts, movies under the stars … It’s the way life should be.