Seaside was founded by Dr. John L.D. Roberts who purchased a portion of what was the Rancho Noche Buena from his uncle, David Houghton. The Seaside Auto mall is the major location for car shoppers on the Monterey Peninsula. There are many services for the traveler in Seaside, including several inns and motels. Seaside has a popular state beach that is nice spot for a picnic. Recently Seaside has incorporated a part ion of the old adjacent and decommissioned military base "Fort Ord."