A charming hillside city in Oregon’s northwestern corner, Astoria was established as a fur trading post in 1811, taking its name from business mogul John Jacob Astor (although he never visited!). Astoria is the seat of Clatsop County, named for the Clatsop Indians, and is the oldest American city west of the Rocky Mountains. While today’s population is just over 10,000, a century ago Astoria was the second most populous city in Oregon! Situated just inland from the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria is a short drive to Oregon beach towns Seaside and Gearheart and an even shorter drive to the historical Peter Iredale shipwreck on the beach at Fort Stevens State Park. Serving as an epic passageway from Oregon to Washington state is the majestic Astoria-Megler Bridge.
As for the town itself, there’s plenty to see and do : the downtown area is walk-able and awash with shopping, art galleries, coffee shops, unique restaurants and a riverfront trolley as well as the Oregon Film Museum. Fans of the 1985 cult hit The Goonies can head to the eastern residential end of Astoria and see for themselves (from the outside, at least) the house where the movie was filmed. Kindergarten Cop, the first two of the Free Willy trilogy, and The Ring Two are further examples of Hollywood’s invasion of Astoria. Beer enthusiasts will also find a number of microbreweries.
Astoria is also home to the Columbia River Maritime Museum as well as the Capain George Flavel House Museum. Located 5 miles southwest is Fort Clatsop, a former winter encampment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition turned national memorial.
Astoria is located approximately 2 hours from Portland via U.S. Route 30 or the coastal U.S. Route 101. The city also houses the Port of Astoria, welcoming cruise ships and deep draft vessels in addition to regulating regional maritime activities.
There are a lot of really interesting and fun things to do in Astoria, Oregon. But to be honest, one of my favorite parts of visiting this north coast city is to see the huge freighters sail by in the background.
Seeing something so big, so close to land and setting a moving backdrop makes Astoria a place where I can sit and watch these huge ships sail down the Columbia River to either Portland, or out to the Pacific Ocean.
Astoria Column offers panoramic views of nature and history
Standing in the grass at the Astoria Column, make sure you watch out for low-flying aircraft. Made of balsawood.
It's a tradition that has been going on at the column for years. Visitors buy small balsawood planes at the gift shop, climb to the top of the 125-foot column and launch them into the air. Shouts and laughter of children seeing how far and fast the planes will fly through the air much like the small planes.
The ringing of the bell can be heard up and down the pier, as “Old 300” runs along the Columbia River in Astoria.
The trolley, which was originally made for the San Antonio Traction Company in 1913, runs from the East End Mooring Basin and West End Mooring on the original train tracks. Basically the trolley runs all along Astoria’s historic waterfront, which still features restaurants, docks and piers.
When you visit the Oregon Coast in the fall, you are never sure what you are going to get. Sometimes it is sunny and crisp, other times it feels like you are visiting a sponge filled with very cold water.
As luck would have it, as I visited the 14th Street Ferry Slip, it was a cloudy and windy day, however the breeze was pretty crisp, and that’s how I found my way to Baked Alaska.
Captain George Flavel was a noted bar pilot and entrepreneur in Clatsop County. His piloting business and other investments helped in the development of Astoria. Flavel's 1886 Queen Anne style house now stands as a historical museum, inseparable from the beautiful landscaping that surrounds it.
When the weather closed it, it hit like a hammer.
Without warning you find yourself in the Pacific Ocean being swallowed up by 30-foot seas - no hope of swimming to the shore you know is mere yards away.
Then, out of the blackness, comes a spotlight and a man hanging off of a boat reaching to pluck you from the ocean's grasp.
That's the first thing you see when you drive up to the Columbia River Maritime Museum - the real life 44-foot Coast Guard rescue boat in action.
The main reason you visit a glass-blowing studio on the Oregon Coast is to purchase some of the truly unique and beautiful artwork on display.
At the Fernhill Art Studio, they also give you a show.
There are some state parks where you stop, get out of the car, maybe use the public restroom, walk around a bit to stretch your legs and the leave within 20 minutes. Maybe it has an interpretive plaque or trail, maybe one of the incredible stunning views that are scattered throughout the state, but overall it’s a pretty short experience.
Many times when I visit a historic site, I go into it with an attitude that is almost like an academic. I have an interest in learning what happened at the place I am visiting, but rarely do I get an emotional reaction.
As I wandered around the dark Bumble Bee canning facility, I notice they had hats and other personal items from the people who used to work there, but don’t any longer. If you stand next to some of the old equipment, you can almost hear what it sounded like back in the 1970s when the plant was operating and it was Astoria’s largest employers.
Explore docks, museums and Victorian mansions in a salty city near the fort where Lewis and Clark wintered 200 years ago.
About the Hike: From the barnacled piers of cannery docks to the painted gingerbread of Victorian mansions, this picturesque city on the Columbia River wears its history with a salty pride. A walking tour samples the old town's sights.
Difficulty: An easy, 2.6-mile loop, with 150 feet of elevation gain.
Season: Open all year.
