Astoria, Oregon, Travel Guide

Fairly and gritty: that’s how some locals describe Astoria, Oregon, a far-flung city sitting the place the Columbia River meets the Pacific. The town is thought for the ornate Victorian and Queen Anne-style houses, holdovers from its heyday as a affluent delivery port, that crowd the hills and earn it the nickname “Little San Francisco.” Right here, you’re by no means removed from a view of the river and the Washington shore.

Then there’s the “gritty” aspect. In its lengthy historical past because the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, the city has confronted fires, maritime tragedies, and wild winter storms with lashing winds and pummeling rain. Based in 1811 by fur merchants, Astoria just isn’t solely the oldest city in Oregon, however the Pacific Northwest as an entire. Simply offshore, the treacherous waters of the Columbia Bar, a part of the infamous “Graveyard of the Pacific,” have doomed tons of of ships. It’s a scrappy little neighborhood that pulls the world in—European explorers, Lewis and Clark, fur merchants, Scandinavian and Chinese language cannery staff, filmmakers and cinephiles, and now adventurous travelers—with its mythos and dramatic setting.

“Astoria is a type of uncommon coastal cities the place historical past, surroundings, and character come collectively completely,” says Caroline Wuebben, director of exterior engagement for the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Linh DePledge, an Astoria resident and the vice chairman of brand name and communications at Vesta Hospitality, agrees. “There’s such a stunning and close-knit neighborhood,” she says.

In fact, there’s a regular stream of Truffle Shuffling followers visiting websites from the traditional ‘80s flick “The Goonies,” however guests additionally come right here searching for uncooked nature, coastal surroundings, and epic tales of discovery and resilience. Thrifting thrives in downtown’s many classic outlets, fishmongers sling contemporary catches at seafood markets, and historic waterfront canneries and fish-processing vegetation now home cute cafes, eating places, and shops. This is what you’ll want to know earlier than planning a visit to Astoria.

Finest Accommodations & Resorts

Bowline Resort

This former fish-processing plant discovered new life as a chic, nautical-themed boutique hotel alongside the Astoria waterfront. Watch ships cruise by from the balconies of spick-and-span rooms or whereas breaking a sweat within the pierside barrel saunas. The Knot Bar is an elevated watering gap for cocktails made with domestically produced spirits and served alongside Scandinavian gentle bites.

Cannery Pier Resort & Spa

Sitting on the finish of a 600-foot-long pier subsequent to the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the Cannery Pier Hotel is an icon of the city waterfront with its industrial smokestacks and fireplace engine-red facade. Its plum place affords every room a river view, together with the fire-warmed bar. Dinner could be discovered on the foot of the pier at Bridgewater Bistro.

Commodore Resort

The Commodore Hotel is a chunk of Astoria historical past dressed up in hipster clothes—a 1925 constructing furnished with modern aptitude. Minimalist rooms look out over downtown, and visitors get entry to a library lounge and bike leases. The twin cafe and bar goes by Broder Strand within the morning, when it dishes out espresso and Nordic brunch, and Stranded within the night for drinks.

Finest Issues to Do

Go to a ship skeleton at Fort Stevens State Park.

A former army web site that when guarded the mouth of the Columbia nonetheless endures the weather at this 4,300-acre state park. Enterprise inside deserted batteries, hike alongside coastal dunes, camp on the sting of the continent, and pay a go to to the Peter Iredale shipwreck.

Discover Astoria’s historical past, from maritime to films.

Since its 1811 founding, Astoria has lived many lives, from cannery and delivery powerhouse to movie set. You possibly can relive all these completely different eras at museums and historic websites, such because the stately Flavel House Museum, and dive into shipwreck tales on the Columbia River Maritime Museum. “Goonies” followers will acknowledge the Oregon Film Museum from the film’s opening scene. At Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, step again to a time earlier than Astoria existed, studying about Indigenous heritage and visiting the Corps of Discovery’s Fort Clatsop campsite.

Head to the hills.

An elevated vantage level usually affords the very best views, so head as much as the Astoria Column, a 125-foot-tall tower on high of Coxcomb Hill. Climb the spiraling staircase to the highest for the total image. One other not-to-be-missed view could be discovered on the peak of the Pigeon Steps, which overlooks downtown.

Unlock your internal explorer on mountain climbing trails.

From woodsy walks to heritage routes, Astoria’s vary of trails encompasses nature and historical past. Trek as much as the Astoria Column alongside the Cathedral Tree Path (and pay a go to to a Sitka spruce that is over 300 years previous alongside the best way), observe in Lewis and Clark’s footsteps on the Fort to Sea Path, and stroll alongside the Columbia shoreline on the Riverwalk.

Uncover downtown and the riverfront.

Begin the day with yelping sea lions and a Espresso Woman latte at Pier 39, a former cannery courting from 1875, earlier than hitting the city. Pop into galleries, browse outlets (Astoria Vintage Hardware, Menagerie Co-Op, and Lucy’s Books are really helpful), and admire downtown’s historic buildings. Once you want refreshment, slake your thirst at one of many domestically based breweries; there are fairly a number of, together with Buoy Beer, Astoria Brewing Company, and Obelisk Beer Co. 

Finest Eating places

Fort George Brewery

One among Astoria’s homegrown breweries, Fort George Brewery has a Public Home that occupies a complete metropolis block. Inside, there’s a pub, pizzeria, and taproom, giving diners the selection to pair their IPAs and pale ales with wood-fired ‘zas, poutine, or burgers. Seize take-home cans within the brewery retailer, and take a $10 tour for a behind-the-scenes look.

Bowpicker Fish & Chips

Cult-favorite beer-battered fish and chips fly out the walk-up window at this repurposed gillnet boat. There’s almost at all times a line, so be affected person, and examine on-line for opening hours because the winds generally pressure them to shut up store.

Broder Strand

Get a style of Astoria’s Scandinavian heritage at this coastal outpost from Broder, a regional string of Nordic eateries with places in Portland and Hood River. Tuck into savory lefse potato crepes and bite-sized æbleskiver pancake balls for breakfast, or go for extra brunch-y fish boards and Swedish meatballs. High it off with an aquavit brunch cocktail.

South Bay Wild Fish Home

This family-run restaurant sources its personal uber-fresh seafood courtesy of its business fishing vessel. Scan the menu for what’s on supply, like dungeness crab and pink shrimp muffins, oyster shooters, and fish tacos.

Daphne

DePledge gushes over this little farm-to-table outfit nestled among the many seafood joints and pub-grub eateries. Micro-seasonal menus convey the freshest catch or foraging finds to the plate, alongside Pacific Northwest wines.

Finest Time to Go to

Summer season’s sunshine and heat climate convey out Astoria’s “fairly” aspect and provide the greatest climate for hikes, boating, and different outside enjoyable. However these wanting a style of the Oregon coast’s famously moody climate will wish to go to in winter for storm-watching at Cape Disappointment, bracing seashore walks, and snuggling up in fire-warmed lodge rooms.

“Fall and winter are the very best occasions,” says DePledge. “Even when it’s stormy, there’s one thing cozy and magical.”

However heed Wuebben’s packing recommendation: “The climate could be unpredictable–pack layers, a water-proof jacket, and durable sneakers.”

The Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Fest in April attracts seafood fiends, whereas summer season’s Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival celebrates the world’s Nordic heritage. For these not afraid of heights, autumn’s Great Columbia Crossing 10K permits intrepid runners and walkers to cross the Astoria-Megler Bridge on foot.

Easy methods to Get There

Astoria Regional Airport (AST) would not obtain business flights, so your greatest wager is to fly into Portland Worldwide Airport (PDX). From there, lease a automobile and make the scenic, winding drive north alongside the Columbia River to the Astoria space (sometimes lower than two hours).

Areas to Go to

Lengthy Seashore Peninsula

On the opposite aspect of the Columbia, Lengthy Seashore Peninsula on Washington’s Evergreen Coast is alleged to have the world’s longest drivable seashore at 28 miles. Head over to this neck of the woods for wild waves at Cape Disappointment State Park, biscuit sandwiches and low from Seaview Biscuit Company, and all-seasons glamping at Snow Peak Campfield.

Warrenton

Pop throughout Younger’s Bay to Astoria’s next-door neighbor, which you’ll must transit by means of to succeed in Fort Stevens State Park. The Warrenton Waterfront Path makes for an important ship-spotting stroll, and the city has its personal handful of charming Victorian houses and historic landmarks.

Easy methods to Get Round

As Wuebben recommends: “Go away your automobile behind.” Astoria’s downtown and riverfront is greatest skilled on foot, with sea breeze in your hair and seagull cries as backing tracks. Automotive-free guests can take the Sundown Empire Transportation District’s NW Connector bus, or, from March till November, journey the historic Astoria Riverfront Trolley. For exploring additional afield, it’s best to have a automobile, although, and rental decisions can be found on the town.