When you need to beat the summer heat, heading west until you hear the crash of the sea is always a good option. Astoria ups the ante, combining refreshing coastal air with rich history and unique culture a stone’s throw from where the Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Essential info
Drive time: ~2 hours
Year city was founded: 1811
Est. population: 10,184
Experience
“The Goonies”
This 1985 cult classic was arguably the best thing to ever happen to Astoria’s tourism industry. Fans make pilgrimages to the town year-round to visit the many film locations (and perhaps stumble upon One-Eyed Willy’s lost treasure), like Lower Columbia Bowl, Flavel House Museum, and Astoria Coffee Company. Be sure to stop by the Oregon Film Museum where the jailhouse scenes were shot and the ever-famous “Goonies House” at the end of 38th Street.
Astoria Column
Perched atop Coxcomb Hill, this landmark commemorates the earliest inhabitants of the area and its development. The city originally wanted to build an electric monument to rival Paris’ Eiffel Tower; instead, what emerged in 1926 was a 125-ft-tall column wrapped with histogram art. Climb the column’s 164 spiral steps to an observation deck offering spectacular views.
Eat
Breweries
Fort George Brewery has ample dining space spread across two indoor levels, a renovated garage, and an outdoor patio. You’ll find pub staples and seafood, as well as pizza and an extensive tap list of stouts, porters, and lighter brews. Buoy Beer Company, which recently moved into the Astoria Food Hub, is known for its albacore tuna salad sandwiches, fish and chips (you can even order them gluten free), clam chowder, and oysters, not to mention a selection of limited-edition beers only available in the taproom. Astoria Brewing Company is another great option for chowder, halibut fish and chips, and a small but mighty lineup of beers, located right on the water.
Fedé
Don’t skip out on this Italian trattoria serving fresh, housemade pasta, salads, and craft cocktails. Expect classics like fettuccine and spaghetti, as well as dishes featuring ingredients like octopus, Calabrian nduja, rainbow trout, and pistachio pesto.
Surf 2 Soul
The menu rotates frequently at this food truck, but you can always count on finding delicious soul food. Frequent offerings include po’boys, a housemade Tillamook cheddar biscuit with fried chicken + gravy, and Cajun-style mac.
Explore the Peter Iredale Shipwreck and, if you’re lucky, catch an incredible sunset at Fort Stevens State Park.
Photos by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday
Stay
Clementine’s Guest House
Situated a block from the Oregon Film Museum, this 1888 bed-and-breakfast offers an inside look at one of the hundreds of Victorian-style homes in the region and puts guests “within an eight block by four block radius of everything.” Every room has a private bathroom and there are options for couples, families, and pets.
Bowline Hotel
Fall asleep to the lull of water lapping below the pier — or request earplugs and a white noise machine if the resident sea lions are throwing a party. Order locally sourced food and classic cocktails in the lobby’s Knot Bar. Pro tip: Eat on the outdoor deck to watch the pinnipeds lounging on the platform below and ships scuttling along the Columbia River.
