Astoria

Astoria is a city on the Northern Oregon Coast. It is a small rainy town on the edge of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. It is famous for being the terminus for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the setting of the movie The Goonies, and its Victorian-era homes built into the hillside overlooking the Columbia River.

For the neighborhood in Queens, see Queens/Long Island City and Astoria

Astoria Column view of Astoria

Understand

• 🌍 Astoria Warrenton Chamber of Commerce/ Visitor Center, 111 W Marine Dr (On Hwy. 30), toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Oct 2016)

History

The history of Astoria begins with the Clatsop Indians who lived there for thousands of years. In 1792, Captain Robert Gray located the mouth of the Columbia River and sailed up the river. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition spend the winter near the current site of Astoria at Fort Clatsop. The city of Astoria itself was not settled until 1811 when John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company established a fur trading post, making it the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.

With the start of the War of 1812 between the United States and England, Astor's fur traders sold the post to the British NorthWest Company so that from 1813 to 1818, the British owned Astoria and it was known as Fort George. The 1818 treaty with England established the Oregon Country, although the fur trade largely remained in the British control until the mid-1840s.

Get in

By car

U.S. Route 101 runs north-south through the city; the Astoria-Megler Bridge to Washington terminates near downtown. U.S. Route 30 provides access from points east, including Portland. From Interstate 5, take I-405 in downtown Portland to U.S. 30 west and follow it along the river; it will take you through the small towns of Scappoose, St. Helens, and Rainier on the way to Astoria. Likewise, if coming from Longview/Kelso, Kalama, Woodland or anywhere north you can also go through (Exit #39 from I-5) Longview and cross over the Columbia River to get on US Route 30.

By bus

The AMTRAK thruway bus provides service between Astoria and Portland twice daily in each direction. The bus leaves twice each day from the Portland Greyhound station, and picking up at Portland Union Station and Sunset Transit Center in Beaverton. Busses leave from Portland-Greyhound at 9:15 AM and 6:10 PM, and depart each day from the Transit Center in Astoria (900 Marine Drive) at 8:30AM and 6:00PM. The trip lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours. Fares are $18.00 one way with cheaper fares for children (12 and under) and seniors (62 and over). Tickets can be booked through AMTRAK online or by calling [phone].

Get around

The Astoria Riverfront Trolley runs along the Riverfront, $1 for a round trip, $2 for full day. Schedule changes seasonally and is subject to weather.

See

The Astoria Column

• 🌍 Astoria Column, 1 Coxcomb Dr (Atop Coxcomb Hill), ☎ [phone]. Column dawn-dusk. Gift shop: May-Sept 9AM-7PM, Oct-April 9AM-4PM. Registered in the National Register of Historic Places, the 125-foot high column sits 600 feet above the town of Astoria, providing spectacular panoramic views. A spiral staircase leads to an observation deck at the top of the tower. The paintings of the side of the column depict scenes from the settling of the area. Parking $5/vehicle (1-year pass). (updated Feb 2018)
• 🌍 Fort Clatsop National Memorial, 92343 Fort Clatsop Rd (6 miles S of Astoria off U.S. 101 Alternate), ☎ [phone] ext 214, fax: [phone]. The site where the Lewis and Clark Expedition wintered between 1805 and 1806. It features a museum and visitor center, historical exhibits, and hiking trails through wetlands. During the summer enjoy living history demonstrations. Peak season (mid-June to Labor Day) $5.00 adults (16+), $2.00 children (15 and under); off-peak $3.00 adults, children free; see website for details.  
• 🌍 Columbia River Maritime Museum, 1792 Marine Dr, ☎ [phone]. Daily 9:30AM to 5PM. Explore interactive activities that show different aspects of life and work on the Columbia River. The building has recently been renovated and has huge windows that showcase the beautiful views of the Columbia River. Take a tour of the historic Lightship Columbia, which served as a floating lighthouse 5 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River from 1951-1979. (updated Oct 2016)
• 🌍 Oregon Film Museum, 732 Duane Street, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Celebrates film making in the state of Oregon. Located in the former Clatsop County Jail, where the opening scene of the Goonies was filmed. (updated Oct 2016)
• 🌍 Flavel House Museum, 441 8th St (Corner of 8th and Duane Streets), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A Queen Anne style house built in 1884-85 for Captain George Flavel and his family and restored to reflect the Victorian period. There is a visitor center and museum store next door in the family`s Carriage House. (updated Oct 2016)
• 🌍 Youngs River Falls. (updated Aug 2018)
• 🌍 Uppertown Firefighter's Museum. (updated Jan 2019)
• 🌍 Garden of Surging Waves, 11th & Duane St. (Across from City Hall), ☎ [phone]. (updated Jan 2019)

Do

• Drive around town and spot filming locations for various movies filmed in the area. These include: The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, Short Circuit and Free Willy. A free guide is available at the Astoria Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Center, Flavel House and the Heritage Museum.
• Astoria Riverwalk. Walk or take the restored trolley along the riverfront past many historical sites. 

Buy

• Astoria Sunday Market. From May to October on 12th Street between Marine Drive and Duane Street. This market combines fresh produce, local arts & crafts for a lively outdoor experience. 

Eat

• The Columbian Cafe. A local favorite. Specializing in fresh, locally caught seafood and vegetarian fare. Eccentric owner Uriah Husley is an Astoria icon. 
• Fulio's Pastaria & Tuscan Steak House, 1149 Commercial St, ☎ [phone]. Has a wide variety of entrees and appetizers to choose from. A bit of an upscale feel, but very casual. 
• Silver Salmon Grille, 360 12th St (just off of Commercial Street in downtown), ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 11am-9pm; Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm. While you are waiting for your food the table is covered with paper and is supplied with crayons for your enjoyment. Brings you back to feeling like a kid again. 

Drink

• 🌍 Fort George Brewery and Public House, 1483 Duane St., ☎ [phone]. (updated Oct 2016)
• 🌍 Wet Dog Cafe & Brewery, 444 11th St., ☎ [phone]. (updated Nov 2016)
• 🌍 Buoy Beer Co. Restaurant/ Taproom, 1 8th St., ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Nov 2016)

Sleep

• 🌍 Rose River Inn Bed & Breakfast, 1510 Franklin Ave, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. The rooms are clean, nicely decorated, and comfortable. The owners are super attentive, from wonderful breakfasts, advice, and even freshly dipped chocolate strawberries in the evening. They seem to like nothing better than cracking open a beer (or uncorking a bottle of wine) in the afternoon with their guests. $90-$150. (updated Oct 2016)
• 🌍 Hotel Elliott Astoria, 357 12th St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. In downtown Liberty District, hotel with views of Astoria and the Columbia river. The hotel combines historical elegance with modern amenities. (updated Oct 2016)
• 🌍 Cannery Pier Hotel, 10 Basin St, ☎ [phone]. A luxury hotel built on 100-year old piling in the Columbia River, at the former site of a fish cannery. (updated Oct 2016)

Go next

Routes through Astoria

END ←	W  E	→ Rainier → Portland
Aberdeen ← Ilwaco ←	N  S	→ Warrenton → Tillamook