Astoria is a fun, coastal town in northern Oregon less than 25 miles north of Cannon Beach — a beautiful stretch of Pacific coastline made famous by cult classics The Goonies, Point Break, and, most recently, the Twilight films. After you’ve spent the day at Ecola State Park grabbing pics of Haystack Rock for your social posts, standing on the beach where Keanu and Patrick once slayed the waves, and looking out over the waters immortalized in the end credits of The Goonies, head north to Astoria. Visiting Astoria, Oregon on the beautiful Columbia River is a something you will never forget.
The best way to see what this region is all about is to explore the riverfront trail. This was once the main road for the ages old railroad. Today, it is an over six-mile long trail along the river’s edge that’s great for walking or biking as you take in the surrounding views. All along the trail, you’ll see historical landmarks, learn about the culture of the area, see some amazing works of art, and smell the aromas of homecooked meals at any of the local diners. The trail diverges many times, so check out a map of the many trails before you begin.
There’s also a trolley that can take you the length of the main riverwalk trail if you’re not too keen on walking over six miles one way. There are several trolley stops all along the trail, most of which are located between Basin and 39th Street.
At the western end of Riverfront Trail, you can see the bridge connecting Astoria to Warrenton and stop in at the museum and memorial park. Residents in the area are descendants of those who once lived here, making their money at sea who, at the very least, had a fond appreciation of the ocean.
Port Astoria is no slouch in the cruise industry. Deep water cruise ships dock here throughout the year. Over 20 ships docked here in 2022 with calendars already scheduled for 2023 and 2024. Continuing down the trail, you’ll find several benches overlooking the busy port so you can sit and people watch till your heart’s content. Further along, the trail winds to Pier 1 and continues on around Young’s Bay. Stop for a bite at The Sea Crab House and end the day on a high note at the Inferno Lounge for a nightcap before heading back to your lodgings at The Riverwalk Inn or the Cannery Pier Hotel.
If you enjoy maritime history and beautiful weather for a majority of the year, you’ll love Astoria, Oregon.
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