Perched where the mighty Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, Astoria, Oregon is one of our favorite coastal towns to visit for reasons beyond The Goonies—but also, how can you not love The Goonies?
See a shipwreck on the beach, visit the Astoria Column and historical sights and enjoy a ton of great restaurants, bars, cafes and some of the state’s finest craft breweries.
In this complete guide to Astoria, we’ll cover the top attractions and things to do plus places to eat and stay, including waterfront hotels with the best views.
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In This Guide
Table of Contents (jump to section)
- Where is Astoria, Oregon?
- Transportation to Astoria
- About Astoria
- Top Attractions and Things to Do in Astoria
- Hotels in Astoria
- Vacation Rentals in Astoria
- Campgrounds and RV Parks in Astoria
- Restaurants and Dining in Astoria
- Weather in Astoria, Oregon
- Tide Tables for Astoria, Oregon
- Annual Events and Festivals in Astoria
Where is Astoria, Oregon?
The town of Astoria is located on the Columbia River in Clatsop County, about a 2-hour drive from Portland on the northern border of Oregon across from Washington state.
Driving from Portland, take Highway 26 West to Highway 101 North or if traffic is bad, try taking I-5 North to Longview, Washington and crossing the bridge back over to Oregon’s Highway 30 West. You can also take Highway 30 the whole way.
Transportation to Astoria
Driving is the most convenient way to get to Astoria but there are car-free options available. For air, bus, train and car rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Rental cars can be picked up at Portland International Airport (PDX). Search for rental cars and find the best deals on cars at RentalCars.com.
About Astoria, Oregon
The area now known as Astoria was originally inhabited by the Clatsop tribe and part of the traditional territory of the five tribes of the Chinook Nation: Clatsop, Cathlamet, Lower Chinook, Wahkiakum and Willapa.
Chinook people resisted removal efforts by the U.S. government in the 1850s and are still fighting for federal recognition today. For more information, visit the Chinook Indian Nation.
American merchant sea captain Robert Gray was the first explorer to navigate a ship up the Columbia River in 1792 after previous explorers had mistaken the mouth of the river for a bay.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter of 1805 to 1806 camped out in this area, miserably toughing it out in the rain and cold while waiting for a ship to arrive and take them back home.
Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city in the state of Oregon and was the first permanent settlement in America, west of the Rockies. The city is named after John Jacob Astor, a fur company tycoon from New York. Today, Astoria has a population of roughly 11,000 residents.
Top Attractions and Things to Do in Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is a convenient destination for a weekend getaway or day trip from Portland. If you plan to take a longer family vacation or Oregon Coast road trip, it’s also a good starting or ending point for your journey.
Some of the most popular activities in Astoria include the Astoria Column, The Goonies film locations and more. See related articles for more details.
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Guided Tours of Astoria and the Oregon Coast
🚐 Explore the town of Astoria with the help of a local expert. Book a guided Oregon Coast tour and enjoy the sights with someone who knows the area well.
Hotels in Astoria, Oregon
Cannery Pier Hotel and Spa
💎 Best Luxury Hotel: On the Astoria waterfront, you’ll find the luxurious Cannery Pier Hotel and Spa at the top end of the spectrum. This is a top hotel for romantic Oregon Coast weekend getaways and special occasions like honeymoons, birthdays and anniversaries.
👍 Rating: 10/10 Exceptional “Beautiful hotel, amazing view, friendly & helpful staff. Classic Rolls Royce car ride was a wonderful memory maker.”
The Bowline Hotel
🏆 Top-Rated Waterfront Hotel: Also on the waterfront, The Bowline Hotel Astoria offers rooms with balconies and river views at a reasonable rate. Guests love the individual saunas on the deck!
👍 Rating: 10/10 Stay on the water “The buoy suite was amazing. We watched the ships get led in by the bar pilots and got to see them boarding the vessels. King tides made the river wild to watch. It was an epic adventure, and I can’t wait to return.”
Astoria Riverwalk Inn
💲 Best Value Waterfront Hotel: TheAstoria Riverwalk Inn is also right on the water and offers reasonably priced rooms with views of the harbor and Astoria-Megler bridge. We’ve stayed here a number of times and it’s a good deal for the waterfront location. The hotel is family and pet friendly.
👍 Rating: 9/10 Wonderful “Great service, breakfast, view of harbor and location.”
Astoria Crest Motel
The Astoria Crest Motel is a little further from downtown, perched up on its own hill overlooking the Columbia River. We’ve found it to be reasonably priced and even though some rooms are a little older, they are clean, very spacious and the view is amazing. It also looks like some rooms have been recently renovated.
👍 Rating: 10/10 Exceptional “Great room for the price. Very quaint motel. They have done a lot of work fixing it up. We would love to come back when it’s warmer and take advantage of the outdoor patio.”
Downtown Astoria Hotels
🚶♀️ Best Walkable Downtown Astoria Hotel: In the heart of downtown Astoria, there are several beautiful old hotels like Hotel Elliott. Some rooms have city views, fireplaces and heated floors and guests love the rooftop deck with panoramic views of the Columbia River and downtown. The Selina Commodore AstoriaandNorblad Hotel are also nearby. These are good choices if you want to be within walking distance to the downtown Astoria restaurants, breweries and shops right outside your door.
✨ Clean & Cute Astoria Hotel Pick: Atomic Motel is a cute, clean, retro 50’s motor lodge on busy Marine Drive in Astoria. The location is convenient, the prices are very affordable and they allow dogs.
Vacation Rentals in Astoria, Oregon
Find a rental property in the historic hillside neighborhoods of Astoria with views of the river. Browse available Vrbo rentals, including this family and pet-friendly, affordable, classic hillside homewith a deck for watching ships go by.
Book in advance for the best room options. Hotels do tend to fill up on weekends in Astoria and other popular cities along the Oregon Coast. See the latest prices and deals by searching for your travel dates.
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Astoria, Oregon
Fort Stevens State Park is about 10 miles west of Astoria and is one of the best campgrounds on the Oregon Coast.
🌲 See our Oregon Coast Camping Guide below for more details and other campgrounds in the region. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance for Oregon Coast campgrounds as they are popular with visitors, especially in summer.
🚐 RV Camping: Several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds can be found along the Oregon coastline dotting U.S. Highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers.
Restaurants and Dining in Astoria, Oregon
There are so many good options for restaurants in Astoria it’s hard to choose the best. We recommend trying out a little of everything! Below are a few of our favorite places to eat and drink.
Astoria has some of the best restaurants on the Oregon Coast with Pacific Northwest-inspired menus featuring seafood and pub fare.
For breakfast in Astoria, there are several good coffee shops, but Coffee Girl on Pier 39 has the best view. At the end of the pier, go through the old cannery to find this cozy breakfast spot right on the riverfront where you can watch the cargo ships go by while sipping a frothy cappuccino.
We also recently enjoyed a delicious Scandinavian breakfast at Broder Strand.
Fresh fish is a popular choice for dining in Astoria. Try the highly rated South Bay Wild Fish House for the local catch of the day. Also, the very popular Bowpicker’s Fish & Chips dishes out fresh fried fish from a boat (like a food truck, but a boat instead…food boat?).
Surf 2 Soul food truck is highly praised for their chicken & waffles, po’ boys, grits and biscuits in downtown Astoria on 11th and Duane St.
Busu is a tiny walk-up window with impressive Japanese takeout dishes that change regularly.
For dining with a view in Astoria, Bridgewater Bistro sits right on the Columbia River and offers a Northwest menu of local, fresh options in a historic building.
In the mood for something sweet? Stop for ice cream at Frite & Scoop on the Astoria Riverwalk or pick up some pastries from Blue Scorcher Bakery.
Fresh food and grocery options include the Astoria Co-Op, a locally owned grocery store with a great deli and lots of vegan/gluten-free and organic foods. For local, fresh Oregon produce and other farmer’s market vendors, the Astoria Sunday Market operates outside from May-October on 12th Street.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dining in Astoria, Oregon, so don’t be afraid to explore the area and find your own favorite spot. Marine, Commercial and Duane Street are dotted with restaurants, along with vintage stores, gift shops and galleries.
Breweries in Astoria, Oregon
Some of the best breweries on the Oregon Coast are right here in Astoria, and there are several spots to choose from, many with a view of the river.
Fort George Brewery in downtown Astoria is a top pick for local Oregon craft beer. In colder months, sit upstairs and enjoy the view with wood-fired pizza and live music. During summer, sit outside or head to the Beer Pier (70 W. Marine Dr.), where you can sit outside and watch the sunset with a beer on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There’s also a food truck and some tables next to the water.
Former Fort-Georgers have opened the newObelisk Beer Co. in the old Blitz-Weinhard building on Bond Street in downtown Astoria.
Buoy Beer Company is moving into the space formerly occupied by Reach Break Brewing at 1343 Duane Street with multiple food trucks and an outdoor patio. The new taproom will be separate from their restaurant which is still operating out of the Astoria Food Hub.
Rogue Public House is located on Pier 39andAstoria Brewing Company is right on the Astoria Riverwalk trolley line.
Considered one of the best breweries in the state, Breakside Brewing has opened up a location in Astoria with a raw seafood menu and champagne in addition to their stellar beers.
Bars in Astoria, Oregon
The Merry Time Barand theLabor Temple (come back for breakfast) are classic Astoria watering holes that often have live music.
🍹 Prefer a fancy cocktail? Get a giant Bloody Mary with a mini meal on top at Inferno Lounge on the Astoria riverfront or relax with a skillfully crafted concoction in the dimly-lit cozy lounge of Blaylock’s Whiskey Bar.
Weather in Astoria, Oregon
The weather in Astoria is generally cool (50s-60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August. Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
September and early October can be a beautiful time to visit the Oregon Coast with lingering warm days from summer and cooler nights as autumn arrives.
Like much of the Oregon Coast, it is frequently wet, windy or cold (or all 3!) in Astoria. It’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear unless you’re visiting in the peak of summer.
Tide Tables for Astoria and the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coastline. Astoria also sits at the mouth of the Columbia River and the tides affect river levels more than 100 miles inland from the ocean to Bonneville Dam in the Gorge.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
Annual Events and Festivals in Astoria, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Astoria? Here’s a list of major annual events to help you plan your trip.
February – Astoria Fisher Poets Gathering, Festival of the Dark Arts in Astoria, Oregon
April – Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival
June – Astoria Tenor Guitar Gathering, Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, Astoria Pride Celebraton, Goonies Day Astoria, Oregon
July – 4th of July Fireworks in Astoria-Warrenton Oregon
August – Astoria Oregon Regatta
October– Astoria, Oregon International Film Festival, The Great Columbia Crossing Astoria
For more information on Astoria events, visit Astoria-Warrenton Oregon Chamber of Commerce.
Taking a road trip? From Astoria, drive 30 minutes south to Seaside and 15 minutes more to Cannon Beach to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
Feel free to bookmark this guide to Astoria, Oregon or pin it for future reference to make your trip planning easy!
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