Astoria is gritty, and likes it that way. But that rustic exterior is just a cover for the many enchanting dichotomies you’ll find waiting around the next corner. Here, fisherman are poets, loggers drink espresso, and Main Street welcomes both nouveau gallery and five n’ dime.
For Astoria, it’s about character, and it’s also about characters: the people who call this place home with a passion that borders on evangelical. The skipper who challenges the same mighty river his great grandfather once fished. The artist who migrated here in search of a new palette. The hotelier who resurrected a once-bustling pier.
Astoria is that little town that could, a city of 10,000 people on the Columbia River, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. Founded 200 years ago at the beginning of Oregon’s North Coast, Astoria has been through boom and bust times more than once, weathering the collapse of both the Columbia River fishery and Oregon timber industry. It has risen once again as a cultural haven, often referred to as “little San Francisco.” Astoria is an old place that is newly hip. Here, Victorian mansions and maritime relics live in harmony with chef-driven restaurants and tattoo parlors.
Once you come here and learn these stories, you’ll want to share them with others, and hope they’ll tell others, too. And, it’s a place to which you’ll want to return, to see what other stories you might have missed.
Featured Spots
North Coast
Lance Fisher Fishing
The great thing for fishermen here in the Pacific Northwest is that you have year around runs of Salmon, Steelhead, and Sturgeon. Some months are certainly better than others, but to enjoy such an abundance of different types of fishing...
422 Gateway Ave.Astoria, OR
503-822-6188
Email us (info[at]lancefisherfishing[dot]com)
North Coast
Blind Slough Logging Camp
A logging camp located between Knappa and Brownsmead. Established around 1883, the post office was established in 1910, and closed in 1924. In 1923, some 300 people were employed by the Larkin-Green Logging Co. Source: Ghost Town USA Located 19...
Astoria, ORNorth Coast
Lewis And Clark National Historical Park
Fort Clatsop commemorates the 1805-06 winter encampment of the 33-member Lewis and Clark Expedition. A 1955 community-built replica of the explorers’ 50’x50′ Fort Clatsop is the focus of the park. The fort, historic canoe landing, and spring are nestled in...
Astoria, OR503-861 2471
North Coast
High 5 Fishing
Astoria, OR
(503) 791-5957
Email us (bigrich[at]diamondheating[dot]net)
North Coast
Triple C Outfitters
Professionally guided Salmon, Sturgeon & Steelhead fishing based on the Columbia river.
74734 Good RdAstoria, OR
(503) 791-2314
Email us (RHFishKiller[at]gmail[dot]com)
North Coast
Kris Svensen Fishing
Astoria, OR
(503) 791-2134
Email us (oregongunners[at]hotmail[dot]com)
North Coast
Arrow Tugboat & Tour Company
Enjoy a historic riverfront tour of Astoria aboard a restored former pilot transfer vessel, “Arrow No. 2.” Whether you choose a sightseeing tour or crabbing adventure, you’ll also learn about the history of the area and maritme facts courtesy of...
Astoria, OR
(503) 791-6250
Email us (arrowtug[at]gmail[dot]com)
North Coast
Kelly’s Adventures
Kelly’s Adventures has a place on the boat for you and your party! Pat Kelly is a lifetime fisherman and avid outdoorsman. Knowing the local Streams, Rivers and even Ocean quite well, Pat will find the fish for you! Patrick...
Astoria, OR
(503) 440-6369
Email us (Kellysadventures[at]yahoo[dot]com)
North Coast
Astoria Column
The Astoria Column was erected in 1926 at an elevation of 600 feet atop Coxcomb Hill, the location of the first permanent American Settlement west of the Rockies. Editor’s Tip: Take the time to climb the 164-step spiral staircase to...
1500-2199 Coxcomb DriveAstoria, OR
503-325-2963
North Coast
Youngs River Falls
Eight miles south of downtown Astoria, Youngs River Falls drops 54 feet into a pool and is a popular recreation spot for locals. The falls have been featured in several movies, including Free Willy 2 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3.
88450 Youngs River RdAstoria, OR
North Coast
Astoria Underground Tour
There is no shortage of things to see and do above ground on the Oregon Coast. But what about below ground? That is where the Astoria Underground Tour comes in, sharing the history and mystery of part of the abandoned...
1125 Marine DriveAstoria, OR
415-713-4141
Email us (jd48woody[at]gmail[dot]com)
North Coast
Chad E Niedermeyer Guide Service
Astoria, OR
(503) 490-8333
Email us (chad[dot]niedo[at]yahoo[dot]com)
More Info
Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce
Astoria, OR Mail: PO Box 176
Astoria, OR
503-325-6311
Email us (visitors[at]oldoregon[dot]com)