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
Astoria Art Loft
The Astoria Art Loft Gallery is open to visitors. The Loft presents new art every month by local, regional and international artists. Receptions for our gallery's featured artists are customarily held to coincide with the ongoing Second Saturday Astoria Artwalk....
106 3rd StreetAstoria, OR
503-325-4442
North Coast
Clatsop State Forest
Clatsop State Forest is a working forest brimming with rich history and recreational opportunities. It is managed by the Astoria District of the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Astoria, ORNorth Coast
Big Game Fishing
Big Game Fishing is located at the Hammond Marina. They offer guided fishing trips, sell bait, process your catch, and occassionally have fresh seafood for sale.
1080 Iredale StreetAstoria, OR
971-286-8748
Email us (biggamejames8[at]gmail[dot]com)
North Coast
Gimre’s Shoes
Come in and try on the most comfortable shoes from the oldest family owned shoe store in the western United States, serving the Astoria area since 1892. Comfort brands like New Balance, Birkenstock, SAS, Keen, Dansko, Merrell, Cobb Hill, Vionic,...
239 14th StreetAstoria, OR
503-325-3972
North Coast
Lucy’s Books
Located in beautiful downtown Astoria in the historic Sanborn Building, Lucy's Books has been helping in the quest for that next great read since 1998. Bright, friendly, quirky and comfortable, Lucy's Books has books for all ages, journals, cards and...
951 Commercial StreetAstoria, OR
503-325-4210
North Coast
Bloomin Crazy Floral
Whether you're looking for flowers for a special occasion or just needing to pick up a few fresh flowers for your hotel or condo, we can take care of your floral needs. The owner of Bloomin Crazy Floral, Mia Norlander,...
971 Commercial StreetAstoria, OR
(503) 325-3571
North Coast
Field Guide Service
Astoria, OR
(503) 539-0587
Email us (petercfield[at]gmail[dot]com)
North Coast
Hanthorn Cannery Museum
The historic Hanthorn Cannery is the oldest fish processing plant remaining on the lower Columbia River (dating from 1875). The facility houses a collection of historic equipment and documents that is second only to the Columbia River Maritime Museum in...
100 39th StreetAstoria, OR
503-325-2502
North Coast
Pecks Guide Service
Pecks Guide Service offers guided salmon, steelhead fishing and waterfowl hunting trips In Northwest Oregon. Enjoy a guided adventure on the Pacific Ocean or the Columbia River near Astoria, the Willamette and Columbia River in the Portland area and below...
Astoria, OR
(503) 314-6554
Email us (dmpeckjr[at]hotmail[dot]com)
North Coast
Heritage Museum
Built in 1904 as Astoria’s City Hall, this building is now home to the Clatsop County Historical Society’s Heritage Museum, Research Center & Archives. Explore the history of Clatsop County through temporary and permanent exhibits featuring Native Americans, early pioneers,...
1618 Exchange StreetAstoria, OR
503-338-4849
Email us (cchs[at]cumtux[dot]org)
North Coast
Shallon Winery
One of the smallest wineries – for 35 years – a one-man operation. Located in downtown Astoria, one block from Maritime Museum. Gives a five minute view of the operation. Totally unique wines, such as the only whey wines in...
1598 Duane StreetAstoria, OR
503-325-5978
Email us (paul[at]shallon[dot]com)
North Coast
Double M Outdoors
Double M Outdoors offers exciting and safe fishing trips on the north Oregon coast and the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. They target Salmon, Steelhead and both keeper and trophy Sturgeon. Your guide Matt Myers has over 20 years of experience...
Astoria, OR
(503) 956-5489
Email us (fishymatt[at]me[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)