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 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
A Gypsy’s Whimsy Herbal Apothecary
A charming shop offering herbs, teas, incense, jewelry, candles, spices, oils and gifts.
1130 Commercial StreetAstoria, OR
503-338-4871
North Coast
Onward Adventures
Onward Adventures delivers unforgettable bus parties complete with karaoke, exciting themes, and vibrant lights. They also offer dynamic guided tours of Astoria, Warrenton, Gearhart, Seaside, and Cannon Beach, Oregon, featuring local history and legends at every landmark. Book your adventure...
Astoria, OR
503-741-9790
Email us (tour[at]onward-adventures[dot]com)
North Coast
Menagerie Co-Op
An eclectic band of artists and makers, sharing what we do in the quirkiest little gift shop around. Originally located on Pier 39, the shop made the move to downtown Astoria in February 2024.
1162 Marine DriveAstoria, OR
503-804-3205
North Coast
Pilot House Distilling
Pilot House Distilling, Oregon’s North Coast destination distillery. Located in Astoria, Oregon where everything is handcrafted on-site. Take in the views of the beautiful equipment that helps create Pilot House Distilling’s award-winning products while you sip on your favorite spirit....
1270 Duane StreetAstoria, OR
503-741-3101
Email us (christina[at]pilothousedistilling[dot]com)
North Coast
Lewis & Clark National Park Association
LCNPA supports educational and interpretive activities at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park through retail sales at the bookstore inside the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center.
92343 Fort Clatsop RoadAstoria, OR
503-861-4451
North Coast
Captain Flavel Trees – Heritage Tree
This grove of nine trees is a part of the original landscaping planted around the historic 1886 Queen Anne style house of Captain George Flavel. The grove consists of a giant sequoia, ginkgo, Camperdown elm, bay laurel, pear, and four...
441 8th St.Astoria, OR
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
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Explore the world of marine transportation from the days of dugout canoes, through the age of sail, to the present. Watch a dramatic 12-minute film introducing the history and perils of the the Columbia River. Sail a model boat on...
1792 Marine Dr.Astoria, OR
(503)325-2323
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
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
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)
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)