9 Activities
Visit Astoria: Scenic Views, History and Local Food
Starts from
Portland
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
9
Duration
12 hours
Length
207 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Portland
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hours
Length
207 mi
Lena Beck
Travel Expert
- View both Oregon and Washington from the Astoria Column.
- Enjoy freshly made pastries and coffee at Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe.
- Take in diverse bird life at Haystack Rock.
The mouth of the Columbia River, part of Oregon's coastline, is full of history and things to see. Astoria is one of Oregon's gems—in this small town stacked on a hillside, you'll explore the historic downtown and walk the pier. Right on the border with Washington, Astoria offers unique geography that you won't get anywhere else.
This route provides a lot of excitement for film fans. Oregon's northern coast has attracted both amateur and accomplished filmmakers. This route includes several stops that the careful eye will recognize from popular movies.
This easy-going day trip is a nice way to experience both the past and present of the region.
This route provides a lot of excitement for film fans. Oregon's northern coast has attracted both amateur and accomplished filmmakers. This route includes several stops that the careful eye will recognize from popular movies.
This easy-going day trip is a nice way to experience both the past and present of the region.
The mouth of the Columbia River, part of Oregon's coastline, is full of history and things to see. Astoria is one of Oregon's gems—in this small town stacked on a hillside, you'll explore the historic downtown and walk the pier. Right on the border with Washington, Astoria offers unique geography that you won't get anywhere else.
This route provides a lot of excitement for film fans. Oregon's northern coast has attracted both amateur and accomplished filmmakers. This route includes several stops that the careful eye will recognize from popular movies.
This easy-going day trip is a nice way to experience both the past and present of the region.
This route provides a lot of excitement for film fans. Oregon's northern coast has attracted both amateur and accomplished filmmakers. This route includes several stops that the careful eye will recognize from popular movies.
This easy-going day trip is a nice way to experience both the past and present of the region.
Lena Beck
Travel Expert
- View both Oregon and Washington from the Astoria Column.
- Enjoy freshly made pastries and coffee at Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe.
- Take in diverse bird life at Haystack Rock.
Day Itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
207 mi
Visit Astoria: Scenic Views, History and Local Food
A day trip to Astoria is leisurely and pleasant. In addition to the spectacular vistas in the area, take in the local gastronomy and unique facets of Astoria's cultural history.
08:00
Portland
Depart from Portland by 8 o'clock, so that you can have a full day in Astoria!
57 mi
1 hr 10 min
09:151 hr
Camp 18
Restaurant
Open Details
Break up the driving with a visit to Camp 18 -- a favorite along Highway 26 between the coast and Portland. The interior is styled like a log cabin, with wood finishings and a chandelier made of antlers. This is a good place to get classic American food on your way from Portland. Their famous cinnamon rolls are a good pick for breakfast. Camp 18 is open every day from 8am to 8pm.
22.4 mi
30 min
10:45
Cannon Beach
One of the Oregon Coast’s most iconic beaches, Cannon Beach is the ideal first stop for this day trip. The town got its name because of a shipwreck—sort of. The Navy schooner Shark ran aground in 1846, and its cannon washed ashore and was found near the town of Elk Creek in 1898, which later changed its name to Cannon Beach in honor of this event. You can see a replica of the cannon along US-101 as you drive into town.
Once at the beach, look for Haystack Rock, a 235-foot-high sea stack—the third tallest intertidal structure in the world. At low tide, you can approach Haystack Rock. Be on the lookout for the tufted puffins that like to nest on the sea stack.
Once at the beach, look for Haystack Rock, a 235-foot-high sea stack—the third tallest intertidal structure in the world. At low tide, you can approach Haystack Rock. Be on the lookout for the tufted puffins that like to nest on the sea stack.
25.5 mi
40 min
12:301 hr
Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe
Café
Open Details
Open seven days a week, Blue Scorcher is a perfect place to get a cup of coffee and a sweet treat on your day trip. The pastries are all made fresh from scratch using organic ingredients, and the coffee is made by expert baristas on an Italian manual-pull espresso machine. If you’re in the mood for something more hearty to fuel the rest of your day, Blue Scorcher also offers a menu of sandwiches and other lunch items.
1.5 mi
10 min
13:451 hr
The Astoria Column
Landmark
Open Details
The Astoria Column is both a work of art and one of the best lookouts on the Oregon Coast. The outside is painted with one long spiraling mural detailing the settler history of the region. It is 164 steps to the top, and once you get to the observation deck you are treated to views of Oregon and southwestern Washington, as Astoria is located at the mouth of the Columbia River.
Buy a small balsa wood glider (a toy airplane) at the gift shop, and launch it from the observation deck. It will glide on the thermals until pleasantly landing near the base of the tower. Admission to the Column is free, but parking is $5 per car, valid for one full year.
Buy a small balsa wood glider (a toy airplane) at the gift shop, and launch it from the observation deck. It will glide on the thermals until pleasantly landing near the base of the tower. Admission to the Column is free, but parking is $5 per car, valid for one full year.
1.8 mi
10 min
15:001 hr
Oregon Film Museum
Landmark
Open Details
The Oregon Film Museum is a treat for any movie buff, but especially for fans of the Steven Spielberg cult classic The Goonies. Fans will recognize the museum itself as the county jail that the cold-hearted Fratellis escape in the opening scene. The museum pays tribute to that film, but also features exhibits that honor several of the other hit movies made in Oregon, such as Animal House, The Shining, and Twilight.
0.7 mi
5 min
16:151 hr
Fort George Brewery
Bar
Open Details
Putting your feet up at Fort George Brewery, a restored 1920s auto repair shop. The beers on tap here reflect the character and taste profiles associated with the Pacific Northwest, and are made with local ingredients. Enjoy a pizza or a salad along with your brew before you begin the trip home.
21.5 mi
30 min
17:4530 min
Bradley State Scenic Viewpoint
Landmark
Open Details
This is a pleasant place to stop on your drive back to Portland. It has a restroom, a monument, and perhaps most importantly, a view. Stand here to overlook beautiful Douglas fir forests and the Columbia River below. This park land was donated to the Oregon Highway Commission in 1922. Park here and enjoy the evening light.