Oregon’s north coast is a stunning combination of dramatic geology, wide sand beaches, dense evergreen forests and charming beach towns. The area is wild, yet rich with history. It is also consistently named one of America’s best coastal getaways.
My husband and I just returned from a long weekend in this delightful part of Oregon.
It was magical!
Our Oregon journey began as we crossed the Columbia River via the Astoria-Megler Bridge. This bridge, completed in 1966 (with a main span of 1,232 feet), is the longest "continuous truss" in the United States! Source It is a jaw dropping crossing, and quite an impressive way to enter the state.
Astoria
Astoria is the gateway to Oregon’s north coast. The city sits at the mouth of the Columbia River and is the commercial hub of the region. Named after John Jacob Aster (a fur magnate and patriarch of the famous Aster family), the city is the oldest in Oregon and the first American settlement on the west coast.
Explorers Lewis and Clark arrived in what would become Astoria in 1805. They were sent cross continent by President Thomas Jefferson to map the newly acquired lands of the Louisiana Purchase and the as yet unclaimed Northwest Territory. The Lewis and Clark expedition established Fort Clatsop just southwest of present day Astoria. This fort and later Aster’s fur trading business would bolster America’s claim to the region.
Astoria Today
Astoria’s initial growth was fueled by the fur trade, fisheries and logging. With the decline in these industries, Astoria began to rely more on tourism and the local arts scene to support its economy. The city (and nearby surrounds) has also served as a filming location for a few famous movies including Goonies, Point Break, Free Willy, Kindergarten Cop, and Twilight
During our jaunts in and out of Astoria we explored a few local attractions. These included Fort Clatsop, the city’s riverfront, some art galleries and a couple of Goonies filming locations. We also drove to the top of Coxcomb Hill to see the Astoria Column.
The column is 125 tall with an observation deck at top. The views from the hill and column are BREATHTAKING. Additionally the intricate artwork on the column is an attraction unto itself, as 26 connected vignettes depict the early history of the region.
Seaside
Our next stop, Seaside, Oregon, was a 30 minute drive southwest of Astoria. It is an old oceanside resort town filled with ice cream parlors, sweet shops, kite rentals, a mini golf course, arcade, merry-go-round and small aquarium. This is the most touristy spot on the north coast, and offers the widest range of accommodation in the area.
Our base for the trip was a quaint Seaside AirBNB. Situated just a half block from the ocean, the cottage was pet friendly and just a one mile walk from the center of town. We didn’t use half of the home’s amenities (board games, fire pit, ping pong, barbecue, beach chairs, etc) because we spent so much time strolling along the nearby beach.
Ecola State Park
Ecola State Park is located just south of Seaside on Tillamook Head. As you can see from the photo above, it is jaw droppingly beautiful. The park encompasses 9 miles of coastline and a mossy Sitka Spruce forest. During our visit we spotted bald eagles and a heard of Roosevelt Elk. Though you are close to civilization, the wonders of nature surround you at every turn.
Fort Stevens State Park
Backtracking up the coast to the north is another wonderful Oregon State Park. Fort Stevens, at the mouth of the Columbia River, was an active military installation from the Civil War through World War II. Today the fort, surrounding woodlands and beaches have been converted into at 4300 acre park. Visitors can explore the fort, camp, bird watch, play frisbee golf, DRIVE ON THE BEACH, and even touch an old shipwreck. It is a special spot for enjoying both the ocean and the mouth of the Columbia River.
Image: No copyright
Source: OSU Special Collections & Archives Research Center
Cannon Beach
Just 15 minutes south of Seaside, Cannon Beach is the gem of the Oregon Coast. The town exudes charm, its wide sandy beach welcomes, and the monolithic Haystack Rock draws people and wildlife alike. It is a place I loved as a child and probably appreciate more as an adult.
Cannon Beach often finds itself on “best of” lists.
- “The Best West Coast Towns for Laidback Vacation Vibes” thetravel.com - July 2021
- “17 Best Beach Towns in the US” Travel and Leisure - April 2021
- One of "The World's 100 Most Beautiful Places" National Geographic - June 2013
- “14 Places To Visit As Soon As We Can Travel Again tripstodiscover.com - 2020
The town is devoid of fast food chains and strip malls. Instead you will find art galleries, boutiques and an assortment of locally owned eateries. Each of them being tucked into the quaintest cedar shake buildings.
Though we had spent a day early in our trip exploring Cannon Beach, we decided to return on our last night. First we stopped to get ice cream. Then we walked to the beach and watched the sunset from near Haystack Rock.
Everything about the evening was perfect.
Every once in awhile you catch yourself in a moment and know it is special. Time on the Oregon Coast gives visitors many of these moments. I am happy to have experienced it first hand.
Oregon is a state located in the Northwest corner of the United States. The state’s North Coast (which includes the towns of Astoria, Seaside and Cannon Beach) is 1.5 hours west of Portland, Oregon by car. From Seattle, Washington the drive is approximately four hours depending on traffic.
Looks like a gem find of a charming little ocean side town.
There's not much left of the Ironside ship to explore after 113 years.
Thanks for the tour @dfinney ⛵️
When we visited the ship I didn’t realize how old it was! Now I feel slightly guilty that my dogs wee’d on it. 😬
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Enjoyed your photos.
Sandcastle and Sunset.... my fav !
The sandcastle was impressive. The dogs were even excited to go wee on it! 😄
You're from the Pacific Northwest and specifically Portland awesome...
Definitely have to follow you.
And we should totally get a local Meetup going with a bunch of us locally I have team Oregon and team PDX accounts that were originally designed to help out local community members. They have been continuously earning interest for a while now.
Absolutely awesome job. And my Native American heritage is actually from the Sacajawea lineage. One of my sisters was in the discovery channel video bicentennial Lewis and Clark event with her baby's daddy.
My other sister was chosen by the tribe to represent Sacajawea on the golden dollar. I got to do security and hang out with her for a few days after her worldwide tour. And hang with her during the local powwow I get at the local.college and we had my free Indian tacos together there.
Thanks for your amazing post. I haven't been out to fort out there in a long time I think I was out there once when I was a kid.
Definitely following you from now on.
Maybe one of these days we can meet up here in Portland area even my puppy dog happens to have an account here on hive.
@woodathegsd
This was actually my first visit to Oregon since July 2014! Crazy. Hoping it isn’t as long til we return again. At some point I’d like to go back and hit up Bend, Newport, Crater Lake… drive up the Gorge. So many places to see, so little time.
That’s cool about your family’s connection to Sacajawea. They had a statue of her at the fort!
PS - Your pup is very cute.
Oh wow that's an absolutely beautiful picture of my ancestor.
Thank you very much for sharing and one of these days we should meet up and hang out.. it'll be really nice to get the Portland blockchain meetups going.
Great post. I recognize some of the places in your pictures and now I need to go back. Looks like a lovely time in the best state in the Union :)
How do you not recognize ALL of the places in the photos? You are King of Oregon. 🤴🏽 🙂
Very beautiful, @dfinney, however I won't cross that bridge! Several years ago, we were headed to Tillamook, and gotten stuck at Longbeach, WA. We were going to go across it, but when I saw I couldn't see the end, that was the determining factor. You may remember something about a bridge conversation once upon a time when SGS did the Saturday calls. No thanks, but it looks beautiful. Maybe I just need to be knocked out and have someone else drive me across, lol! I'm glad you had fun; brought back memories of our trip to Longbeach. Take care!
I do remember this story!!😄 But you can see both sides of this bridge. Was it a different bridge you tried to cross? Was the day foggy? We almost detoured to Long Beach on the way home. I wanted MORE ocean time. 😄 But in the end we decided to save it for another day.
Hey @dfinney! The bridge we were going to go across was the main bridge to Astoria, HWY 101, I think. Anyway, I didn't think about any other way as we did end up staying in Longbeach. I remember going to church that Sunday morning at the McGowan Chapel, north of the river. It was a treat; built around 1900 with zero electric. The worship was with a hand harp and a guitar. They let us up around the circle stained glass area so we could take pictures. They said they generally don't allow anyone up there, but made a concession for us for some reason. It was pretty cool. I'm thinking we might need to head back that way sometime soon! Take care @dfinney! !LADY
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Oh...My ....what a fantastic trip @dfinney!!🤗
I wan't to go!!!!
Liz won't cross the "Bridge to Nowhere" Lol😳
Maybe by seeing your photos sometime.......I can convince her😇
So glad you guys got to get away!!!
You just have to cross one of the other bridges. Maybe the one in Longview? I think it is shorter. 🙂
I read your comment to Liz........I got this look.... 😬😇
😂🤣
😇😀😁
Nice! Hit up @thelogicaldude if you end up in the Eugene area!
I am not sure if I have ever been to Eugene… maybe once in college? 🤔
Goooo Ducks! 😄
It's nice, I like the coast better, lol. I hang out in Florence allot too.
Looks real nice even if it is the west coast. Glad you had an enjoyable trip.
West coast best coast. 😉
I know you are already planning your Oregon getaway.
Barf….🤢
Nope
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Such a beautiful place, @dfinney !
It must have given you immense pleasure to make the drive
and enjoy the sights. The beach is wonderful!
Who made the sand castle?
You're furbabies are forever cute.
I am now just left with one, StarDust.
All I ever want to be doing is enjoying the sights! 😄 If only it was time to retire. 😃
Whoever made the sandcastle has disappeared before we arrived to the beach. It was almost as tall as me! The fur babies were very intrigued and gave it lots of sniffs.
I truly envy you 😁!!!
You live as if your retired, yet not yet.
It must be nice to work from home.
I miss My SweetPea.
I still cry at nights.
!LADY
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