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Astoria-Megler Bridge
It's an eyeful and the integral lifeline between Oregon and Washington that starts here, taking 4.1 miles to cross the Columbia River. Constructed back in 1962, it’s the world’s longest continuous truss bridge. Oregon Coast Virtual Tour: Astoria-Megler Bridge - Twists, Turns of Construction History of Astoria-Megler Bridge

Cathedral Tree
There’s a suburban forest lurking along the drive to Coxcomb Hill. Along this road you’ll find trailheads for pathways that wander some 1.5 miles to the enormous Cathedral Tree, an old-growth giant lying in the middle of it all.

Waterfront / Docks
The past and the present really blend nicely here, with wheelchair accessible ramps and walkways all gussied up in fun colors, meandering in and out of various businesses. Walk the paved sections or the boardwalk areas – extending throughout town. Wandering the Waterfront of Astoria - Astoria Trolley Rails Riverwalk - Dockside Trestles

River Viewing Tower
Head to the foot of 6th Street to check out the river from an exceptional viewpoint. Climb the distinctive wooden platform and take in the sights of gigantic ships making their way in and out of the Columbia River. It's back after a fire gutted it over a decade ago.

Downtown Astoria
This is where old Portland or old Seattle may to come to mind, evident in the buildings that feel unchanged since earlier parts of the last century. Seriously Quaint Oregon Coast Frontier Town - From Astoria's Skyline Come Tales, Images of an Oregon Coast and American First

The Liberty Theater
This is one such gem: you almost feel the ghosts of the Prohibition era. It’s currently under restoration, although it has been (and will be soon again) a major cultural center for this already artsy town.

Flavel House
It was built in 1885 for local seafaring baron Captain George Flavel and is a stunning example of the town’s typical Queen Anne Victorian architecture.

Neighborhood Tours
Make sure to amble and wander without a destination in these hills. Someone, thankfully, forgot to tell Astoria what century it was many years ago. It is, after all, the oldest place in Oregon, and it shows. Many of these homes bear plaques designating them as historical sites

Neighborhood Stairways – Pigeon Steps Between Streets
One small bit of enchantment frequently missed by many tour books is the profusion of stairways embedded in the tinier neighborhood streets: small pathways which lead down these steep hills from one suburban street to the next. Astoria's Pigeon Steps a Quirky but Scenic Walk of Oregon Coast History

Hidden Viewpoint
At the intersection of Hall and Alameda (which you can reach by turning onto Alameda from Marine, just north of the entrance to the big bridge), you’ll find a hidden viewpoint overlooking the bay. There’s just a small patch of gravel here, but the view of the working docks is interesting. Hidden Viewpoint

Astoria Heritage Museum
Appropriately enough, the oldest building in town houses the Clatsop County Historical Society’s flagship museum. 1618 Exchange St. Astoria History Timeline: 200 of Years At the Top of Oregon Coast

Columbia River Maritime Museum
As if to mimic the flow of the sea, this nationally recognized museum’s architecture is impressionistic of ocean waves, almost preparing you for the onslaught of maritime goodies within.

See more chunks of the Peter Iredale shipwreck (see Fort Stevens listing below), more.

Uppertown Firefighters Museum
Not only does this stately place house some major firefighter exhibits – such as ancient trucks and equipment – but it’s said to be haunted too. 2968 Marine Drive.

Movie Tour
Hollywood has become fascinated with this town – and who can blame them? It’s so photogenic it hurts. Films like “Goonies,” “Free Willy,” “Kindergarten Cop” and “Short Circuit” were filmed here. Various plaques around town show off the filming locales. Plaques all over Astoria showing film sites / Free Willy - Filming The Goonies on N. Oregon Coast: at Astoria, Cannon Beach

New Youngs Bay Bridge
As you approach this area (and Warrenton) from the south, the enormous Astoria/Megler Bridge begins to loom in the distance with an unmistakable presence. It’s like a giant waiting for you just up ahead.

State Route 202
This takes you east towards Jewell and Vernonia, as well as along the bay. The junction practically greets you on the Astoria side of the Old Young’s Bay Bridge. Aiding in this hello is a giant totem pole.

Old Youngs Bay Bridge
On the eastern side of Astoria and a lovely bit of history all by itself.

Fort Clatsop Memorial – Lewis and Clark Historical Park
Here is almost for certain exactly where Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery made their winter camp for 1805-06. Explore the replica of their lives back then. You can almost smell the wet leather and mold from the 110-odd days of constant rain they experienced. During the summer, park employees dress up as Corps of Discovery personnel. Fort to Sea Trail Trailhead from here to Sunset Beach to the south. Fort Clatsop Memorial / Lewis and Clark Historical Park

Fort Stevens State Park
It’s time to get lost in history. Enormous gunneries, a famous shipwreck, perhaps the largest number of campsites on the Oregon coast and more. Enter the park by a six-mile drive after going west off 101 at the signs – approximately a half-mile south of MP 9. Fort Stevens State Park Geology: What's Really Underneath - At Top of the Oregon Coast, Astoria Area's Fort Stevens Lets You Walk History

Battery Russell
Explore spooky concrete bunkers. Built around the turn of the last century, the gunnery eventually watched for invaders during World War II. Where a Japanese Sub Fired on Oregon: Battery Russell and Fort Stevens - Battery Russell, Staircases and Entrance of the N. Oregon Coast Fortress

Beach Access #1C (South Jetty Area)

Beach Access #1B (Parking Lot B)

Beach Access #1A (DeLaura Dune)
DeLaura Dune trail's northern trailhead and Lot A.

Beach Access #2 (Wreck of the Peter Iredale)
Down Peter Iredale Road, this one and the another access 800 feet away are both called #2. It’s known as the world’s most photographed shipwreck – and probably for good reason.

The schooner wrecked here in 1906. Its rusted, skeletal remains make for great climbing (tide permitting), although most of the time only its front tip is visible, with a few other higher objects sticking out to the south of it. Sometimes the sand is lower and even more of it is visible. More to History of Oregon Coast's Peter Iredale Than Just a Shipwreck - Shipwreck Skeletal Remains: Peter Iredale

Coffenbury Lake
Also part of this enormous state park, a two-mile trail through lush forestland meanders around this beauty. Swimming, boating and fishing are popular here, and there are even canoe rentals available.

Beach Access #3 (DeLaura Beach)
Turn west down DeLaura Beach, it's the last of Fort Stevens' beaches. It becomes a rough gravel road. Sometimes there's lots of cars on the beach which is no fun.

Hammond
Tiny town on the east side of the peninsula.

Warrenton
History extends into this area as well. Most obvious will be the Young’s Bay Plaza, where the convenience of lodging, eateries and big chain stores sit.

Skipanon Marina
Part of Warrenton with a lovely bay view.

Lighthouse Park
Includes the Interpretive Center / history museum that looks like a lighthouse. Warrenton / Skipanon Lighthouse Park Interpretive Center

Beach Access #4 (Sunset Beach State Rec Site)
Access to this popular area is about a half mile west of the highway, lying about a half mile south of MP 13 (which is at 90849 Or Coast Hwy). Look for signs to Sunset Beach and the Astoria Golf and Country Club. There’s also a freshwater lake here which is known for its swimming possibilities. Sunset Beach, between Warrenton and Gearhart, N. Oregon Coast

The only other access is a mile or so down Lewis Rd and behind a gated community.

Sunset Beach Fort to Trail Access
A few hundred feet east of the main park entrance. Ends at Fort Clatsop several miles to the north.

Cullaby Lake Near Sunset Beach
It comes complete with picnic tables, boat ramps, a swimming area, stoves and other amenities. Access to the popular lake and a nearby park is via an eastward access, just a tiny bit north of the Del Rey Beach access.

As you drive along Highway 101 in this area between Seaside and Warrenton, be on the lookout for small roadside stands selling the wares of local farmers. Everything from flowers, eggs, honey and produce seems to pop up now and then.

Beach Access #5 (Del Rey Beach and Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site)
Take Lake Highlands Lane near MP 17, about a mile and a half north of Pacific Way. Down this road lie numerous beautiful homes and lanes – all part of a community development area. At the end of the street lays the Del Rey Beach access and a giant ramp down to the beach. Driving on the beach here is legal. Much of the sand is dark and dirtied because of the vehicles here, so it’s not the prettiest beach you’ll see.

Next to the ramp is a fair sized parking lot area with numerous trails bounding over the foredunes.

13th Street Access
Down 13th and then down long dune path. Exploring Gearhart History As You Explore N. Oregon Coast Beaches

Gearhart

Beach Access #6 (10th St.) Gearhart's North Beaches, Driving the Beaches - 10th Street

Accesses at 7th St, 5th St, 3rd St - more.

Beach Access #6A (Pacific Way Access)
Take this to go to Gearhart’s tiny “downtown” district or to one of the town’s beach accesses. You’ll find it at the big stop light along Highway 101

E Street Access.
Among a few of these long pathways you'll find off the beaten path.

Beach Access #7 (G St. Access)
One of the more obvious and popular ones. It's more or less the last one before you encounter the Necanicum River

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