Portland to Astoria Travel Guide: The Ultimate Oregon Day Trip
I traveled from Portland to the adorable Oregon Coast town of Astoria and created the Ultimate Portland to Astoria Travel Guide!
Are you visiting Portland and wanting to take a Portland to Oregon Coast Day Trip? If your answer was yes, you are in the right place! I have a guide to how to get from Portland Astoria which is the CUTEST town on the Oregon Coast and what to do in Astoria, Oregon. Here is your Ultimate Oregon Day Trip Guide to Astoria!
How to get from Portland to Astoria, Oregon?
I would highly recommend driving to Astoria from Oregon. The drive is 2 hours from Portland. You can also start at Cannon Beach and Seaside if you have the time.
You can drive to Astoria and work your way back down to Portland or start with Cannon Beach and work your way up to Astoria and drive back to Portland after Astoria.
I know rental cars are EXPENSIVE but you can always rent a car for just one day to save money. I recommend finding a Turo car. Turo is an app, kinda like the airbnb car version. You are renting a car from a person and it is way more affordable! Don’t worry you can buy insurance to cover yourself in case any damages occur. Usually you go pick up the Turo but you just uber to the location and pick it up, easy peasy. Some rentals you can pay extra for delivery to you, completely up to you. This is our go to anymore.
Play the field tho and check around, sometimes a rental car can be cheaper. Search around and see what works best for you.
A rental car is the way to go though to give you flexibility to hop around to Astoria and even other coastal towns if you want to explore more of the Oregon Coast.
How long will you need to explore the Oregon Coast?
It depends if you are visiting just Astoria or if you want to go to more of the coastal towns. I would recommend even if you are short on time to go to Astoria and Cannon Beach. You will have about a 2 hour drive one way, so 4 hours of driving. I would start early and plan on spending most of your day in Astoria and Cannon Beach and more if you want. There are tons of hiking in the area as well if you have the time.
If you want to take a leisurely pace I would recommend spending the night in Astoria or Cannon Beach to give yourself more time to relax and explore the rocky coastline and adorable towns with tons of retro vibes.
We did a day trip and loved it but next time I would stay the night 1-2 nights or even more to explore the coast and Astoria more. It was just so much fun!
What should I bring with me?
You will be spending time in the car driving so you will want some snacks on your little road trip. Here are some of our favorite road trip snacks here and here.
If you want to do some hiking, bring your hiking shoes, comfy clothes with layers as it does get cold at times, and water bottle, among any other hiking essential favorites.
Wear a cutish outfit as you will want to take pics in the towns and while on the beach and out hiking.
Bring a towel or blanket to relax on the beach and enjoy the jaw dropping scenery. It is pretty chilly so you most likely won’t need a swimsuit but if you don’t mind the cold water go for it! Bring some sandals so you can easily walk the beach and take them off to feel the sand beneath your toes.
Like I said it is very beautiful and you will want to capture these views! Bring a travel tripod and selfie stick to get the best pics. I also LOVE bring a polaroid camera which make for the perfect way to capture any moments- plus everyone looks good in a polaroid so that’s a plus after a day in the sun and hiking. Here is a portable charger we love when we are out and about to keep our devices charged for map navigation and taking pictures.
Don’t forget your ID or passport because you will want to try the beer at some great breweries!
When should I visit Astoria?
The best time to visit Astoria and the Oregon Coast will be between June to September because the weather will be warmer although still cool while raining less. We visited in July and found the weather to be perfect! We are from the midwest so it was a great escape from hot temperatures while still being warm but still cool out.
Is Astoria worth it?
Yes, yes, and yes! Imagine the cute little coastal towns with charming downtowns that make you think you stepped back in town. Welp that is Astoria. It is just so calming and quaint while also having a ton to do. There are great local shops, restaurants, and breweries, a cute little trolley, the ocean breeze and wonderful ocean views with seagulls singing all around. It was dreamy. I fell hard for Astoria and will be going back forsure.
What should I do in Astoria?
Astoria Boardwalk
Okay so first thing go straight to the water and just breathe in that ocean air and take in the ocean views and soak it all in. Then get your bearings, walk around the boardwalk and explore a bit.
Trolley Ride
Ride the historic trolley, nicknamed “Old 300” around Astoria. It is just adorable and a great way to see the riverfront and downtown Astoria.
You can pay 1 dollar to ride as long as you want at one time or 2 dollars to ride all day long hopping on and off.
A round trip with the trolley will take about an hour with tour narration to help you learn about Astoria, taking you through downtown twice.
You can catch the trolley right on the riverfront between Basin Street and 39th street. It is close to the Astoria Riverwalk Inn.
Shops
Short Wave- Short Wave is an adorable local shop with tons of local Oregon goods from postcards, jewelry, clothing, candles, home goods, and so much more! It is just so cute with lots of beautifully handcrafted goods. Be sure to make a stop here when exploring downtown Astoria.
Cargo- Cargo was so much fun! It is a big space with a ton of home goods, stationary, baskets, fair trade items, and so much more! It is a colorful and vibrant store where you are sure to find something that you need. Be sure to stop by.
Raintown Vintage Collective- Raintown Vintage Collective is a gorgeous old building with lots of different venders selling their own goods. You will find a coffee shop to fuel yourself up for all the wonderful vintage clothing and goods, as well as artwork, and other unique finds.
Forsythia- Forsythia is another good stop with uncommon gifts and home decor. It was an cute shop with lots of fun home goods and a great stop when out shopping in Astoria.
The Magical Bee– The Magical Bee is a soap, candles, lotions, and other bath and body products made from local honey. It is a great stop for all your self care needs.
Breweries
There are a ton of breweries in Astoria, this is the perfect destination for any beer lover! You will find brewery on brewery most near downtown and walkable. They are all so wonderful! Here are my top picks of breweries in Astoria.
Astoria Brewing Company- We LOVED Astoria Brewing Company. It has a great indoor space with lots and seating and the outdoor patio is just perfect with views of the water.
They had wonderful food too, we got the clam chowder and the brie cheese with bread and it was all to die for. The beer was sooo good too with a ton of great options for any type of beer you want. Sitting on the patio with a cold craft beer and delicious food made this my favorite part of Astoria.
Fort George Brewery- Fort George Brewery is located in an old 1920’s auto repair shop and has such a unique atmosphere with two floors and a patio to enjoy their beer as well as lots of different food options.
Ranch Break Brewery- Ranch Break Brewery is another great Astoria brewery also located in an old auto shop. It has a massive patio to soak in the sun while enjoying a craft beer. They also offer ciders and seltzers if you are not a huge beer fan. There are food carts as well to enjoy some food with your beer.
Buoy Beer Company- Buoy Beer Company has such an idyllic location right on the water with a great selection of beer and outstanding food as well! They have a large indoor space that is warm and inviting and airy outside seating as well. I can’t think of a better place to enjoy a beer in Astoria with a view to boot!
Astoria Food
I would highly recommend eating at the Breweries mentioned above, especially at Astoria Brewery, Fort George Brewery and Buoy Company because the food and beer are all phenomenal!
South Bay Wild Fish House-South Bay Wild Fish House is a family owned local restaurant with great fresh seafood with a cozy ambiance. They have outdoor seating as well to enjoy a local beer and wonderful food. All the sea food is delicious as well as the frybread all made with local and fresh ingredients.The restaurant has a fishing nautical theme that is just too cute!
Bowpicker Fish and Chips- Bowpicker Fish and Chips is located in a boat and is just everything you are looking for a fish and chips spot. They offer fish (tuna) and chips and that is the sole thing on their menu. This is a popular spot for locals and is supposed to be amazing! It is located right across from the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Surf 2 Soul- Surf 2 Soul is soul food cart serving Cajun and Creole eats from biscuits, chicken and waffles, biscuits, po’ boys, and more. Check out their facebook for current locations.
Coastal Smash (Food Cart Located in Reach Peak Brewery)-Coastal Smash is a food cart located in the Reach Peak Brewery and has great smash burgers. Check out their facebook page to see other locations they will be at.
Hiking Near Astoria
There are great options for hiking near Astoria and all around the Oregon Coast.
Fort Stevens State Park- Fort Stevens State Park is a 4,300 acre state park with a beautiful beach, shipwreck, camping sites, and lots of trails to enjoy.
Cathedral Tree Trail- This trail located in Astoria is a 1.6 mile out and back trail which should take around an hour to complete. It is known for its huge majestic trees and the large roots that seem to take a life of their own weaving in and out of the ground.
Ecola State Park- Ecola State Park is located between Cannon Beach and Seaside which is about 50 minutes away from Astoria. The trails look like a forest straight out of a fairy tale with beautiful woodlands as well as trails with ocean views. You can also visit Indian Beach which is a beach located close by with wonderful views.
Cannon Beach- While by Ecola State Park head to Cannon Beach and see the famous Haystack Rock and the tide pools where you can see marine life such as starfish up close. Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is just unreal. The pictures do not do it justice. Come see it at sunset and it is quite the site with the large rock formations, the ocean, and a sunset.
You will just adore Astoria, Oregon. It is the perfect destination to relax, enjoy nature, eat, and drink to your heart’s content. I am already ready to go back, it was just a dream. From the coastal breeze, stunning beaches and hikes, the fresh seafood, and the craft beer it made for the perfect getaway.
Check out our destination travel guides and blog posts for more travel reading! If you are extending your trip to Portland, Seattle, or Victoria check those guides too! Thanks for stopping by!
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Our love list of Travel Resources:
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Accommodations:
Booking– our favorite way to search for hotels, rentals, and hostels. When you book enough through booking you will earn a discount on all bookings which adds up quickly!
Hostelworld– our go to when searching for hostels
Vrbo– our favorite place to search for apartment and home rentals, it is usually cheaper than airbnb and has less hidden fees
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Tours and Activities:
Viator– book great tours and activities for your next trip, my favorite place for booking tours or travel activities. I love that they have such an easy app to keep all my tickets after booking.
Tripadvisor– Great place to buy and search for travel activities and tours
Get Your Guide– another great resource for searching for a huge variety of tours and attractions for your next trip
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We go Trip– Self guided tours you can access from your phone and explore on your own! A game changer. You can explore at your own pace but still have an informational learning experience of the places you visit, all at your fingertips.
Thatch– search for your own personalized and premade itineraries, with map locations, information for each activity, and your trip all planned for you that you can access through their app and take with you! Check out our thatch guides! There are tons of other great travel creators to explore too!
Rental Cars:
Discover Cars– Worldwide car rentals that allows you to compare different rental car companies to get the best price!
Flights:
WayAway– membership offering 10 % back on tickets, tours, and even hotels! Great way to find cheap flights.
Promo Code for 10% off membership costs: Seek Out Travel
CheapOair– great search engine for flights, hotels, and rental cars
Avisales– Cheap airfare through reliable agencies.