Where the Columbia River Meets the Sea

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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.

Looking back from the shoreline towards the town of Seaside.

My husband and I just returned from a long weekend in this delightful part of Oregon.

Sandcastle and sunset.

It was magical!

Astoria-Megler Bridge

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. 

A replica of Fort Clatsop in Lewis and Clark National Historic Park.

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

The courthouse from the Goonies movie.

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. 

Astoria Column

One of the impressive views from Coxcomb Hill looking down at the Astoria-Megler Bridge and Columbia River. 

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.

Where Seaside’s main street (Broadway) meets the Promenade, the Seaside sign commemorates the year the Lewis and Clark expedition spent on the Oregon coast.

Home away from home.

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. 

Family beach walk near our AirBNB

Walking past the aquarium on the Seaside Promenade. The “Prom” is 15 feet wide and 1.5 miles long. The path is the border between the town and beach and runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean. It is a fabulous place for a stroll.

Ecola State Park

Too beautiful.

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. 

Views over the Pacific towards Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.

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. 

The fort. Little known fact, Fort Stevens was shelled by a Japanese submarine during WWII.

Frisbee golf with an unbeatable view.

Trucks on the beach! Kind of cool, but I think I prefer my beaches vehicle free.

Peter Iredale Shipwreck. The Peter Iredale was a British vessel bound for Portland. It ran aground in 1906! 

Peter Iradale shortly after it wrecked in 1906. 
Image: No copyright
Source: OSU Special Collections & Archives Research Center

Cannon Beach

Haystack Rock, in Cannon Beach, is the most recognizable and photographed landmark on the Oregon Coast. The rock itself is a breeding ground for tufted puffins, and the base is surrounded by tidal pools.

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. 

Down a quiet alley in Cannon Beach.

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

A small cluster of boutiques and art galleries.

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. 

Chocolate with fudge on the bottom, espresso with almond slivers on the top. 

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. 

Families, couples and groups of friends each dotted the beach with their own little bonfires.

Back to the sandcastle. 

The sun starts to dip below the horizon.

Everything about the evening was perfect. 

The fam.

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. 

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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.

All photos (unless otherwise noted) are my own and were taken on an iPhone 7 from April 21-24, 2022.

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