Astoria is in the northwestern corner of Oregon. It’s where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. It’s also where the Lewis and Clark expedition spent a long and cold winter in 1805-1806 before returning back east. We kind of know what they went through after we experienced a month of a cold and wet spring on the Oregon Coast wondering why did we come here!
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is a port city and the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Fur trading, fishing and lumber were major industries in Astoria. It was Bumble Bee Seafoods headquarters, but they closed it’s Astoria cannery in 1980. In 1996, the lumber industry also diminished and with that came the end of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railways to Astoria. Even though fishing and lumber are still viable, tourism is Astoria’s main attraction. It has very steep and curvy roads like San Francisco. Just beautiful.
Astoria Lewis & Clark Golf and RV Park
We enjoyed this park. Our site pulled in facing the golf course.
We also faced a small creek where there was a mallard duck family nesting in front of our coach. Not sure if it was a bald eagle, mink, or other animal taking the babies, but after watching a feral cat steal one of our golf balls, we were leaning towards the cat.
They had a 9 hole course that only cost $15. We rarely play, so it was a good walk never the less.
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, lies a historical park commemorating the Lewis and Clark Expedition. When Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific Ocean, they camped at Fort Clatsop in the winter of 1805-06. It’s a nice park with a good recap of their Corps of Discovery campaign. The movie was very informative and we enjoyed walking the grounds with Jake.
Astoria Column
The Astoria Column sits on a hill overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River. Built in 1926, it has a spiral staircase that leads to the top of the 125 foot tower. Our knees were aching after that climb.
A view of the Columbia River with Washington State on the other side. We crossed the four mile long Astoria-Megler bridge.
Garibaldi, Oregon
We stayed at the Harborview Inn & RV Park. It felt like a city RV park/marina because of the turnover of people and weekend partying. They had full hook ups and views of the bay.
At low tide, people went clam digging.
Most visitors had a boat and went crabbing. Our neighbors shared their Dungeness crab bounty with us.
Either way, there were plenty of small restaurants within walking distance providing fresh seafood.
A Red-tailed hawk posing at the RV park.
We saw a few Bald Eagles in Garibaldi.
Plenty of sea gulls.
And seals.
There were old trains and vehicles in the area.
Cheese Tasting
South of Garibaldi is the Tillamook Creamery. It’s huge and hundreds of tourists were visiting the factory. Their ice cream was delicious! Very creamy.
We also visited the Blue Heron Cheese Company.
We had a sunny day so we took a drive north along the Oregon coast from Garibaldi towards Astoria.
Haystack rock at Cannon Beach was a popular destination.
Cape Meares
Cape Meares is a scenic viewpoint just south of Tillamook Bay.
Built in 1889, it is the shortest lighthouse in Oregon. It was decommissioned in 1963.
The Octopus tree is a massive Stka spruce and was a short hike from the lighthouse.
