Oregon's Charming Coastal City Is The Oldest American Settlement West Of The Rockies

The Pacific Northwest of the U.S. offers an abundance of natural beauty, from mountains to vast water features — oh, so many natural water features. There's an exceptionally high concentration of waterfalls. There's the Puget Sound. And, of course, there's the Columbia River and the beautiful Pacific Northwest coastline.

Sandwiched between Seattle and Portland, there's a coastal town where the river and the ocean meet, and where visitors can not only take in the Pacific Northwest's signature water features, but also know that they are setting foot upon a most historically significant place. Not only is Astoria, OR, the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, but even before a wealthy New York entrepreneur established it in 1811, explorers Lewis & Clark included it in their expedition in the early 1800s. Their settlement, however, encroached upon native land belonging to Chinook, Clatsop, and other Indigenous peoples, and their activities were said to pollute the nearby Sunswick Creek, leading to disease. Eventually, non-native populations outnumbered native communities, and some tribes were forcibly displaced.

While the battle for Indigenous sovereignty is still ongoing today, visitors can learn about and engage with its history within the city limits of Astoria. Exhibits at the Clatsop County Historical Society's Heritage Museum expand upon the role of Native American tribes in Astoria's development, and the water-facing Comcomly Memorial is a historical landmark dedicated to the Chinook Nation Chief. History runs deep in Astoria, with ample opportunity to interact with its roots throughout the city.

One of Astoria's more unique characteristics is that it offers, as the saying goes, something for everyone. Yes, there's its history. But it also combines that history with the charisma of a modern small town and ample recreation (indoor and outdoor). It's near the west end of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail; visitors can walk the same routes that these historic explorers traveled in the early 1800s.

That includes the Astoria Riverwalk: a 6.4-mile trail along the city's waterfront that's accessible by foot or bike. Travelers can enjoy sweeping views of the Columbia River and southern portions of Washington's Willapa Hills. There are also a few historical landmarks along the way, such as the Women Cannery Workers Monument, which honors the area's women who, according to the marker, "helped make Astoria the Salmon Capitol of the world." The trail's route also includes the Astoria Regatta Monument and the Columbia River Maritime Museum, all of which feature their own unique designs.

There's ample parking along the trail, so travelers who aren't up for the entire 6.4-mile journey can choose from several starting points. Even better, the trail is located within Astoria's city limits, which means that its numerous bars, restaurants, and cafes are easily accessible by foot or by public transportation. With a tremendous density of breweries in the city, Astoria might be one of the best U.S. cities for beer lovers to visit, offering ample opportunities for trail travelers to quench their thirst. The Fort George Beer Pier, for instance, is situated right along the trail, giving patrons a river view alongside food and drink. Only a 15-minute walk away is downtown Astoria, bustling with local shops.

There are a few ideal times to visit Astoria throughout the year. Winter months are the coldest and rainiest. Still, they do offer "storm watching," which essentially involves seasonally observing extreme, stormy weather from the city's waterfront (with proper safety precautions, of course). But if weather chasing isn't your thing, consider visiting Astoria some other time, such as spring, when there's significantly less precipitation and temperatures rise slightly, but are still somewhat cool with a range of low 40s to mid-50s. Visiting between July and September offers the most ideal climate, with highs often in the 60s or warmer. It also provides an opportunity to experience Astoria's most significant local traditions, such as the annual Astoria Regatta in August, which dates back to 1894.

There's no shortage of places to stay within Astoria proper, especially downtown. On the higher end, there's the riverfront Bowline Hotel, which offers four-star accommodations with rates starting at about $260/night. A more mid-range option is the centrally-located Rose River Inn Bed & Breakfast, starting at around $210/night. Finally, the Norblad Hotel, one of the most modestly priced options (starting at $80/night) in downtown Astoria, boasts high ratings and an intriguing history that dates back to the 1920s.

Astoria is accessible from origins near and far. The closest airport to Astoria offering commercial flights is Portland International Airport, which is approximately a 2-hour drive away. Pro tip: Grab a cup of America's best coffee before leaving Portland. Oregon's POINT transportation service offers service from Portland to Astoria's downtown-adjacent transit center along its NorthWest route. The ride is just over 3 hours, and tickets start at $18.