Carly Starr

This sweet town sits on the end of the magnificence Columbia River. Taking the scenic route down from Seattle (the 101) you'll cross into town over the ginormous Astoria-Megler Bridge. Soon enough you'll hear the bark of hundreds, if not thousands, of sea lions welcoming you.

You can easily spend a day or two around Astoria wondering the streets, hitting up the local breweries and visiting the nearby beaches. Here are some of my favorites:

Blue Scorcher Bakery - start your morning off with some baked goods and local coffee.
Sea Lions of Astoria - just a few piers filled with hundreds of barking, sunbathing sea lions. It should pop up on Google maps.
Buoy Brewery - also right on the river complete with some glass floors so you can watch the sea lions below.
Fort George Brewery - downtown Astoria with great beer and food. Check out the tap house if the main room is full and grab some krowlers to go.
Inferno - amazing old school bar on piers overlooking the river.
Albatross - they were closed when I was there but the bar looks like it has hip vibe.
Carruthers - treat yourself to a nice dinner and enjoy the very reasonablypriced cocktails
Doe and Arrow - hip shop downtown
Commercial Astoria - another cute downtown shop with a great record selection.
Scenes from the big screen - try and creep past the Goonies house or safely stroll by Astoria Elementay School which was seen in Kindgergarden Cop.
Cannon Beach - drive 40 minutes south to one of Oregon's most famous beaches - home of Haystack Rock

There are a lot of lodging options throughout town and along the coast but The Cannery Pier Hotel was definitely a highlight.