Traveling While Black: Astoria, OR
Exploring Astoria, Oregon: A Cinematic and Historic Finish to Our Oregon Coast Road Trip
For many people (especially 80s babies) Astoria, Oregon will forever be tied to the iconic Goonies House. But trust us, this charming riverside town is so much more than a Hollywood backdrop. As the final stop on our Traveling While Black Across America: Oregon Coast Road Trip series, Astoria offered something totally different from our earlier beach-heavy destinations like Cannon Beach or Newport.
This city is packed with rich history, stunning architecture, and a vibe that’s equal parts artsy, gritty, and historic. Nestled along the mighty Columbia River, Astoria gave us museums, pop culture moments, and meaningful Black history—all while still delivering those iconic Oregon Coast views.
Astoria’s Colorful Past
Astoria isn’t just beautiful… it’s old. In fact, it’s the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, founded by John Jacob Astor’s Pacific Fur Company. Though the Chinookan peoples were trading long before Europeans arrived, Astoria became a fur-trading hub and played a key role in the War of 1812. Fast forward to WWII, and Astoria was the site of the only U.S. mainland military base to be shelled during the war—at Fort Stevens in 1942.
But Astoria isn’t stuck in the past, it’s also a filming location favorite, with its Victorian architecture giving it a cinematic charm. From The Goonies to Kindergarten Cop, movie fans will instantly recognize its streets. And yes, we did visit the Oregon Film Museum, housed in the actual jail from The Goonies! More on that in a bit.
Drive Grade: Cannon Beach to Astoria
Even though this was the shortest leg of our road trip (just about 40 minutes) it was one of the most enjoyable. Here's how we scored it:
Route Difficulty: 2/2 – The drive was smooth and easy, straight up Highway 101. Even with some coastal curves, it was a breeze to navigate.
Roadside Attractions: 2/2 – A short distance didn’t mean fewer stops. We detoured to Seaside, known for its boardwalk charm and Lewis & Clark Salt Works. We also visited the dramatic Peter Iredale Shipwreck at Fort Stevens State Park, a must-see for any history lover or Instagrammer.
Roadside Amenities: 2/2 – Seaside had all the gas, snacks, and rest stops you could want. It’s a great place to fuel up before finishing your coastal journey.
Quality of Views: 2/2 – The scenery didn’t let up just because the drive was shorter. You still get those coastal cliffs, moody skies, and sweeping ocean views that define the Oregon Coast.
Parking Availability: 2/2 – Astoria offered free and easy-to-find parking, which was a big plus after some of the tighter, more expensive towns earlier on the route.
Final Drive Grade Score: 10/10!
Level of Fun: Astoria
Astoria gave us a fresh kind of energy. Less beach, more city. Less surfing, more museums. But all of it still deeply Oregon.
Quality of Activities: 2/2 – Museums were the highlight. We visited the Heritage Museum, Flavel House Museum, and the Oregon Film Museum with the Adventure in History Pass. Each one told a different part of Astoria’s complex, cultural story—from maritime to cinematic.
Demographic Applicability: 2/2 – Whether you're a history buff, film lover, architecture fan, or storm-chaser (hello, King Tides!), there’s something for everyone in Astoria.
Special Events: 2/2 – Astoria hosts some of the coast’s most widely attended and historically significant events. It’s a year-round destination with plenty to offer.
Affordability: 1/2 – Like Cannon Beach, Astoria skews higher in cost. Hotels, dining, and attractions can add up, but museum bundles like the Adventure Pass help.
Quality of Restaurants: 1/2 – We had a harder time finding standout restaurants, aside from a great experience at the Black-owned bakery The Naked Lemon. Most of our meals came from our hotel.
Final Level of Fun Score: 8/10!
Comfortability for Black People: Astoria
As with the rest of our Oregon Coast journey, we used our special Comfortability for Black People scale for this leg of the trip. While Astoria came with low expectations, it surprised us in several ways.
Personal Comfort: 2/2 – We were met with friendliness and warmth everywhere we went, from hotel check-in to museum staff.
Artifacts of Inclusion: 2/2 – Astoria stood out with visible signs of inclusivity. We saw a few Pride flags, BLM signs, and felt like this city was at least trying to foster a welcoming vibe.
Black People Seen: 0/2 – This was a tough one. Aside from one incredible sister we met on our way out of town (who owns The Naked Lemon), we didn’t see any other Black folks during our time in Astoria.
Diversity in Destination Marketing: 0/2 – As the time of our visit, we didn’t see any diversity on the destinations social media posts or promotional materials.
Access to Cultural Resource Groups: 0/2 – There weren’t any local groups we could identify specifically in Astoria, though we always shout out Oregon Black Pioneers, a statewide organization preserving the legacy of Black Oregonians.
Final Comfortability Score: 4/10!
Final Thoughts: Astoria as a Finale
Astoria was the perfect way to wrap up our Oregon Coast series. From the historic riverfront to movie set memories, it added a new layer to our coastal adventure. Was it the most “fun” or “comfortable” destination? Not quite. But it was unique, engaging, and unforgettable.
Before heading home, we made one final stop at the Astoria Column, a towering tribute to the Lewis & Clark Expedition and a symbolic end to our coastal journey. We soaked in the views, crossed the Astoria-Megler Bridge, and headed back to our home state of Washington.
This wraps up Traveling While Black Across America Roadtrip Series Vol 2: Oregon Coast.
