The Perfect Weekend In Astoria and Warrenton, Oregon

This post is sponsored by Travel Astoria and Warrenton. All images, writing and opinions are our own. 

Looking to plan a fun and unique weekend trip in the Pacific Northwest? As locals, we are so lucky to have our pick of oceans, mountains, deserts, and cities within just a few hours’ drive!

If you’re looking for a diverse mix of outdoor adventure, history, and a little quirkiness, planning a weekend trip to Astoria & Warrenton is for you.

Keep reading for our ideal 3 days in Astoria & Warrenton , including links, a map, and a downloadable itinerary!

Weekend Trip to Astoria, Oregon

How To Get To Astoria, Oregon

Astoria is a port city, located in the northwestern part of Oregon. It sits right on the water, on the southern shore of the Columbia River.

It’s full of incredible history, and was founded in 1811, making it the oldest city in Oregon!

The most common way to get to Astoria is by taking Highway 30, from I-5. It’s a 3.5-hour drive from Seattle (180 miles) and a 2-hour drive from Portland.

Berty Mandagie on a boardwalk in Astoria, Oregon

Weather in Astoria: What to Expect

Astoria is situated on the Oregon Coast in the Pacific Northwest. This means that no matter what time of year you visit, you can expect mild weather change, and likely some clouds too.

  • Winter in Astoria can be cloudy and wet. Make sure to bring your rain jacket!
  • Spring and Summer in Astoria are mild (think the mid-60s and 70s) but the warm sea breeze makes it a really comfortable place to enjoy the outdoors.
  • Fall in Astoria brings out the vibrant colors of the foliage, with a mix of cloudy and sunny weather.

No matter what time you plan a trip to visit Astoria, bring layers, and always a rain jacket!

Read More: 35 Essentials For Your Oregon Coast Packing List

Where to Stay For a Weekend in Astoria

There are lots of places to stay in Astoria, and where exactly depends on what you want to see and do!

Hotel Elliot

The Historic Hotel Elliot has been a staple in downtown Astoria since 1924!

The Hotel Elliot provides a complimentary on-site breakfast, rich victorian style decoration, and a luxurious feel throughout the building.

It’s right downtown so shops, restaurants, and cafes are all walkable!

Selina Commodore Hotel (We stayed here!)

The Selina Commodore Hotel is a great choice if you want to be right in the middle of everything! It’s right on Commercial Street, Berty and I could walk right out the door to shops, restaurants, and fun activities.

The Selina Commodore Hotel is a boutique hotel, honoring the building’s historic roots alongside modern amenities. We loved learning about the history of the building, and really took full advantage of their free record, games, and movie library to use in our room!

There is a cafe on-site (Street 14 Cafe) with a library in the lobby, and media (records, movies, games) to borrow during your stay.

The Bowline Hotel

For endless views of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean, you’ve got to stay at the Bowline Hotel! Located on the pier, this water-centric stay blends an industrial aesthetic with modern comforts.

The Knot Bar is onsite, and you can frequently spot sea lions barking at one another on the dock. This is a fun place to be if you want to experience a modern and luxurious side of Astoria.

Cannery Pier Hotel Exterior

The Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa

The Cannery Pier Hotel is the perfect romantic getaway in Oregon. Located on a pier 600 feet into the water, guests get an up-close view of the river and the Astoria-Megler Bridge right outside their door!

The Cannery Pier Hotel is a perfect place to book a quiet stay like a honeymoon or anniversary trip.

Astoria & Warrenton Weekend Itinerary (48 Hours in Astoria)

Okay, let’s assume you’ve booked a weekend in Astoria and Warrenton, arriving on a Friday and leaving on a Sunday. That’s roughly 48 hours to pack in as much goodness as possible!

We have a free printable itinerary below, but keep scrolling through this blog post for a comprehensive guide! We’re sharing photos, tips, and lots of ways to make the most of your visit to Astoria, Oregon.

Astoria Weekend Day 1

On your first day in town, we recommend getting acquainted with the area!

First, check into your hotel and then head downtown to Commercial Street to do a little window shopping. The immediate downtown area is roughly 5 blocks east to west and 3 blocks north to south, packed with galleries, antique shops, vintage clothing, food, and more.

Some of our favorite shops include Godfathers Books, Vintage Hardware, and Short Wave.

Astoria Oregon Riverwalk

After bookmarking some shops to return to later, grab a drink at Milky Cha Bubble Tea and stroll the Astoria Riverwalk! The entire trail is 12.8 miles long through the piers and shoreline of Astoria.

Finally, end the day with a sunset at the Astoria Column. This is a really great way to enjoy sweeping views of the city! Parking costs $5 (cash) and the entry ticket is good for the full year.

P.S. You can walk to the top of the column! It’s an incredible view from the top and you can see in all directions.

Astoria Weekend Day 2

On Day 2 of your Astoria weekend itinerary, it’s time to explore beyond downtown!

Start your day out by grabbing coffee and breakfast at Blue Scorcher Cafe and then driving south to Youngs River Falls.

Berty Mandagie standing near Youngs River Falls on the Oregon Coast

Youngs River Falls

Youngs River Falls is a small but mighty Oregon waterfall (54 feet tall), and a popular swimming hole in the summertime. Don’t worry, we visited in January, and it was still a great time!

The trail is extremely short, just 0.3 miles (about a 5-minute walk) down to the waterfall. Parking is free!

After the waterfall, drive over west to see the ocean near Warrenton!

Now, there are a few options to choose from: Gearhart and Del Ray State Parks, Sunset Beach, or Fort Stevens State Park. For quiet shoreline walks, head to Gearhart of Del Ray Beaches.

If you want more adventure, try the Fort To Sea Trail at Sunset Beach or see the Peter Iredale Shipwreck at Fort Stevens State Park. The choice is yours!

Lewis and Clark National Historic Site - Fort Clatsop

If you love a little history, visit the Lewis and Clark National Historic Site in Warrenton. It’s on the way back to Astoria proper which makes it a great stop on your way back to town.

Here, you can explore the replica of Fort Clatsop, and learn about the history of Lewis & Clark’s farthest westernmost stop, and the people and communities that lived here at the time.

Oregon Film Museum Exterior - The Goonies

Back in Astoria, finish off your afternoon at the Oregon Film Museum! Fans of the Goonies, Free Willy, and the Kindergarten Cop will love location scouting here.

You’ll find movie posters with a list of places they filmed in Oregon – a lot of them you can visit too!

The Oregon Film Museum is located in the old County Jail they used in the opening scene of the Goonies. Take an inmate photo, film your own movie scene, and see memorabilia from the movies inside. It’s a fun time!

Read More: 24 Famous Movies Filmed In The Pacific Northwest

Flavel House Exterior - Astoria, Oregon

Astoria Weekend Day 3

On the last day of your Astoria weekend itinerary, take the morning to go walking around the neighborhood. The Astoria hillside is packed with Victorian-style houses, which is why the town gets the nickname “Little San Francisco.”

It’s common to see bay windows, bright and colorful house trim, and vibrant gardens along every block. Berty and I crafted a walking route here – save this image below on your phone to reference on your walk.

After your walk, drive over to Pier 39 for some brunch and exploring. Pier 39 hosts Astoria’s largest and oldest waterfront building, teeming with history and things to do!

Our favorite stops are at Coffee Girl (for incredible lattes and lox bagels) and the free Hanthorn Cannery Museum.

Berty standing next to the Astoria-Megler Bridge in Astoria, Oregon

Wrapping up your Astoria Weekend Trip

We hope you enjoyed our guide to 48 hours in Astoria! Sign up to our email list below to download a free Astoria weekend itinerary, so you can plan a similar trip!

Astoria Weekend Trip Map

If you’re curious about where things are in relation to one another, we’ve included an interactive map to explore below!