Astoria Bridge at Sunset, by Chris Bryant

Perched above the mouth of the Columbia River, a few miles from the ocean and framed by the Cascade Mountains, is the picturesque and historic town of Astoria.

Astoria is a nationally acclaimed historic site because of its rich historic background as the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail and the first permanent settlement west of the Rockies. Fort Astoria was established in 1811 by members of the Pacific Fur Company, owned by John Jacob Astor. It was also a busy logging and fishing hub and a U.S. Naval base.

Astoria Waterfront, by Chris Bryant

The steep hills dotted with Victorian houses earned Astoria the name, “The Little San Francisco of the Northwest.” You can see an example of this charming period in the Flavel House Museum, which is housed in an 1885 Queen Anne style Victorian home with period furnishings.

The romance of Astoria continues when you enter the 1920s era downtown. The renovated Liberty Theater, located at Commercial and 12th streets, is an Italian Renaissance-style building built in 1925 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Renovation is continuing with numerous concerts and events planned year-round.

Walk the historic riverfront and watch the arrival and departure of fishing boats, barges and freighters. Capture the sight of the sea lions who gather at East Mooring Basin.

Astoria Riverfront Trolley, by Chris Bryant

The Astoria Riverfront Trolley will take you for a 2.6-mile ride along the Columbia River while the conductor offers local history and attractions. You can catch the trolley at any of the stops between Basin and 39^th Street.

Towering above Astoria on Coxcomb Hill is the 125-foot Astoria Column ,commemorating the area’s history through artistic renderings. Take the 164-step spiral staircase to a lookout with fantastic panoramic views of Mt. St. Helens, the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River and the town below.

Spanning over the Columbia River, the Astoria-Megler Bridge main span is 1,232 feet in length, the longest “continuous truss” in the world. Built in 1966, critics called it “Bridge to Nowhere.” The bright green bridge was the final link in the Mexico-to-Canada highway system and sees well over a million crossings a year, showing its critic that plenty of people would take a “bridge to nowhere.” Besides saving motorists time, it provides a stunning view of the Columbia River river mouth and the town of Astoria.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum takes marine transportation from dugout canoe and sailboats to present day ships through displays and video. Kids will love walking the bridge of a World War II warship and the four interactive and hands-on exhibits, which include taking the helm in a tugboat wheelhouse. You can board the Lightship Columbia that once guided ships to safety at the mouth of the Columbia River.

The Columbia River has been known for a century as “The Graveyard of the Pacific” because more than 200 major shipwrecks have occurred near the mouth of the river. One of them, the Peter Iredale of 1906, is still visible on the beach at Fort Stevens State Park.

Across Youngs Bay from Astoria is Warrenton, a city of 4,500, about half the population of Astoria, with its estimated population of 10,000. Here you will find Fort Stevens State Park that includes a museum with the history of the fort constructed during the Civil War. Visitors can explore abandoned gun batteries. Fort Stevens State Park is a wonderful place to spend some time with nature trails, miles of beach, lakes, boating, camping, swimming and more than nine miles of paved bicycle paths. Watch oceangoing ships navigate the bar from the viewing platform at the South Jetty.

Astoria Sunday Market, by Chris Bryant

The dynamic city of Astoria has many year-round activities and special events. Here is just a sampling of the fun events you can attend while in the area:

Every February fishing industry-related men and women from several states gather to read their poems and stories, sing their songs, and socialize in a pub atmosphere throughout town during the Astoria Fisher Poets Gathering.

Astoria Warrenton Crab & Seafood Festival is an annual event in April held at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, with more than 200 booths showcasing northwest art, crafts, wine, seafood and live entertainment.

The Astoria Regatta, which has been a tradition since 1894, is the oldest festival in the Northwest. The five-day celebration in August has sailboat races, ship tours, classic cars, concerts, softball and a lot of good eating, including a salmon barbecue.

For more information about the historic Astoria, visit their website: www.oldoregon.com.