I have been enjoying Astoria, Oregon, for decades during our annual visits to the North Oregon Coast. This charming town on the tip of North Oregon has served as the backdrop for many films. As the oldest city in Oregon, Astoria lies at the uppermost point of the state. It’s rich in movie lore and history and home to 10,000 full-time residents. Today, it serves as an active port for commercial and cruise ships.
About Astoria Oregon
As you enter town, it’s hard to miss the 4.1-mile-long Astoria-Megler Bridge, which connects Oregon to Washington over the Columbia River. The city was founded in 1811 when financier John Jacob Astor sent fur traders to the area, establishing a trading post called Fort Astoria. It’s how the town got its name, even though he never visited. A twice-daily bus travels between Portland and Astoria; however, a car is needed for the best exploration.
Astoria has been featured in over 400 films and TV shows. The most notable movies where the action also took place in Astoria are The Goonies, Free Willy, Short Circuit, and Kindergarten Cop.
Start Your Tour at the Movie Museum
The Oregon Film Museum, at 732 Duane Street, would be an ideal place to start your journey around Astoria’s filming sights. Many fans of The Goonies will recognize this building from the movie’s beginning as the Jailbreak scene. The building actually served as the Clatsop County Jail from 1914 to 1976. Three galleries are featured, including visitors to film themselves re-creating a scene from an Oregon-filmed movie.
The Goonies House and More
The 1985 cult classic The Goonies centers around a group of Astoria kids from “The Goondocks” searching for buried treasure to save their home from foreclosure. The Goonies house, located at 368 38th Street, has had several different owners. The current owners are extreme movie fans and embrace the consistent flow of visitors. Visitors are asked to park on the street and walk up the driveway to view the home from the outside only.
Another picture-worthy stop for a Goonies filming location is the Flavel House Museum at 714 Exchange Street. The museum makes a brief cameo in the movie as the museum where the protagonist’s father worked, seen as the adventuring kids ride past it on their bikes. It is an 1885 Queen Anne-style house once home to boat captain George Flavel and his family. A self-guided tour of the house and grounds takes approximately an hour.
Other notable scenes occurred in Ecola State Park, with Haystack Rock as a backdrop. Both are located in Cannon Beach, about 26 miles south of Astoria. In these scenes, the gang used the doubloon and map they found in the attic to lead them to the start of the hidden treasure.
Free Willy Sights
On a movie tour around town, plan a stop at the house where Jesse lived in Free Willy. The home is located at 3392 Harrison Avenue. It doesn’t get the foot traffic that The Goonies house does, but it is featured on the film museum’s map. The nearby Hammond Marina, 20 minutes from Astoria, was where Willy the orca whale jumped to freedom over the breakwater.
Kindergarten Cop Locales
This 1990 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger also takes place in Astoria. His character, John Kimble, is a police officer undercover as an elementary school teacher at “Astoria Elementary School.” Many of the scenes occur at Astor Elementary School on Franklin Ave. The main character’s residence was also a private residence at 414 Exchange Street. The film museum’s map details other locales from the movie as well.
Stay in the Short Circuit House
If you want to re-live the memories of robot Johnny 5 from the 1980s Short Circuit movies, consider renting the Short Circuit house on Airbnb. The owner, Richard Bates, bought the house after his love of the films and now shares it with fans as a rental. According to many reviews, there is fun memorabilia around the house from the movie. The home even has its own Instagram page detailing some of the pieces movie creators sent for the display. It’s located at 197 Hume Avenue and offers one of the best views in town from the patio of the Astoria-Megler Bridge.
Other Historical Places
Astoria, Oregon, offers plenty of other opportunities for a history lesson. Walking or driving around downtown is an excellent display of Victorian architecture mixed with an eclectic choice of stores and restaurants. The Columbia Maritime Museum features an interactive history of the Columbia Bar and the history of the salmon industry. The Riverwalk area is an excellent place to stroll and check out Pier 39. Hopping on the Astoria Riverfront Trolley, seasonally from March to October, is a popular way to check out the Riverfront.
A trip to Astoria would only be complete by heading to the iconic 125-foot Astoria Column. Dedicated in 1926, it was a gift from a descendant of John Jacob Astor and is considered the town’s most treasured landmark. It’s also been featured in many of the flicks filmed in town. There are 164 steps to the top on a spiral staircase, which visitors can climb to a viewing deck for an extensive view of the town, the bridge, and the Columbia River. It’s the best place to watch a sunset on a clear day!
Another notable historical place is nearby Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark camped on their historic voyage during the winter of 1805-1806. Visitors are treated to a replica of their fort as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Additionally, Fort Stevens State Park, at the northwest tip of the Oregon Coast, features the hull of the Peter Iredale shipwreck, which ran aground in 1906.
Dining and Drinking Options in Astoria Oregon
There’s no shortage of places in Astoria to grab some delicious Pacific Northwest delights and something to wash it down. Be sure to check out Bowpickers Fish and Chips, which is in a converted gillnet boat. From May to October, the Astoria Sunday Market in the heart of downtown is the place to be. There are also a few food trucks and other great eateries downtown.
Craft brew lovers will also get their fill in Astoria, as they are part of the North Coast Beer Trail. We recommend Fort George Brewery + Public House, Astoria Brewing Company, and Rogue Ales Public House, among others. All of these also feature great food. Pom and Frite is the spot for homemade ice cream as a sweet after-meal treat.
Fans of The Goonies and film buffs will want to find their way to Astoria, Oregon, to re-trace the locations of famous films and TV shows. It’s also rich in history as a former trading post turned port city and Oregon’s original town. While other areas of the North Oregon Coast are known for their beaches, Astoria is full of culture, shopping, fresh seafood, and a superb riverfront. It’s a town in Northern Oregon we advise you not to miss if you find yourself in the area. You might find yourself shouting, “Hey, You Guys!!” around town.
