SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Discover historic Astoria! You’ll make a brief photo stop at the Astoria Column which was built in 1926. This 125-foot-tall concrete and steel structure features a cast-iron 164 step staircase that leads to an observation deck. If you decide to climb to the top, you'll see majestic views of Astoria, the Pacific Ocean and the lower Columbia River estuary. Views from the base are just as panoramic, the column stands atop Coxcomb Hill, Astoria's highest point. Continue to the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park for a tour of Fort Clatsop. You’ll also visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum located on Astoria's historic waterfront. The museum features nautical artifacts including the Lightship, which served as a floating lighthouse. Enjoy a scenic drive through Astoria nestled between the Columbia River and Young’s Bay. You’ll see picturesque Victorian and Queen Anne style homes and churches, Uniontown - home of the men who worked at the Union Fish Cannery and the Doughboy monument, dedicated to the soldiers who served in World War I.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See a replica of the fort where Lewis and Clark wintered.
• Pause for photos at the landmark Astoria Column.
• Browse the exhibits at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
• Learn about Astoria’s early history along the way.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover two of Oregon’s most charming coastal villages and beautiful beaches. Your local guide will travel with you crossing Young’s Bay Bridge. Enjoy impressive views of Saddle Mountain, one of Oregon's highest peaks and the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the longest bridge in the state. You'll travel through the Oregon Coast Range before stopping at Cannon Beach, considered an artist's colony and home to photographers, artists and writers. The beach is also well known for Haystack Rock, a 235 foot tall rock formation that is the home of puffins, sea gulls cormorants. You’ll have some free time here to explore the colorful courtyards, streets and little shops. Continue on to Seaside, a charming coastal village with arcades, art galleries and miles of beach. Enjoy some free time here to stroll along the boardwalk, buy some salt water taffy or take a ride on the carousel.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy impressive views of Saddle Mountain.
• Travel through the Oregon Coast Range before stopping at Cannon Beach.
• Explore the colorful courtyards, streets and little shops during your free time.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a leisurely six-mile bike ride along the scenic Astoria waterfront, admiring views of the Columbia River as the guide entertains you with stories of the town’s history. As you follow the paved and at times wooden pier path, you will hear how Astoria became known as the Salmon Canning Capital of the World. So many laborers were needed on the fishing boats, that people were often shanghaied on the streets and forced to work at sea. Fishing is still a huge industry, as you will discover while pausing to sample a enjoy seafood snack at a local seafood processor. In other areas of the waterfront, you can expect to catch sight of California sea lions along the shore and all sorts of birds such as cormorants, egrets and herons.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bicycle along Astoria’s bustling, wonderfully scenic waterfront.
• Enjoy a seafood snack at a local seafood processor.
• Learn the notorious history of Astoria.
• Keep an eye out for sea lions, seabirds and bald eagles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover Oregon’s beautiful and dramatic coast, visit the air museum and cheese factory in Tillamook and enjoy a tasty lunch during the drive. Enjoy impressive views of Saddle Mountain, one of Oregon's highest peaks and the Astoria-Megler Bridge, noted as the longest bridge in Oregon. As your coach winds its way along the 110-mile section of the Pacific Coast Highway on Highway 101 and travel along the Oregon Coast Range. You'll pass Seaside, a charming village with boutiques, art galleries and miles of beach. As you continue south, you’ll also pass by Cannon Beach, famous for the natural phenomenon known as Haystack Rock. You’ll visit the Tillamook Air Museum, which houses a rare World War II blimp hangar that is over 15 stories high and stretches over seven acres. You’ll see a variety of U.S. warplanes and aircraft here and explore the exhibit hall to see historical wartime and aviation artifacts. Lunch will be served at the museum. You’ll also visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory - the farmer-owners have been producing quality dairy products here since 1909. Watch the cheese makers at work, enjoy a sample or two and indulge in some ice cream and fudge at your own expense. Time permitting, photo opportunity stops will be made at Tolovana Park, Neahkahnie Mountain overlook and, perhaps, a drive through Cannon Beach. Tour includes a picnic-style lunch.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse a museum full of vintage aircraft.
• See how Tillamook cheese and other dairy products are made.
• Watch for birds such as puffins on Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Travel to the Astoria Column for a panoramic view of the area and gain an understanding of the strategic value of the well-placed installations at the mouth of the Columbia River. Cross Young’s Bay Bridge for the short journey to Fort Stevens State Park. Upon arrival, your friendly and knowledgeable guide will take you on a tour and share the fascinating history of the fort which was built by the U.S. Army and completed in 1865. The gun batteries, fortifications and other buildings are preserved along with 3,700 acres of woodlands, lakes, wetlands and beaches. Your guide will lead you through the complex and its bunkers, abandoned gun batteries, and tower stations before heading up to the commander's station for a scenic view of the Columbia River. The museum will be your last stop before heading back to the pier. Enjoy browsing through the interesting artifacts that date back to the Civil War and stop in at the gift shop, which offers a variety of souvenirs.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of a Civil War-era fort.
• Hear about the Japanese shelling the fort during World War II.
• See the reconstructed earthwork areas of the fort.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Travel around Astoria, taking in the most outstanding sights and stopping on occasion at landmarks that best reveal the city’s history. Astoria was named for millionaire businessman John Jacob Astor, whose fur trading company established the first permanent settlement west of the Rockies here in 1811. As you continue around the city on this narrated driving tour, you will discover all sorts of fascinating facts about Astoria and see key attractions such as the Liberty Theater, where Clark Gable made his first stage appearance. Other highlights include the Doughboy Monument that commemorates those that fought in World War I, a Victorian mansion built for Astoria’s first millionaire and the mural-adorned Astoria Column that the Astor family funded in 1926. You will also learn about the devastating fire of 1922 that almost destroyed Astoria and how the city was rebuilt to become greater than ever.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Become familiar with Astoria’s history through key landmarks.
• Understand the influence of John Jacob Astor on his namesake city.
• Hear commentary about momentous events such as the fire of 1922.
• Take in the panoramic view from atop Astoria Column, if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.