Time Visited: November
Distance from Portland, OR: 2 hrs.
Accommodations: Van/Camping
Day 1:
Take your dogs, or yourself, around Coffenbury Lake for an easy 2.5 mile hike within Fort Stevens state park. This tired the pups out and allowed us to read and picnic at the beach for a couple of hours. If you follow signs to the Peter Iredale shipwreck, you have two parking lots to choose from. Or, you can drive your vehicle on the beach and find a more secluded spot. We parked at the upper lot, which allowed our van to remain on the pavement, while we got to set up camp chairs and look out at the beach. We bundled up and enjoyed the perfect blue bird day.
Day 2:
The campsite at Fort Stevens has a paved trail that leads also leads you straight to the beach. I walked the dogs back to the beach to prepare for a less active afternoon. We left Ft. Stevens to enjoy Astoria for a bit. First up was The Astoria Column. You’ll pay $5 and have access for a year. To climb the column, you go up a windy 164-step staircase, which opens up to a beautiful view of Astoria and beyond. Many people purchase a wooden glider from the gift shop and fly it from the top of the column. We then went to the Astoria Brewing Company taproom, which is the oldest Micro Brew in Astoria. We wrapped up our night at the Buoy Brewing pop up. Buoy has an incredible restaurant that endured a roof collapse and we were thrilled they opened up a new location.
Thoughts for next time: This campsite was perfect and I will absolutely be back. I love that the campsite had several trails to choose from that didn’t require you to drive anywhere else.
Activities: Fort Stevens State Park, The Astoria Column
Eats & Drinks: Buoy Brewing, Astoria Brewing Company, Fort George Brewing (great dog friendly patio in the summer), South Bay Wild Fish House (I still dream about the Dungeness Fry Bread. This is a nicer place, so not ideal post-hiking an