This Is the Oldest Town in the Pacific Northwest-and It Has Victorian Architecture and Coastal Charm

"Astoria is one of those rare coastal towns where history, scenery, and character come together perfectly. The city is known for the ornate Victorian and Queen Anne-style homes, holdovers from its heyday as a prosperous shipping port, that crowd the hills and earn it the nickname 'Little San Francisco.' Here, you're never far from a view of the river and the Washington shore."

"Founded in 1811 by fur traders, Astoria is not only the oldest town in Oregon, but the Pacific Northwest as a whole. Just offshore, the treacherous waters of the Columbia Bar, part of the notorious 'Graveyard of the Pacific,' have doomed hundreds of ships. It's a scrappy little community that draws the world in with its mythos and dramatic setting."

"There's such a lovely and close-knit community. Visitors come here seeking raw nature, coastal scenery, and epic tales of discovery and resilience. Thrifting thrives in downtown's many vintage shops, fishmongers sling fresh catches at seafood markets, and historic waterfront canneries and fish-processing plants now house cute cafes."

Astoria, Oregon sits where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, featuring ornate Victorian and Queen Anne-style homes that earned it the nickname 'Little San Francisco.' Founded in 1811 by fur traders, it is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies and the oldest town in the Pacific Northwest. The town has endured fires, maritime tragedies, and severe winter storms throughout its history. The nearby Columbia Bar, part of the 'Graveyard of the Pacific,' has claimed hundreds of ships. Astoria attracts diverse visitors including European explorers, fur traders, filmmakers, and adventurous travelers drawn to its rich history, dramatic setting, and close-knit community. The downtown features vintage shops, seafood markets, and historic waterfront canneries converted into cafes.

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