What Astoria is known for

The Astoria Destination is located in the Pacific Northwest and takes in areas from both Oregon and Washington. Prominent cities in the area include Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. Additionally, the namesake of the destination comes from Astoria, Oregon, which is a coastal city that is a historical site for the state. [1] The destination takes in multiple coastal cities from Oregon, including Seaside, Cannon Beach, Rockaway Beach, and Tillamook. On the Washington side of the destination, notable cities for tourism include Longview, Long Beach, and Ocean Park. Astoria was first established in 1811 when it was settled by fur traders who wanted to stake their claims on the continent. The name came from the captain of the ship, John Jacob Astor, who was carrying travelers to the area.[2]

There are a variety of attractions included in the destination of Astoria, both coastal and urban. The Astoria Column was constructed in 1926 and reaches 125 feet into the area. From the top of the column, which is a 160 stair climb, tourists can see views of the Columbia River, the Pacific Ocean, and the Astoria-Megler Bridge on a clear day. The exterior of the column also features hand-painted murals from the base of the edifice to the observation deck. The paintings show early Oregonian history, detailing the travels of Lewis and Clark as well as fur traders in the area.[3]

Another attraction popular to many tourists near Astoria is the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Operated by the National Parks Service, the historical park is adjacent to Fort Clatsop, another historical site. The national historical park provides a look at the voyages of Lewis and Clark, the men who first journeyed across Oregon Territory. There are multiple trials and paths across the park that lead to various exhibits related to their journey. Fort Clatsop, adjacent to the park, was originally a winter camp for the Corps of Discovery. Today, the structure was rebuilt to look like the original fort constructed many years before.[3]

Near Portland, Oregon, is the International Rose Testing Gardens which is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Portland is known as “the city of roses,” in part because of the testing gardens. Part of Washington Par contains over 10,000 rose bushes with approximately 600 varieties to look at. There are flowers, fountains, and a landscaped ground that visitors can walk through. The rose gardens were first opened in 1917.[4]

Just outside of Portland is Multnomah Falls, a popular tourist attraction for hiking. The waterfall spans 620 feet into the air, with two main hikes; the first is to the bridge approximately halfway up the waterfall which offers views of the waterfall as well as the gift shop and diner below. The second hike starts at the bridge and continues through the forest up to the top of the waterfall. At the top, there is a viewing platform where visitors can see the Columbia Gorge.[4]

The reported best time to visit Astoria and the surrounding area is from June 11th through September 30th, based on weather conditions. Temperatures in the area vary, with cities closer to the coastline such as Astoria, Seaside, Long Beach, and Rockaway Beach tending to be more humid with chances of rain or snow for most of the months of the year.[5] Further inland in areas such as Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, the best time of year to visit is reported to be from May 28th through October 14th. Because of the location of these cities further from the unpredictable weather of the coast, the cities are reported to have warmer temperatures and more predictable rainy seasons. [6]Many of the attractions in the coastal parts of the area include visiting historical sites and museums, looking for tidepools, and going to the beach. [3]Activities more inland include shopping, hiking, and visiting the multiple gardens found in the area.[4]

According to the 2010 census, the city of Portland has 583,776 residents, with 77.6% of those being Caucasian, followed by 7.6% being of Asian descent. The city of Portland is reported to be “the least religious city in the U.S,” according to the Public Religion Research Institution.[7] In 2021, Portland experienced job growth of 6.2%, the reported 10th fast growth in the nation. Healthcare and social assistance had 5,708 positions available for qualified individuals, and people who worked in the retail industry were reported by the Oregon Employment Department to be the highest in demand.[8]

Other potential areas of interest within the geographical boundaries include the world’s smallest park, which is found in Portland. Mills End Park, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's smallest park, is located in the downtown area by the Willamette River and is .29 square meters. The unofficial city motto of Portland is “Keep Portland Weird,” and can be seen on bumper stickers, local graffiti, and signs throughout the city. Many of the tourist memorabilia for the city can be purchased at Powells Books, which is the largest independently owned bookstore in the world. The store is located in the Pearl District downtown and has been named one of the top 10 bookstores in the country. [9]

Geography

The land encapsulated by the Astoria Destination has multiple biomes. Near the city of Astoria, as well as up the coast of the destination, the geography and weather vary depending on the season but is reportedly more prone to rain, snow, and other similar weather conditions.[5] Further inland is the Clatsop State Forest which is part of the Pacific Northwest Temperate Rainforest. Two main waterways that are within the borders of the area are the Columbia River, which empties into the Pacific Ocean, and the Willamette River, which feeds into the Columbia and eventually empties into the same ocean. Past the forest is the city of Portland, Oregon which is a main port city for the country due to the Willamette River running through the city and the Columbia River as a border of the city.[10] Both Portland and Vancouver are more urban areas of the destination.

The city of Astoria is reported to feel humid for approximately half of the year, with the other six months being less so, but more prone to rain and snow. The driest months of the year are generally July, August, and September. If visitors to the area are hoping for low humidity, the month with the lowest average humidity is April with an average of 72% humidity. The height of tourism season in the city and along the Oregon Coast is reported to be the month of August, followed by June and July. The lowest month on average of recorded tourists is the month of December, partially due to the colder temperatures that is a characteristic of the area.[5] In the western part of the destination, the best reported seasons to visit are May through October, based on weather patterns. The warmest time of year to visit Portland and surrounding cities is July, followed by August and September. These three months also have the lowest precipitation rates of the year which can make outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring gardens a more enjoyable experience for those not as accustomed to the rain.[6]

Due to the majority of the area being a temperate rainforest, many of the plants and animals that live in the destination are used to relatively wetter, cooler climates. Closer to the beach, sea creatures that can be seen by tourists looking in tide pools may include the giant green anemone, ochre sea star, and Dungeness crab. Characteristic of the Pacific Northwest are ferns, with over 30 species of ferns growing in the area. Some ferns include the alpine-lady fern, sword fern, grape fern, and pacific oak fern. In the more forested areas of the destination, especially along the waterline of the rivers and streams, there are a variety of amphibians that can be identified by visitors. Common amphibians in the area include the western red-backed salamander, the rough-skinned newt, and the banana slug. Purple foxglove, three-leaf foamflower, and twinberry honeysuckle are flowering plants in the area.[11]

History

The Astoria Destination has roots in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The pair of explorers rode on the Columbia River passing by what would become Portland, Oregon, and ending in Astoria, the namesake of the destination. Fort Clatsop, a historical landmark near Astoria as well as the namesake of the state forest in the area, was built by travelers on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. [2] Before the area was explored by Europeans, the area was inhabited by multiple Native American tribes. During archeological excavations in the area in 2012, Native American items that were assumed to be used for trading purposes were found.[1] Today, the city is most known for its growing art scene, most notably for the movie The Goonies, which was filmed in Astoria. Today, the Old Clatsop County Jail, which was shown in the movie, has been converted into the Oregon Film Museum.[3]

The city of Portland was developed in 1845. The name Portland was decided by a coin toss, as there was a disagreement on whether the city should be named after Portland, Maine, or Boston, Massachusetts.[10] Before settlers came to the area via the Oregon Trail, the land was inhabited by two main Native American tribes: the Multnomah and Clackamas tribes. Since the city’s conception in the 1800s, the area has been a hub for agriculture and seafood. In 1899, the local newspaper, The Oregonian, described Portland as “the most filthy city in the Northern States,” mainly due to its sewer and gutter systems.[7]

Today, the city of Portland has one of the largest dry ports in the country, and the Port of Portland has the third-largest export port on the west coast. The location of the city of Portland is also reportedly beneficial to its economy, with major interstates going in all four of the cardinal directions, making exportation and distribution of goods relatively easy. [7]The Greater Portland Metro Area, which consists of Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, Tualatin, and Vancouver, Washington, has seen reported job growth of 6.2% since 2021. In the past five years, there have been more job openings created across the metropolitan area as well, with reportedly 28,000 job openings throughout the year in 2021. [8]