Beautiful hiking opportunities! My family put up a fight every time I wanted to hike, so I tried to…read morefind short and pretty hikes. We did the Devil's Cauldron, which fit the bill perfectly. The first part was a little exposed, so definitely wear a hat and sunscreen. Spectacular views at end. For all state parks, I recommend hitting a visitors center (most cities and towns have one), and buy a state park pass that's good for a month. They're not that expensive, well worth the cost.

Cape Falcon trail is a great hike, beautiful views. Perfect beach getaway near Cannon beach! Highly…read morerecommend for children and adults alike!

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to the grandest attraction on the coast the legendary Seaside…read morePromenade in dazzling Seaside! Built in 1920 and unveiled to the cheering crowds on August 7, 1921, this 1.5-mile concrete thrill ride replaced the old wooden boardwalk like a brand-new roller coaster replacing a rickety carnival track. For the jaw-dropping sum of $150,000 overseen by city engineer L.C. Rogers they poured what might be the smoothest "ride" on the entire Oregon Coast. No tickets required. No height restrictions. Just lace up and go. From Avenue U to 12th Avenue, it's a straight-shot midway of ocean views, charming hotels, storybook cottages, and that massive cove of beach stretched out like the main stage. You don't just walk it you parade it. Rain misting your face? That's the splash zone. Wind whipping sideways? That's the special effects machine working overtime. And somehow, tucked back just enough from the surf, it stays the perfect ride year-round. Summer turns it into bumper cars bikes, strollers, dogs, families, laughter everywhere. It's shoulder-to-shoulder energy like the midway on opening night. But winter? That's VIP access. Wide open lanes. Moody skies. Waves crashing like applause just for you. You feel like you rented out the whole park. No flashing lights needed. No roller coasters required. This is the main attraction. Five stars, hands in the air, screaming all the way down the track.

Yep, take the time to come and take pictures of the Seaside sign and the End of the Trail statue…read more We have traveled the Oregon trail several times and see the end of it at this location is pretty special. It was a long trip for the expedition but to get the payoff of seeing the ocean, WOW!

Lovely spot to start the Tillamook Lighthouse trek, but not for lighthouse spotting, just a more…read morechallenging trail. Plenty of free parking, but no services or porta-potties. We only hiked for about 30 mins, but enjoyed all the lush green and mostly empty trail.

One of my all time favorite hikes in the area! You can see 5 snow clad peaks on a good clear day!…read moreRainier, Adams, Helens, Hood, Jefferson! Loved the peaks view along with the every beautiful shiny coastline! The climb is hard at the end but truly rewarding at the end. Be aware of the poking sticks and metal rods on the trail. The slope could be slippery due to rain and water and lose gravel but I appreciate the barbed wire all along the lose rocky path!

Two hours and twenty minutes to complete this hike with a 20 lb pack strapped to my back. It's…read morechallenging. And you don't get the payoff of a wickedly sweet view unless you're lucky. Doesn't matter. It's worth it. You'll work your calves and quads and gluts and muscles you forgot you had. You'll marvel at the abundance of wildflowers and amount of mist that lands in your eyes. You'll step off of the trail and immediately begin bragging on social media, if not because you snapped some great photos than definitely because you feel strong and proud. Okay then, you awesome hiker, drive the half hour to Seaside and splurge on a celebratory beer! Pro Tip: Go early to avoid the crowds. This trail is packed by noon. Another Pro Tip: Leave your dog at home. This trail has several sections that are covered in wiring to help maintain the trail and prevent hikers from slipping on wet rocks and gravel. That wire netting is not something you want your dog to have to walk on. IMHO it's inhumane.

3.9 mi, 1050 ft elevation gain, 1hr 22 minutes…read more Plenty of shaded parking was available. There is a porta potty and a trash can at the main trailhead. Lots of out of state folks here doing this hike- I'm sure it would be quite packed on a weekend. The trail itself was a bit overgrown and narrow in parts. Beware of game trails, I missed a turn and found myself a ways down a game trail before turning around. The view at the top is amazing, definitely don't just view from the lower trail. If you're able- climb up the rock face to see the view from the peak. It's so worth it!

A short but challenging hike, especially the last 100 feet. But the view from the top is…read morespectacular!

A 4-mile paved trail that parallels the city's main thoroughfare and the trolley route…read more I did not actually see any signs for the Astoria Riverwalk but I guess I was going along it without knowing. From where we started at Pier 39 to almost the very end at the Port of Astoria, we continually stopped along the way whenever I would notice a spot park or pull over to be able to take beautiful pictures of the landscape and waterfront. I absolutely loved that there were wildlife either Sea Lions or Harbor Seals are laying around any kind of dock or floating device that they could and that you could hear them loud and clear. I didn't take my large camera with exchangeable lenses so I couldn't zoom in too much but seeing and hearing them made my heart happy. The views are just beautiful and worth the extra time to stop.

August 1, 2025 - Astoria…read more We walked the boardwalk along the river today. There are a few businesses scattered along the way, but the area is still mostly lined with industrial buildings. There are plenty of spots to pause and take in the view of the Columbia, and many trolley stops along the route. I would've liked to hop on the trolley, but we had our dog with us. We walked to where Buoy Beer Company once stood before the building collapsed. It's still there--fenced off, of course. What a shame. The Buoy warehouses remain, though. We had lunch at Astoria Brewery, where they have an outdoor patio--perfect for sitting with our pup. Afterward, we walked over to the Maritime Museum (admission is $18), but didn't go in since we had the pup with us. We checked out the Nordic Heritage Park, which highlights Astoria's huge Scandinavian influence in the late 1800s and early 1900s. We also went to the Garden of Surging Waves which gives tribute to contributions of the Chinese to Astoria.

This is a really cool park to explore. It has a nice view of the water and lots of benches and…read moregrass to sit on. We got some lunch across the street and enjoyed it here. This park tells the history of the area and and has a bunch of trolls throughout the park to find. Each one has their own story. There is also a section with flags from all the Nordic countries. It was a really nice place to spend the afternoon. They also had a brand new, very clean bathroom that looked like it had just been put in, so that was nice too. The whole park felt clean and safe and I learned a lot.

August 1, 2025 - Astoria…read more This small park pays tribute to the contributions of Scandinavian immigrants from the late 1800s and early 1900s through fun and engaging displays. The steps leading up the path are inscribed with the names of the countries the immigrants came from. And the trolls--so cute and photogenic! The decorative arch adorned with national flags, the steamer trunks, and the photos of actual immigrants (the profession stones) make this a must-see while in Astoria." Note: The website for Astoria Nordic Park has stories to go along with each of the trolls. If you have kids (or even if you don't), it might be fun to check it out before you visit the park. From the website: "The six trolls in the Nordic Park are assumed to be immigrants. Viktor brought his grandfather's pipe to remind him of his grandfather. Margit needed new friends in a new country so she found Fat Cat. Olle (pronounced Oh-luh) could only bring one toy but sometimes visitors to the park bring him new ones. Sven brought his accordion and remembers the old tunes so people in Astoria can dance them too. Annette (pronounced Annettah) is outgoing and likes to sing with the sea lions. Come at night and maybe you'll hear her. Leif (pronounced lafe) is very shy because he grew up in a cave so he hides under a leaf." Check out the website for their full stories! (And audio playlists!)

What a wonderful under the radar waterfall this is...Beaver Falls!…read more Located 6 miles east of Clatskanie, Oregon, this area near the Columbia River is beautiful. Let's get straight to the heart of what Beaver Falls is all about... If you plug "Beaver Falls Trailhead" into Google Maps, you'll have no problem finding it. Then just park along the side of Highway 30 and hike 1/3rd of a mile through the forest to the base of the falls. It's that easy. When I visited on a Thursday in early afternoon of July, there was hardly anyone around which was good for taking quality photos. Best of all, you can swim in the waters. So definitely bring a bathing suit, towel and a pair of water shoes so the rocks won't hurt your feet while entering the pool beneath Beaver Falls. The water is cold but once you jump in and get comfortable, it's a terrific setting. There's also a long rope where you can swing across and splash down below. It's great for kids (and adults too, lol) to have playful times. For me, I was content soaking in the pool and appreciating the surroundings. More info... - It's free to visit. - Cell phone reception works fine. - You can walk underneath the falls! This is a Must-Do. You can capture some amazing moments standing beside Beaver Falls. It's not hard or dangerous and offers a unique perspective. - Beaver Falls is just one of many outstanding waterfalls situated around Oregon and especially near the Columbia River. There's also Lower Lewis River Falls, Panther Creek Falls and Spirit Falls, to name a few. - You can spend a few hours hanging out or as little as 30 - 40 minutes. It depends on your time horizon. But overall, it's really pleasant to be here that I'd suggest bringing snacks, lunch and maybe having a picnic. This Beaver Falls is absolutely so much fun to hang out at. When you can swim in the waters, swing from a rope and even walk underneath the falls, It makes for a worthwhile summer visit.