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Astoria Basics

Historic Astoria, located at the mouth of the Columbia River, is a city of firsts. Tracing its roots back to John Jacob Astor's fur trappers, who set up a trading post in what are today's city limits, Astoria was the first permanent U.S. settlement on the west coast. And the first U.S. Post Office west of the Rocky Mountains was established in Astoria in 1847. Yet despite its place in history, today's Astoria isn't a big place, with only around 10,000 residents.

The mainstays of Astoria's economy are tourism and services. Tourists visit Astoria while en route to other touristic places, like Seaside or tourist towns in southern Washington. Astoria in recent years has become a second home for Hollywood producers, who have made a relatively large number of movies in the town. The townsfolk like to see their city on the big screen.

Astoria lies within the Marine west coast climate zone, notable for very mild temperatures year-round--some of the most consistent in the continental United States. Winters are mild for Astoria's latitude, and are generally above freezing, even at night. Summers are cool, although short heat waves can occur. Astoria is no place for sun worshipers, as there are 194 days with measurable precipitation, on average. Rainfall is most abundant in late fall and winter, and lightest in mid-late summer.

First Impressions

Astoria is an interesting city. Its largely easy-going middle class population belies the number of relatively expensive restaurants that dot the town's riverbank, offering great views of the river and the Astoria-Megler bridge. And its historic downtown is where you'll find a number of eclectic shops, wonderful brewpubs and art galleries, reflecting a vibrant arts and cultural scene that one would more reasonably expect to find in a large urban area.

Your ship will dock at Astoria's Pier 1, which is located just west of the downtown area. If there's more than one ship making port, the second ship to arrive will anchor offshore, and passengers will have to tender into the town.

Arrivals and departures of cruise ships are marked by local celebrations, with local bands playing on the cruise pier as each ship docks, and throughout the day in port. The locals also erect tents at the pier, and host the festive "Never on a Sunday" open-air market with up to 40 arts, crafts and jewelry booths manned by the artists and craftsmen themselves.

Astorians have demonstrated an uncanny ability to remake their city. After all, in the 1950s through the mid-1960s, fish canning and timber processing were the two largest industries in the town. (One can only wonder what kind of aromas lingered in the city on days when there was little wind.) But as these industries wound down in the 1960s and 1970s, the townsfolk remade their city into a tourist draw. This was accomplished in no small part by the movie business, which discovered a picturesque and pleasant town whose population was accommodating, if not starstruck, by the attentions of Steven Spielberg and other directors.

The summer is the nicest time of the year in Astoria; there are more sunny days, the average daily high is in the high 60s (F), and the events and festivals that take place in the city liven the spirits of residents and tourists alike.

Time Zone

Astoria is on Pacific Time, eight hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time during standard time, or seven hours during daylight savings time. Daylight savings time begins on the second Sunday of March, and ends on the first Sunday of November.

Language

English is universally spoken in Astoria.

Currency

The U.S. dollar is the official currency in Oregon.

Banks and ATMs

ATM machines in Astoria are plentiful and can be found at bank branches, motels, restaurants and other establishments throughout the city. Bank branches with ATM machines can be found at the following locations:

Bank of America has a branch with ATMs located at 595 Marine Drive.

Bank of Astoria has a branch with an ATM located in downtown Astoria at 1122 Duane Street.

Wells Fargo has a branch with ATMs located at 1218 Commercial Street.

U.S. Bank has a branch with an ATM located in downtown Astoria at 987 Duane Street.

Our Astoria ATM map shows you where to find ATMs in Astoria.

Weather

Astoria is no place for sun worshipers, as there are 194 days with measurable precipitation, on average. Rainfall is most abundant in late fall and winter, and lightest in mid-late summer. Snowfall is relatively rare but can accumulate in small amounts in winter.

Astoria Average Temperatures
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High - F	48	51	53	56	60	64	67	68	68	61	53	48
Avg High - C	9	10	12	13	16	18	20	20	20	16	12	9
Avg Low - F	37	38	39	41	45	50	53	53	50	44	40	37
Avg Low - C	3	3	4	5	7	10	12	12	10	7	5	3

Astoria Average Precipitation
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg, Inches	9.6	7.9	7.4	4.9	3.3	2.6	1.2	1.2	2.6	5.6	10.5	10.4
Avg, mm	244	200	187	125	83	65	30	31	66	143	267	264

Astoria Weather Forecast, OR

Keeping In Touch

Internet Cafes

While you won't find cyber cafes in the downtown area of Astoria, coffee houses and eateries with WiFi are abundant. These include:

Astoria Coffee House & Bistro, located at 243 11th Street. This establishment is a bustling European Style coffeehouse serving freshly baked pastries, a full breakfast and lunch menu while pouring Caffe Vita coffee. Open Sunday to Thursday 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. Phone: (503) 325-1787.

Coffee Girl, located at 100 39th Street. Situated on the Columbia River in the American West's oldest cannery building, Coffee Girl features friendly service, high quality espresso, pastries, breakfast and lunch. Phone: (503) 325-6900.

Three Cups Coffee House, located at 279 West Marine Drive. In addition to their coffees, espresso and tea, they serve freshly baked scones, muffins and cookies, and a lunch menu of homemade soups, salads, quiche and paninis. Voted Best Coffee by Daily Astorian's Readers' Choice Awards 2009 and 2010. Phone: (503) 325-7487.

Blue Scorcher Bakery Cafe, located at 1493 Duane Street. This workers collective serves up delicious breakfasts and lunches featuring their artisan breads, pastries and handcrafted seasonal foods using local and organic ingredients. Phone: (503) 338-7473.

Our Map of Astoria Wi-Fi Hotspots shows you where to find Wi-Fi in Astoria.

Finding US Newspapers

US newspapers can be found throughout Astoria.

Kindle Connectivity

In Astoria, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through AT&T's 3-G coverage in the city.

Local Holidays & Festivals

Look for the following local festivals, holidays and events taking place in Astoria in 2012:

New Year's Day, January 1.

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations, March 17. An Irish tradition! Look for live music, Irish dancers, bagpipers, McMenamins Irish Stout, leprechauns, limited-edition Devils Bit whiskey for sale, food specials and more.

Good Friday, April 6.

Easter, April 8. The most important Christian holiday.

Astoria Art Walk/Hometown Tourism Day, April 14. Several local venues work together to offer free or reduced admission or special programs to encourage Astorians to come and see what their town has to offer.

Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival, April 27 to 29. Locals and visitors join to enjoy great coastal cuisine, arts and crafts, wine tasting and more.

Goonies Day, June 7. Filmed in Astoria, Goonies is now celebrating its release in 1985. The town makes a day of it.

Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, June 22 to 24. Three days of Scandanavian traditions. Dancing, music, food, trolls and colorful costumes that will bring the old country heritage to life.

Oregon Craft Beer Month, July 1 to 31. Celebrated by breweries with events and special features all month long.

Independence Day, July 4. Day-long celebrations at a number of venues in the city.

Astoria International BeerFest, July 2 to 4. Outdoor festival featuring a "Grand Beer Garden" with over 130 beers from 15 countries, food, live music and other activities. Held in the Astoria Center.

30th Annual Great Columbia Crossing 10K/Walk, September 30. Experienced athletes and amateurs of all ages will enjoy this unique opportunity to cross the mighty Columbia River on foot.

Thanksgiving Day, November 22. A day to give thanks for the things one has at the close of the harvest season.

Christmas Day, December 25. Celebrates the birth of Christ.

Cruise Lines Making Port

Astoria is a boutique port visited before and after the seasonal Alaskan cruise ship trade, which spans from May through September. In 2012, Astoria will host just over 17,000 cruise ship passengers sailing on 10 ships. If you'd like to see which cruise ships are scheduled to visit Astoria, check out our Astoria Cruise Ship Schedule - 2012.

The following cruise lines make port in Astoria: