For all you land lubbers, city slickers, or couch surfers, if you're in the Port of Ilwaca, go see…read moreLarry & Cindy at Skywater Boat Tours. Incredibly friendly, very accommodating, and affordable for a few or more hours out on the water! Their charter boat, Maiden Heaven, is comfortable, two bathrooms, heated interior, great view on the upper deck, and so much to see out on Cape Disappointment, the mouth to the Columbia River, history, possible shipwrecks & marine animals to view! Larry explained he has over 50 years of maritime experience so you'll be in good hands. Cindy was very friendly and even provided a custom, signed photo of me and my friend upon docking at the Port of Ilwaca after our ocean/bay/river voyage. The treats were nice on the boat, bottled water, and nature provided the sunshine for our trip (I can't guarantee it for your trip). Larry and Cindy. FIVE STARS!

My mother lived in Astoria as a teenager in the 1940s and early 50s and she fondly looked back as…read morethe best times in her long life. Her request to have her ashes strewn in the Columbia River at the foot of 15th street was accomplished thanks to Mark and his beautiful tug! His knowledge of Astoria along with the boat ride made for a wonderful memorial for our group to send my mother off.

Our friends arrange this experience and we loved it. The tugboat is in wonderful condition and…read morewell maintained. The captain and crew are very knowledgeable about the local area. It was extra special to see the container ship pilot exchange up close. The views of Astoria and surroundings were great to see---drives home how oriented to the water this city is. Also had some great bird sightings.

I enjoyed our visit back in June 2018…read more I was looking at some photos from that trip and just realized I never wrote a review. We didn't wander around near the ship for long but I have good memories of the beach walk and love that it's likely to look different each visit (and in each photo you see) due to the sand and tides.

After lunch we took a drive to see the shipwreck. It was a BEAUTIFUL sunny afternoon and was high…read moretide. Been here years ago and it was as just as stunning as it was then. Will return at low tide.

I had a one hour tour and a fun time of the history of Astoria, and the story of the 1922 fires…read morethat occurred. The tour narrators were constantly making the group laugh. We were taken down below the street and we observed vintage antiques and educated on how and where the 1922 fire of Astoria started and began. There were tunnels and cool things to see below. It was worth the $20 . Don't forget to tip on the way out.

Super fun and funny tour. Chad and "fingers" made the tour interesting and very entertaining. How…read morehas a documentary or film not been made of the Clowns of Astoria!?

This was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had! My wife and I were recently on a vacation to…read moreOceanside when we came across and ad for Jim's Biplane Rides. We are really into planes and thought this would be a cool experience. It was! Jim was a great host and an absolute blast to be with. He is super knowledgeable and friendly and a great pilot. I was a little anxious before we started the flight, but he showed me his guest book with hundreds of other customers who have ridden on his plane and had an amazing time. If you are in the area and enjoy planes and flying, I HIGHLY recommend checking out Jim's Biplane Rides.

Saw a banner advertising biplane rides as I was driving into Seaside on my way to Cannon Beach…read more Decided to stop, and check it out. I met Jim, a very affable gentlemen who obviously knows his aircraft inside and out - it really shows. His biplane is in mint condition - especially when you consider it was made in 1929! You get to sit in the front cockpit while Jim flies in the seat behind you. He gives you all the safety details, makes sure you're comfortable, tells you how to get great pictures, and then take you up in the air! He'll even take pictures of you while you're in the air and share them with you. Did I mention, it's a blast to ride in the plane? No? Best. Time. Ever. The views are spectacular from the moment you take off. Took my son up with me, and we both loved it. The ocean, the mountains, the river, the city, the sights - they're are all jaw dropping. Jim offers many different flight options, from a basic flight to the more scenic and longer flights. Quite a bargain considering what you get. You do need two people per flight (or be willing to pay double) - it's just the economics of running an antique aircraft. But Jim makes it totally worth it. No better time to be had in Seaside!

Clean park with great hiking trails. Fairly clean restrooms. Drove down to the beach and took the…read moredogs to see the Peter irondale. This camping trip they had a free concert on the lawn by the battery. I love that the golf carts drive by to bring you firewood for a standard $7 fee. Terrible reception and cellular in the park. Overall great trip with lots of sunshine.

This is based on a 2-night stay at a the F-Loop. *Access to…read morenature: 5 stars. The lake is amazing. Multiple access points to the beach, including the ability to drive onto the beach. Absolutely stunning views. *Privacy in campgrounds: 1 star You will enjoy no separation from neighboring campsites. Enjoy dinner with all other surrounding sites staring at you! Plus, if tent camping, you can hear the neighbors whisper. *Cleanliness of campsite: 5 stars Not a piece of trash in the campsite. Was well cleaned. *Location of restrooms/showers: 4 stars Took less than 2 minutes to walk to the restrooms/showers located in the center of the loop. *Cleanliness of restrooms: 3 stars Not good, not bad. Floors haven't been swept in a long time. Everywhere is sticky. *Cleanliness of showers: 1 star F-loop showers were NASTY. Fishing lure in the drain, hair on the walls, gum stuck to the floor, diapers left inside. WEAR SHOES WHILE YOU SHOWER. E-Loop showers next door were much, much more reasonable. *Noise: 1 star Quiet hours are from 10pm-7am. However, it is not enforced. Every single other camper quieted down around 10pm. Except for one exceptionally loud group who continued to be loud and obnoxious until midnight. We were harassed by this group but didn't have a problem with anyone else. CALL THE PARK ASAP if you are having issues like this early in the day because they don't patrol.(503)861‑3170 x 21. *They sell wood and ice at a reasonable price with a drop box for cash payment. *Is less than a 15 minute drive to Fred Meyer. *There is a giant playground and they were offering Junior Ranger "classes" for kids. *Bike, Kayak, and Paddle-board rentals were available.

I unfortunately visited during the off-season, so there weren't any rangers performing…read moredemonstrations in the Fort Clatsop replica. However, there was plenty to read in the Visitor Center's museum, which also boasts a gift shop. I skipped the film that was being shown as I was on a tight schedule. As it wasn't raining too hard, I did the easy hiking trail that leads from the fort, which was well maintained and not strenuous. If you plan on visiting from July to August, there are Paddle Tours on Fridays and Saturdays along the Lewis and Clark River, which are led by NPS rangers. They're free with admission, although apparently the book up fast and so reservations are recommended (online, with $1 reservation fee). They also provide watercraft, paddles, and life jackets, which makes this a steal. I'll have to return during the summertime to do this.

If you're in the Seaside area and like history, this is a MUST see! I learned so many things I…read moredidn't know and the area is absolutely beautiful!

Amazing views! The drive into Ecola was just beautiful, dense forest all around. Currently love in…read morethe desert, so all the green was a treat. We only did the Ecola Point viewpoint which has some short trails from the parking lot. You can see the lighthouse a little bit from some of the views, but probably not as well as grub the lighthouse view trail. Still amazing views tho down into Cannon Beach, haystack rock, etc. If you're going to visit a lot of state parks, I recommend getting the state park pass. Worth the price!

Home is where the heart is. This area was my stomping…read more grounds for many moons! I use to go to Ecola state park, regularly growing up. Go on hikes,look for rocks shells,surf, get lost in nature, just sit in the grass and watch the ocean. Here is what you can do at Ecola State Park: Hiking & Walking: Explore trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes through Sitka spruce forests. The Clatsop Loop Trail follows the path of1806 explorers, while the Oregon Coast Trail offers longer, scenic treks. Indian Beach: A popular, secluded cove for surfing, sunbathing, and tide-pooling to see sea stars and anemones. Viewpoints: Take in spectacular vistas from Ecola Point, including views of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse ("Terrible Tilly") and distant Haystack Rock. Wildlife Viewing: The park is known for herds of elk grazing in the meadows, as well as sightings of bald eagles and migrating gray whales. Picnicking: Enjoy lunch at the picnic areas located on the grassy bluffs with ocean views. Photography: The dramatic, moody coastline provides excellent opportunities for photography. Oregon State

This is for the 4/19 Spring Splendor Excursion from Rockaway Beach to Wheeler…read more Overall a nice pleasant experience, except that the person on the microphone spoke too quickly and didn't explain some of the train specific terms that are not very common. It would have been nice to spend more time in Wheeler shopping. The train seems to move at a snails pace in some parts.

This is a kid-friendly, hour and a half long chu chu train ride, 30 minutes each way with 30…read moreminutes in town. The website was easy to maneuver and order tickets with several options for seating (open air car, covered open car, coach car or car with tables.) Checking in was interesting as there is no depot at the Gardibaldi station. You stand outside the stop and wait for the train to arrive. The ride was very slow perfect for little ones to see the views. A bit too slow for me. The history narration was insightful and not too lengthy. The train stopped at the Rockaway Depot and passengers had 30 minutes to peruse the shops or take a bathroom break. I wish I had thought to schedule the return trip for two hours later, as I would have liked more time to visit in Rockaway. Overall, a pleasant experience, but one I won't repeat at $36.00 (with fees) a ticket.

t was a beautiful evening tour. Capt Bruce points out historical points along the way and shares…read moreintersting stories. It's nice to see Astoria from the river and then travel through tucked away areas you can't get to by car.

We went on a 3 hour tour with Captain Bruce on Saturday morning and thoroughly enjoyed it. He was…read morefunny and super knowledgeable without feeling overdone tour guide-like. So much great information about the river and shipping!!! We saw a harbor seal, sea lions, a bald eagle, a crane and lots of seagulls and other birds. It was a little chilly so we were glad for our coats, hats and gloves. Watching from below wouldn't have been nearly as fun as being up on the deck. I have two suggestions for improvement and would have given 5 stars: 1. The boat needs some tidying up. Even if someone lives here sometimes, put things away, dust, vacuum, etc. so the first impression upon boarding isn't one of entering a messy dorm room. 2. Offer bottled water or some sort of light snack and beverage. It's a 3 hour trip. Sure we brought our own but it would be a nice touch. I imagine some of the local companies would give you a deal to offer their products and help spread the word about their delicious beer, chocolate, baked goods, etc. Well worth the cost and a great way to really see Astoria and understand this river town.