Shipwreck Beach | Oregon Coast

Shipwreck Beach is everything. We accessed it via an entrance within Fort Stevens State Park in the city of Warrenton about 20 minutes from of Astoria. Next to it is Sunset Beach where you can drive south on the sand for miles. After exploring the Peter Iredale shipwreck that is exactly what we did. (You don't need an ORV pass.) 

There are plenty of beach-goers, but with so much space you feel like you have the entire place to yourself. We drove past lots of RVs partaking in beach camping. Opportunities to exit the beach exist at marked turn offs so an eventual left hand turn took us into a pretty neighborhood and we navigated home from there.  

Taking in these wide open sandy shores and dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see, I was humbled and overwhelmed. Oregon's northernmost coastline has an indescribable magic to it, a feeling that crept in with each new section of the coast we visited.

Cape Disappointment | Washington

From Astoria we drove to Cape Disappointment State Park located just outside the small town of Ilwaco, Washington. Driving over the pretty sea foam green Astoria-Megler Bridge as it stands against the bright blue sky and deep evergreen forest is an experience in itself. At 4.1 miles long it clocks in as the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. Add to that it has a steep incline that takes you to soaring heights for one impressive driving-over-a-bridge experience.

We spent the first half of our day at Dead Man's Cove, discovered on a whim when hiking up to Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. We had grabbed lunch to-go from Blue Scorcher Bakery in town and this cove beckoned us to enjoy a picnic lunch on its sandy, driftwood filled shores. A delicious spinach + tomato quiche and a red pepper + potato focaccia sandwich proved we did find recommendation worthy food in Astoria after all! We also had a bottle of Rogue Oregasmic IPA which was a favorite among the eight we sampled the night before at Pier 39 Public House. 

It was the warmest day of our trip and I'm so glad we got to enjoy the sunshine in this magical little cove. And the views from the lighthouse did not disappoint. PUN INTENDED!

Cannery Pier Hotel | Astoria

I gave an overview of all the hotels we stayed at in Oregon here. Cannery Pier was particularly special, easily the most photogenic. I'm confident this is the place to stay if you are visiting Astoria.

[Hotel Perks / details I loved]

-Architecturally stunning and well decorated common area where we ate breakfast and enjoyed wine and cheese at happy hour.

-A teal blue '57 Chevy + a driver to bring you into town.

-An antique cannery machine on display in the lobby that was made in Rutland, VT (Engraved on top: CRPA = Columbia River Packers Association). 

-Spacious bedrooms featuring hardwood floors, a lounge area with a gas fireplace and a riverfront balcony.

-A blissful clawfoot tub. Additionally, an indoor hot tub with-a-view just down the hall. 

-The window seat and that Pendleton Blanket. The perfect place for getting cozy with a mug of coffee and a book. Or gazing through the binoculars at the seals playing in the river.