Nestled where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, Astoria, Oregon, is a coastal town rich in history and style. A seamless blend of maritime grit and West Coast cool, this Northern Oregon gem offers design-savvy travelers from Peoria a refreshing and fashion-forward escape. From the refined comforts of the Cannery Pier Hotel to the sophisticated dishes at Daphne, Astoria delivers style with substance.
Cannery Pier Hotel: Where Industrial Meets Elegant
For visitors seeking luxury with a sense of place, the Cannery Pier Hotel is Astoria’s crown jewel. Set on a former seafood cannery site, the boutique hotel sits dramatically 600 feet over the Columbia River on its own private pier. The property pays homage to the region’s industrial past while exuding modern coastal sophistication with its exposed beams, vintage-style maritime lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Each room offers a private balcony and cozy fireplace—perfect for watching cargo ships glide past or soaking in a foggy morning. Thoughtful touches include clawfoot tubs with river views, local wine and cheese receptions, and complimentary chauffeur service in a vintage Rolls-Royce. The hotel’s curated details and historic flair create a timeless elegance that style-conscious travelers will appreciate.
Pacific Northwest on a Plate
Astoria’s culinary scene is undergoing a stylish renaissance, and nowhere is that more evident than at Daphne. Located just a short drive in the classic Rolls-Royce from the Cannery Pier Hotel, this intimate restaurant delivers elevated Pacific Northwest fare in a sleek, minimalist space. Think clean lines, natural wood, and an open kitchen that lets the artistry unfold before your eyes.
Daphne’s seasonal menu reflects both refinement and comfort. It offers the famed local salmon, slow-cooked lamb with foraged herbs, specialties like sherry-braised morels, and desserts that are as artful as they are delicious. A standout is the tasting menu that gives chef and co-owner Jake Martin a chance to showcase his culinary expertise with beautiful small plates that lead diners on a journey through the best of the Pacific Northwest. The wine list leans local, and the cocktails are elegantly crafted. Daphne is a must for those who value stylish dining in an unpretentious atmosphere.
Vintage Vibes, Contemporary Cool
Downtown Astoria is a treasure trove for lovers of vintage design and locally curated style. The historic buildings—many dating back to the early 1900s—house a mix of eclectic boutiques, antique shops, and independent galleries. Pop into Forsythea for elegant home goods and jewelry or explore Lucy’s Books, a charming indie bookstore with thoughtful displays and a cozy vibe.
Blue Scorcher Bakery & Café offers artisan pastries and fair-trade coffee in a warm, artsy setting for a fashionable caffeine fix. Nearby, the Liberty Theatre—an Art Deco beauty—hosts performances and events in a restored 1925 space that’s as elegant as its programming.
Style with a View
Astoria impresses beyond the boutiques and bites with its stylish landscapes and cinematic views. A drive up to the iconic Astoria Column rewards visitors with panoramic vistas of the Columbia River, Pacific Ocean, and surrounding forests. Adorned with a hand-painted spiral frieze depicting the region’s history, the column itself is an artistic landmark.
For something unique, the Astoria-Megler Bridge—a marvel of mid-century design—stretches gracefully across the river into Washington and is best appreciated during the golden hour. Or explore the surrounding neighborhoods lined with Victorian homes in sea-weathered hues, many lovingly restored with colorful trim and classic porches.
Craft, Culture, and Curiosities
The city's love of artistry is evident in places like Imogen Gallery, which showcases contemporary Pacific Northwest artists, and in the whimsical installations at the Garden of Surging Waves, a serene Chinese heritage park tucked into the downtown core. Style here is not just what’s worn—it’s how the town presents itself: thoughtfully, creatively, and authentically.
Even a visit to the Columbia River Maritime Museum blends form and function. The museum’s sleek architecture and interactive exhibits tell the story of one of the world’s most dangerous river bars while maintaining a polished visual appeal.
Getting There in Style
Getting to Astoria is easy by flying into Portland International Airport and then taking a scenic two-hour drive along the coastal route via U.S. Highway 30, which offers a perfect welcome to the Pacific Northwest, passing through misty forests and riverside towns and finally delivering visitors to the heart of Oregon’s oldest city. Whether for a romantic weekend, a girls’ getaway, or a solo design retreat, Astoria offers the kind of cool-weather charm and visual elegance that desert dwellers crave when the warm months seem to linger.
Astoria is a Chic Escape
Astoria is having a moment—not a loud, trendy one, but a quietly confident revival that respects its roots while offering something fresh. It’s a place where salmon boats share the river with cruise ships, where boutiques nestle into century-old storefronts, and where a historic cannery becomes one of the Pacific Northwest’s most distinctive hotels.
Astoria is a destination worth the journey for North Peoria travelers seeking beauty, charm, and style in a cool coastal setting.
Susan Lanier-Graham | @wanderwithwonder
Susan Lanier-Graham is a full-time food, wine, and travel writer who searches the globe for those unforgettable wow moments that inspire and delight. With decades of storytelling experience, she shares culinary treasures, luxury escapes, and hidden gems on WanderWithWonder.com, where readers discover how to travel deeper, taste more, and savor the journey.
Astoria is having a moment—not a loud, trendy one, but a quietly confident revival that respects its roots while offering something fresh.