Guidebook: Assessing Astoria

Getting there: The closest airport is in Portland, about two hours away by car. United and Alaska fly nonstop from LAX to Portland. Restricted round-trip fares start at $142.

Where to stay: Astoria Inn Bed & Breakfast, 3391 Irving Ave.; (800) 718-8153 or (503) 325-8153, https://www.astoriainnbb.com. Comfortable Victorian house on a quiet street has great river view. Doubles from $70.

Grandview Bed & Breakfast, 1574 Grand Ave.; (800) 488-3250 or (503) 325-5555, https://www.pacifier.com/~grndview. Near museums and restaurants. Doubles $76-$101.

Red Lion Inn Astoria, 400 Industry St. (off Marine Drive); (800) 733-5466 or (503) 325-7373, fax (503) 325-5786, https://www.redlion.com. Modern hotel overlooks river. Doubles from $69.

Where to eat: Columbian Cafe, 1114 Marine Drive; (503) 325-2233. Fish and vegetarian cuisines served in an environment best described as “early garage sale.” Try the hot pepper jelly on your Texas toast. Open daily 8 a.m.-2 p.m. for breakfast; dinners 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Dinner entrees from $8; breakfast about $10. Cash or personal check only.

Home Spirit Bakery and Cafe, 1585 Exchange St.; (503) 325-6846, https://www.home-spirit.com. Popular favorite in Victorian house serves hearty, locally grown fare. Lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; dinner 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Fixed-price dinner $21.

Josephson’s Smokehouse, 106 Marine Drive; (503) 325-2190. Mainly a retail outlet, but with an eat-in area. Several varieties of smoked fish, plus a thick clam chowder. 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday- Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $5 per person buys a substantial serving of smoked fish.

Silver Salmon Grille, 1105 Commercial St.; (503) 338-6640, fax (503) 325-3690. Emphasis on salmon and other local seafood in stylish setting. Lunch, dinner daily. Most entrees less than $20.

Someplace Else, 965 Commercial St.; (503) 325-3500, https://www.pacifier.com/~someplac. The menu is primarily Italian standard, but the daily specials come from all over. Lunch and dinner; closed Monday and Tuesday. Dinner entrees from $6.75; all lunches $4.75.

For more information: Astoria & Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, 111 W. Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103; (800) 875-6807 or (503) 325-6311, fax (503) 325-9767, https://www.oldoregon.com.

Oregon Tourism Commission, 775 Summer St. N.E., Salem, OR 97301; (800) 547-7842 or (503) 986-0000, fax (503) 986-0001, https://www.traveloregon.com.

Jerry V. Haines