Planning a Trip

Getting There -- From Portland, take U.S. 30W. From the north or south, take U.S. 101.

Visitor Information -- Contact the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, 111 W. Marine Dr. (P.O. Box 176), Astoria, OR 97103 (tel. 800/875-6807 or 503/325-6311; www.oldoregon.com).

Festivals -- The Astoria Regatta (www.astoriaregatta.org), held each year in early August, is the city's biggest festival and includes lots of sailboat races. You've probably heard of cowboy poetry, but have you heard of fisher poetry? Astoria's annual Fisher Poets Gathering (www.clatsopcc.edu/fisherpoets), held in late February, celebrates the poetry of commercial fishermen and women.