These are just opinions, so take them with a grain of salt. If you have other opinions or more info, please pass them on to: chaos5@viclinkcom .
Warning! The Flood of '96 may have changed channels significantly! Be careful & don't trust last year's knowledge. If anyone discovers changes that should be made to this information, please pass them on.
There have been other opinions expressed to me. Some folks avoid the place due to problems with the harbormaster and there was an interesting report of a (now-fixed) peephole into the middle shower. I'd check the showers to be sure, though.
The West basin, just downstream of the bridge, has a new fuel dock which is now operating with a huge new onshore tank and line. The hours are seven days a week (May through Oct 15th) 8:AM to 5:PM. The phone number is 503 325-2101. The West Basin also has a pumpout, restrooms & showers. The restrooms are adequate though there is only one shower in the men's room (haven't been in the ladies). When the sailing season is on picking the right time to shower is important. Restrooms require a combination which the harbor master will give you when you check in. There's an interesting collection of fishing boats, large & small, local boats, liveaboards and other sailors waiting for the weather to head north or south.
The Pig is a good breakfast house with friendly and efficient waitresses and has a full menu. Did I say that the Pig and Pancake has the best Cocoanut Cream Pie in the world? Follow the tracks east to eleventh street and you'll find Pier 11, an excellent dining house on the river. If you follow the tracks to about sixteenth street you'll find Englund's Marine Supplies. They've been in business a long time and have what you need more often than not. The people are knowledgeable and friendly, the variety great, and the prices reasonably competitive.
There is a fine Maritime Museum on the waterfront that is well worth a visit, figure two hours for a walk-through. I understand they have a dock now, but have no detailed knowledge. Don't forget to take a walkthrough at the Flavel House Museum on eighth street for a peek into theVictorian era living of an old time sea captain.
Tongue Point is just a few miles upriver from Astoria. Many times I have anchored behind there in the "black jelly" mud and very sticky sand and my Danforth style anchors have dragged due to failure to properly set in this gelatinous yet very firm bottom. Based upon observation, I believe the anchor becomes "glued" all over with the sand/mud bottom and, thus loaded, fails to reset upon the change of wind and/or tide. I always set two anchors, sometimes both from the bow, sometimes one bow and one stern. A plow anchor is superior in my opinion in this location. I like to rise early and watch the terns and eagles fishing. Last trip I saw an eagle carrying a tern. Hell to be lower on the food chain.
There is a nice place on the west side called the Skipanon Marina & Yacht Club. It has good concrete docks & free showers for those who moor there, but it very shallow. Only a few slips could handle a 4.5' draft. There is a nice restaurant above the marina.
There is another place, the Warrenton Mooring Basin on the East side of the waterway. It is larger & deeper and has more commercial fishing boats. I was moored there years ago when it was more popular than Astoria which was, at the time, in decline. The restrooms are just short of open air with no heat. However, the showers are nice. I have heard of problems with Warrenton Harbor but do not currently know the specifics. If you are moored in Warrenton and need hardware or stainless fasteners, I recommend the Coast to Coast store at the hwy 101 junction a decent walk away. They have a good stainless fastener selection and plenty of tools and housewares.
There is a park on the point west of the basin with a couple of tables and a small river beach for the kids to play on. A few blocks inland is the town with a couple of stores & pubs and a bicycle rental place. Fort Stevens State Park abuts Hammond on the west side with miles of trails to walk and ride, historical monuments, wildlife and beaches (good use for the rented bike). It is a large park built around an old fort that defended the Columbia from the 1860s thru the 1940s. There is a museum a mile or two from the basin. From there, bike paths lead south & west to the rest of the park & to the beach and clear to the south jetty of the Columbia to the north. You may have an opportunity in Hammond to look for the eggs for which the town is so famous. You hear them asked for all over the world........Hammond eggs?