#3 Recommended Quick Trip

#3- See the Sea lions

These large California Sea lions are the bane of locals with their constant barking at night. Local fishermen are not big fans either as they eat salmon right out of the nets that they set in the river. An occasional shotgun blast can be heard echoing off the hill from the river during salmon season, but who knows why. However this protected species is very entertaining to watch for visitors to Astoria. Anywhere along the riverfront you might be treated to a sea lion sighting as they cruise up and down the river looking for an easy meal. The locals know a better way to see them though. Travel to the East Mooring Basin, which is located on the extreme east side of town on Marine Drive/Highway 30. If you are traveling east it is going to be the first left after you pass the Safeway grocery store. You will drive down a little paved road and you can park on the left, or continue to drive out onto the main mooring basin dock. The sea lions are pretty hard to miss as they sit on the first boat mooring dock to your left and bask in the sun or rain. You can even walk down onto this dock and could, theoretically, walk up and touch them. I do NOT recommend doing this as they are very aggressive and territorial, and have sharp teeth and lightning speed over short distances. I personally would not get any closer than 15-20 yards. You will see big males guarding their territory as the smaller females jump on and off the docks. My father calls them the laziest creatures on the river, and after seeing them you might agree, but they are impressive to see and I highly recommend you take a few minutes to do so.

Jeremy's Insider Tips-

Take a at least a light jacket, a camera, and if you don't want to (or aren't brave enough to) walk down onto the lower dock, some binoculars for spectacular close up views of this huge mammal. A basic rule of thumb is if they look at you and bark, then you are too close to them. If you want a little action you can always stop at Links Sporting Goods store on Commercial Blvd in downtown Astoria and buy a package of smelt (a type of bait fish) and toss them out to the sea lions. Notice I did not say hand feed them. Don't worry, they are too lazy to follow you home for more.