#4 - Drive Across the Astoria-Megler Bridge
The Astoria-Megler Bridge is probably, with the Astoria Column, one of the most recognizable symbols of Astoria, Oregon. When it was built it was a toll bridge and cost around $1.50 to travel across, but it was agreed that when the tolls equaled what it cost to build the bridge the tolls 
would stop. After many years the tolls finally paid for the bridge, and if you take a good look at the bridge that is a lot of $1.50 tolls, so you are no longer charged for driving on it. Unless you have access to a boat this is the only way that you are going to get a mid-river view of Astoria and the Washington side of the Columbia River. If you go out at low-tide you will also get a close up view of the sand bars which are responsible for so many stranded ships over the hundreds of years that boats have been braving the river. Although you cannot stop on the bridge you will get an amazing view of the beautiful city of Astoria and up and down the Columbia River. This drive to the Washington side and back is highly recommended both during the day and at night. The trip across the bridge is approximately four miles and the bridge is located at one of the widest points on the Columbia River. It is well worth the gas.
Jeremy's Insider Tips-
It was this bridge which "#5" from the movie Short Circuit parachuted, and it can be seen in Kindergarten Cop and Goonies to name just a couple of the movies shot in the scenic wonderland that is Astoria, Oregon. The highest point of the bridge marks the Columbia River Channel, which is constantly maintained to allow large ships to travel up and down the deceptively shallow river. You may want to bring a camera even though you cannot stop on the bridge. When you reach the Washington side of the bridge you can make a right turn and travel about 1/2-1 mile to a rest area where you can park and really enjoy the view of Astoria from the Washington side. There are picnic tables if you want to spend more than a few minutes there, and if you visit this rest area you may want to bring some binoculars if you have some.
would stop. After many years the tolls finally paid for the bridge, and if you take a good look at the bridge that is a lot of $1.50 tolls, so you are no longer charged for driving on it. Unless you have access to a boat this is the only way that you are going to get a mid-river view of Astoria and the Washington side of the Columbia River. If you go out at low-tide you will also get a close up view of the sand bars which are responsible for so many stranded ships over the hundreds of years that boats have been braving the river. Although you cannot stop on the bridge you will get an amazing view of the beautiful city of Astoria and up and down the Columbia River. This drive to the Washington side and back is highly recommended both during the day and at night. The trip across the bridge is approximately four miles and the bridge is located at one of the widest points on the Columbia River. It is well worth the gas.Jeremy's Insider Tips-
It was this bridge which "#5" from the movie Short Circuit parachuted, and it can be seen in Kindergarten Cop and Goonies to name just a couple of the movies shot in the scenic wonderland that is Astoria, Oregon. The highest point of the bridge marks the Columbia River Channel, which is constantly maintained to allow large ships to travel up and down the deceptively shallow river. You may want to bring a camera even though you cannot stop on the bridge. When you reach the Washington side of the bridge you can make a right turn and travel about 1/2-1 mile to a rest area where you can park and really enjoy the view of Astoria from the Washington side. There are picnic tables if you want to spend more than a few minutes there, and if you visit this rest area you may want to bring some binoculars if you have some.
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