This Peaceful Gem of a Coffee House in Oregon Is the Next Big Thing in Slow Travel

Slow travel doesn’t mean that you don’t have a destination or a direction in mind, it merely means that you wish to slow down and enjoy the journey. To this end, Coffee Girl in Astoria might just be the perfect peaceful stop as you journey along the Oregon seaside. 

Oregon’s port city, Astoria, is perhaps best known by the rest of the United States as a filming location for many movies. Most famously, a family classic with beloved actors that spawned dozens of one-liners still used today, "The Goonies." The city does lean into its film fame, but is still dedicated to informing travelers on the important (and largely unknown) maritime history of the area. Although some cities leave their historic buildings to be mere remnants of the days of old, Astoria incorporates its past into its present and sees it as an opportunity for education and artistry. 

Coffee Girl is a small coffee house nestled in the oldest cannery building in the West. Located on Pier 39, Coffee Girl is only one of the businesses in the Hanthorn Cannery Building. As a result, finding it can seem a bit odd, but it also feels like somewhat of an adventure even in its slightly disorganized state. In any case, even amongst a brewery, winery, store, rooms for rent, and a museum, the coffee house stands out as a local favorite and a burgeoning attraction for tourists due to its quality of coffee and array of pastries and sandwiches, with options that can satisfy everyone — even those with food allergies. 

The space was named in homage to the women who would serve coffee to the cannery workers back in the days when Bumble Bee Seafood dominated the pier. To this day, the counter they used back then is still installed in the coffee house, and pictures can be found throughout the building dedicated to the workers.

The shop is open for breakfast and lunch, and although it can get crowded at times, it does have indoor and outdoor seating. A tip: try to get a seat at one of the large windows that open onto the Columbia River. You will be rewarded with a beautiful and also oddly fun view, with all sorts of animals to observe (mainly sea lions, pelicans, and other birds), as well as sizable ships that sail by on their way to port in the area or on to Portland. 

Something to note is that parking for the pier can be a bit tricky, so during busy hours, it’s best to park outside the pier and take the short walk over. Additionally, Coffee Girl is a business that rests just above the bay. This means that you’ll get the fun aspect of sea life, with dynamic views of the boats and ocean creatures. But it also means that you get the not-so-fun aspects, namely the smells and sounds. No, you will not hear the calm lapping of waves or the sounds of sailors calling back and forth from the boats like you’re in an old-timey black and white navy film. Instead, you will hear barking sea lions, and you will smell them, and that’s just going to have to be something you’re okay with. 

It may seem like a small shop with decent popularity may not be the peaceful, slow stop you’re looking for on your trip. But Coffee Girl works efficiently and tirelessly, just as the women did back in the days of when it was a cannery. The space is warm and welcoming, with views that just can’t be beat. However, perhaps you think you have an even better recommendation? Use our nomination form and tell us all about it!