East Mooring Basin Boat Ramp – Sea lions

I adore sea lions, especially when I don’t have to pay to see them. The Sea Lion Caves in Florence are a rip off (imho). There are a lot of fun and free family activities on the coast and a stop to see the sea lions in Astoria is part of our regular itinerary.
As you enter Astoria from Portland along Hwy-​30, turn right on 36^th Street and park in the lot on your left. You can walk directly out on the pier and after a couple hundred yards, you’ll see dozens of sea lions floating on the dock to your left. You can’t miss them. In fact, you’ll hear them long before you see them.
There is a nice separation between the pier and the sea lions, so you get a good view without intruding on their territory or them getting too close to your little ones. Don’t be ‘that guy’ and feed the animals. Just take plenty of photos.
If you want to continue on Jen K’s ‘free things to do in Astoria’ tour… head a block east on Hwy-​30 and turn right on 37^th Street, then left on Duane to see the Goonies House. Or you can just stay parked where you are and head into town by foot or bike along the River Walk.