Where the mighty Columbia River finishes its 1,200-mile journey to reach the sea, travelers can experience a confluence of their own at the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa. There, beneath the lofty Astoria–Megler Bridge, excitement and relaxation come together at a property unlike any other, in a small town that attracts visitors with historic charm and warm hospitality.

During your stay, you’ll see how Astoria’s maritime past is very much alive today; for decades, Cannery Pier Hotel was a working dock where tuna and salmon were processed. Throughout its conversion to a boutique hotel, architectural details like smokestacks, exposed steel beams, and wooden trusses were preserved, maintaining the authenticity of its heyday. Major renovations, including the addition of and the expansion of the only full-service spa in town, brought it to the comfortable and well-appointed condition guests now see.

Settle in and go to Bar 600 for a classic cocktail and shareable plates in the lobby; with the Cannery Cheers Credit, each room comes with a $25 voucher per day to use on site for food and drink. Watch the sun set on cargo ships loitering offshore, and later embrace the classic luxury of your room with a soak in the clawfoot tub. As you settle into sumptuous sheets, let the sound of lapping water drift you off to sleep — far from the riverbank (and even further from any worries).

Start the next morning with a complimentary hot breakfast featuring an omelet chef and other favorite dishes. Next, loosen up with a soak in the mineral hot tub or step into the Finnish sauna, then book a rejuvenating massage or facial.

Visiting for a special occasion? There are packages to upgrade any celebration, from “Birthday & Bubbles” to a Sunrise Mimosa flight. Truly enjoy the height of living in the Pilot House, the fourth-floor penthouse that features two separate king bedrooms with their own jetted tubs and a rain shower, as well as a kitchen and private standing balconies.

To help you explore, cruiser bikes are available for guests. Chauffeur car service can get you to and from downtown in the evenings. The revitalized Astoria Waterfront Trolley is another fun option to get around. For just $2, you can hop on and off all day.

Industry along the waterfront has diversified into brewing and sightseeing cruises, and that creative, entrepreneurial spirit bleeds into art galleries like Confluence Studio Gallery or Astoria Visual Arts, and unique shops along a must-see main street. There are also unique museums like the Oregon Film Museum, housed in the old county jailhouse, and the Flavel House Museum, which provides a glimpse into the life of a prominent 19th-century ship captain. Catching a show at the Liberty Theatre is another worthwhile addition to your itinerary.

Steep hills that surround the port and colorful Victorian homes earned Astoria the nickname “Little San Francisco,” and that moniker really hits home while taking in the panorama from atop the Astoria Column, a landmark celebrating its centennial this year. Kiddos will love seeing how far their balsa wood planes (sold for $1 in the gift shop) can soar from the observation deck.

Looking for a bite with plenty of local flavor? Just on the other side of Youngs Bay (about a 10-minute drive), you can enjoy a fresh bowl of clam chowder or dunk golden chunks of crispy, beer-battered cod into tartar sauce at Ship Out Fish & Chips. Sweet tooths in search of dessert should head to Custard King for a cone or shake (they serve burgers and seafood too), and to cap the night off with tropical flair, check out the immersive tiki bar experience at Dead Man’s Isle. The Volcano drink, made with rum, pineapple, coconut, peach, and curacao, topped with prosecco, can even be turned into a bowl to share with two of your best mates.

When it’s time to head home, every guest will leave with memories to last a lifetime, but hotel staff go the extra mile with a thoughtful parting gift. Upload your favorite photo from your trip by 8 p.m. on the day before your check-out date, and you’ll receive that picture, framed, upon your departure. Every time you look at it, you’ll feel the pull to return to Cannery Pier.