Hey, You Guys! We Finally Did It.
Four years ago, in one of our first-ever conversations, Tamar and I discovered we were both obsessed with The Goonies. That magical 1985 treasure hunt movie set in Astoria, Oregon, sparked something between us — the kind of connection only two ‘80s-loving, pop-culture-saturated sober Gen X women can truly understand.
We made a pact that day: someday we’d head to Astoria, live out our Goonies dreams, and recreate our very own sober treasure hunt. Fast-forward to today — we’re colleagues, podcast co-conspirators, and besties — and we did it. We turned our mutual movie nostalgia into a full-blown Sober Curator Workation adventure. (And yes, we got paid to play. Dreams do come true.)
Base Camp: The Ultimate Workation Loft
We set up camp in a stunning downtown Astoria Airbnb loft — an eclectic industrial dream with 18-foot ceilings, tons of natural light, and workspace vibes that screamed “productive with flair.” It was tucked behind an art gallery in the heart of Astoria’s arts district. Perfect for balancing laptop time with laughter, cookie breaks, and spontaneous photo shoots.
🍪 Sober Curator Pro Tip: Breakfast was included daily at Astoria Coffeehouse Bistro, conveniently across the street — and their gianormous homemade cookies are next-level. Tamar’s a peanut butter gal. I went straight for the molasses. Zero regrets.
👉 Airbnb link: Astoria Downtown Loft
Sunday: The Goonies Begin
We hit the road early, Goonies Spotify playlist blasting (listen here), Jeep packed with snacks and camera gear. First stop? The Astoria Sunday Farmers Market — an explosion of local color, fresh produce, and characters that felt like extras from the movie.
Then came Mystic Vintage Clothing (@mysticstudiousa on IG), a must-visit for sober vintage lovers. The owners are sober, the merch is rad, and they’ve got Mikey’s Nikes replicas from the movie on display. We also hit Gizmo’s Retrocade for vintage toys, ‘80s memorabilia, and, of course, more Goonies merch. Goonies never say stop shopping.
By afternoon, we were beach-bound — destination Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park, where The Goonies’ most iconic scenes were filmed. Haystack Rock did not disappoint, even under classic Pacific Northwest skies. We closed the day in Seaside with fish and chips at The Crabby Oyster, ending our first day in full nostalgic bliss.
That night, we had our own impromptu “ghost photo shoot” outside Astoria Ghost Tour Underground, right next door to our loft. (They were closed, but that didn’t stop us — Goonies never say die, and apparently, never say no to a photo op.)
Monday & Tuesday: Work Hard, Play Harder
Monday was all about the remote work life — deadlines by day, adventures by dusk. We hit up Walmart for essentials (which turned into LEGO purchases and new Pajamas because… priorities). Later, a random sunset drive led to a spontaneous catwalk photoshoot in a downtown alley.
Tuesday was dedicated to the official Goonies pilgrimage. We started at Astoria Coffee Roasters (yes, more merch), then made the sacred drive-by of Mikey’s House and Data’s House — both still privately owned, so we kept it respectful and street-side.
From there, we hit the Oregon Film Museum (complete with the OG Goonies Jeep and zero truffle-shuffle requirements for photo ops) and the Flavel House Museum, just across the street. Both were cinematic time capsules.
We wrapped up with dinner at Pig N Pancake — because breakfast-for-dinner is a love language — and an evening at the Astoria Column. Tamar braved the climb. I stayed grounded, laughing hysterically from below while recording proof of her heroism. If you see any of our videos, this one’s gold.
Wednesday: Locking Hearts, Unlocking Joy
By Wednesday, we’d hit our groove: mornings at Astoria Coffeehouse Bistro, laptops out, coffee in hand. For our lunch break, we strolled the Astoria Riverwalk, snapping shots by the bridge and stopping at Ghost Ship (where we found more killer Goonies merch and left metaphorical heart locks of gratitude).
Dinner was at Deadman’s Isle, where we feasted on BBQ sliders and sweet potato fries, paired with alcohol-free piña coladas that had us feeling very alive (Hello, evening sugar rush!) While they didn’t have an alcohol-free menu, the bartender was happy to whip up a few mocktails upon request.
Thursday: Cookies to Go & Gratitude Galore
Before hitting I-5 north, we grabbed one last breakfast — and a cookie to go — from Astoria Coffeehouse Bistro. As we packed up the Jeep, we couldn’t stop smiling. Four years ago, this was just a wild, giggly “one day” dream. But like true Goonies, we followed the map, dodged adulthood booby traps, and found our treasure: connection, creativity, and joy — all alcohol-free.
The Sober Curator’s Goonies Guide to Astoria
🎬 Must-Sees for Goonies Fans:
- Oregon Film Museum: 732 Duane St — Jailbreak scene location, movie props, and film trail maps.
- Flavel House Museum: 441 8th St — Mikey’s dad’s workplace scenes.
- Mikey’s & Data’s Houses: 369 38th — St Drive-by only, please.
- Astoria Column: Epic 360° views. Bring a jacket.
- Cannon Beach & Ecola State Park: Iconic filming sites galore.
🛍️ Shopping Faves:
- Mystic Vintage Clothing – Sober-owned and seriously cool.
- Port Hopper – Two stories of gifts, lighting, and local art.
- Gizmo’s Retrocade – 80s arcade nostalgia and collectibles.
- Uniontown Vintage – For the true treasure hunters.
- Cargo – Connected to Astoria Coffehouse Bistro
☕ Food & Drink Picks:
- Astoria Coffeehouse Bistro – Cookies for days.
- Deadman’s Isle – Great food and NA cocktails.
- Pig N Pancake – Classic diner comfort.
- Astoria Coffee Co. – Classic Goonie merch and a coffee bean vending machine out front.
📼Instagram Videos for Your Viewing Pleasure:
- HEY YOU GUYS! We’re on the road and headed south to the land of Goonies.
- Goonies, Goonies, Goonies
- When road trip snacks go wrong: Pickleball Balls #justsayno
- The Astoria Ally is Our Catwalk!
- Ghost Photoshoot – We are easily entertained
- Mikey’s House & More!
- The Astoria Column – BRRRRRR!
- Astoria Riverwalk
- Astoria Loft on Airbnb – worth every penny! #FIVESTARS
Seeking a Workation? Check out The Modern Day Hobo by Sober Curator Contributor Bill Lindala – a guide to life on the move.
Final Thoughts
We went looking for The Goonies, but what we really found was a reminder of what sober living is all about: play, friendship, laughter, and reliving our favorite stories — this time, fully present for every hilarious, beautiful moment.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the film or just in need of a whimsical workation, Astoria is calling. Bring your rain jacket, your sense of wonder, and your bestie. And remember…
Goonies never say die — or goodbye to fun.
✈️ Sober Adventures Wanted! 🏞️
Have you taken a trip without the booze but with all the epic vibes? Did you hike majestic trails, sip fancy mocktails poolside, or just find a quiet corner of the world where your soul could exhale? We want the juicy details (and the jaw-dropping pics)! The Sober Curator is putting together the ultimate sober travel guide—and your story could be the highlight.
Send us a postcard!
(And by that we mean… save the stamp and shoot us an email. We’re cool like that.)
WHAT A TRIP! Need more Sober Road Trip Pop Culture ideas? Breaking Bad Locations, Albuquerque, New Mexico by the Modern Day Hobo. You’re welcome!
It’s always the perfect day for a perfect day!
SOBRIETY IN THE CITY is your guide to substance-free adventures and events in cities across the United States. We’re bringing you hidden gems, local hangouts, art exhibits, unique attractions and pop-up events, limited shows, and tours. Being fully present allows us to enjoy life to the fullest. But we’re still taking it all in, just one day at a time.
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