Travel Oregon celebrates 40 years of The Goonies

13 January 2025: As Mikey said, “Goonies never say die!”. 2025 marks 40 years since The Goonies first became an American classic. Based on a story by Steven Spielberg and starring some of Hollywood’s most recognisable famous faces, The Goonies follows the adventures of a ragtag team of youngsters who find a mysterious treasure map. The film holds particular esteem among Oregonians, as it was mostly shot along the iconic North Oregon Coast, from a “Goon Docks” neighbourhood of Astoria to Ecola State Park and beyond.

Travel Oregon will mark the 40th anniversary of The Goonies with statewide celebrations, including a special 40th birthday bash Goonies Weekend (5-8 June 2025) in Astoria. The family-friendly weekend includes film screenings, treasure hunts, costume contests, immersive experience and special challenges related to the film.

Every summer “Goonies” fans flock to the official Goonies Day in Astoria celebration. The four-day event features stories from those who witnessed the filming, games at “Chunk’s Bowling Alley,” interactive scavenger hunts and more.

Visitors can celebrate The Goonies year-round by visiting its iconic film sites in Astoria and can see the house used in the film from the East End Mooring Basin near the Astoria Riverwalk Trail. (John Jacob Astor Elementary School, also served as the exterior shots in Kindergarten Cop.). Fans can read up on the latest developments of The Goonies house.

Fans will recognise Astoria’s old Clatsop County Jail as the site of the famous opening jailbreak scene of The Goonies. Today it’s home to the Oregon Film Museum and houses collectibles from dozens of Oregon-made movies. The Goonie Gallery features memorabilia like Data’s jacket, and visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite character. Here you can also grab a map to other local sites and explore the production behind the crop of films made in Oregon, often referred to as “Hollywood North.” Housed in the historic Clatsop County Jail, it’s the site of the famous jailbreak in The Goonies, as well as scenes from Come See the Paradise (1990) and Short Circuit (1986).

Other must-see locations include the iconic 125-foot Astoria Column — the city’s proudest landmark — which is pictured in nearly all of the films shot here, including Kindergarten Cop (1990) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993), as well as The Goonies, Free Willy and Short Circuit. Visitors can climb the 164 steps of the spiral staircase to a viewing deck 600 feet above sea level for a panoramic view of the lower Columbia area.

The 4.1-mile-long Astoria Bridge is another defining shot for classic made-in-Astoria movies. Connecting Oregon to Washington across the mouth of the Columbia River, the span is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. Pedestrians are allowed on the bridge just one day per year, during the Great Columbia Crossing.

Bon Voyage offers an eight-night Exploring the Oregon Film Trail: Where Pop Culture and Stunning Scenery Collide fly-drive itinerary from £2345 per person. Price includes return international flights from London Heathrow to Portland International Airport, eight nights accommodation in prime locations and car hire throughout. To book, visit www.bon-voyage.co.uk or call 0800 316 3012

For further information on Oregon, visit www.traveloregon.com.