Astoria Riverwalk: Catch the Last Light by the Columbia
Take a waterfront walk and watch ships and birds along the Columbia River. The Riverwalk stretches about 6.4 miles from the Port of Astoria east to Lagoon Road. It is mostly flat and paved, with benches and access to the water, though some sections use wooden railroad trestles.
December 31 has about 8 hours and 41 minutes of daylight, with sunset around 4:39 p.m., so plan your walk for earlier in the day. Winter in Astoria is wet: December averages 10.68 inches of precipitation, and temperatures typically range from about 37.6°F to 48.7°F. Bring warm layers and rain gear. There is no listed admission fee, making this an easy, low-cost way to start your celebration.