Why Do People Visit the ‘Goonies’ House?
The “Goonies” house is one of the most famous filming sites from the American cult classic.
The movie made a lifelong impact on the kids of the ‘80s and ‘90s. And, for many, it’s an iconic location they just can’t miss.
If you want to take a trip to the famous home, keep reading.
Let’s explore!
What and Where Is the ‘Goonies’ House?
The “Goonies” house lies within the laid-back little town of Astoria, Ore. So many iconic scenes occurred at the house, still drawing avid fans today. Astoria played host to many settings for the movie, both in the house and surrounding town.
However, the film shot some scenes along the coast a good distance away from Astoria.
Why Do People Visit the ‘Goonies’ House?
“The Goonies” movie has endured through the years, maintaining die-hard fans while attracting new ones. Some of those die-hards visit the home in Astoria to get a little piece of the nostalgia they felt first watching the film.
Before the rise of the internet and social media, visitors trickled across the path of the “Goonies” house. However, social media made information so easy to find that traffic at the house exploded to where thousands of people were taking selfies in front of the house each year.
Are You Allowed to Go Inside?
As cool as it may seem to a fan to get to visit the “Goonies” house, that option is gone. When thousands of people flocked to the site a few years ago, the owners got overwhelmed. They reported that more than 1,200 people per day would visit.
The sudden influx of traffic resulted in the owners closing the home to visitors. Fans can’t even drive up to the property anymore, and you certainly can’t go inside.
Other Popular ‘Goonies’ Filming Locations That You Can Actually Visit
Even though you can’t visit the home base of “The Goonies,” there are other well-known filming spots to check out.
Cannon Beach
Several notable scenes from the movie took place at Ecola State Park’s Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach is the backdrop for the movie’s end when the kids finally make it safely outside of the caves they were exploring on the trail of One-Eyed Willy’s treasure.
The gorgeous ocean background also appeared in “Point Break” and “Twilight.” If you want to visit the beach, do so in the daytime. You can’t camp on the beach, but there are several options for camping nearby. You can stay in a simple tent, bring your popup or RV, or rent a cabin at one of the nearby campgrounds.
County Jail / Oregon Film Museum
The county jail in Astoria now houses the Oregon Film Museum. This is one of the coolest movie sites to visit, as you get quite a bit of access to notable images from the set.
The museum lets visitors check out the actual cell where they held Jake Fratelli in the film. You can also take a peek at the actual Jeep driven by the Fratellis as a getaway vehicle during the high-speed chase.
Flavel House Museum
The Flavel House Museum was where Mikey’s dad worked as a curator in the movie. The Goonies also buzzed past this beautiful building at the beginning of the hunt for One-Eyed Willy.
You can take a self-guided tour through the historical site and learn the long and storied history behind the gorgeous structure.
Lower Columbia Bowl
The intro scene to the movie features the Lower Columbia Bowl. It’s the little pizza spot where Chunk was trying to enjoy his own slice and a tasty milkshake.
Today, the location features a fully operational bowling alley, but you can still stand behind the same glass to take in the view.
Astoria Coffee Co.
Another opening scene spot you can visit is the Astoria Coffee Co. It’s another quick stop on your journey, but there’s plenty of tasty coffee to enjoy during your visit. Maybe place this location at the beginning of your day so that you can jump-start the adventures ahead with quality caffeine.
Real Goonies Never Say Die
The longstanding exclamation, “Goonies never say die,” will always be an inspiring motto for die-hard fans of the movie.
Millions of fans have taken those words to heart, and the community surrounding the saying still holds strong 36 years later. Re-live those childhood memories by visiting some of these famous filming sites. Are you a die-hard “Goonies” fan?
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