Behind our Tours

This ship is why we call our company Onward Adventures and consider ourselves locals.

In Jim Albert’s book about Westport, Oregon, it’s mentioned that the first ship to dock in West Slough was named Onward, which arrived in 1863. John West was advised to change the name to Westport because it was a port, not a slough. Westport holds my earliest memories, so I named my business after it. Westport is located about 30 minutes away from Astoria. In the early 1980s, my mother moved to Astoria and lived across the street from John Jacob Astor Grade School, also known as Kindergarten Cop Grade School in the Goon Docks. When I purchased a house in Knappa in 2022, it brought me full circle back to the area. During a visit to the Astoria Chamber of Commerce, my boyfriend and I asked which types of businesses were in demand in the area. They suggested that I offer tour guides along with transportation services. Many people called asking for this service during our visit, and the Chamber of Commerce gave my number to a few travelers. I drove them around as part of a pilot program, and based on their feedback, I realized this service was valuable to the community, so I pursued it further. I took the SBDC Launch My Business – Start-up boot camp class and learned the value of surveys and writing out a business plan. But most importantly, I received one-on-one coaching from a local Business Advisor and gained a mentor in this community. A year later, our bookings have doubled. Our customers appreciate the chance to explore historical sites, enjoy scenic views, have the convenience of door-to-door pickup, and customize their itinerary to suit their preferences. Our ultimate goal is to build lasting relationships with our clients and offer them a unique perspective into our beloved hometowns.