The beauty of the North Coast draws visitors from all over the world. So, it’s no surprise that Hollywood has been using the natural sets of the area as a backdrop for some memorable blockbusters.

The Clatsop County Historical Society offers a tour book of Astoria movie locations.

“The Goonies” Steven Spielberg’s movie has achieved cult status and draws many visitors to Astoria just to see its locations, especially the Goonies’ house at 368 38th St. The 1984 film was the first major motion picture to make use of Astoria and the North Coast as a backdrop, but you won’t find One-Eyed Willy’s cave or the Fratelli’s restaurant. Those were movie sets, not the real thing.

“Come See The Paradise” Only Hollywood would attempt to fly a kite while running on the mudlflats of Youngs Bay the way Dennis Quaid did in the 1989 film “Come See The Paradise.” The neat thing is we don’t have to pay admission to see paradise here on the North Coast, we’re already there.

“Kindergarten Cop” John Jacob Astor Elementary School, 3550 Franklin Ave., was the main location for “Kindergarten Cop,” but other scenes were shot at the West End Mooring Basin where the Astoria Red Lion Hotel, 400 Industry St., was the setting for a romantic dinner with Arnold Schwarzenegger and his co-star, Penelope Ann Miller. During filming. The Bayview Motel, 783 W. Marine Drive, was home to Schwarzenegger’s character and his partner, Phoebe O’Hara, played by actress Pamela Reed. In the movie, Schwarzenegger stayed in room 5 and Reed in room 6. The inside of the motel rooms were replicated in a Hollywood movie studio.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III” One of the hangars at North Tongue Point was made into a sound stage for this movie, and except for some filming done in New York, the entire film was shot here on the North Coast. A Japanese village was built in a clearing near Saddle Mountain and Fort Stevens State Park was also used for some filming.

“Free Willy”In 1992, the feature film “Free Willy,” made use of some of the North Coast’s locales. The 14th Street dock in Astoria was turned into a fish market, complete with imported fish tossers from Seattle’s Pike Place Market. And the breakwater at the Hammond Marina was the sight filmed for Willy’s leap to freedom.

“Short Circuit” A few robots jumped off the Astoria Bridge in “Short Circuit” and although the house at 197 Hume St. was the home for star Ally Sheedy’s character, the majority of the film was shot in The Dalles.

Be sure to get a copy of the tour book of movie locations from the

Clatsop County Historical Society, 1618 Exchange St., (503) 325-2203, or from the

Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, 111 W. Marine Drive, (503) 325-6311 or (800) 535-3637.