The Goonies is an American classic that took kids of the 80s and 90s by storm. In the story, a group of kids from the “Goon Docks” in Oregon band together to try to save their homes from being demolished. In the process of saving their town, they come across an old map that leads them on a crazy adventure to find the hidden treasure of a 17th century pirate. The house that was used in the filming of the movie is located in the sleepy town of Astoria, Oregon. With its whitewash panels and panoramic veranda, The Goonies house is easy to spot. The owner of the home, Sandi Preston, bought the home in 2001 — 16 years after the film was released — and enjoyed a quiet few years on the property. Then, in 2005, the 20th anniversary of The Goonies, Preston was inundated with as many as 1,500 people a day coming to get a closer look at the house. While Preston was aware of the home’s history when she bought it, she didn’t have a clue about how the house’s fame would impact her day-to-day life. It wasn’t until the 30th anniversary of the movie in 2015 that Preston couldn’t take it anymore. Fans were disrespectful, leaving beer bottles and cigarette butts in the driveway, and her privacy was practically non-existent. As a result, she covered the house with a blue tarp and put up a sign that read: “Access to The Goonies house closed.” A recent Tripadvisor review even states, “Don’t Drive to Astoria if you’re going there to see The Goonies house. You can’t even see it from the road because it’s up a long driveway and a sign that’s posted that advises you not to bother the homeowner.”
