About the Author

Chris Santella

Chris Santella is a freelance writer and marketing consultant based in Portland. He is the author of 23 books, including the "Fifty Places" series from Abrams Books. The most recent title in the series is Fifty Places To Practice Yoga Before You Die. Santella is a regular contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post and Trout. When he’s not writing or fly fishing, he plays guitar and sings in Catch & Release.

Hit the Links on the Central Oregon Golf Trail

June 14, 2022
Traveling golfers thrive on variety. In Central Oregon, linksters will find so many quality options, they may never wish to leave. Here, the Central Oregon Golf Trail links top-100-ranked bucket-list courses, economical municipal gems and playable resort tracks. More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Golfing , Trip Ideas ,

Oregon Tribal Spotlight: Grand Ronde

October 22, 2021
Resting in the foothills of Oregon’s rugged Coast Range near the banks of the South Yamhill River, the reservation of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde comprises 11,500 acres and is home to some 5,400 Tribal members. The reservation’s Yamhill Valley location is just 60 miles west of downtown Portland, within easy reach of the Coast as well as many of Oregon’s most celebrated vineyards. More
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Willamette Valley , Grand Ronde , Native American Culture , Culture & History ,

Golf, Eat, Stay in Eastern Oregon

April 6, 2020
Golfers have a love affair with Oregon. The state is home to several nationally ranked courses that are open to public play. But great golf extends beyond the Coast and the shadow of the Cascade Mountains to rugged Eastern Oregon, where pronghorn and bighorn sheep do indeed roam. More
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Eastern Oregon , Baker City , Golfing , Outdoor Recreation ,

A Fisher’s Guide to Summer in Oregon

May 25, 2017
With an abundance of steelhead, salmon and trout fisheries, Oregon is world renown for its sport fishery — with equally diverse scenery to match. Summertime is a perfect time for beginners to get out and cast a line. Here we highlight favorite spots all around the state as well as what’s in season. More
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Lakes & Reservoirs , Favorite Trips , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Fishing , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Meet the Chinook Salmon

May 2, 2017
Oregon's state fish tells one of nature’s most fascinating stories. More
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Oregon Coast , Lakes & Reservoirs , Guides & Charters , Culture & Heritage Events , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Native American Culture , Rivers & Streams , Fishing , Seafood , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Eat & Drink , Attractions , Events ,

Winter Angling in Southern Oregon

February 7, 2017
The cooler climes of winter bring quieter times to the pristine lakes and rivers of Southern Oregon. With fewer people on the water, it's a great season for anglers to wet a line. More
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Southern Oregon , Glide , Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Fishing , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die: Bend

September 30, 2016
Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Chris Santella’s new book in the 'Fifty Places' series, 'Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die.' Resting against the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in Central Oregon, Bend boasts a dry, sunny climate where cool mountain breezes meld with the scent of high-desert sage and juniper… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Beer & Breweries , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Buddies, Birdies, Brews and Bend

September 9, 2015
Every two years, my college buddies and I (proud class of ’85) organize a golf trip. A few of us play with some regularity; for others it’s a once-every-two-years activity. While we appreciate experiencing some nice courses, these trips are more about our camaraderie and having an adventure in a new and inviting place — preferably one… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Beer & Breweries , Golfing , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Adventures Across Oregon with Ethan and Wendy Barrow

August 20, 2015
Ethan and Wendy (who calls herself a “recovering” legal assistant, having worked for 12 years at a Portland law firm) Barrow formed their adventure travel company to introduce people to the natural wonders of Oregon, primarily through fly-fishing. More
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Guides & Charters , Favorite Trips , Fishing , Trip Ideas ,

Chasing Rainbows on the Deschutes

July 1, 2015
Most fly-fishers agree that central Oregon’s Lower Deschutes River — with its native rainbow trout and steelhead — is a world-class fishery. When the annual salmon fly hatch begins in late May, it becomes a see-it-to-believe-it experience. More
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Central Oregon , Warm Springs , Lakes & Reservoirs , Guides & Charters , Favorite Trips , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Fishing , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,