About the Author

Jen Anderson

Jen Anderson is a longtime journalist and travel writer/editor who is now Travel Oregon’s Content & Community Manager, helping to align content for visitors via social media, print and web. She’s called Oregon home for 25 years and loves finding the latest places to eat, drink and play around the state with her husband and two boys. Brewpubs, beaches and bike trails top the list.

Tasty Salmon Tips for the Season

July 27, 2017
Like most top Oregon chefs, Maggie Trujillo is inspired by the seasons and ingredients around her. Every summer, it’s the salmon that are jumping. More
found in
Southern Oregon , Ashland , Culinary Events , Culinary Experiences , Restaurants , Seafood , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Events ,

Let Woody Guthrie Guide Your Next Gorge Road Trip

July 25, 2017
You probably know folk singer Woody Guthrie’s famous “This Land is Your Land,” but did you know he has a special place in Oregon’s musical and political history? Guthrie lived in Portland for a month in 1941, traveling through the Columbia River Gorge on commission to help promote the public construction of dams along the… More
found in
Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Educational Activities , Trip Ideas , Culture & History , Events ,

Countdown to the Total Solar Eclipse

July 21, 2017
Finally, the moment is upon us. The Total Solar Eclipse of 2017 will soon stretch its 62-mile path across the earth, a rare celestial event that won’t happen again in Oregon until 2108. Whether you’re a serious astronomy geek or an everyday lover of the outdoors, the two minutes of mid-morning darkness will be breathtaking.… More
found in
Educational Activities , Trip Ideas , Events ,

Stargaze at Worthy Brewing’s Hopservatory

July 19, 2017
When you go to the mountains, the beach or the lake, you can always look up at the night sky. “Just look up and enjoy the view,” Jerry Niehuser is famous for saying. The longtime manager at Sunriver’s Oregon Observatory has spent the past 30 years helping visitors foster their appreciation and understanding of the… More
found in
Central Oregon , Bend , Beer & Breweries , Educational Activities , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Events ,

Insider’s Guide to Oregon Swimming Holes

July 10, 2017
If you’ve ever been to a swimming hole in Oregon that seems overrun with crowds, fear not — there are ways to avoid that scenario. Try swinging a midweek trip, when you are likely to see far fewer people out, or consider going to a more out-of-the way spot. Often that can mean just walking downstream to another location. More
found in
Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Fat-Tire Biking the Oregon Coast

July 6, 2017
From rocky headlands to wide-open shores, agates, seabirds, tide pools and lighthouses in the distance, the Oregon Coast is a balm for the soul. Why ride it? Because its 363 miles of glorious coastline are full of wonder, largely car-free and accessible for us all. More
found in
Oregon Coast , Brookings , Fat Biking , Bicycling , Sports , Trip Ideas ,

Why Oregon’s Beaches Are Open to Everyone

June 29, 2017
Tad McCall was a young man when his father, former Oregon Governor Tom McCall, swooped onto Cannon Beach by helicopter to lobby for the Oregon Beach Bill on May 13, 1967. More
found in
Oregon Coast , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

4 Ways to Explore Salem This Summer

June 20, 2017
Did you know that in Salem, you can tour the state capitol, sip craft beer, see waterfalls, go mountain biking, paddle in the river and catch a concert all in one day? It’s true. Oregon’s law-making hub, 45 minutes south of Portland, is a also hidden hot spot for outdoor recreation, history, culture and artisanal food and drink. More
found in
Willamette Valley , Salem , Trip Ideas ,

Fresh Local Beef in Cowboy Country

June 15, 2017
Out here amidst the rolling hills, farmhouses and wide-open spaces of Eastern Oregon, you might find yourself craving a sizzling steak or juicy burger. Tasty grass-fed and sustainably raised beef from Carman Ranch, in the foothills of the Wallowas, and other ranches here are a staple on the menu at many top restaurants throughout Oregon.… More
found in
Eastern Oregon , Hermiston , Beer & Breweries , Restaurants , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Summertime Snow at Timberline

June 1, 2017
It may be summer in Oregon, but there’s still plenty of snow — so don’t stow the gear in the garage just yet. Every year between June 1 and Labor Day, skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels — juniors to Olympic athletes — head to Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood for sublime conditions on… More
found in
Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Government Camp , Sporting Events , Trip Ideas , Events ,