About the Author

Matt Wastradowski

Matt Wastradowski is a travel and outdoors writer living in Portland, Oregon. He’s written about the outdoors, craft beer, history, and more for the likes of Outside, Portland Monthly, and Northwest Travel & Life — and has written three Oregon-centric guidebooks for Moon Travel Guides.

The Otherworldly Charms of Oregon’s Christmas Valley

September 1, 2021
You won’t find shops hawking nutcrackers or colorful light displays in Christmas Valley — even if this quiet Southern Oregon community, roughly 95 miles southeast of Bend, is home to the likes of Snowman Road and Christmas Tree Lane. But what the no-stoplight hamlet lacks in Christmas cheer, it more than makes up for with easy access to some of the most dramatic natural curiosities in the Oregon Outback. More
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Southern Oregon , Christmas Valley , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Less-Crowded Beaches on the Oregon Coast

August 25, 2021
Everyone who visits the Oregon Coast has a favorite beach. Here are some of our favorite less-crowded beaches to keep that sense of discovery and tradition alive. More
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Oregon Coast , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Oregon’s Destination-Worthy Breweries

May 13, 2021
It’s a rite of passage in Oregon: When the sun comes out, we head outside, find the closest brewpub and order a crisp IPA or malty lager to enjoy on the patio. Even when the sun doesn’t arrive, chances are good we’re still outdoors, huddling around the fire and cozying up under cover. More
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Beer & Breweries , Eat & Drink ,

Nature Escapes in the Tualatin Valley

March 30, 2021
Just a few miles west of Portland, the first thing you notice about the Tualatin Valley is just how quiet it is — a place you can still hear birdsongs amidst the white noise of highway traffic and other city sounds. Sandwiched between the Coast Range to the west and the Tualatin Mountains to the east, the valley is home to numerous nature escapes that betray its close proximity to Oregon’s biggest city. More
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Portland Region , Forest Grove , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Give the Gift of Southern Oregon

November 19, 2020
This holiday season, consider giving the gift of Southern Oregon — a gift that supports local businesses and imbues each glass, meal and journey with a sense of place that will make their next trip that much more special. More
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Southern Oregon , Shopping ,

See These Murals of Central Oregon

October 2, 2020
Winnona Garrison knows just how beautiful the Warm Springs Indian Reservation is — deer and elk roaming the plains, cinnamon-hued canyons rising around rivers and creeks, and snowcapped Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson towering over it all. She understands the importance of those landscapes, and what they provide to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. (Several wildfires have been burning on and around the reservation, so please be respectful and avoid the area until it’s safe to visit.) More
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Central Oregon , Warm Springs , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Hike, Bike, Paddle, Soar: 4 Wild Adventures in Klamath County

March 10, 2020
As you’re planning spring and summer getaways, here are four adventures for making the most of the warmer weather and enjoying all that scenery around Klamath County. More
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Southern Oregon , Klamath Falls , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Road Trip: Sandy

October 10, 2016
Once a rustic trading post stopover, modern-day Sandy boasts a vibrant community well worth a visit. Here’s a look at the town’s many charms and what to do there all year-round. More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Sandy , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Museums , Bicycling , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Culture & History ,

Oregon Ale Trails

June 10, 2015
With more than 300 breweries across the state, regional tap trails are a great way to try new styles and enjoy the classics, especially on sunny patios in warmer months. More
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Beer & Breweries , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Delicious Food Carts in Bend

May 28, 2015
Food-cart pods in Bend reflect the community’s outdoorsy ethos with picturesque views of the Three Sisters and other Cascade peaks, year-round outdoor seating, seasonal fire pits and on-site bars. More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Restaurants , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,