Tina Lassen

A string of riverside communities greets the wild and oh-so-scenic McKenzie River as it drains down from the Cascade Mountains and tumbles west toward Eugene. More

The mighty Columbia meets the even mightier Pacific near Warrenton, perched right on the rim of the continent in Oregon’s northwest corner. For Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery, arriving here meant the victorious completion of a monumental 28-month expedition. Your arrival can mean recreation. Everywhere you turn, it seems there’s water —… More

The verdant hills and rambling creeks of the Willamette Valley set the stage for this pocket of communities west of Salem. Long an abundant homeland for native tribes and later a productive farming and logging locale, this region’s lush landscape is still a powerful draw. It all feels a bit like a local’s secret, where… More

A rumpled landscape of fertile river valleys surrounds these friendly communities south of Eugene. Creswell and Cottage Grove provide a welcoming base for exploring the region’s winding back roads, which lead to scenic farm country, wineries, recreation areas and Lane County’s utterly charming collection of covered bridges. Creswell: A backdrop of lush green lands defines Creswell.… More

The stretch of the Oregon Coast due west of McMinnville feels especially wild, a jumble of high capes, sandy spits and rivers flowing into protected bays. Even US-101 has to curve inland here. That leaves Pacific City off the beaten path, a slightly sleepy beachfront town where sand drifts across parking lots and fishing dories surf… More

You choose the sports and the season; communities along this scenic route lay out the welcome mat 12 months a year. More

Springfield is often mentioned in the same breath as Eugene, the two cities forming the state’s second-largest metro area. But Springfield deserves its own spotlight, because there’s plenty to discover in this vibrant community surrounded by what seems like an endless expanse of rivers and woods. Paint the Town: Boutiques and antiques thrive on Main Street,… More

Oregon’s fourth-largest city, Gresham (pop. 109,397), feels more like an amiable small town thanks to its vibrant town center and bounty of public green spaces. Perched at the eastern edge of the Portland metro area, Gresham is a gateway to both urban pleasures and the outdoor wonders of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. Well-served… More

When you’re cruising across Central Oregon, the high desert plateau can feel as vast as the ocean, a sea of sagebrush and pine under an endless dome of blue sky. Yet surprises await around Madras (about 45 minutes north of Bend), where the land seems to crack open like an eggshell, revealing deep desert canyons,… More

Maybe Tualatin took inspiration from the Oregon Trail, the epochal pioneer route that ended just 10 miles east of here in Oregon City. A web of trails stitches through this town 20 minutes southwest of Portland, linking downtown businesses and leading off into parks and natural areas. You might also want to beat a path… More