The Oregon Coast is different and spectacular in each season. Summer is the warmest and driest, but busiest time. Spring is beautiful with new growth on the foliage, blooming wildflowers and is good for enjoying birds and wildlife. Winter is a favorite for storm watchers and those who like it quiet and secluded. The ocean…
No, there is not a bad time of year to visit the Oregon Coast, but there is a rainy season. Between November and January, many parts of the coast average over 10 inches of rain each month. Many people come to the coast during this time to experience the awesome storms that can whip the…
Greetings from Southern Oregon, West of Crater Lake in northern Jackson County, there are stands of maple that turn orange and crimson this time of year. East of Crater Lake, the fall color show is put on by native aspens. The main concentration is in the Fort Klamath area. But there are numerous groves in…
Are you looking for an organized tour, or one you can drive on yourself? There are actually Gravenstein apples are actually in season right now, and there are many U-pick farms where you can go and pick your own. For the most variety in apples the best time to go is generally anytime in October….
For a coast trip, I recommend taking Highway 26 from Portland, and then take the Highway 6 turnoff to Tillamook. In Tillamook visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory! Then proceed up Highway 101 and stop whenever your curiosity is piqued. There are lots of beaches and parks and vistas to check out. Some cute towns along that route…
You didn’t mention what time of year you were planning your trip, but their are two times of year that Gray whales migrate along the Oregon Coast. They travel south during the winter, with mid-December to mid-January beginning the typical peak of migration along the Oregon Coast. The last week of December there is a…
I happen to live only 10 miles from Corvallis and love so much about this region so let’s go! Here are a few links to check out: Corvallis Tourism Albany Visitors Association McDonald Dunn Forest Mary’s Peak William Finley National Wildlife Refuge Gentle Breeze Japanese Garden Starker Forest The Oregon Garden Silver Creek Falls I…
Yes! You’ll probably enjoy the Nob Hill area – specifically Northwest 23rd Avenue – it’s a mile or so of cute shops and upscale boutiques. In downtown Portland, I’d recommend the Pioneer Place Mall. Adjacent to downtown is the Pearl District, which is famous for its upscale boutiques.
I would suggest using Hood River as a base for your two days here. Lots of lodging options, brew pubs, wineries and it’s right on the Columbia River. It’s also a great spot for easy access to the recreation areas of Mount Hood and the Gorge. Mount Hood Adventure is a great company to contact for…
The closest skiing to Portland is on Mount Hood, approx 1-1:30 east of Portland. Spring skiing is some the best during the year and your dates are perfect for the spring deals. Ski Bowl and Timberline have what’s called the Fusion pass which is generally priced between $99-$129 and Mount Hood Meadows has a spring…
Here are a couple of companies in Portland to check out: Pedal Bike Tours Portland Bicycle Tours Each of them offer tours of the Willamette Valley via bike, and seem competitively priced. Also, if you’re interesting in planning your own bike ride, here’s a good article I found that gives some tips. The first tour…
Honestly, I have never had a bad hike in the Eagle Cap because it is big enough to absorb the few people who venture in each summer. I love Glacier Lake and topping out on Eagle Cap is terrific. Bonney Lakes are at a lower elevation and can be buggy depending on the year. Certainly…
Grants Pass is the gateway to the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River. As such, it is renowned for its whitewater rafting. For those who prefer to see the river from a motorized craft, there is Hellgate Jetboat Excursions. Grants Pass also is near Oregon Caves National Monument, the state’s oldest and one…
There are many places I would recommend to you, though given your tight schedule, to explore one region in the valley might be your best bet. I would highly recommend checking out wineries in the Dundee Hills AVA, located near Dundee, OR (right on 99-W). My top picks would be: • White Rose – ask…
Eastern Oregon is off the beaten path, but you’ve planned the right amount of time for exploring it by car. There are several incredible summer routes, depending on how far you want to venture and your interests. Here are two dramatic driving routes to check out with key points of interest: Journey Through Time Scenic…
In Turner, the Enchanted Forest is super fun if you know ahead of time that this ain’t Disney. In Independence, they have the Wings of Wonder butterfly exhibit. Evergreen Aviation Museum is fun and the Wings and Waves Waterpark is like nothing else! In Salem there is the A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery House Children’s Museum. Silver Falls is…
Whenever I vacationed as a child in Roseburg, we always went to Wildlife Safari in nearby Winston. This is the ultimate kid-friendly activity around Roseburg. Check out this story from the Mail Tribune newspaper’s Joy magazine about the attraction. If you still need more to keep the kids busy, there’s also the fish ladder at Winchester Dam on the Umpqua…
If Oregon Caves already is on your itinerary and you’re coming from Bend, you shouldn’t miss Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake. Along with the Caves, it’s this region’s premiere attraction, as noted in this recent story for the Mail Tribune newspaper. If you’re coming from Bend south, the most logical route is through the Cascades right past Crater Lake on…
We have a lot of waterfalls here in Oregon and I have been fortunate in that I have seen many of them. I will say the most spectacular of course is our Multnomah Falls area. I would plan to spend at least most of a day in this area. I have hiked the Wahkeena Falls Hike counter clockwise and…
Yes, there is an alpine slide on Mt Hood, located at Ski Bowl East. In addition to the slide, they have 20+ activities available, including a zip line, bungee jumping, human hamster balls and more. My kids and I were just up there a couple of weeks ago and had a blast! Enjoy planning your…
