Three places came to mind when I read your question. They are McMinnville, Eugene and Albany! Three very different Oregon towns each offering what you are looking for. First of all, McMinnville is situated more in the Northern region of wine country. It’s has a bustling downtown with lots of restaurants and shops and very…
I recommend a driving route on the Old West Highway (26) that will take you over Mt Hood, through small towns along Highway 26 and along the scenic John Day River directly to Baker City. The total driving time is about 7 hours. For your first night—if you’re up for driving—is the quaint town of…
A great music festival is the The Bronze, Blues & Brews music festival. Over Labor Day weekend is Juniper Jam, a great showcase of regional musicians in the folk/rock tradition. I highly recommend both. Two important cultural festivals include the Maxville Gathering that celebrates the logging history in Oregon and the annual Nez Perce art…
It sounds like the town of Ashland is right up your alley. Just off Interstate 5 and just north of the California border, this town is, arguably the region’s main tourist destination. It boasts a wide variety of restaurants and accommodations, including boutique hotels and many bed-and-breakfasts, plus the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Cabaret Theater and…
The best way to experience Mount Hood, especially if you want to get up close to some snow, is to visit Timberline Lodge. You won’t get any closer to the mountain. They do a great lunch buffet, for a very reasonable price using many local ingredients. Take a ride up on the ski lift to…
Crabbing and clamming don’t always go hand in hand. You want to have minus tide for good clamming so that the beds are exposed. For crabbing, ideally you want a small tidal exchange so that the current isn’t too great. You will find the most low tides in May, June and July but twice every…
Two days in Oregon will give you time to explore the Oregon Trail and native American history, including the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute around Pendleton or further east in Baker City at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Check out geologic history in the Painted Hills and the John Day Fossil Beds, including the amazing Thomas Condon Paleontology…
The summer skiing on Mount Hood rocks! We were just up skiing on Hood yesterday and it was an amazing day. When are you coming, do you need to rent gear, and what would say your ability level is currently? Can’t wait to have you out here in Oregon! Have a fantastic day and can’t…
A great hiking option, relatively flat, is the Deschutes River Trail, which runs right through Bend. The trail system is awesome! People do swim at McKay Park, but it’s not really safe or a swimming hole, necessarily. If you want that, I’d head up to Elk Lake. Especially in August, the water is warm and definitely…
The South Coast is one of the best places to U-pick blueberries, with the prime location being Langlois, just south of Bandon and north of Port Orford. There are a couple of family-run farms just off Highway 101 that mark their location with signs. Look for Jensen’s, which is organic. Berrying usually is at its height in August,…
If you go north from Crater Lake toward Bend on 97, you can then head east on Highway 26. You will pass through wonderful small towns between Prineville and Mitchell as well as plenty of campgrounds and hiking options in the Ochoco National Forest. From Mitchell, you can follow the John Day River on Oregon 19,…
I take it you haven’t been here before? I’ll tell you my top five highlights for the Bend area: The High Desert Museum, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, The Deschutes River Trail, Downtown Bend and Mirror Pond, and The Old Mill District on the Deschutes River. I would devote a day to driving the mountains (Cascade Lakes)…
That time frame is ideal for salmon on both the Columbia River and the Oregon Coast. Tillamook and Nehalem Bays will be heating up (Nearest towns are Tillamook, Garibaldi, Rockaway and Nehalem. The guys can fish while the girls shop, beach comb or explore. I would suggest Garibaldi House as a very nice place to stay. Boat rentals…
In Florence, your best bets are the Beachcomber Pub (20 taps, with some nice southern Willamette Valley picks) or Wakonda Brewing Co. I actually haven’t been to Wakonda yet, but the reviews are impressive. Crater Lake isn’t ringed with pubs, so take some beer with you. Oh, and if you’re taking OR 58 from Eugene down…
Well, seeing the Sisters on the way to Mt. Hood isn’t exactly the direct route, but if you are up for a leisurely driving tour of the state, it’s a lovely way to go! From Newport you can head east over the Cascades, seeing many lovely sights along the way. From Bend, head north on Hwy 97…
Here are a few great options around the state to visit with good fishing for the boys: In southern Oregon, Diamond Lake is nice and you can also visit Crater Lake. On the central/southern Oregon Coast check out Siltcoos Lake. On the northern Oregon Coast, Fort Stevens State Park is a great option. It’s rich in…
You’re on the right track with plans to partake of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland’s claim to fame. If you haven’t already, see the Mail Tribune newspaper’s guide to the festival for news and reviews. If you want to take in the region’s primary natural wonders, plan a day to visit Crater Lake, Oregon’s only national park, or…
I really love your question! I live in the Willamette Valley but have a loft in the Pearl District in Portland. The main thing you have to do in Portland is EAT!!! Take advantage of one of the many great walking tours of the city. From Portland, I would travel to and through the Willamette Valley on…
If you’re planning a trip to Ashland, don’t miss Oregon Shakespeare Festival, arguably the town’s claim to fame. See the Mail Tribune newspaper’s guide to the festival. A nice day trip from Ashland is Jacksonville, a national historic landmark that hosts the outdoor Britt Music Festival concert series into October. Or go on an artisan-food tasting tour in Central…
Portland has lots of pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods – check out these posts on my blog along with the discussions in the comments: “Best Thing About Your Neighborhood” and “Top 5 Portland Neighborhoods for Car Free Living.” In general the further out you get from downtown, the more affordable housing becomes. Some neighborhoods I would recommend that…
