Relatively speaking, a quiet beach in Cannon Beach during the summer is a bit of on oxymoron. However, Crescent Beach, just north of Cannon Beach, is much more secluded than other Cannon Beach area beaches because it is a hike-in location from Ecola State Park. Generally speaking, the further you get away from Haystack Rock to the…
I wish my parents were as cool as you are when I was a kid! So it depends when your vacation will start but if it’s this summer, which I’m assuming it is… here’s a quick list of places you can check out within your six-day trip: From Portland, Head to the Columbia River Gorge…
Oregon in general is a very dog-friendly state! In my opinion, Ashland and the smaller, historic town of Jacksonville are the most dog-friendly towns in Southern Oregon, with plenty of restaurants that allow dogs on their decks and lodging options for travelers with dogs. Four-legged friends are welcome on all forest service trails in the area,…
Vida is pretty remote but it’s in a very, very pretty spot with lots of outdoorsy things to do. It’s right along the McKenzie River which is one of the prettiest rivers in the state. From Vida, it’s about a 40-minute drive to the trailhead for an easy hike to Tamolitch, the Blue Pool–this one…
Astoria is famous for being the filming location of the 1985 hit classic ‘The Goonies,’ as well as a handful of other popular movies. Astoria of has a wide range of accommodations from luxury hotels on the riverfront to historic downtown boutique hotels, chain hotel brands and a good selection of bed and breakfasts. So, depending on…
Excellent question! Yes, there are several great places to SUP near Ashland. In fact, my family regularly paddleboards. At Emigrant Lake, which is located just a few miles from town, maybe people SUP from the boat dock area at the county park, or from the campground or beach. During peak season (June-August), several kiosks on-site rent…
There are two great spots that I would suggest to see the Oregon Trail. One is Blue Mountain Crossing, just off I-84, about nine miles west of La Grande. It’s a half-mile paved, easy accessible trail that follows some of the best preserved and most scenic traces of the Oregon Trails. Blue Mountain Crossing has discovery trails where you…
I’d say the most popular place for wakeboarding in Central Oregon is Lake Billy Chinook. It’s strikingly beautiful and large. Three rivers come together and are dammed into a fantastic waterway for boating. Another popular spot is Cultus Lake. Both Billy Chinook and Cultus are about the same accessibility from Bend, but they are vastly different…
Driving on the beach between Fort Steven State Park and Gearhart is allowed with some seasonal restrictions. You can reach the beach access at the west end of Sunset Beach Road, just past the State Park parking area. Many other regulations and restrictions are enforced for those driving on the beach. Speed limits must not…
Lebanon is a great little town that has undergone some big changes in the last decade; it’s gone from being mostly dependent on the timber industry to being the home of a small medical school and regional health care facilities — the growth due to this new development has brought some great amenities to the town….
Before you get to Crater Lake, I suggest exploring Ashland and the greater Rogue Valley. Outside Ashland, I highly recommend spending some time in the Siskiyou Mountains. Whether you have kids or not, Willow Witt farm is a wonderful retreat. Stay the night in a lodge room or ‘glamping’ style in a canvas tent. In…
There are several options along Oregon’s 363 mile coastline for RV camping adjacent to the beach. I personally prefer the State Parks camping experience (forested, close to great natural areas) to most private RV parks that are primarily paved or graveled parking lots. A few State Parks offer campsites adjacent to the beach, though not…
Oregon Coast charters for off-shore fishing start in May and last into October. There are salmon seasons in the summer months, halibut seasons about every other weekend, tuna July-September and bottom fish year around. Consult Oregon Department Fish and Wildlife for current seasons: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/reg_changes/index.asp
Glad to hear you’ll be visiting the Willamette Valley! An early welcome to you. Wineries, historic sites, scenic spots, good food, and off the beaten path experiences–those are some of my favorite things too and you’ll definitely find them here! Here are some of my favorites: Wineries: Here are seven wineries that are known for…
You heard correctly, the PNW is a very dog-friendly place. You can hike in any State Park with your dog as long as you keep them on a leash and clean up after them. And if you’re looking for a few different, non-state park hikes, checkout Oregon Hikers Field Guide. In each description of every hike,…
Cannon Beach offers great shopping and art galleries, most within the two block downtown area. Mo’s offers casual dining with an ocean view and Wayfarer Restaurant offers more upscale dining with views. One of my favorite things for a rainy day is a visit to Icefire Glassworks in midtown Cannon Beach where you can often…
You’ll have a great time with kids in Southern Oregon! On the Oregon Coast, I highly recommend staying at Whaleshead Resort. They have very unique and beautiful cabins for rent that overlook the ocean, and a pedestrian walkway takes you directly to the beach. The upper units have the best views, but the lower units…
Yes, you can ski in Oregon in June! There is usually summer snow on the Palmer Glacier at Timberline, located on Oregon’s crown jewel, Mount Hood. It’s just an hour and a half drive from Portland. At Timberline, you can rent skis and take lessons from the best ski instructors in Oregon (in my opinion). Oregon is pumped for your…
Wallowa Lake is close to the Idaho boarder and offers visitors with some amazing hiking and sightseeing opportunities. As far as overnight stays, there is a great state park at the lake, where you can camp, in addition to many different cabins and hotels right there. Joseph is a nice place to visit and stay;…
You can spot whales nearly year-round on the Oregon Coast. Gray Whales migrate along the Oregon Coast twice a year, once in spring as they are headed north and in winter when headed south. There are about 200 whales that only migrate as far north as Oregon and can be seen nearly year-round until they…
