Although Tualatin Valley is mere minutes from Portland, this tranquil part of Oregon feels worlds apart thanks to its diversity of world-class wineries and its sprawling natural areas. It’s also an incredible place for a getaway, especially if you’re in the mood for a one-of-a-kind stay. Here are a few unforgettable spots in the region, along with great places to eat, drink and play nearby.
1. Take a Care-Free, Car-Free Getaway in an Urban Neighborhood
In the heart of Hillsboro’s pedestrian-friendly Orenco Station neighborhood, The Orenco offers 10 cozy rooms, some with home-like comforts such as kitchenettes or fireplaces. Property highlights include free communal laundry facilities, great for long stays, plus thoughtful extras such as pickleball equipment and bicycles. The hotel is right on the MAX line — ideal for a car-free getaway — and the bustling Hillsboro Farmers Market takes place behind the hotel on summer Sundays.
Nearby walkable dining options include The Dignitary Restaurant & Lounge, which serves up tasty steak and seafood, along with a branch of local favorite Swagat Indian Cuisine. Wine lovers are within easy reach of a trifecta of exceptional tasting spots — Résolu Cellars, 3 Goats Vineyard and DAnu Wines — while families won’t want to miss a visit to the Next Level Pinball Museum or a stroll in Orenco Woods Nature Park.
2. Soak in an Onsen and Sip Sake at a Japanese-Inspired Hotel
One of Hillsboro’s more unusual options, Cedartree Hotel is a Japanese-inspired getaway featuring modern-minimalist plush rooms with soft lighting, plus Japanese soaking tubs and bidets in every room. Common areas here really shine, with a koi pond in the lobby and a Japanese garden outside, plus separate men’s and women’s indoor onsen baths. For a taste of Japan, head to the hotel’s WATERFALLS restaurant, where executive chef Kenji Yamashita whips up European-influenced casual and fine dining with Pacific Northwest ingredients, or pop over to on-site KIYOMIZU for sake and izakaya-style small plates.
If you’re more of a beer drinker, Steeplejack Brewing Co. has great pizza and sandwiches along with beer brewed on-site, while Helvetia Winery and Eagles Nest Reserve are excellent representations of Tualatin Valley wine. If you’d rather focus on perfecting your swing, Topgolf is less than a 10-minute drive away, as is the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, a Smithsonian-affiliated institution famed for its extensive collection.
3. Savor a Wine Dinner, Then Stay on the Vineyard
On the grounds of Beaverton’s original Ponzi family estate, Sosta House is a homey bed-and-breakfast featuring three uniquely styled rooms, two with kitchenettes. All guests have access to a main house, which features a selection of vinyl records and a book swap, and there’s a barrel sauna that’s free to use. The same property houses the Winery Lane Collective, which produces wine for guests to enjoy on the property or take home, and Cooper Mountain Vineyards, less than a 10-minute drive away.
Sosta House guests can look forward to an included seasonal, artfully presented breakfast every morning, and exquisite wine dinners are hosted on Sunday and Thursday nights for an additional fee. For the rest of your meals, consider visiting nearby Murrayhill Taphouse, a gastropub with an incredible menu of gourmet bruschetta, salads, sandwiches and mains; or make your way to its sister restaurant, Cafe Murrayhill, which has similar offerings for all three meals. After your meal, head to nearby Cooper Mountain Nature Park for a stroll through forests and prairies.
4. Sleep in a Geodesic Dome or A-Frame Cabin in the Forest
For a quirky alternative to traditional lodgings, book a few nights at the private rental property Fern Haus, set on a 40-acre property in Gales Creek, just northwest of Forest Grove. Choose from one of two seasonal bell-tent glamping sites or reserve the Forager Dome, a geodesic dome with its own wood-burning stove. For a spooky stay, book the Witches Cabin, a black, climate-controlled A-frame with a mildly goth aesthetic plus an outdoor area with a hammock and a chiminea.
While Fern Haus is a great place to cook a meal over an open fire, you may find it easier to head to a nearby restaurant instead. Smokehouse Chicken & Guns is a solid casual option with elevated pub fare and a few gourmet sides, while Out Aza Blue offers gourmet, multicourse fixed dinners overlooking a creek. There are also plenty of wine-tasting options within easy reach, including David Hill Vineyards & Winery, which has some of the oldest vines in the area.
