There’s a special energy that accompanies the first chilly breeze of the season. It invites you to marvel at the changing colors of the leaves, linger for fireside conversations and venture out to gather your own farm-fresh produce. Celebrate the change and kick off cozy season by experiencing all the autumn fun that Tualatin Valley has to offer.
Savor the Seasonal Bounty of Fall Harvest
Tualatin Valley’s rolling hills are home to numerous farms brimming with fall fruits and vegetables ripe for your enjoyment. Pick your own apples at Smith Berry Barn, a family farm in Hillsboro that invites you to explore its 5-acre orchard with more than 20 varieties of apples. Stick around to sample its ciders and preserves, or take home some plants from its nursery to grow your own.
Just down the road, check out Sherwood Orchards, which has a history that spans 150 years. Growing more than 70 varieties of apples, the farm has long-armed fruit pickers to help you nab those tantalizing out-of-reach clusters. Or fill your bushel with apples and pears at Bell’s Orchard, a family-friendly “short orchard” in Beaverton where fruit grows low enough for kids to reach.
You can also embark on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin. Bumpy, smooth, white or orange — with more than 50 varieties, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for at Beaverton-area Hoffman Farms Store. Hop aboard the Scholls Valley Railroad for a scenic 1-mile loop ride around the farm. On weekends enjoy delicious barbecue made by Hoffman and local beer, cider and wine served by Barn Door Brewing.
The sprawling pumpkin patch isn’t the only reason to visit Jim Dandy Farm near Banks. After you’ve found your ideal gourd, stick around to take a wagon ride, wander the free corn maze or brave the creepy corners of the haunted house. At Oregon Heritage Farms south of Hillsboro, you’ll find bins of freshly picked apples and a patch full of pumpkins, plus goats and sheep. Bring the whole family for a little friendly competition at the apple slingshot — winner buys the first round of house-made apple-cider doughnuts.
Curl Up With Your New Favorite Coffee
Cooler temperatures are a great opportunity to sample the tantalizing aromas and inviting ambiances of Tualatin Valley’s vibrant handcrafted coffee scene. AVA Roasteria brings worldly flavors to its locations in Beaverton, Hillsboro and Lake Oswego, while also serving up freshly baked pastries and a variety of gourmet sandwiches. Its coffee selection ranges from the unique, aged flavor of Monsooned Malabar from India to the medium body and balanced sweetness of Excelso from Colombia.
Coffee isn’t just for morning hours. True to its name, many of the five Insomnia Coffee Co. Beaverton and Hillsboro locations are open late. Taste subtle hints of dried pineapple and basil in the Kenya Natural Imani coffee, or graham cracker notes in the Stag Espresso Blend. Insomnia even makes elevated instant coffee, with flavorful options including the buttery Tortoiseshell blend or the nuanced Honduras Natural La Aurora. Beaverton’s Thornton Family Coffee Roasters puts its values of quality, sustainability and innovation into practice with each of its creative roasts. Sample the clear sweetness of Dad’s House Blend and the balanced intensity of Concord Blend. Once you’ve found your favorite, get it delivered straight to your doorstep with a coffee subscription.
Post Up for Leaf Peeping and Bird Watching
On any given crisp fall day, the electrifying colors of the trees at Killin Wetlands Nature Park in Banks are mirrored in the park’s calm waters, creating a picturesque scene. As you walk the trail’s rolling hills, keep an eye out for bald eagles, hooded merganser ducks, northern harriers and merlins. Alongside its beautiful array of deciduous trees, you can spot more than 150 species of birds annually at Hillsboro’s Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. Herons, egrets and red-tailed hawks are common sightings in the fall, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot a bald eagle, a woodpecker or a peregrine falcon. Deer, otters, beavers and coyotes can be seen as you traverse the tranquil meadows, serene wetlands and canopy-cloaked forests.
The 3.5 miles of trails at Cooper Mountain Nature Park overlook the Tualatin River and pass through conifer forests, prairies and oak woodlands, giving you the chance to see the stunning fall foliage from different vantage points. It is also a favorite spot for local birders. The slender-billed nuthatch prefers the park’s Oregon white oak habitat, and you can hear the distinct chirp of the American goldfinch as they fly overhead.
