When we moved to Oregon, it wasn't for family (we don't have family here). It wasn't for a job (we didn't have jobs waiting for us here). It was because we thought the weather and landscape of Oregon were probably best suited for us, and unlike other places where the weather and landscape suited us, we were relatively certain we could get jobs here and not go broke just trying to pay for daily expenses and yearly vacation. We knew that Oregon had all the things we love to see and experience: historic towns, colorful landscapes, forests, mountains, ocean views, lakes, rivers, deserts, sage brush, and pastures. Plus, the states that surround Oregon, and the Canadian provinces up North, were all relatively easy to get to for a vacation.
We have treated living in Oregon as though we are on an extended vacation, instead of just people who live and work here: I keep a list of things to see and do in Oregon, and we use that to plan trips. If we're traveling and see some sign for something that sounds intriguing - a covered bridge, a historic whatever, a glacier rock, a gallery with works by Dali - we go have a look. I take photos even just around my neighborhood as though I'm a visitor, and it's amazing how often there are "wow, look at that!" moments that I wouldn't take a photo of otherwise, because it's something happening right in our own backyard. We've hiked every part of the small town we live in - there's no neighborhood we haven't walked through at least once. Our focus on traveling throughout Oregon has been road trips by motorcycle or car camping with beautiful but relatively easy hiking from our dog-friendly camp site.
Treating Oregon like a place we're visiting makes us like it here much more, especially since Oregonians make it clear to you, if you weren't born here, that you are NOT an Oregonian. Treating this time as an extended vacation in the Pacific Northwest makes us happy outsiders. Plus, since 2009, we have seen a lot of this state, more than most people who live here, and I think some of our recommendations for places to see are unique.
So I decided to put all of the Oregon travelogues and recommendations in one place.
Yaquina Head.
Steens Mountain and Alford Desert, including the French Glen historic Hotel.
Tillamook Forest Center.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Big Obsidian Flow and Fort Rock.
John Day.
Rose City Rollers (Portland roller derby).
Timbers games in Portland.
A live performance at the Aladdin Theater.
Astoria.
Carlton.
Silver Falls State Park.
G J's in Eugene. I know. It's just a diner. Here's the thing: it's a REAL diner, with really good diner food and a great atmosphere, and that is SO rare anymore. It feels like home to me. If we can swing a visit on our last day on a trip. I am so, so happy.
Octoberfest in Mount Angel. My German husband was stunned at how huge this is. Neither of us are fond of the music, but you just kinda throw yourself into the moment when you are at this. GREAT food.
Vista House and historic Oregon highway. But only during the week, never on a weekend, and never when it's really windy).
There's lots, lots more great things to see in Oregon - the Sake Factory in Forest Grove, , but these 15 things are, to me, far and above the very best experiences of this state, the ones worth visiting Oregon for.
I maintain a list of areadayhikes.shtml and a list of trips we've taken in Oregon, by region oregontrips.shtml , if you are looking for more recommendations.
I don't have a list of all the wineries - I think the wineries are really nice here, including all around Forest Grove, Oregon, and if you are visiting me, I'm going to take you to them. But I don't think they are worth coming to Oregon for, alone.
Things I want to check out and haven't yet, that will probably make the list once I do:
Note: our Oregon tours are often in association with a trip to another state, to Canada or to Mexico. That means some of these travelogues linked below start in another state - Nevada, California, Idaho, Washington. Just keep scrolling on these pages linked below to get to the info about Oregon. The names of the roads we took (back roads) are noted, with descriptions as to whether or not they are scenic and/or fun.
My favorite local scenic motorcycle routes for day trips near the greater PDX metro, around Portland, Oregon, up into Northwestern Oregon, mostly Washington County, Yamhill County, Tillamook County and Clackamas County. Includes areas around Forest Grove, Vernonia, Birkenfeld, Jewell, Mount Hebo, Hamlet, Canby, Mount Angel and Astoria.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park in Oregon, September 2018. Near Wasco and Moro, Oregon. Not far from the Columbia River Gorge. A long weekend car camping trip with our dog that started in Washington State.
Review of Camp Wilkerson, Columbia County, Oregon, from June 2018. Great place to camp and hike over a couple of days. West of Portland, not far from PDX, yet you will feel like you are a million miles away from the city. This was a weekend car camping and hiking trip with our dog.
North Eastern Oregon. May 2012. Sweet Home, Sisters, Antelope, Shaniko, Fossil, Condon, Heppner, Ukiah, Umatilla National Forest. Motorcycle and camping trip.
Southeastern Oregon: Alford Desert, Fields Oregon, Diamond Craters, McKenzie Pass, September 2012. Part of a motorcycle journey in Northern California & Nevada. Motorcycle and camping trip.
Oregon Outback Scenic Highway in South Central Oregon, including Highway 140 from Denio Junction (amazing), Adel, Paisley, grasshopper swarm, and Willamette National Forest. June 2014. Part of a motorcycle journey that focused primarily on Utah. Motorcycle and camping trip.
Northeastern corner of Oregon. Hells Canyon drive from Oxbow Bridge along the Snake River to the Hell's Canyon dam and then back over Oxbow dam to Cambridge, Idaho. Also Joseph, Oregon, Painted Hills, Oregon, and Little Crater Lake in Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon. A two-week motorcycle and camping trip mostly in Idaho. 2016.
South Central Oregon: Lakeview, Klamath Falls, Oakridge, Willamette National Forest. On our way back from a motorcycle camping trip throughout Nevada. 2018.
Oregon Lava Tour. Central Oregon. Deschutes National Forest, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Big Obsidian Flow, Paulina Lake and Fort Rock. Long weekend motorcycle and camping trip. 2019.
Central Oregon Coast. 223 through Kings Valley, Siuslaw National Forest. Alsea, Yachats River Road, Highway 101 from Strawberry Hill Wayside to Beaver, Oregon. Long weekend motorcycle and camping trip. 2021.
Southwestern Oregon, Oregon State Road 140, Hellgate Canyon, Indian Mary Campground & Park, Josephine County, Galice, Bear Camp Coastal Route, Agness, Highway 101 Gold Beach to Reedsport, Oregon State Road 38 / Umqua Highway through Elkton. Part of a motorcycle and camping trip that included Northern California. 2019.
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