Oregon // USA
Oregon has some of the most pristine coastal landscapes on the west coast. Beyond its preserved and state owned coast (which will leave you speechless), it also has some fun towns and cities. There’s quirky Portland, the outdoor playground of Bend and the college towns of Corvallis and Eugene. On the coast you have the northern shores of Cannon Beach south to places like Tillamook, Florence, Newport, Coos Bay and Brookings, to name just a few of our favorites. One special thing I love about Oregon are the farm to table restaurants that are so ubiquitously found. Though there are endless places you could take a lifetime to explore in this beautiful state, here are a few highlights if you have a little time:
- Cannon Beach, where Haystack Rock stands 235 feet out of the sand and puffins nest on it in spring and revel in remarkable sunsets. It also has a downtown with many coastal inns.
- Portland is known for food and for making things, and for a bookshop that takes up a whole city block. Grittier in recent years (in some neighborhoods more than others), though worth visiting for all the good stuff. Stay at the Ace hotel or McMenamins for a true quirky PDX experience. We also have a TripAdvisor list of Portland favs here.
- Bend, set in the high desert, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and beer lovers alike. A meandering river and busy downtown create a backdrop for fun. Float on the river in the summer and head to the mountains year round.
The entire Oregon coast is public by law. Every beach, all 363 miles of it, has been open to everyone since 1967.
