Portland is a great city, but sometimes you have to get a break from urban life. If you tend to get a little concrete-crazy Portland is still the right place for you: besides already being an amazingly green city for its size, Portland is near vineyards, valleys, mountains and the coast.
The following is my list of suggested day trips and/or couple-day excursions. They're all within a one-hour drive of Portland, and there's one for each day of the week!
7 Days of Trips
- Hike Silver Creek Falls
Only 45 minutes away, this is the most spectacular hike in Oregon. Well maybe I'm a touch biased, having hiked it 3 times myself, but check it out for yourself and I bet you'll agree. The trail winds for miles and features one breathtaking waterfall after another. Also, if you're not faint of heart, or scared of Park authorities, this is a prime hike for off-path exploration. Last time I went with a group of daredevils and we jumped off bridges and swam under waterfalls. It was a blast!
- Visit The Columbia River Gorge
Oh my, where do I start? The Columbia River Gorge has everything: sightseeing, camping, fishing, boating, hiking. It's something you have to experience for yourself, and take my advice – set aside a few days. (You can read more about the Gorge here.) The Gorge is one hour east of Portland but is 80 miles long, so depending on which part you want to see, the trip time will vary.
- Take a tour of the submarine used in the movie The Hunt for Red October
Want to be Sean Connery for a day? This is your chance. It's easy – and you can actually do this in town. Just imagine: you could stand in the same exact same spots he did, shout commands to an imaginary crew. But heed this warning: if you take this too far they may kick you off the tour and your next trip could be to the psyche ward.
- Visit one of the Northwest's famous vineyards
I tried to narrow this down and recommend just one vineyard, I really did. But every vineyard I researched was more beautiful than the one before, with each claiming to be the Northwest's best. All offer a relaxing day of surveying breathtaking nature and sipping fine wines. So here's the list – you decide. Distances from town vary, but many can be found within an hour's drive.
- Go for a hike without leaving town
This gorgeous hike at Tryon Creek is in Portland but gives you the feeling of trekking through a remote forest. But here's the catch, you're right in town. Then go refuel at one of Portland's fine eats.
- Drive out to Canon Beach
Canon Beach is just an hour's drive from Portland. The beautiful rock formations along the beach make this spot on the coast a photographer's favorite. But besides the picturesque coast, Canon Beach has a surprisingly vital social scene and some great shopping.
- Camp at Fort Stevens
Tired of the city scene? Only 20 minutes out of town, you can pitch a tent at this nearby campsite. You won't have to fear being isolated; the site is within minutes of several attractions.
Bonus Trip: Washington
Portland is located on the northernmost part of Oregon, near the Washington border. Portland sits along the Columbia River, which separates the two states.
Seattle, WA is 3 hours north of Portland. Portland is a one-hour east of the Pacific Ocean, so accessing the Oregon and Washington coasts, and vice versa, is easy. Here's an online map of Oregon to give you a better idea.
Oregon Coast: North to South
Oregon Coast Visitors Association
The Oregon Coast is lined with tranquil beaches and exciting coastal cities. Winding along the forested hills, rolling sand dunes and breathtaking vistas overlooking rugged cliffs and blue-gray surf, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, U.S. Highway 101, provides beach access from Astoria to California.
The Oregon Coast is unique in that despite growing tourism, much of the natural beauty of the region has been preserved. The sandy beaches are great for strolls and flying kites, and the coastal cities provide urban entertainment in a rural beach setting. Some beaches allow campfires and others prohibit it. So be sure to check the signs before you begin roasting your marshmallows. The weather may not always be favorable for sunbathers, but for those brave enough to splash through the frigid waves and endure the constant wind, the Oregon Coast is an enjoyable and relaxing experience.
- Astoria/Warrenton:
If you've seen Kindergarten Cop, Short Circuit, Free Willy or The Goonies, then you have already gotten a glimpse of this quaint coastal city. Facing each other from across Youngs Bay, Astoria and Warrenton were two of the last stops on the Lewis and Clark Trail. Warrenton's Fort Stevens became the first American Settlement west of the Rockies. Astoria's 1920s Victorian homes dotting the forested hillsides give the city its nickname as the "Little San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest." The area offers visitors clean beaches for walking or kite flying, temperate rain forest with numerous hiking trails and charter boats available for fishing and crabbing trips.
- Seaside:
The final destination of Lewis and Clark's famous westward journey was Seaside, a town that even today is a haven for visitors of all ages. It has an exciting blend of restaurants, arcades shopping and art galleries. Seaside offers an endless list of recreational opportunities, from kayaking with sea lions to visiting the aquarium to sunset horseback rides. Pick up a game of beach volleyball or simply take in the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean as you stroll along the two-mile promenade. While here, stay at the local hostel:
Seaside International Hostel
Located just 75 miles west of Portland on the northern Oregon Coast, the hostel is in the coastal resort town of Seaside. The town hosts numerous festivals and events. The National Wild and Scenic Tillamook Head Hiking Trail winds along cliffs and secluded coves between Seaside and Cannon Beach. Explore neighboring Cannon Beach, an artist town, and the historic maritime community of Astoria.
Open all day and no curfew, Hostelling International - Seaside is on the Necanicum River and just four blocks from the ocean. Canoes and touring kayaks are available for a low rental fee. The hostel has a reputation as "one of the best" and features dorms and private rooms, outdoor decks with a river view, and an espresso bar. Movies are shown every evening.
- Cannon Beach:
Cannon Beach is home to the famous Haystack Rock, whose tide pools are home to a myriad of sea life. Because of growing tourism, visitors may only climb on the rock in designated areas and are asked not to disturb the marine life. Other popular activities at Cannon Beach are kite flying, building sand sculptures and browsing the many art galleries lining N. Spruce Street, which turns into S. Hemlock Street. And if you have a sweet tooth, be sure to stop in at the salt-water taffy shop on the main drag at the north end of town. You can watch the taffy pulling while selecting your favorite taffy flavors.
- Hug Point:
Hug Point almost makes you feel like you've been stranded on a desert island. It has become more popular as more tourists discover its tranquil serenity, but even with a few more bodies on the beach, you still get a feeling of isolation. The key to enjoying this beach is to get there early. There is a large cave to the north of the entry point that provides shelter from the wind and an excellent spot to build a fire. At the point, there are a few narrow caverns that are fun to explore, just beware when the tide comes in. On the other side of the point is a low waterfall and lots of rocks to climb on. Hug Point is perfect for a romantic getaway or a family outing.
- Manzanita:
Manzanita is a quiet little beach town just south of Cannon Beach. Some days you can walk for miles down the sandy beach and only meet a handful of other beach-dwellers. There are a few kite shops and knick-knack stores in town as well as shops where you can rent a beach bike for cruising along the surf. The dunes provide semi-sheltered nooks perfect for building fires.
- Nehalem Bay:
Nehalem Bay is a fun stop on the Oregon coast. For those searching for treasures, this little town of 250 offers several antique shops to choose from. Its sandy beaches are great for strolling, and the jetty is fun, though a bit precarious, to climb on. However, the town's main attraction is the Nehalem Bay Winery. The winery produces wines to suit just about any palate from a delicate White Riesling to a full-bodied Cabernet and everything in between. They also offer complimentary cheeses, bread and fruit to compliment your choice of wine. The winery is open every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving.
- Tillamook:
Behold the power of cheese. Visitors come from all over the globe to taste the ice cream treats and variety of cheeses at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. If your tummy still isn't satisfied, try fishing, clamming or crabbing along the beach or visit one of Tillamook's fine restaurants serving deliciously fresh seafood. Tillamook is also home to the Cape Meares Lighthouse and the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge with nature trails and picnic areas.
- Lincoln City:
Lincoln City, kite capital of the world and home to the world's shortest river, D-River, offers the usual beach activities such as kite flying, beach combing, hiking, golfing, shopping and whale watching. But the city's main attraction is the Chinook Winds Casino, located west of Highway 101 on NW 44th off of Logan Road. The casino provides childcare, headline entertainment, restaurants, slot machines, black jack and poker tables. But before you gamble all your money away, be sure to check out the local antique shops, glass blowing shops and Oregon's oldest covered bridge, Upper Drift Creek Bridge. Just south of Lincoln City, visit the Devil's Punch Bowl, a swirling cauldron of seawater created by the collapse of two sea cave roofs. The ocean enters through two tunnels during high tides and storms churning the waters in the bowl.
- Newport:
Newport hosts attractions for visitors of all ages. It is home to two of Oregon's historic lighthouses, Yaquina Head and Yaquina Bay Lighthouses, which sit atop picturesque hilltops overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium, former home to Keiko the Orca whale, tour the Rogue Ales Microbrewery, play 18 holes of golf at Agate Beach Golf Course. The city hosts events year-round, so there is always something to see or do.
Have a good time getting out of town!
Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our North America Insiders page.
