Exploring Oregon from the mountains to the coast
Oregon has long been at the top of my list of must-visit destinations! As we planned our trip to the Pacific Northwest, I was thrilled that Oregon would be one of our stops.
We started our adventure by flying into Seattle, where we explored both the city and Washington State before heading over to Oregon. What I didn't anticipate was just how incredible Oregon would turn out to be. I was also eager to discover a place with such rich diversity, with the mountains and the coast in such close proximity.
Our first destination in Oregon was the stunning Columbia River Gorge. This area is the largest national scenic site in the United States, spanning 292,000 acres, and it is home to Oregon's tallest waterfall, Multnomah Falls, which cascades down 620 feet. We headed out early from Washington and had bought our tickets in advance, as they often sell out quickly. We enjoyed exploring the area and, of course, capturing a photo in front of the magnificent falls. It was so expansive that I struggled to fit it all into one camera shot! I highly recommend securing an early ticket if possible, as it gets quite crowded, making it challenging to take photos without other visitors in the frame.
Multnomah Falls
After exploring the Columbia River Gorge and admiring a few more waterfalls, we set off to visit some of Oregon’s stunning lavender farms. A friend who lives in the area recommended Hood River Lavender Farms. I really wish we had more time, as I spotted numerous beautiful fruit farms and orchards along the way to the lavender farm. in my research, I discovered the Hood River Fruit Loop, a 35-mile scenic country road featuring a variety of farms, orchards, vineyards, and wineries, complete with 32 on-the-farm fruit stands. I would love to return someday and spend a day or two exploring this beautiful region.
I was truly amazed by the stunning beauty of Hood River Lavender Farms. The sight of endless rows of lavender set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Hood was breathtaking. After wandering through the fields, inhaling the delightful scent of lavender, and capturing countless pictures, we visited their charming lavender store. It’s an adorable shop filled with wonderful lavender products, including soaps, lotions, candles, as well as lavender teas and scones for sale.
Hood River Lavender Farm
after exploring the lavender farm, we headed next door to stave & stone winery. at this point i am pretty sure i just want to stay here and never leave…i mean fruit farms nearby, wineries and orchards!!! stave & stone is a stunning winery positioned between mt. hood and mt. adams. they have a beautiful tasting room, a covered patio and a seasonal wine garden. we ordered their delicious wine at an adorable little wine hut and enjoyed the amazing views while sipping the yummy oregon wine straight from the very winery we were at! do yourself a favor and make sure to stop by hood river lavender farms and stave & stone…you will not be Disappointed!
After we finished our drinks, we felt hungry and decided to enjoy some kite surfing in mount hood while we ate. There are numerous restaurants along the waterfront to choose from. We had a fantastic time with our friends, sitting back, enjoying our meals, and watching both the incredible kite surfing and enjoying the beautiful waterfront view. After dinner, we treated ourselves to some ice cream and strolled along the water.
My top 3 hood river restaurant picks:
Solstice Wood-Fire Pizza & Bar- charming and rustic pizza establishment that serves wood-fire pizza’s and traditional italian dishes
riverside- Beautiful restaurant collaborating with local farmers & suppliers from the columbia gorge offering authentic local foods
ferment brewing Co.- An award-winning brewery. their menu offers delicious snacks and shareable dishes
when we finished our time in hood river we headed to portland which is where we were staying during our time in oregon. unfortunately we did not get to spend very much time in portland but we did get to try a couple of their amazing restaurants. next time i visit i want to go see the japanese gardens which is known as one of the most genuine Japanese gardens outside of japan. i would also like to see mill ends park that is known as the world’s tiniest park with an overall area of 452 square inches!
My top 3 Portland restaurant picks:
Screen Door- This incredible restaurant was founded in 2006 with a modest budget! The owners hail from Louisiana, and their concept focuses on capturing and sharing the essence of their own history and experiences with Southern cuisine, while blending in what they consider to be the values of Northwest food
Mother’s Bistro- A stunning country chic restaurant adorned with elegant sparkling chandeliers and exquisite decor. The main dining area features a magnificent 14-foot African Rosewood table that accommodates up to 20 guests. They specialize in elevated comfort food classics, with everything crafted from scratch, including handmade dumplings, hearty stews, flavorful roasts, and tender braised dishes
Pine State Biscuits- This is a fantastic breakfast destination known for its delicious biscuits and morning meals. They offer a wide selection of incredible biscuit sandwiches to choose from
The next day, we set off for Astoria and Cannon Beach. Our first stop was Astoria, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Oregon. astoria is a coastal town on the oregon coast and it sits right where the columbia river empties into the pacific ocean. it is not your typical beach town, it is known for it’s victorian architecture, old cannery buildings that have been turned into art galleries and breweries. the stretch of water just offshore is known as the “graveyard of the pacific” because of the countless shipwrecks that are caused by rough weather and tricky currents. it is one of the most dangerous River mouths in the world hence the nickname.
The main reason we visited Astoria was for a trip down memory lane, since my husband and I grew up watching The Goonies. Our initial stop was the Oregon Film Museum, housed in the old Clatsop Jail, which operated as a jail from 1914 to 1976. This museum is the filming location for three movies: The Goonies, Short Circuit, and Come See the Paradise. We had a blast exploring the exhibits and, of course, couldn’t resist visiting the store at the end to pick up some Goonies merch. Outside the museum, we found a replica of the Jeep from The Goonies, complete with bullet holes. Naturally, we had to take a photo with the Jeep, as we are proud Goonies fans!
Goonies Nerds!
After our visit to the museum we of course had to make our way to the Goonies house, which is just a short drive away. You can easily park in the neighborhood and take a walk; it’s hard to miss as you'll see others searching for it too. I was amazed to see it in person! Having watched that movie countless times, I always thought the house was so fascinating and unique. It looks just like it did in the film and instantly transports you back to those scenes! The house now has a new owner, a devoted Goonies fan, who bought it both as an investment and to preserve it as a treasure for fellow fans. When we arrived, we could only access the driveway for photos since someone lives there, and there’s a sign asking visitors to respect the property. We had a blast visiting… don’t forget to do the truffle shuffle as you approach! Ha! We did not get a chace to eat in astoria but I did research on good restaurants and have a list of my top to try below.
Goonies House
my top 3 astoria restaurant picks:
Astoria’s brewing co.- Astoria’s oldest craft brewery & cafe’ with a relaxed atmosphere serving delicious pub food and a selection of craft beers
pig n’ pancake- Established in 1961 by the seaside, they offer a variety of unique specialty pancakes, including buttermilk, Swedish, sourdough, and French batter pancakes
mo’s seafood & chowder- a local chain restaurant in the pacific northwest that serves delightful seafood in a relaxed atmosphere
After our time in Astoria, we set off for Cannon Beach, which is about a 30-minute drive away. I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived; I had pictured Cannon Beach as a rural area with Haystack Rock as its sole attraction. Instead, I found a charming coastal town bustling with fantastic restaurants and boutiques. Cannon Beach has a relaxed, artistic vibe. The town got its name from a cannon that washed ashore from the USS Shark in 1846 and has been featured in films such as The Goonies and Twilight.
Our first priority was FOOD, We were starving! We had lunch at an adorable little restaurant on the main strip called The Local Grill & Scoop. This spot was perfect; we sat outdoors on a spacious patio and enjoyed the amazing weather. The food and ambiance were fantastic, and be sure to treat yourself to their delicious ice cream before you leave!
Local Grill & Scoop
my top 3 cannon beach restaurant picks:
The local grill & scoop- known for it’s fresh, locally sourced seafood. they have indoor seating as well as spacious, outdoor-dog friendly patio seating
pelican brewing co.- a relaxed brewpub that offers casual indoor & outdoor seating. the menu features Pub fare & pizza. Their 10bbl R&d brewery is on-site where they experiment with innovative beer concepts
sleepy monk coffee roasters- local coffee shop celebrated for their exceptional, rich, and complex coffee as well as their freshly baked scones topped with a dollop of the monk’s signature whipped cream
We picked up our ice cream cones from Local Grill & Scoop and made our way to the beach to walk along and admire Haystack Rock. However, I will warn you that we were caught off guard by how chilly it was walking on the beach in JULY! The wind was intense, and we certainly weren't prepared for that (coming from the East Coast, we’re used to warm beaches in July). As we walked along the shore, I was captivated by the stunning and unique beauty of the West Coast beaches. The sight of massive boulders rising from the water and the abundance of tide pools was so cool. It was such a different and beautiful experience! We thoroughly enjoyed our time walking the Beach, even with sticky ice cream in our hair, LOL.
We made our way to the charming town of Cannon Beach after spending some time at the beach, eager to warm up and explore their adorable boutique shops. The town offers a diverse range of stores, from souvenir shops to pet boutiques. There are so many fun activities in the Cannon Beach area, and we could have easily spent a few more days enjoying all it has to offer.
cannon beach
my top 3 cannon beach stores to visit:
Beach shop & candle- a health & beauty shop with a wonderful selection of specialty soaps, lotions & candles
cleanline surf- Founded in 1980 and is northwest’s Original surf shop offering a wide range of surf gear, apparel for surf lifestyle, etc.
Antler & adler- charming shop offering a unique selection of cannon beach Souvenirs like coffee mugs, candles, coasters and more
Oregon stands out as one of my favorite destinations, and I frequently find myself daydreaming about it while browsing through photos. This wonderful state offers everything I love, including stunning beaches, majestic mountains, charming lavender farms, and beautiful wineries. It truly is a breathtaking place to explore, and I can’t wait to return one day!!
for those curious about our Oregon trip or pacific northwest trip, including accommodation Recommendations, boutique store recommendations, excursions, and must see spots check out our custom curated travel Itinerary templates in pdf format in our store section of our website that includes our full itinerary including links, custom map, tips, etc. (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf yosemite itinerary template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation.
Happy Travels!
Mandy
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