Explore Oregon

Nestled on Mount Hood’s slopes, Government Camp offers a picturesque winter retreat with endless alpine adventures.

Government Camp: The Ultimate Mount Hood Winter Base

Government Camp bustles with the needs and delights of its winter visitors written by James Sinks Once, as winter approached, you didn’t want to be anywhere near Government Camp. On the southern flank of volcanic Mount Hood, this is where heavy-laden clouds from the Pacific begin dumping moisture—and keep dumping. In the era of the Oregon Trail, westward caravans were loathe to get caught here by inclement weather along the steep and slow-to-navigate Cascade-crossing toll route, known as the Barlow Road. The community at the top got its name in 1849 after U.S. Cavalry troops en route to Fort Vancouver abandoned wagons and supplies amid heavy snows. Times have certainly changed. These days, rather than a place to escape from, Government Camp is one of Oregon’s premier winter destinations to escape to. Just an hour from Portland when conditions are clear, the laid-back alpine hamlet sports four downhill ski areas,…

A sign for Clyde's restaurant in Oregon, highlighting its long-standing history since 1955, with a humorous message about local dining experiences, featuring vintage-style signage surrounded by lush greenery and string lights in an outdoor setting.

Clyde’s Prime Rib: A Portland Classic

Dine on prime rib, feast on the music scene written by Joni Kabana | photography by Mel Barbour Slip into a curvy red booth, order a Manhattan and let yourself slide back in time at Clyde’s Prime Rib on NE Sandy Boulevard in Portland. For more than sixty years, Clyde’s has been “the spot” for lovers of swank, funk and occasional tap dancing. The decor is a throwback to the ’50s. Think Elvis. Known for its crowd-pleasing prime rib dinners, Clyde’s knows how to dish up old-school traditional Americana favorites such as steaks, chops and lobster. (Dean Martin would be proud.) Side dishes include the famed creamed spinach, lobster macaroni and cheese and, of course, bacon-wrapped asparagus. The food aside, Clyde’s biggest attraction is often the musical acts it presents in the adjoining bar. From cool jazz to psychedelic funk, the lineup transports listeners back to Croon Town. Many nights,…

At Inn the Ground in Carlton, a regenerative farm, surrounding trails and sanctuary set the scene for a retreat rooted in nature.

Serene Meditation Retreats in Oregon

Nature and mindfulness converge in Oregon’s most serene meditation escapes written by Cathy Carroll Eyes closed, seated on a sky blue cushion on a wood floor, you listen to a poem by the fourteenth-century Persian poet Hafiz: “There is a beautiful creature living in a hole you have dug.So late at night I set fruits and grains and little pots of milk beside your soft earthen mounds and I often sing,But still my dear you do not come out.I have fallen in love with someone who hides inside you.We should talk about this problem,Otherwise I will never leave you alone.” This medieval ode to attending to your inner, true self is a perfect entrée into a guided meditation. Its aim is to let you switch mental gears, shifting you and the half dozen others in the session away from modern cultural demands—or whatever else might be holding you back from…

A charming house in McMinnville, Oregon, featuring the iconic 'The Compass' sign and vibrant pink rhododendron trees, perfect for highlighting local lifestyle and Oregon's scenic beauty.

The Compass McMinnville: A Modern Wine Retreat

written by Kerry Newberry | photography by The Compass McMinnville Sometimes inspiration strikes when you least expect it. For Christie Toal, that was years ago on a trip to Acadia National Park. After she and a friend hiked through a torrential rainstorm, they decided to skip tent camping and instead booked a last-minute stay at an inn. “The entire process was so easy from booking the room on the phone to immediately getting a keycode by text,” she said. Set in a historic house, the renovated eight-room retreat offered seamless self check-in. Even without a traditional front desk, the space felt welcoming and warm. “The property stuck with me—it was such a cool model,” said Toal. Fast-forward to a few years later, and Toal was ready to leave her corporate gig and launch something new. After traveling the world for work and sleeping in every type of accommodation imaginable, she…

Brightly lit Portland cityscape with downtown buildings and neon "Old Town" sign at night, showcasing vibrant urban life and city lights, capturing the essence of Portland, Oregon.

Unwrap Portland for the Holidays

The Rose City has holiday charms for any agenda written by James Sinks Oh, the rumors outside are frightful. But the Rose City? Actually, pretty delightful. If you’re among those who’ve been avoiding Portland of late, there’s no better time to get reacquainted than during the happy hubbub of the holidays. Business windows twinkle, lit-up Christmas ships bob in the river, Nutcracker ballerinas twirl and a festive tree shines over Pioneer Courthouse Square. As you wander the famously walkable cityscape, you may wonder where exactly is the hells-cape that people keep warning about. With apologies to Mark Twain, reports of Portland’s demise have been wildly exaggerated. Yes, the pandemic and aftermath were tough in spots, as some businesses moved out, people without homes moved in and litter spread. Now, thanks to an all-hands campaign by civic, business and nonprofit leaders, streets are cleaned daily, tourist foot traffic is approaching pre-pandemic…

Borrego Springs and Bombay Beach

In the windswept Southern California desert, abundant art meets nature’s palette written by James Sinks Longer than a football field, a sea serpent dives into the desert sand, emerging on the other side of a road. Nearby, a giant scorpion and grasshopper tower over the scrub. Mammoths stand watch. And a pair of giant tortoises peek through underbrush. The metalwork menagerie—there are some 130 separate creatures in all—welcomes visitors to the windswept landscape that surrounds the sleepy Southern California enclave of Borrego Springs, a place where art meets barrenness and beauty, day and night. In a bowl with mountains jutting on three sides, the community feels a bit like an oasis that time forgot, with low-slung resorts that beckon winter escapees yet with little of the campy glitz of Palm Springs or the beach bustle of San Diego, each a ninety-minute drive away. Winter temps average a comfortable 71 degrees,…

The lobby library of the writer redoubt, Hotel Sylvia in Newport.

Hotel Sylvia: A Literary Escape in Newport

written by Kerry Newberry | photography by Shelsi Lindquist Perched on a cliffside at the edge of the sea in Newport, Hotel Sylvia’s historic building dates back to 1910. For more than forty years, the storied property has lured book lovers to the coast for contemplative literary retreats. The beloved hotel recently relaunched following a thoughtful glow up—reviving all the spaces while retaining the bookish spirit of this special place. The name still pays homage to Sylvia Beach, the legendary American expat book-seller who owned the Paris bookstore Shakespeare and Company—a literary hub in the 1920s for renowned writers including Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald. You’ll find the revered literary ethos remains throughout the property. All twenty-two guest rooms are named for either authors (Maya Angelou, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, C.S. Lewis, Alice Walker) or after popular genres (drama, fantasy, mystery). Each room added curated book collections…

Enjoying fishing in Oregon's scenic waters, these anglers explore outdoor adventures featured in 1859 Oregon Magazine, highlighting the region's natural beauty and leisure activities.

Cape Kiwanda Dory Fishing Adventure

Punching through Cape Kiwanda surf with a seasoned captain, a hefty catch and century-old dory culture written by Cathy Carroll In the faint light just after dawn in the Pelican Brewing Company parking lot in Pacific City, Captain Joe Hay stood at the stern of his trailered dory boat, primed to launch straight from the beach through the surf of Cape Kiwanda—a tradition among local fishers since the early 1900s. With the dry humor of someone who’s spent thirty years plying the waters for its bounty, Hay, in pink Chubbies swim trunks but visible only from the waist up, quipped: “I guess you’re wondering why I’m not wearing pants—my wife wears them, and she’s home in bed.” This was just what a neophyte wearing an anti-seasickness patch behind an ear needed to hear. “She’s a smart woman,” I replied, feeling less nervous. I climbed aboard. The crew towed the open-hulled,…

Beautiful fall colors in Oregon’s parks, vibrant leaves, serene pond, and peaceful nature scene in Portland, Oregon.

Fall for Ashland

As the days shorten, the Rogue Valley’s dramatic hamlet is a little spooky and a lot awesome written by James Sinks With its renowned theatrical festival, international culinary scene, public university and smorgasbord of outdoor recreation pursuits, it might not feel fair to call Ashland a ghost town. Then again, you might not be wrong. Paranormal reports abound in the hamlet in Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley, from the ghost of a 1930s actor lurking at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, to one that stomps the hallways at the Columbia Hotel downtown. “Based on the stories I’ve heard, the spirits here are more mischievous than murderous,” chuckled 74-year-old Peter Finkle, a local historian who leads art and history walking tours. His most popular, by far, explores Haunted Ashland. Even if you don’t bump into apparitions, you’ll still be spirited away—and quite busy—in Oregon’s drama capital. Zigzag from dusty mountain trails to U-pick…