Explore Oregon

Henry Hagg Lake is a great option for year-round paddling.

Secluded SUPing

To SUP is human. To SUP in seclusion is divine. written by Jen Sotolongo Home to calm rivers and crystal clear alpine lakes surrounded by mountain tops, paddleboarding enthusiasts can SUP just about anywhere in Oregon. The mild winter throughout much of the state means that with the right gear, paddling year-round is a possibility. Whether you prefer to while away the day in a lake, get a solid workout along one of the many designated water trails, or make a multi-day excursion stand-up paddlers won’t have to search far to find a serene spot to enjoy the sport. Permits are required for non-motorized watercraft, including paddleboards 10 feet or longer, as well as life jackets and whistles. One and two-year permits are available from ODFW and Oregon.gov. Henry Hagg Lake GASTON Just 30 miles southwest of Portland, Hagg Lake is a great option for year-round paddling. The lake is…

The Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa

Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa

written by Kerry Newberryphotography by Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa In a town steeped in maritime history, few places capture the soul of Astoria like the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa. When the luxury hotel first opened in 2005, it became an instant icon. Built on century-old pier pilings extending 600 feet into the Columbia River, the space was designed to recreate the feeling of the canneries of bygone days with smokestacks, exposed steel beams and wooden trusses. The electric red building is luminous even on oyster gray days. Set on the former site of the Union Fisherman’s Cooperative Packing Company, the hotel pays homage to the town’s past and present in creative ways. When you check in, your welcome envelope includes the daily schedule of inbound and outbound container ships provided by Columbia River Bar Pilots. You can study the massive carriers that take on a mythic glow at…

The hull of the Peter Iredale, a British ship that ran aground in 1906 in what is now Fort Stevens State Park.

Bombastic Heritage

Expect wild tales and wildlife at Fort Stevens State Park written by Joni Kabana There’s a haunting line in the lyrics of the song “I Was Brought To My Senses” by singer-songwriter Sting that reads: “And out of the confusion, where the river meets the sea, came things I’d never seen, things I’d never seen.” If you’ve ever ventured to the upper northwest corner of Oregon and witnessed the swells that occur when the mighty Columbia River rushes to meet incoming Pacific Ocean tides, these words would barely scratch the surface of the impression of what you’d see in those treacherous waters. Dubbed the “Graveyard of the Pacific,” many a sailor has gone down with the ship while trying to cross this navigational nightmare. Since 1792, some 2,000 ships have sunk in these unforgiving swells formed over a long stretch of sandbar, and notoriously dangerous conditions can arise swiftly without…

One bucket list item on the Oregon Coast is kayaking among the arches and seastacks on the southern coast.

Oregon Coast Adventures

From Brookings to Astoria, the Oregon Coast has more than 350 miles of bucket list items for you written by Jen Sotolongo The Oregon Coast may not be the kind of place where you soak up the sun while sipping an umbrella drink and that’s quite all right with Oregon residents. Instead, the Oregon Coast offers an array of adventurous activities that encourage visitors to truly explore the landscape. From surfing and paddling to clamming and tidepool hunting, the Oregon Coast won’t leave you yearning for a beach chair and colorful drink. Surfing Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest in general, may not come to mind when it comes to surfing, but the Oregon Coast is actually a terrific spot for both beginners and advanced surfers. Otter Rock, located right in between Portland and Eugene, offers a protected break with consistent 2-to 4-foot waves. The large stretch of sand allows surfers…

Mother’s Day begins in Central Oregon at the Old Mill District and shopping at upscale shops.

Mother’s Day in the High Desert

The luxury resorts of Central Oregon are a mom’s best friend written by James Sinks Remember when mom used to take you to the playground? This Mother’s Day—or any day, really—you can return the favor. And when it comes to choosing the right playground, few places on the planet tout more satisfying options than Central Oregon, where a seemingly endless menu of recreation, restaurant, and relaxation options await moms of every age, interest and mobility. Here, happy trails are everywhere, from ski trails to bike trails to river trails to hiking trails, and you can even hop onto the Bend Ale Trail and sample a smorgasbord of breweries. If mom likes clubs as much as diamonds, the area boasts two golf courses ranked highly as girls’ trip destinations by Golf Digest. And if she needs to relax, unroll a yoga mat or unwind at any of dozens of upscale spas…

The Setting Inn in the pastoral wine country town of Newberg.

The Setting Inn

written by Kerry Newberryphotography by Bob McClenahan One of the Willamette Valley’s long standing getaways had a modern makeover last summer and reopened as The Setting Inn. Owners Jeff Cova and Noah McMaha, also founders of a sister property in Napa, partnered with local makers and producers to build connections to the nearby Newberg community. The bright and airy main room with vaulted ceilings and gracious windows welcomes with natural light and minimalist decor. A smattering of art posters and wine books gives a cool aunt vibe—you know, the one who wears caftans, travels to Porto and has a kitchen garden. Speaking of gardens, the outdoor landscaping is the high point of the property. Come spring and summer, this is where you want to stay. The outdoor terrace has multiple gathering spaces from a corner with swing chairs and poufs to a cluster of Adirondacks circling firepits. Elegant cypress trees…

Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone is just one spectacle in the spectacular national park.

West Yellowstone

This gateway town is erupting with outdoor experiences written by Tony Camper Old Faithful geyser and its surrounding 2.2 million acres became the United States’ first national park in 1872, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed it into law. Largely in Wyoming, its western boundary and gateway is the tiny town in southern Montana, West Yellowstone. Nordic skiers know it for its hospitality during regional races. Naturalists and adventurers know it for its basecamp amenities while they explore the region. Everyone should know West Yellowstone for the opportunities it presents. In late spring and into the summer, snow recedes leaving hearty trails to hike, singletrack to ride and rivers to fish. If you enjoy all of these, you’re in for an experience you won’t soon forget. When it comes to visiting Yellowstone, we recommend beginning with a guide or tour service. There is an overwhelming amount of territory and history…

Seabrook follows the planning tenets of New Urbanism, with its twin goals of environmental sustainability and livability.

Stunning Seabrook

Discover seaside delights at this Washington destination Written by James Sinks If the picture-perfect beach hamlet of Seabrook feels like it is out of a movie, it’s by design. Nestled between Gray’s Harbor and Pacific Beach a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, the resort town is modeled in part by Seaside, Florida, the tidy community that helped to inspire The Truman Show. In Seabrook, the starring attraction is one of the most striking stretches of coastline in Washington, set against a beachfront community peppered with fire pits, parks, eateries and promenades. Seabrook invites you to do everything on foot. First opened in 2004 and now up to 475 houses—many of them vacation rentals with ocean views—the Cape Cod-evoking development follows the planning tenets of New Urbanism, with its twin goals of environmental sustainability and livability. Instead of navigating oceans of asphalt and strip malls, Seabrook invites visitors to ditch their cars…

Bowline Hotel sits on a peer over the mighty Columbia River.

Bowline Hotel

In case of Sea Lions. Earplugs. That’s on the keycard-sized envelope stuffed with hot pink earplugs in each room at the Bowline Hotel. But don’t worry, you won’t need them. Yes, there are sea lions serenading from the adjacent docks and sea lions swimming by if you book a riverside room (and you should definitely book the riverside room). But the baritone bellows from the curious sea creatures only complement the sense of place you get at this hotel perched over the mighty Columbia River. The sixth property from Adrift Hospitality, and their second Oregon location (the other one is Ashore Hotel in Seaside), the Bowline is a spot to behold in downtown Astoria. Set in a former seafood processing plant, harkening back to when Astoria was deemed the salmon-canning capital of the world, the hotel pays homage to the region’s salty roots in subtle ways. The designers retained all…