US 101: Oregon’s South Coast
Bandon is like no other beach town in Oregon, and the locals like it that way.
Explore Oregon
Oregon Trip Planner: Sisters
Spend some time in Sisters, Central Oregon’s ode to an Old West town.
From Where I Stand: Klamath Falls
1859 profiles the resurgence and revitalization of Klamath Falls.
The Upland Bird Hunt
Winter hunting for chukar, pheasant and quail.
Stacy Allison: The First American Woman to Summit Everest
Oregonian Stacy Allison summited Mt. Everest in 1988, becoming the first American woman on the summit.
Best Luxury Hotel
Winner: Allison Inn & Spa, Newberg Turn off the busy Highway 99W in Newberg and stress ebbs as you head up the hill to the Allison Inn & Spa. Vineyards and native landscaping nuzzle the big stone columns and wood structures of this gorgeous retreat in the heart of Oregon wine country. The inn’s eco-friendly mantra is evident from the living sedum-covered roofs, to parking reserved for electric vehicles and the absence of plastic bottles. The Allison’s acclaimed restaurant, Jory, seats 100, offers 800 wine labels (more than half from the Pacific Northwest) and locally sourced foods, including in-house charcuterie and produce from the on-site garden. Enjoy paintings and other works by Oregon artists, the large pool and spa, complimentary wine tasting on Thursdays, and jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. Guest rooms are spacious with fireplaces and either a terrace or a balcony. And if leaving man’s best friend…
Best Views
Winner: Crater Lake photo by Andrea Johnson Pure silence, not a ripple on the lake, the sun rising over the crater rim. This is Crater Lake National Park (nps. gov/crla), one of the most pristine places on Earth. Stay at the rustic lodge built in 1915 and renovated in 1995, or snag a cabin or campsite in Mazama Village seven miles south of Crater Lake’s rim (open seasonally). Admire the views from one of the twenty scenic overlooks along the thirty-three-mile rim drive, some 2,000 feet above the lake—step back if you’re prone to vertigo. In winter, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski the rim. In warmer months, cycle or hike it. Want to actually dip your feet in the chilly lake? The only water access is down a mile-long trail that drops 700 feet to Cleetwood Cove. It’s worth the effort, especially if you want to take the only…
Best Rustic Digs
Winner: Timberline Lodge, Government Camp Photo by Aubrie LeGault Everything about the 1937-era WPA Timberline Lodge says Oregon—from its hand-hewn native wood and local stone to hand-woven draperies and wrought-iron details. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, Timberline Lodge records two million visitors a year—many come to ski or snowboard in the winter, or mountain climb and hike in summer. Located on the southern slope of Mt. Hood, at 6,000 feet, The lodge (timberlinelodge.com) is a living museum of Arts and Crafts, and a majestic place to visit. Plan a romantic getaway or book a girls’ weekend at the lodge, which offers cozy rooms for two or bunk-style rooms for groups. Taste an Oregon microbrew at the Blue Ox or Ram’s Head bars or reserve a table at the dignified Cascade Dining Room. When it’s time to relax, head for the outdoor swimming pool and spa (open year-round) or…
Best Camping
Winner: Beverly Beach Photo by Aubrie LeGault All paths at Beverly Beach lead to the scenic walkway under Highway 101 out to the Pacific Ocean and a beach that stretches from Yaquina Head to the headlands of Otter Rock. Look for the giant, fossilized 14,000-year-old Sitka root or take a picnic lunch and watch the kids build sand castles. Agate seekers scour the rocky shore to the north, and fossil lovers tread south. Spencer Creek runs through the campground, which has hookups for trailers and RVs, 128 tent sites, twenty-one yurts and five group tent areas. Just a couple miles north is Marine Gardens, located on a gravel path off Third Street in Otter Rock. Best experienced during low tide, the tidal pools are full of life. Observe seabird colonies and harbor seal pups. In Newport, meander the waterfront and fishing port, or on a rainy day, spend hours at…
