OREGON 8 or 12 DAYS

Oregon is a beautiful state in the Pacific Northwest with many attractions. It has lively cities like Portland, known for great food and culture. The state features stunning places like Crater Lake and the Columbia River Gorge. Its coastline is special, with tall cliffs, rocky shores, and clean sandy beaches, offering amazing views and sunsets.

Tips:

• 🔥 Wildfire season in Oregon is mostly from July to September. Stay informed about fires. On smoky days, be careful and adjust your plans. Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) for air cleanliness.

• Oregon's weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers and rain gear, regardless of the season.

• Travel Guides: Fodor’s Oregon and Moon Oregon.
  

DAY 1 and 2

• Arrive at Portland airport and transfer to your hotel.

• Do I need a car in Portland?

  —The city has many simple ways to travel without a rental car. In addition to ride-share services, there is a big bus system, a streetcar, and a MAX Light Rail. Plus the option to rent a bike or electric scooter.

• Spend time exploring Portland's neighborhoods like Pearl District and Alberta Arts District.

  • Pearl District - is best known for its wide array of restaurants, breweries, galleries and shops. <map>

  • Alberta Arts District - it’s busy all year. Enjoy local art, live music, and many bars and restaurants. <video> <Learn more>

• Visit Washington Park, home to the International Rose Test Garden and the Oregon Zoo.

  • The International Rose Test Garden is the oldest rose garden in the U.S. It was created to test new rose varieties. Now, it has about 10,000 roses from more than 610 types, filling the air with their scent every season.

• Visit Powell's City of Books. It is a famous independent bookstore in Portland, spanning a whole city block. It offers many new and used books and is often called the world's largest independent bookstore.

• Enjoy dinner at one of the city's renowned food carts. Portland's food carts are small, movable stands selling various foods. They are important to the city's eating scene and offer many choices in crowded areas.

• Overnight: Portland (2 nights)

DAY 3

• Embark on a day trip to the Columbia River Gorge.

• Visit Multnomah Falls and hike to the top for a stunning view. Standing at 620 feet tall, it is arguably one of Oregon's most visited landmarks. <trail map> <transportation options>

  • Multnomah Falls must be booked in advance between late May and early September

    • Advance tickets required.

  • How to Plan Your Visit to the Falls.

  • It’s a 30-minute drive from downtown Portland.

  • Pets are allowed at Multnomah Falls, but must be controlled and on a leash at all times.

• Enjoy a scenic drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway and stop at Crown Point Vista House <location> for panoramic views.

• Biking - The Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway is a 70-mile car-free route from Estacada to Detroit, following rivers on quiet roads. Both Estacada and Detroit offer many places to eat. <Video>

• Overnight: Portland

• Driving time: Portland —-> Multnomah Falls, 40 miles, 1 hour.

DAY 5 - 7

• Journey to the town of Bend. A charming mountain town nestled in the Cascade Range, known for outdoor adventures, craft breweries, and stunning landscapes, offering hiking, skiing, and a laid-back, vibrant atmosphere.

• Discover the beautiful Deschutes region for some scenic hiking.

  • Best enjoyable short hikes.

  • One of the most popular trails is The Deschutes River Trail. Just minutes from downtown Bend, this trail runs along the Deschutes River. It has nice river views, green trees, and lots of animals. Perfect for hiking and biking, it’s an easy escape close to the city.

  • Explore downtown Bend, famous for its craft breweries. Its charming streets have unique shops, cozy cafes, and restaurants, creating a friendly feel. The nearby Deschutes River offers kayaking and parks to relax. This lively area combines culture, food, and nature, making it a great spot for outdoor fun.

• <Bend Travel Guide>

• <Where to stay in Bend>

• Travel to Sisters, Oregon The drive is about 40 minutes from Bend.

  • Located 40 miles from Bend at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, Sisters offers scenic drives, hiking and relaxing walks.

  • Aside from nature, this small Central Oregon city is also known for its unique Old West ambiance and creative arts community.

  • <Learn more>

• Overnight: Bend (3 nights)

• Driving time: Portland—->Bend. 3.5 hrs.

  
  

DAY. 7

• Journey to Crater Lake National Park. Home to the strikingly blue Crater Lake, a deep caldera formed by a volcanic eruption, surrounded by pristine forests and cliffs, offering awe-inspiring views and a serene natural wonder.

• Spend the day exploring the park, taking in the breathtaking views of the lake, and hiking some of the trails.

• Consider taking a boat tour (during summer season) or enjoying a picnic by the lake.

• Overnight: Crater Lake Lodge. <reservations>

• Driving time: Bend —> Crater Lake.

  • Crater Lake —> Redmond airport.

  • Crater Lake—> Portland airport

• Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) is located in the heart of Central Oregon and is currently serviced by American Airlines, Alaska Air, Avelo Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines.

  • Note: One-way car rental fee from Portland to Redmond may apply.

• You also have the option to return back to Portland and fly to your destination.

DAY 8 (if your continuing on your trip)

• Travel to the southern coast of Oregon.

• Visit the charming town of Bandon and its beautiful beaches, famous rock formations, and lively art scene. The town is famous for great golf courses like Bandon Dunes, attracting golf fans from everywhere.

• Visitors can explore the historic Old Town district, where they'll find boutique shops, art galleries, and seafood restaurants.

  • Explore must-see places like Bandon's Coquille River Lighthouse, Bullards Beach State Park and Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint all offering stunning views of the coastline.

    • <Bandon area map>

  • Explore scenic Beach Loop Drive, A five-mile trip with rocky peaks, ocean rocks, and sandy beaches. Enjoy beautiful views, tide pools, and plenty of wildlife. Discover the area's history and nature, whether for a quick visit or a whole day.

• Explore the beaches.

• Discover Old Town Bandon. <Bandon walking map>

• Overnight: Bandon (2 nights)

• Driving time: Crater Lake —> Bandon, 3.5 hrs

  
  

DAY 9

• Explore the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

• Explore the Oregon Dunes Loop Trail. The first half-mile of the trail is paved and leads to a viewing area. After that, it goes down into the dunes. The popular 2-mile round trip to the beach and back is a flat, firm path through the sand. <map of trail>

  • There is also a longer hike which you can inquire at the Recreation Visitor Center.

  • Ride a dune buggy, try sandboarding, or walk along the sandy beach.

• Overnight: Bandon

• Driving time: Bandon —> Oregon Dunes area, 1 hr.

DAY. 10 and 11

• Drive along the scenic Oregon Coast Highway.

• Stop at seaside towns like Newport, where you can visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium and enjoy fresh seafood.

• Continue to Cannon Beach, known for Haystack Rock. Cannon Beach is a quaint, refined seaside village. <Learn more> <route>

• Best hikes at Cannon Beach.

  • Download the AllTrails app.

• Overnight: Cannon Beach (2 nights)

  • <Where to stay>

• Driving time: Oregon Dunes—> Newport, 1.5 hrs

  • Newport —> Cannon Beach, 3hrs.
    

DAY 12

• Return to Portland.

• Spend your last day visiting any missed attractions or indulging in shopping and dining experiences.

• Departure from Portland.

• Driving time: Cannon Beach —> Portland, 1.5 hrs.

Clouds:

• Portland and coastal Oregon: the average percentage of the sky covered by clouds experiences significant seasonal variation over the course of the year.

  • The clearer part of the year in Oregon begins early June till mid-October.

  • The clearest months of the year in Oregon are July and August.

  • The cloudier part of the year begins around late October till late May.

• Bend + Central Oregon is distinguished by a high desert climate and is located inland.

  • The Cascade Range, which runs north to south through the state, acts as a barrier, preventing the marine influence from reaching the central and eastern side. As a result, Central Oregon tends to have a more continental climate with greater temperature extremes and much less rain and clouds.

  • With low humidity and clear skies, you can enjoy sunny days and cool nights, with more significant temperature variations between day and night.

  • May through October are best to visit the region.

• Monthly water temperature for the Oregon coast.

• Sunrise and sunset times.