8+ Places We Love Best in Oregon

I may be biased, but Oregon is pretty awesome. I (Michelle) was born and raised in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Jedd and I met in 2007 and lived in Portland until 2011, when we joined the Peace Corps. Now Oregon is our home base.

In this post, we reflect on what makes living in Oregon so great. And we share a few of the best places in Oregon you may not know about.

A New Perspective on Oregon

After two years of living in Jamaica as Peace Corps Volunteers, we took a road trip that slowly led us “home” both mentally and physically. While hopping around to visit family and friends, we first hit Cocoa Beach, Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, Memphis, and Chicago. 

Then we finally returned to Oregon for the first time since we had left for Jamaica, 27 months earlier!

Our homecoming to Oregon helped us appreciate what we love most about this State. Absence makes the heart go fonder, doesn’t it?

The main things that sparked nostalgia were definitely the beautiful outdoors and the glorious food. In our first week back in Portland and Salem, we took full advantage of these two benefits of being Oregonians.

Now that we’re digital nomads, coming and going throughout the year, we continue to explore both old favorites in Oregon as well as new places.

Updated: March 2021. Originally published: May 2014
Access our free Oregon Road Trip Itineraries PDF here

The Best of Oregon: The Great Outdoors

I always say that there are few places greater than Oregon in the Summer. While it can get quite rainy and dreary come winter, all those showers pay off in a big way. And it rarely gets too hot.

Portland and Salem both share the Willamette Valley, which is especially lush in the summer and boasts easy access to almost any terrain imaginable: rivers, mountains, ocean, and dessert.

We’re so thankful to be back where we have an amazing variety of options for running routes and a multitude of gorgeous hikes less than an hour away.

Trails and Hikes Around Oregon

I can’t even begin to count all of the amazing scenic hiking there is in Oregon. Coastal trails, valley hikes, snowy mountain peaks, waterfall hikes, high dessert trails – you could spend a lifetime exploring the ever-changing scenery in Oregon.

Here’s just a small sample of awesome places in Oregon.

1. Silver Creek Falls State Park

I’ve gone to Silver Falls State Park frequently throughout my life, since it’s so close to where I grew up. Coming back home after two years abroad, I was blown away by how majestic this place truly is.

I call this park “Oregon’s best kept secret.”

Apart from the astounding, Lord-of-the-Rings-type greenery and the sheer number of waterfalls in one place (more than 10!), what makes Silver Falls unique is that you can actually walk behind several of the falls!

We like to hike about 7 miles of the Trail of Ten Falls.

The hike can be shortened a number of ways and you can even get spectacular views of some of the falls with a short stroll from the parking lots at the three trailheads. If you only see one, visit the South Falls and enjoy a picnic in their Day Use Area (requires a small park fee per vehicle).

Even better, spend a few days there and camp in a tent, RV, or cabin rental.

2. Crater Lake National Park

Oregon’s only National Park, located in south-central Oregon, is an iconic landscape. Don’t let the singleness of our National Park fool you, though. Oregon’s many State Parks (like Silver Falls, above) can easily rival it!

3. The Oregon Coast

Up and down Oregon’s rugged coastline and beaches, you’ll find fantastic scenic trails of all kinds. Or you can find a sandy beach to stroll along, or even some giant sand dunes to climb.

Of course, any Oregon coast road trip is a great time to enjoy some local seafood. Grab a clam chowder or fish and chips in one of the quaint coastal towns and have a picnic by the sea.

4. City Parks

We love cities that have great bike and walking paths (another reason to love Portland). One of our favorite multi-use paths is the Springwater Trail, which is part of a 40-mile loop around the city.

We enjoyed a morning run on part of the trail and through the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge (pictured below) while staying in the Sellwood neighborhood.

Another favorite in Salem for a good run, walk, or bike ride is the expansive Minto Brown Island Park. This park sits along the Willamette River and meanders around farmland, blackberry groves, forests, and open fields.

5. The Sellwood Neighborhood, Portland

What we’ve always loved best about Portland are the quirky neighborhoods. Each has their own character. Usually there’s a main street full of shops, cafes, and restaurants and there’s almost always a park or two nearby.

Our favorite Portland neighborhood is on the Southern tip of Portland, along the East side of the Willamette River. A corner of the Springwater Trail, mentioned above, runs through this neighborhood.

Sellwood is laid back, spacious, and full of big trees. 

Sellwood also has some of our favorite restaurants, which we’ll cover in the Food section below.

* Access our free Portland packing checklist here *

The Best of Oregon: Food

Portland is a foodie town. While we really enjoyed the food in Jamaica, our options were somewhat limited. Our return home, therefore, was made complete with the obligatory visits to our favorite eateries as well as the introduction of some new hot spots.

6. Farmer’s Markets

In Peace Corps, we spent every Saturday morning buying produce at the local Jamaican farmer’s market. Apart from the presence of produce, that market is nothing like what we call Farmer’s Markets here in the States. Nevertheless, we love both kinds and were delighted to reacquaint ourselves with the Oregonian version.

At the Moreland Farmer’s Market in Sellwood, we scored one of the tastiest flats of strawberries I can remember eating, plus a bouquet of flowers for our sister-in-law’s birthday.

It seems like the Salem Saturday Market grew enormously in the time we were away. It fills the parking lot at NE State and Marion with a food court, artisan and food vendors, and regular live music. On our first trip back, we devoured a giant savory crepe, fresh strawberry lemonade, and a pork burrito, then picked up cinnamon rolls, fudge, and fresh vegetables to bring home. Yum!

7. Jade Bistro: Teahouse & Patisserie

My favorite restaurant in all of Oregon is Jade Bistro. The only complaint it gets is that the line to order food can be long … because the food is amazing. And the atmosphere is delightful as well.

My favorite dish is probably not photogenic enough (both brother-in-laws took these photos, by the way: Kapono Photoworks and PDXploration).

It’s the wide rice noodles with fresh veggies in a slightly sweet soy/oyster sauce–a lot like pad see ew. Their truffle oil french fries are also to die for. And if you ever get a chance to try the unique and extraordinary (and green) Vietnamese wedding cake, don’t miss it.

8. Saburo Sushi

The other can’t-miss Sellwood Portland restaurant for us is Saburo’s. Saburo’s may not be the most authentic as far as Japanese sushi goes, but it makes up for it with generous portions, affordable prices, and delicious flavors. There are not too many sushi places with nigiri and rolls quite this big. We can’t get enough of it!

For more Oregon recommendations, visit…

Best Oregon Road Trip Destinations & Itineraries
A Local’s Guide to Portland Oregon
Top Things to Do in Central Oregon in Summer
What to Pack for Portland Oregon

Our Rediscovering Salem series:
3 Fantastic Day Trips from Salem
5 Favorite Places to Run (or Walk) in Salem
Top Places to Enjoy Salem’s Summer Harvest
Favorite Spots to Hang Out in Salem, Oregon
Best Coffee Shops with Wifi for Work or Studying in Salem
Guide to Salem Breakfast Restaurants

* Access our free Portland packing checklist here *