Every Fall for the past 3 years our usual tradition has been visiting the East coast of the United States, but for 2025 we decided to mix things up a little and chose to explore the Pacific Northwest coast in Oregon. For 5 days we had an unforgettable action packed trip exploring one of the most lush and beautiful places I've. From fine dining in Downtown Portland to hiking rural trails by the Pacific Coast, In this blog we are going to show what we did to fall in love with the state of Oregon!
Day 1) Vintage Shopping in Portland
Upon arrival we were met with the most gorgeous looking airport with PDX (Portland International Airport). It felt as if we were in a modern forest with real trees all throughout the gates, the little movie theater and the gorgeous wooden overlay on the ceiling. Its kinda crazy to say it felt really great being in the airport, they've done a fantastic job creating a space that you can actually enjoy being in.
Portland Food Stop #1: EEM
Portland is very well known for its Asian food specifically its Thai food and the year prior I came to Portland for a friends wedding and had the chance to try out EEM and could not stop talking about it to my husband when I got back home. As soon as we stepped foot off of the airplane my sole objective was get some of that incredible food as quickly as possible! I was so excited for this being our first spot back in Portland, Oregon. After our meal, our server suggested the Hawthorne area to go next since we really wanted to go vintage shopping!
AMBIENCE: Fun and casual but clean, organized and high quality.
HERE’S WHAT TO ORDER ➡️ Beet salad, Smoked Pork Krapao, White Curry with Brisket Burnt-ends
ADDRESS: 3808 N Williams Ave #127, Portland, OR 97227
HOURS: Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 9pm|Friday & Saturday: 11am - 10pm
PRICE: $$-$$$
Exploring Hawthorne
We had so much fun exploring the Hawthorne area! There is so much character with its great food, thrift shopping and art!
Powell’s Books on Hawthorne
Powell's books is a cultural staple in Portland. Their flagship store on Burnside St known as the 'City of Books' has staked its claim of being the largest new and used bookstore globally!
ADDRESS: 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
HOURS: Everyday: 10am - 9pm
PRICE: $-$$
Telephone Vintage
I don't think we knew what we were walking into when we entered Telephone Vintage. This spot is a treasure trove of so many unique furniture, clothes, and music! You could spend hours here looking thru all of the densely curated items they have, they had so many cool one of a kind shirts that I would've loved to get!
ADDRESS: 3239 SE Hawthorne BlvdPortland, OR 97214
HOURS: Monday - Friday: 11am - 7pm|Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 8pm
PRICE: $-$$$
Red Light Clothing Exchange
It's near impossible to miss Red Light Clothing Exchange due to it being a massive red building. They offer exclusively vintage clothing and a ton of it! The first room you enter in is all mens clothing and the adjacent room is all women's clothes. I loved the selection of what they had but most of the women's items were just way too small for me.
ADDRESS: 3590 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
HOURS: Monday - Sunday: 12pm - 6pm
PRICE: $-$$
Portland Food Stop #2: Arden
Arden is one of the best dining experiences I've had in my entire life. As soon as we took our seats at the bar, the evening proceeded as if it was out of a wonderfully scripted movie. From tasting the seasonal local wine to getting a front row performance of witnessing the chefs masterfully craft our meal, our time at Arden really felt as though you can only get this kind of experience right here! I often find myself ruminating and reliving our time here, temped to buy another plane ticket to Portland just to come back. It really is that good!
AMBIENCE: Bougie and classy. As soon as you walk in you can tell this place exudes quality.
HERE’S WHAT TO ORDER ➡️ Shrimp Toast, Porcini Tagliatelle, Half Duck for Two
ADDRESS: 417 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
HOURS: Monday thru Saturday: 5pm - 9pm | Sunday: Closed
PRICE: $$$
(Top Left) - The Shrimp Toast/(Top Right) - Porcini Tagliatelle/(Bottom Left) - The Half Duck for Two/ (Bottom Right) - Honeycrisp Apple Tart with butterscotch filling
OVERNIGHT STAY #1: Harlow Hotel
LOCATION: It is located in the Pearl District which we learned is not the safest area to be in. It is really close to some amazing restaurants which was really nice.
ADDRESS: 722 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209
ATMOSPHERE:
AMENITIES: The rooms weren't that big but the bed was very comfortable and the room/hotel were very clean.
BUDGET: $68 - $76 a night
WOULD WE STAY HERE AGAIN? 👀⬇️ No. The hotel itself was very nice but the area it is located in I would not recommend people go to. The Pearl District felt very unsafe.
Day 2) Chasing waterfalls and traveling down the Fruit Loop
Deadstock Coffee
To start of our day of chasing waterfalls we knew we needed to be fueled up properly. One of Portland's local favorite coffee spots is Deadstock Coffee where there is a huge focus on quality: Service, Tea, Coffee and Shoes. You can tell this spot is really community driven with all the regulars bopping in and out and the baristas knowing them all by name and order, it was really great knowing your in a true "local" spot. Make sure to ask for the amazing sneaker silhouette latte art!
Calling all sneakerheads! If you're in Portland, Oregon go to Deadstock Coffee for the immaculate taste in shoes and coffee!
To find the amazing Oregon waterfalls we headed East, driving around 35-40mins to reach the Corbett area. Once you get out of Portland, it is such an easy drive on the highway and the views of the Columbia River are gorgeous!
Waterfall #1) Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls was the perfect first waterfall to start us off! It is very easy to find and you have 2 ways of seeing the falls. You can either hike down to the base of the waterfall or walk up a small staircase to get a higher up view of the falls which makes for a fantastic photo opp!
QUICK TIP: When you go up the stairs to see the falls from a higher viewpoint, there is a small path to the left that you can take that will take you up even higher up and will give you some really cool views of Latourell Falls!
Waterfall #2) Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is only a 5 minute drive away from Latourell Falls so this is was so easy to get to as our second waterfall stop of the day. I highly recommend you take the trail that goes towards the Columbia River before you head for the falls, it will lead you right to a lookout where you get an amazing view of the Columbia River and you'll most likely get to see some cute animals as well! On the trail down to the falls, it will take down a bit so prepare yourself for a brief hike uphill afterwards. You will also find a cute little wooden structure where you can take great photos in front of the falls!
(Left) - Trail that leads to the view of the Columbia River|(Center) - The base of Bridal Veil Falls|(Right) - My husband and I getting a photo in front of the falls
Waterfall #3) Horsetail Falls
Getting to Horsetail Falls is a bit inconvenient but is so worth it! Once you head out from Bridal Veil Falls you will have to go West on the I-84 until you reach the NE Corbett Hill Rd exit where you can go back west on the highway to get to Horsetail Falls. This trek should take about 20-25 minutes.
There are 2 ways to experience Horsetail and I highly recommend you do both. The first is just parking, walking across the street to see the falls at its base. It's incredibly accessible and easy to see but the absolute best is second way which is taking the 20min - 30min hike up the Horsetail Falls Trail and you will be able to hike a path that takes you behind the waterfall!
(Left) - The view from the base of Horsetail Falls|(Center) - The Hike up the trail|(Right) - Getting to walk behind Horsetail Falls
Waterfall #4) Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is the largest and most famous waterfall in Oregon. Saying it is massive is a complete understatement. This is THE waterfall people come to see when traveling to Oregon and we figured that out because when we tried to see it for ourselves the parking lot was completely packed! Luckily the falls are so tall that we were able to snap this picture as we were driving on the highway headed to the Hood River Valley to go on the Fruit Loop.
THE FRUIT LOOP
75 miles East of Portland in the Hood River Valley is where you will find the most scenic self guided trek of farms, orchards and wineries. This is known as the Fruit Loop due to its abundance of fresh fruit orchards which include peaches, apples, pears and cherries.
Fruit Loop Stop #1) The Gorge White House
The Gorge White House was beyond breathtaking for it being our first stop on the Fruit Loop. They have a gorgeous walkable garden a farm store, and food truck. Its the perfect spot to get some down time and fuel up on fresh fruit, wine and burgers. We got a honeycrisp apple and red bartlett pear from their farm store and enjoyed those with an amazing glass of red wine from their vineyard all while getting to take in the grand views of Mt. Hood in the distance.
Nothing like being able to enjoy a refreshing glass of wine and bask in the views of Mt. Hood.
Fruit Loop Stop #2) Packer Orcards
This place may seem unassuming at first but in my opinion this is a MUST VISIT spot on this Fruit Loop! When you park and approach the farm you will be met with a gigantic table packed with dozens of jarred samples of what the farm offers. There are so many options! Jams, salsas, honey, pickles and donuts all offered as little free samples. Everything was so freaking delicious and it's all quite affordable for it being farm fresh and so dang tasty! We spent about $50 in the store and were able to load up on most of our favorites from what we sampled!
We found so many good treats at Packer Orchards! It was so difficult to limit ourselves. Our favorites were the pickles!
Fruit Loop Stop #3) Draper Girls Country Farm
We were having so much fun on the Fruit Loop so we needed to visit another one of the standout farms in the area. About 6 minutes south we found Draper Girls Country Farm which had; a whole outdoor section with goats, chickens, and a swing. A massive farm store which was basically its own farmers market, and my personal favorite, fresh cider made right on farm from fresh apples! You can get samples, a glass or even a whole growler! If I lived here I would undoubtedly be a frequent visitor!
Draper Girls is such a worthwhile pitstop! Getting to shop, relax and drink delicious fresh cider was nothing short of amazing!
Portland Food Spot #3: LILIA
We were feeling a bit homesick for Arizona so we found this wonderful Mexican inspired fine dining spot called Lilia. They were open late and most other spots had already closed and it was not even a minute walk from our hotel, it was meant to be! The menu at Lilia changes weekly so there is a good chance the items shown will not be available when you get your chance to go. We ordered the chefs Tasting Menu which came with 4 dishes and a dessert:
AMBIENCE: Modern style restaurant with tables and bar seats. They have an open kitchen where you can see the chefs prepare your meals behind the bar.
ADDRESS: 422 NW 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday: 5pm - 9pm|Sunday & Monday: Closed
PRICE: $$$-$$$$
(Left) - Chef's dinner and drink menu/(Center) - My favorite dish of the meal, the incredible and flavorful ceviche/(Right) - One of the most delicious desserts I've ever had: The PB&J Tart
Day 3) Cruising to the coast
Stumptown Coffee
Stumptown Coffee is one of the premier coffee shops in Portland, Oregon and is known for its incredibly high coffee quality. They offer everything coffee like cold brew, lattes, drip coffee and breakfast pastries/sandwiches for you to enjoy. I can definitely see what the hype is about, the shop itself is very spacious and quiet so it is a great place to get work done and for us it was the best environment to plan our day of driving West to get to the coast.
Pitstop in Vernonia, Oregon
On our way to Seaside we stopped in this really cute town called Vernonia. In Oregon fashion it was quite rainy so we were looking for something to warm us up and see us thru to the coast. We got coffee/Hot apple cider at Black Bear Coffee Company and found this adorable boutique store “Red Door Reclaimed” where I purchased a watercolor painting kit - LOVED THIS STORE!
Camp 18
We drove for about 40 minutes until we got hungry for lunch. Lucky for us we were right by Camp 18 which is a log cabin like restaurant and giftshop! This was one of my husbands favorite stops on the trip. The food was great and very filling and the environment inside was so cozy and well set up, I was a huge fan of their fireplace! If you are a avid bird watcher you're going to love it here, we were seated by the back window and as soon as we sat down we were met with a bunch of stellar jays and squirrels going around getting their lunch as well!
AMBIENCE: Cozy cabin vibes. Roaring fireplace, taxidermied animals hanging on the walls and lots of live animals to see outside.
HERE’S WHAT TO ORDER ➡️ Get the cinnamon roll! It's incredible and lasted me until the next day it was so much!
ADDRESS: 42362 US-26, Seaside, OR 97138
HOURS: Everyday: 8am - 7pm
PRICE: $-$$
Getting to have lunch in a cozy cabin AND birdwatch was such a great experience! Don't miss out on the incredible cinnamon rolls!
Cannon Beach
I've been to multiple beaches all over California but Cannon Beach is my favorite way of getting to experience the Pacific Ocean! Cannon Beach was the core inspiration behind trip to Oregon and getting to walk it and see the Pacific Coast in this way was the highlight of our time out here! Even though its one of the most popular beaches in the Pacific Northwest, it doesn't feel crowded at all and it was so easy to get stunning pictures of the gorgeous Haystack Rock.
Cannon Beach was the inspiration behind this whole trip to Oregon. I would be here everyday if I could!
The Winery at Manzanita
Just a little over 20 minutes south of Cannon Beach is the little town Manzanita. It is incredibly peaceful and slower pace even compared to the other surrounding beach towns so you know thats saying something. We were looking for a way to close out our day of travel and found the perfect spot called the Winery at Manzanita. We were met with roaring fire pits, amazing wine, and friendly company, especially with all the cute dogs since it prides itself on being a dog friendly spot.
AMBIENCE: Really laid back and relaxing. The fire pits are great and comfortable to sit at and the environment really aids to great conversation and making friends.
HERE’S WHAT TO ORDER ➡️ The soft pretzel with the stone ground mustard was a delicious treat to go with our wonderful wine.
ADDRESS: 253 Laneda Ave, Manzanita, OR 97130
HOURS: Sunday - Thursday: 12pm - 7pm| Friday & Saturday: 12pm - 8pm
PRICE: $-$$
Overnight Stay #2: Inn at the Shore
LOCATION: Right on the coast in the middle part of the town of Seaside. The hotel is may a 1 minute walk to Philomel's Beach.
ADDRESS: 2275 S Promenade, Seaside, OR 97138
ATMOSPHERE: Really quaint and cozy. It feels like you're staying in a little seaside cabin.
AMENITIES: Wifi, 2 beds, bathroom, right on the coast, and a fireplace.
BUDGET: $89-$101 a night
WOULD WE STAY HERE AGAIN? 👀⬇️ Absolutely! We had a wonderful stay here. The fireplace kept us nice and warm and it was so great that we were located so close to the coast!
Day 4) From coastal forests back to the concrete jungle
The moody morning views of Philomel's Beach which is a short walk right outside of our hotel Inn at the Shore
Tillamook Creamery
Home of famous Tillamook cheese, yogurt, and ice cream this dairy centric paradise is one of THE premier tourist stops in all of Oregon! This place is fantastic! Parking is completely free and we chose to do the free self guided tour which takes you over the factory floor where you can see how Tillamook cheese is made, prepped and packaged for sale. There are also a ton of free samples to enjoy which we loved! If you are interested in more of a premium experience Tillamook Creamery does offer guided tours.
Quick Tip: The food court area is extremely popular so if you're hungry prepare to wait quite a while in line to get lunch or dessert.
Cape Meares
Travelling west of Tillamook, we went to one of the most striking sea landscapes in Oregon at Cape Meares.
The vibe of Cape Mears for us: rainy, fun, and absolutely gorgeous!
Munson Creek Falls
Munson Creek Falls is one of the most gorgeous and mystical places I have ever experienced. It is the tallest waterfall in the area and is well worth the journey to witness it. The hike is really easy being only 1/4 mile and you'll be able to see all kinds of different foliage. You do not get that close to the waterfall but it is near impossible to miss. Munson Creek Falls made me feel like I was exploring a fairy wonderland out of a fantasy book! I have never been surrounded by such lush, vibrant and amazing greenery.
Quick Tip: When driving to get to get to the trailhead, make sure to take a right at the fork in the road as you get closer to the destination. Going left takes you uphill and that is not where you want to be going. (We did that and got lost for like 15 mins haha)
Munson Creek Falls feels otherworldly! This is a location you should definitely prioritize when visiting Oregon!
Tillamook Forest Center
Our last stop in Tillamook took us to the Tillamook Forest Center. If you have kids this is a MUST stop for you, it is completely FREE a is great place for them to be active and learn a ton about the area! Tillamook Forest Center offers an incredible interactive forest learning experience where they teach in depth about plant life, animal life and history of the surrounding area. The most impactful thing for me was learning about the Tillamook burn that took place in the 1930's thru 1950's and led to one of the largest reforestation efforts in America's history!
Quick Tip: At the end of the center there is an awesome suspension bridge which leads to some nearby hikes along the Wilson River. Also they are CLOSED during Winter months (December - February)
Portland Food Stop #4: Departure
AMBIENCE: Asian Fusion Restaurant with a unique and futuristic atmosphere. When you get off the elevator at the Nines Hotel and approach the host stand it feels like you're boarding a spacecraft.
HERE’S WHAT TO ORDER ➡️ The departure wings and kimchi fried rice were super delicious!
ADDRESS: 525 SW Morrison Street, 15th Fl, Portland, OR 97204
HOURS: Everyday: 4pm - 11pm
PRICE: $$-$$$
Overnight Stay #3: The Bidwell
LOCATION: Right in the heart of Downtown Portland, there is so much in walking distance from the hotel. If you're looking to enjoy great restaurants, bars and experiences in the city this is a great place to call home base!
ADDRESS: 520 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
ATMOSPHERE: Very upscale and clean this was easily our favorite stay on the trip and you really feel like you get what you pay for.
AMENITIES: The attendants are incredibly helpful and offer you free wine or champagne when you arrive. The rooms are incredibly clean and spacious and you of course get free Wifi with your stay.
BUDGET: $193 - $426 a night
WOULD WE STAY HERE AGAIN? 👀⬇️ Yes! This was our most expensive stay of our time in Oregon but it the most comfortable and felt most worth it. The location, amenities, and cleanliness of this hotel made us feel very taken care of and being able to go around the city and easily be able to access our hotel was so helpful! When we left Oregon, our flight left really late and The Bidwell held onto our luggage with zero issues after we checked out and explored Portland more. I would highly recommend staying here if you are able!
Day 5) Giving a fond farewell to Portland
Portland Food Stop #5: Fried Egg I'm in Love
This is THE ultimate breakfast sandwich spot here in Portland! Easily the most delicious breakfast I enjoyed while out here. Their menu items are just as witty and hilarious as the business name with sandwiches like the "yolko ono" or "smells like protein spirit".
AMBIENCE: This location is a food truck at the Pioneer Courthouse Square. There is a good amount of public picnic tables and seating nearby so you can enjoy it fresh as you order and pick it up.
HERE’S WHAT TO ORDER ➡️ We got the Yolko Ono Sandwich and it was BOMB! I feel like anything on their menu you order is going to be delicious!
ADDRESS: Pioneer Courthouse Square, 780 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
HOURS: Everyday: 8am - 2pm
PRICE: $-$$
Aspen Trailhead
Found in the Forest Park - Northwest District the Aspen Trailhead is a dense wilderness trek found right in Portland! It serves as an entry point to the Forest park large trail system and provided one of the most beautiful and peaceful moments in Portland.
(Left) - Map of where to find the Aspen Trailhead|(Center) - The entry point to the trail head|(Right) -
Portland Food Stop #6: Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen
Pho is my #1 go to comfort food and I wanted to have a very comfortable send off leaving Portland! Luc Lac was about a 10 minute walk from our hotel and we are so happy we ended our trip with a meal here. Before you are seated you go to the host stand and order your food there so it is a bit different compared to how other restaurants operate. The service was really helpful since this was our first time and we had no idea what to do haha.
AMBIENCE: Very casual and easy going. Main focus is for you to order, sit and eat. This spot is really good and a local favorite so expect it to be decently packed as you enter the restaurant.
HERE’S WHAT TO ORDER ➡️ Beef Pho and an order of eggrolls!
ADDRESS: 835 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204
HOURS: Everyday: 11am - 2:30pm (lunch)|4pm - 11pm (dinner)
PRICE: $-$$
This switch up on our usual Fall trip was such a welcome change. From seeing the majestic rushing waterfalls to the calm of the Pacific coast it was such an incredible experience getting to visit the Pacific Northwest again and share its natural beauty with my husband. I hope this detailed guide of our travels inspires your next adventure to Oregon. Make sure to tag us in your own adventures on Instagram and give us a follow on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook @wildjoyexperiences ✨
Xx
- The Wildjoy Team