About Oregon

Portland
Crisscrossed by rivers, mountains and vineyards, Metropolitan Portland offers more than urban adventure. Within a few minutes’ drive of downtown Portland are Pinot-producing wineries (most with year-round tasting rooms), kayak-friendly waterways that nudge wildlife preserves and, of course, the glorious foothills of Mount Hood. And if it’s urban adventure you crave, be warned that Portland, the Rose City, isn’t your run-of-the-mill urban megapolis. An effervescent arts community, dozens of urban parks and green spaces, a lively downtown, complete with an open air plaza that serves as the community’s living room and a world-class public transportation system, are just few of the reasons that make this one of the country’s most livable cities.

The Coast
Oregon's nearly 363 miles of pristine, public coastline is made up of diverse terrain that changes from rugged cliffs to evergreen forests to Sahara-like dunes and boundless sandy beaches. From Astoria in the north to Brookings in the southern tip, follow the shoreline past a smorgasbord of one-of-a-kind attractions including scores of quaint towns with a penchant for serving up legendary seafood, historic lighthouses, breathtaking viewpoints, stunning state parks, a cornucopia of galleries and museums and a world class aquarium. Mild temperatures, dramatic scenery and a wide range of recreational activities make the coast one of the state's most popular regions.

Mt. Hood & The Gorge
Mt. Hood and the cliffs of the awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge look down on quaint riverfront towns, countless waterfalls and exhilarating windsurfing waters. The often-photographed Mt. Hood is home to four ski areas, including historic Timberline Lodge, a classic WPA-era mountain lodge, which also happens to offer North America’s longest ski season and Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, which offers the country’s largest night skiing area. Run-off from Mt. Hood’s volcanic slopes enriches soil in the valleys below, making the Hood River Valley one the largest fruit-growing regions in Oregon with apricots, apples, blueberries, pears—even wine grapes that make for exceptional vintages. For those who prefer the indoors, historical wonders can be also be discovered in Troutdale’s Harlow House, The Dalles’ Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Wasco County Historical Museum.

Southern Oregon
A bustling theatrical town (Ashland) featuring the Tony-Award winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the country's deepest lake, Crater Lake, the Oregon Caves National Monument, world-class fishing and rafting rivers, year-round golf, mountains for skiing, biking and hiking only begin to make up the many pieces of picturesque Southern Oregon. Indulge on chocolates to your heart’s content at the Ashland Chocolate Festival, taste world-famous artisan cheeses at the Rogue-Creamery, and explore the bounty of good wine and fine restaurants. The region is home to dozens of museums, including Favel Museum and Southern Oregon History Center, and a host of art galleries, theaters and antique malls.