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Hit The Beach, Valley And Desert In A Single Week With An Oregon Road Trip

Apr. 30, 2021
Hit The Beach, Valley And Desert In A Single Week With An Oregon Road Trip

From natural beauty to natural bounty, there’s far more to Oregon than quirky Portland and massive Crater Lake. For a whirlwind glimpse at some of the Beaver State’s incredible diversity, consider a weeklong drive to uncover memorable beach, valley and desert experiences with these suggestions on where to stay, what to eat and how to best appreciate each spot.

The most iconic of Oregon’s coastal beaches, Cannon Beach is home to towering Haystack Rock. Thanks to dramatic shifts between high and low tides on the expansive beach here, the 235-foot sea stack is approachable during low tide, and the resulting tide pools reveal plenty of sea stars and vibrant pink anemones.

Thanks to the Oregon Beach Bill, all of the state’s beaches are public so you’ll have unrestricted access no matter where you stay, but beachfront vacationing is at its best at Stephanie Inn. Snag an oceanview room to add a private beachfront balcony to the impressive list of amenities included in every room at this boutique property (gas fireplace, Jacuzzi tubs, binoculars for bird spotting, lanterns for nighttime beach strolls, morning paper, and a kitchenette stocked with water and soft drinks). Nothing beats complimentary breakfast room service from the balcony, except maybe complimentary wine (or beer) in the evening, as the sun drops slowly behind the ocean horizon. The Stephanie Inn Dining Room is a top regional choice for an elegant dinner, serving two nightly seatings of the chef’s tasting menu. Spring for the wine pairing to sample more of the restaurant’s top-rated selection.

In town, Public Coast Brewing Co. is worth a visit for sampling from a dozen on-tap selections (or house-made root beer, which shouldn’t be missed). The kitchen serves casual lunch with ingredients supplied by area farms and ranches, and the large patio is perfect for families, groups and dogs. For dinner with a view, try The Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge to sample coastal seafood while ogling Haystack Rock (you’ll need to request a window seat for this, though, and there aren’t a ton). The award-winning wine list is a draw here, but don’t skip the bold cocktail menu; there’s plenty of wine to come.

If you’ll only take one hike while you’re here, head to Ecola State Park and trek from Ecola Point to Indian Beach. Lush forest reveals dramatic ocean views on the way down to the shore, and it’s an easy-to-moderate out-and-back trail.

Head southeast. Home to more than 700 wineries (and more than 70% of the state’s population), the Willamette Valley includes the state’s six largest cities, and miles and miles of prime grape growing land between the Oregon Coast Range and Cascade Range with the Willamette River cutting through the center. While many Portlanders stick to the wineries of the northern valley, close to home, it only takes about an hour to reach the cultural midpoint, and the next hour to the southern tip is packed with equally worthwhile wines to sip.

Consider heading straight for the theoretical divide and visit Left Coast Estate in Rickreall. Like much of the valley, pinots and chardonnay dominate the vineyards here, but a syrah block atop the highest point in the 500-acre property is unusually poised to produce a grape not often grown well in the region. Left Coast’s commitment to the land is as strong as its commitment to fine wine with not only its impressively sustainable and responsible production, but a devotion to land restoration that includes the nearly depleted Oak Savanna. Don’t leave without trying a wood-fired pizza (or beet-za), when available.

Further south in Monroe, one of the valley’s most inspiring successes is Bluebird Hill Cellars. The relatively small family-run operation started as a hobby vineyard less than a decade ago and, contrary to the accepted wisdom that older vines grow better grapes, is already producing a number of award-winning bottles with some scoring up to 94 points from Wine Enthusiast. The small-batch wines are produced onsite in a converted garage attached to the owner’s hilltop house with a large, covered porch and nearby pergola offering mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountainscape.

Outside of the half-dozen larger cities, there are dozens of quaint towns scattered throughout the valley. The town of Independence is a convenient base with a riverfront park and a charming downtown that includes a coffee and tap house, book shop, antiques, dining, and a can’t-miss champagne and dessert bar. The new Independence Hotel offers a thoroughly modern stay set back just one street from the peaceful, small-town vibe of Main Street, and comes with a guest-only rooftop featuring cozy seating, fire features and river views.

Before moving on toward the southern tip of the valley, be sure to make a reservation at Sybaris Bistro for one of the valley’s most celebrated and creative meals. The menu changes monthly and is a marriage between current local availability and the whim of the chef, twice nominated for Best Chef: Northwest by the James Beard Foundation, but you can always count on meticulously executed dishes of house-made everything, from bread to condiments to dessert. Consider arriving an hour or so early to stroll the surrounding town of Albany, with a bit more shopping than Independence and an unusually intriguing carousel.

Toward the tip of the valley you’ll find the college town of Eugene. Though there are plenty of greenspaces worth exploring and no shortage of available outdoor activity, the top asset here may be the creative juices flowing throughout the city. Perhaps best known as the birthplace of Nike, a more complete representation of the city can be found in and around 5th Street Public Market, where local shops, eateries and the upscale Provisions Market Hall surround a multi-level courtyard with a central fountain. Newly-opened Market Alley is the maker’s row of the complex. Still in development, the completed space will include outdoor heating, projection screens, flowerboxes, and plenty of seating in the covered alley that brings a chic main street experience for outdoor shopping and strolling protected from the elements.

To fully immerse yourself in the artistic atmosphere of Eugene, check in to The Gordon Hotel just beyond Market Alley. The brand-new art boutique property is home to more than 250 pieces of original art hanging in both public spaces and every room, and features a lobby-level Art Bar fully-stocked with art supplies and frequented by the hotel’s occasional artists-in-residence. Complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the day (including treats for your very-welcome pup) will keep you going while you’re in, but free cruiser bike “rentals” will have you itching to tour town (and you should!). The best nearby start to your morning can be found at Morning Glory Café either for a full, mindful breakfast or even just a cup of specialty coffee or tea. The atmosphere is quirky and the quality is serious. For dinner, hit Tacovore (this is a good one to bike to) for top-notch tacos ranging from classic to creative and powerful margaritas, including a daily special. You’ll definitely want to sample the salsa bar here, too.

Head east, across the Cascades, to Oregon’s high desert. Following 126-E, the majority of the drive is scenic and there are plenty of pull-offs available for marveling, but be sure to stop for Sahalie Falls, about an hour and a half into your drive. Just off the road, you’ll find gushing falls surrounded by lush vegetation and a nearly ever-present rainbow within less than a minute’s walk from the small parking lot. A few minutes down the road, you can make another quick stop at Clear Lake, with blue-green waters as transparent as the name suggests. If you have time, rent a rowboat and head out onto the lake to see just far down you can peer.

Another hour onward and you’ll find Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte (about 30 minutes from Bend). Here, you’ll find complete respite on nearly 2,000 acres of land dotted with 65 luxury cabins and a handful of adults-only suites in the Ranch House. Cabins range in bedrooms from 2-4 with private bathrooms, full kitchens and dreamy decks featuring hot tubs and grills. Use your grill to prepare ranch platter ingredients delivered to your door (with instructions) and whip up your own al fresco feast with mains including steak, chicken, salmon and pork, and sides of asparagus, potatoes, salads and more on the list (of course, burgers and hot dogs are also available!). If you’ll be staying awhile, consider ordering provisions sent ahead to fully stock your kitchen with everything you’ll need to prepare multiple fresh meals, or head to the on-site General Store daily to pick up the day’s needs and a morning cup of coffee. But don’t do all the cooking yourself; be sure to visit Ranch House Restaurant and Range Restaurant to taste seasonal ranch-to-table fare with epic mountain vistas. Come for dinner to catch blazing sunsets, and don’t worry about finding a seat with a view—large windows and doors give even the indoor tables an unforgettable show.

Between rests, treat your body to services from Spa Brasada or snack on bites by the pools. The family pool system includes a waterslide and lazy-river-style current with plenty of classic pool bites, while the new adults-only pool offers more refined refreshments. Alternatively, stay active from sunrise to sunset with a morning of golf and an afternoon of riding. Of all Oregon’s golf courses, none boasts quite the same selection of mountain views as Brasada’s, and the unique canyon landscape sets the stage for both invigorating play and moments of marvel. Check out a different scene with trail rides at the Equestrian Center. Explore the sagebrush and junipers from horseback with customizable rides for all skill levels (lessons available, too!). The Equestrian Center is a few minutes down the road from the cabins, but you’ll always find some horses grazing in the ranch’s front pasture and you can snag complimentary carrots from the General Store to entice new friends. After exertion, relax your muscles in your private hot tub or sip the resort’s custom label Lange pinot noir by the fireplace—there’s no wrong way to end a day, or a tour of Oregon, at Brasada.

*If you’re coming from a distance, you can fly into Portland and out of Redmond to complete this full itinerary.


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