Explorer Sue

Disclosure: The owners of the Florentine Waterfront Hotel hosted me for a complimentary two-night stay, however, every opinion here is my own.

The Oregon Coast is wildly romantic right up until you realize the “ocean view” room you booked overlooks a parking lot, the town is packed with families on spring break, and you just spent four hours in the car arguing about whether Highway 101 counts as scenic when it’s raining sideways.

The temptation is real. You open a map, see 363 miles of Oregon coastline, and think you can do it all in a long weekend. You can’t. Well, you can, but you’ll spend most of it staring at the bumper in front of you on Highway 101. I spent more than 20 years living in Oregon, and this is the coast trip I give friends when they only have three days. Two towns, Newport and Florence. One lakeside cabin.

I’ll admit it: I’m still skeptical about ghosts. But after taking a Seattle ghost tour through historic Pioneer Square, I’d absolutely recommend booking one—even if you’re not convinced the paranormal is real. I’m a Pacific Northwest local who has spent years exploring Seattle, and what made this tour worthwhile for me wasn’t ghost hunting.

Wondering when to visit Oregon? After living in Oregon for more than 20 years and exploring nearly every corner of the state, I can say without hesitation there’s no single “best” time to visit—it depends entirely on what kind of trip you want to have. Do you want to hike beneath roaring waterfalls? Drive the rugged Oregon Coast? Wander fields of blooming lavender? Ski fresh powder on Mount Hood? Or sip Pinot Noir during harvest season?

As you step off the San Juan Island ferry into Friday Harbor, the quintessential charm of the place hits you square on. It is all at once a seaside port town and a throwback to 1940’s resort glamour. Not to say that everything isn’t up-to-date – San Juan Island has modern hotels and contemporary, chef-run restaurants. It’s just that the overall feel of the place, to me, is reminiscent of a laid-back, simplistic life dictated by the charm of island waters.

If you’re looking for the perfect day trip to Bainbridge Island, you’re in for one of Washington’s easiest and most rewarding escapes. Just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island feels worlds away, with waterfront trails, local wineries, art galleries, cozy cafés, forests, and charming Winslow all waiting just beyond the ferry dock. It’s one of my favorite Pacific Northwest escapes when I want to slow down without traveling far.

If you’re dreaming of one epic Pacific Northwest adventure, combining Oregon and Washington into a single road trip is hard to beat. You’ll experience rugged coastlines, snow-capped volcanoes, lush rainforests, charming waterfront towns, world-class wineries, and two of the region’s best cities—all in one vacation. One important tip before you start planning: if you have less than seven days, I recommend sticking to either Oregon or Washington, not both.

Planning a road trip along the Oregon Coast? You’re in for a special treat! This scenic drive, one of the best in the country, offers an amazing mix of breathtaking vistas, charming coastal towns, and hidden pockets waiting to be explored. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or new to the open road, the Oregon Coast Highway promises an unforgettable adventure.

Updated May 10, 2024. In all of my travels, I have not been in (or heard of) any other city in the world that has as many diverse food carts as Portland, Oregon. These are some of the best places to eat in Portland on a budget. Food trucks in Oregon, in particular Portland, are called food carts. Why? Because they are established eateries that tend to stay in one place. With well over 600 (and counting) food carts, they are usually found in clusters throughout the city, called pods.