Beyond the City: 6 Incredible Day Trips from Portland, Oregon
Mount Hood Winery - Hood River, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, is one of the West Coast’s most interesting cities. From beautiful parks and food carts to artisanal markets and an exciting sports culture, the Rose City offers something for everyone.
Almost as important as the city itself is its proximity to many of western Oregon’s incredible landscapes. Whether you prefer rolling vineyards, coastal views, or soaring mountains, you can reach them all within a 2-hour drive from Portland.
So, if you’re ready to venture beyond the city and leave the crowds behind, read further to discover 6 incredible day trips from Portland, Oregon.
Coastal view near Cannon Beach, Oregon
Chasing Waterfalls Along the Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge view from the Bridge of the Gods
To begin our adventure outside Portland, we will start with the easiest day trip: The Columbia River Gorge. Spanning 85 miles between Washington and Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge is one of the most gorgeous natural wonders of the West Coast. To arrive, take I-84 E leaving Portland, and you’ll reach the start of the gorge in just under 20 minutes.
You could easily spend an afternoon driving along and pausing at the scenic viewpoints, like the one at the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks. This impressive bridge crosses the Columbia River and is open to pedestrian traffic—for those without a fear of heights, that is. In the famous book Wild, author Cheryl Strayed hikes the Pacific Crest Trail and ends her brave solo journey by crossing the Bridge of the Gods. This key moment is portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the film adaptation of the book.
The Bridge of the Gods, Cascade Locks
The Columbia River Gorge is also the gateway to some of Oregon’s most incredible waterfalls. Undoubtedly, the most famous is Multnomah Falls. This towering waterfall is the tallest in Oregon, measuring at 620 feet and set before the iconic Benson Bridge. While Multnomah is stunning, it is also the most crowded. Parking can be very difficult here, so it’s best to park at another location and hop on the Waterfall Trolley. You can also visit Multnomah Falls later in the day on your return journey to Portland when the crowds are much smaller.
Other beautiful and much less crowded waterfalls along the gorge include Wahkeena Falls and Horsetail Falls, which are very easy to access from public parking, and Wahclella Falls, which can be seen after an easy trail that takes around 2 hours there-and-back.
Hood River and the Fruit Loop
Hood River Waterfront Park on the Columbia River
Continuing east from Portland along I-84, we arrive at our next destination: Hood River. This breezy city is a great add-on to your waterfall excursion, but it also deserves its own day trip if you have the time. If driving directly from downtown Portland, you’ll arrive in just over an hour.
Nestled along a wide stretch of the Columbia River and with Mount Hood in the distance, Hood River is a quintessential Oregon town. At this location in the gorge, a wind tunnel sweeps over the waters, creating ideal conditions for windsurfing. To try your hand at this adventurous watersport, you can rent equipment at the Hood River Waterfront Park or opt for a paddleboard or kayak.
On the waterfront, have lunch at one of the local restaurants or breweries. Both pFriem Family Brewers and Ferment Brewing Company are fun places to enjoy a local beer and farm-to-table fare while watching windsurfers glide along the water. Hood River is also a fun place to shop, with small coffee shops, bookstores, and boutiques.
Just outside of town on OR-35 S, you can also explore the Hood River Fruit Loop. This 35-mile scenic drive passes some of Oregon’s best orchards.
In season, visit The Gorge White House for a fun U-Pick experience and to taste their homemade ciders.
You can also stop into one of the nearby wineries of the Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area (AVA). Mt. Hood Winery offers one of the best views in the area and is a wonderful place to lounge in an Adirondack chair while enjoying a tasting.
Incredible view at Mt. Hood Winery
Taste Wine in the Willamette Valley
Coeur De Terre Vineyard, McMinnville
To discover more of Oregon’s wine scene, there is no better place to do so than in the Willamette Valley. Traveling south from Portland on I-5 S, you’ll arrive in the Willamette Valley in just under an hour
Alternatively, you may prefer to leave the driving to an expert, so you can enjoy the area responsibly. There are several highly rated companies offering day trips to the Willamette Valley, including Wildwood Adventures and Triangle Wine Country Tours.
Some of my favorite wineries in the Willamette Valley include Abbey Road Farm, which has a gorgeous lawn and garden area, Dominio IV, which offers a rustic tasting in a restored farmhouse, and Coeur De Terre Vineyard, which makes incredible Pinot Noir. An elegant, upscale winery worth a visit is Domaine Serene Winery in Dayton.
Be sure to visit one of the region’s charming towns. McMinnville is considered the capital, with a delightful downtown of vintage shops, local restaurants, and tasting rooms. To enjoy Willamette Valley wine and small bites, visit the R. Stuart & Co. Tasting Room for a tasting and to try their killer rosemary cashews.
Other quaint towns in Willamette include Carlton, Newberg, and Dundee. Carlton Bakery is an excellent place for breakfast or lunch, serving artisanal coffee and baked goods. Try the sea biscuit, made with cardamom, black sesame, and pearl sugar.
Baked treats at Carlton Bakery
Discover the Oregon Coast
Cape Lookout State Park - Tillamook, Oregon
A trip to the West Coast is not complete without a seaside adventure! Along Oregon’s wild Pacific coastline, there are numerous beaches and natural parks to explore. Here, lush forests of fir, hemlock, and spruce trees nearly touch the sea, as giant rock formations rise dramatically from the water.
Crescent Beach, Ecola State Park, and Cannon Beach - photo credit: Maria Luisa Lopez Estivill, Dreamstime
The most famous shoreline is Cannon Beach, an hour and a half from Portland via US-26 W. Cannon Beach is very picturesque, with stunning views of Haystack Rock, so it is no wonder that in 2013 it ranked among National Geographic's top 100 most beautiful places. Given this accolade, it can be quite touristy but is lovely to experience.
Arch Cape is a peaceful community between Manzanita and Cannon Beach. A walk along the beach of Arch Cape reveals staggering cliffs and an expansive view of the impressive Castle Rock. Oswald West State Park is nearby and has relaxing seaside hikes and vistas.
Oceanside Beach
Continue south until you reach the idyllic town of Oceanside. Oceanside Beach offers beautiful views of the coast and of Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge. As you walk along the sea, you’ll find a tunnel in one of the cliffs that leads to another scenic spot, Agate Beach.
After exploring Oceanside Beach, grab a bite to eat at Roseanna's Café, where fresh seafood is served with an unbeatable sea view. Order the clam chowder and surfer sandwich, then finish with some marionberry cobbler—a true Oregon staple!
At this point, you can travel back east to Portland, crossing through the town of Tillamook to tour the impressive Tillamook Creamery.
Jacobsen Salt Co.
For more coastal vibes, continue south to Cape Lookout State Park. Along the way, stop by Jacobsen Salt Co., which harvests salt from nearby Netarts Bay. In the gift shop, you can buy an array of salty products, including cooking salt, spices, sweets, and sustainably produced honey. Don't leave without a box of their sinful salted caramels!
Cape Lookout State Park
In Cape Lookout State Park, you could trek through the Cape Trail if you’re feeling adventurous. It winds through forests with ocean views to the tip of Cape Lookout and back, and is about 5 miles round trip. A family-friendly, shorter walk is the Nature Trail, an easy route to the beach with lovely views of Cape Lookout and the surrounding trees.
Trillium Lake
Trillium Lake, Government Camp
While you have excellent Mount Hood views from downtown Portland and Hood River, the best views are southeast at Trillium Lake in Government Camp. You can reach this beautiful lake in about an hour and 20 minutes from Portland along US-26 E.
Highland Farms, Brightwood
During your drive, make a slight detour to Brightwood, Oregon, to visit Highland Farms. Here, you can get up close and personal with the farm’s friendly animals, including Highland cows, sheep, and birds. Afterward, you’ll follow your host along the fragrant forest trail for a peaceful walk as you learn about the property and the animals.
Part of the Trillium Lake Loop trail
Trillium Lake is a scenic reservoir featuring incredible views of Mount Hood, campgrounds, and a hiking trail. While here, enjoy a picnic just steps from the water, then make your way around the Trillium Lake Loop—an easy 2-mile trail that encircles the lake. Kayak rentals are available for a gentle row across the water.
Mount Hood and Timberline Lodge
A view of Mount Hood from Ram's Head Bar at Timberline Lodge
Serving as the majestic backdrop for numerous destinations on this list, I would be remiss not to give Mount Hood its own mention as an incredible day trip from Portland. At a height of over 11,000 feet, Mount Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon and one of the most iconic on the West Coast. It retains a snow-capped appearance even in summer and is truly mesmerizing. If driving from downtown Portland on US-26 E, you’ll arrive in about an hour and 15 minutes.
Mount Hood makes for a great skiing and snowboarding excursion from Portland, offering lifts year-round, though the peak season runs between November and May. During the cooler months, there are also other family-friendly snow activities, like snow tubing and sledding. Mount Hood Meadows and Mount Hood Ski Bowl are two of the most popular ski resorts in the area.
Even outside the peak season, Mount Hood is beautiful and offers views of the Cascade Range, including Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams, as well as the Columbia River Gorge and surrounding wilderness.
The historic Timberline Lodge
