Portland Beaches
Portland is quite a ways inland but the Oregon coast is only a few hours drive away. Plus, Portland and its surrounding areas have plenty of water and fun for you to enjoy on your vacation. Whether you visit sandy beaches to the west or beautiful lakes to the east or take a walk down one of the many rivers right in the center of the city, the water is never far away.
Cannon Beach: Located on the famously beautiful Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach is a breathtaking sight to behold. The sandy beach meets the pale blue water filled with shells and giant rocks protruding out of it. The Oregon Coast is almost never crowded in the Southern California sense of the word. Cannon Beach is about a 2 or 3-hour drive from Portland depending on construction (the roads are constantly being improved). The beach is about 9 miles long giving you opportunity for an amazing walk along the beautiful and unmatchable Oregon Coast. Also, if you are crazy enough to get the freezing cold water, kite boarding and surfing are popular sports along. Cannon Beach also offers great restaurants, fun little eclectic shops, and cozy places to stay. The Oregon Coast is a bit unpredictable when it comes to weather, but August and September are usually the best months. Otherwise it can get really windy or stormy but no matter what time of year you visit, it is always beautiful. The drive is beautiful also, with huge forests on one side and huge steep cliffs on the other.
Smith & Bybee Lakes: This is one of the best-kept secrets in Portland. Located in north Portland it is one of the most isolated places in the city. If you love nature and wildlife, this is the place for you. It is a protected wetland reserve, home to beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles and Western painted turtles. It has a great trail where you can walk and observe the natural beauty, or even better rent a canoe or take a kayak and observe from the water itself. The park is surrounded by an old forest, which, even though you are still within the city’s limits, makes you feel like you’ve left civilization behind.
Willamette River Walk: The Willamette River walk is a spectacular urban river walk within downtown Portland. The City of Portland has created a connected path that runs along both sides of the Willamette River for pedestrians, runners and cyclists alike. On the west side (downtown Portland side) is the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, which is perfect for a summer afternoon picnic. The walk is perfect if you are staying in Downtown Portland as the path is easily accessed. It is best early in the day when you can hear the city waking up and say hello to fellow walkers, runners and cyclists. There are several signs along the path that explain the history of the riverfront, which are facsinating. Also, if you are in town on a Saturday in the summer you can stop underneath the Burnside Bridge where the city of Portland’s Saturday Market is held. This is the best way to see the best of the Portland architecture and all of the bridges, plus it lets you enjoy the fresh air of the Northwest all the while walking along the beautiful Willamette River.