🏞️ Oregon.
To be honest, I don't even know where to start.
I’ve enjoyed all my trips 100% because every place has its own unique touch, beauty, and vibe.
But Oregon really amazed me. From the endless waterfalls tucked into forested canyons to
the dramatic drive toward the coast, it’s a place that stays with you. No doubt I’ll be returning to
explore the spots I missed the first time around — time just wasn’t enough.
Geographically, Oregon sits in the Pacific Northwest, bordered by Washington to the north, California to
the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The state’s elevation ranges from sea level along the coast to 11,249 feet
at Mount Hood, with an average elevation around 3,300 feet. The western part of the state is green and rainy, especially in
fall and winter, while eastern Oregon shifts into high desert with drier, sunnier conditions. Summers are warm and perfect
for hiking, while spring and fall bring cooler temps and vibrant scenery — especially around the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Range.
🚗 Getting There
Getting to Oregon really depends on where you're coming from and what kind of trip you're planning.
Some people drive in from neighboring states—especially along the coast road, which is packed with
stunning views and hidden spots (I’ll talk more about that later).
For me, I flew into Portland International Airport (PDX), rented a car through Dollar, and
stayed nearby at the Best Western Plus Portland Airport Hotel and Suites. It was super convenient—close to
the airport, easy to get in and out, and a great base to start exploring. Whether you're heading for waterfalls,
the coast, or the mountains, having a car makes all the difference in Oregon.
🌟 My Personal Observation
-
Historical Columbia River Highway:
I’m going to try to summarize all I can with this review, but I want to do justice to the places. Honestly, no words, descriptions, pictures, or videos can truly capture it.
When visiting the Historic Columbia River Highway, I recommend going early and not rushing. You’ll find paid parking right in front of the Multnomah Visitor Center. Take your time to enjoy the sights—the waterfalls, the hikes. Some are short, some are long, but all of them are absolutely worth it.
Multnomah Falls: If you're not feeling adventurous, you don’t have to walk the full loop. But at least try to reach the top view of Multnomah and Wiesendanger Falls. The trail is rewarding, though it does come with a challenge.
Multnomah Falls: 📍 View on Google Maps
Wiesendanger Falls: 📍 View on Google Maps
Wahkeena Falls, Lemmons View Point, and Fairy Falls: I love the hike from the parking area to Wahkeena and Lemmons View Point. Wahkeena is smaller than Multnomah, but still worth the hike. The trail to Lemmons View Point gives you a priceless view of the valley, the highway, and nature from above.
As for Fairy Falls—if you're a waterfall hunter, go for it. But in my humble opinion, it’s more like a stream of water. Not super impressive, but still part of the experience.
Wahkeena Falls: 📍 View on Google Maps
Lemmons View Point: 📍 View on Google Maps
Bridal Veil Falls and Latourell Falls: Both are short hikes—Latourell is much shorter than Bridal Veil, but both are beautiful. I was more impressed with Latourell. You can feel the cold and the water spraying your face and body. I also walked close to the waterfall. Not only is it an amazing view, it’s also an amazing experience.
Bridal Veil Falls: 📍 View on Google Maps
Latourell Falls: 📍 View on Google Maps -
The Coast Drive:
Here I’m going to be brief with descriptions — not because it’s not worth it, but to save you time. In general, the drive to the coast is magnificent. Some people drive all the way from Oregon to California. It’s in my plans to do that someday. But here, I’m just going to mention the places and their locations. I visited almost all of them, driving from the PDX airport area and returning the same day. If you’re planning to do the same, I’ll list the coordinates in the same order I visited them.
Tunnel Beach: 📍 View on Google Maps
Hungry Harbor Road: 📍 View on Google Maps
Pacific Crest Wayside: 📍 View on Google Maps
Big Lot: 📍 View on Google Maps
Devils Punch Bowl: 📍 View on Google Maps
Yaquina Lighthouse: 📍 View on Google Maps
Heceta Lighthouse: 📍 View on Google Maps -
Silver Falls State Park:
This is another must-do. The trail loop that takes you to all the waterfalls in this park is amazing. My recommendation is to go early, that way you’ll have the chance to walk and enjoy the nature and the waterfalls without worrying about being caught by nightfall. Take extra clothes with you on this trip—you’ll be walking behind some of the waterfalls, and your clothes can get wet. Silver Falls State Park features ten waterfalls along the Trail of Ten Falls, including South Falls (177 ft), Lower South Falls (93 ft), and Double Falls (178 ft—the tallest). You can walk behind several of them, like South Falls and North Falls, which makes the experience unforgettable.
Silver Falls State Park: 📍 View on Google Maps
There are a lot of places I still want to visit on my next trip to Oregon. Including
Beacon Rock Peak 📍 View on Google Maps,
Tunnel Falls 📍 View on Google Maps, Twister Falls 📍 View on Google Maps, and Punch Bowl Falls 📍 View on Google Maps. They are all part of one hike along the Eagle Creek Trail.
Cannon Beach 📍 View on Google Maps — a small part of the *Twilight* movie was filmed nearby at Indian Beach, inside Ecola State Park.
The place where they filmed *The Goonies* — Astoria, Oregon 📍 View on Google Maps.
🛏️ Places to Stay in Oregon
Well, it really depends on your plan. There are plenty of great options whether you're staying downtown, heading to the coast, or planning to hike the historic Columbia River Gorge. For my trip, I stayed at Best Western Plus Portland Airport Hotel & Suites. It was perfect for my itinerary — close to the airport, centralized, and aligned with my trip expectations. I loved the atmosphere, the place, and the service.
- The Nines, Portland: Luxury downtown stay with rooftop dining and artful interiors.
- Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach: Cozy beachfront hotel with stunning views and spa services.
- Brasada Ranch, Powell Butte: Scenic resort with horseback riding and mountain views.
- Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, Astoria: Riverfront charm with spa treatments and vintage vibes.
- The Vintages Trailer Resort, Willamette Valley: Retro trailers with cruiser bikes and vineyard views.
🎥 My Travel Videos
I took this videos from Columbia highway, Oregon Coast and Silver State Fall. Set youtube video setting for high resolution, I hope you enjoy the videos.
