Oregon Luxury Hotels and Destination
Oregon, known as the Beaver State, is bordered by California and Nevada on the south, Idaho on the east, and Washington state to the north across the Columbia River, on which Portland, its largest city, is situated. The Cascade Mountains are Oregon's most prominent feature, dividing the state into two distinct regions: the wet, forested western side and the dry eastern side. Because of this spectacular diversity, Oregon has become a favorite destination for every type of traveler.
The Coast
Oregon's 400 miles of beaches and dunes are all open to the public, offering endless vacation possibilities. Grand resorts, family-friendly hotels, cozy bed and breakfasts, and full service campgrounds are available all along the coast. Mild temperatures, dramatic scenery and a wide range of recreational activities like hiking, fishing, boating, golfing, scuba diving and surfing make this one of the state's most popular regions. Sandy beaches punctuated by dramatic headlands mark the Oregon Coast all the way from its start at the mouth of the Columbia River to the California border south of Brookings. Offshore rocks shelter marine mammals, coastal rivers end in estuaries that are among the biologically richest places on earth.
The following is a list of places you won't want to miss. Astoria marks the western end of the Lewis and Clark Trail and the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. Rockaway Beach was built as a summer resort in the 1920s by Portland residents who wanted to get away from the city. There are shops, restaurants, and a variety of beach activities. Visitors to Tillamook will enjoy the Tillamook Cheese Factory, where they will find yummy ice cream treats, a gift shop and deli filled with tasty Tillamook cheeses. Coos Bay features a variety of activities including fishing, clamming, wildlife, bird watching, sea lion and whale watching, tours, cycling, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, gift shops, a candy factory, theatres, museums, a casino and entertainment complex, micro-breweries and clubs.
Portland
Dazzling public art, an abundance of urban parks and green spaces, a dynamic downtown, and a world-class transportation system are just a few of the reasons to visit Portland, the City of Roses. This wonderfully eclectic city boasts a wide variety of attractions, including an outstanding collection of cast iron and terra cotta architecture, Powell's Books, the largest new-and-used bookstore in the world, a nationally acclaimed art museum, and fabulous and inventive restaurants. Seasonal showers never rain on this city's parade, and dozens of family-friendly events and festivals prove that Portland is a first-rate vacation destination.
Attractions you won't want to miss include the Children's Museum (CM2), the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, the Classical Chinese Garden, the Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the Hoyt Arboretum, the Ira Keller Fountain, the Japanese Gardens, the Leach Botanical Garden, the Oregon Zoo, the Pittock Mansion, the Rose Gardens, the Springwater Corridor, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Mt. Hood & The Gorge
Mt. Hood is the tallest of Oregon's Cascade peaks, hovering over the Columbia River Gorge from a height of ll,239 ft.. This area presents some of Oregon's most breathtaking scenery and year-round recreation, all within an hour or so east of Portland. It's also home to the picturesque historic Columbia River Highway, which provides spectacular panoramic views of the Columbia River from Crown Point.
Run-off from Mt. Hood's volcanic slopes nourish the soil in the valleys below, which are famous for their succulent fruit including pears, peaches, cherries, apricots and apples. One of the nation's largest concentrations of high waterfalls pour from the cliffs and ledges that surround the Columbia River, creating the state's only national scenic highway.
Visit during the summer or spring when several accessible waterfalls are full and the meadows are sprinkled with multicolored wildflowers. Crystal lakes, cool hiking trails and plenty of campsites make this area the perfect summer destination.
Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon offers visitors a tantalizing combination of natural and cultural marvels. History buffs will thrill to the wide variety of historical sites and points of interest across the region. Outdoor watersports enthusiasts and anglers can seek nonstop adventure on the Rogue, Klamath and Umpqua rivers, and theater lovers congregate in Ashland every year for the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Medford is home to both Harry and David's Country Village and the Jackson & Perkins Rose Garden.
To the east, seven wildlife refuges can be found in Klamath Basin, home to the largest wintering concentration of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. The pride and joy of the region, Crater Lake National Park, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2002. Crater Lake is widely known for its sparkling blue color and dazzling views. It was formed after the collapse of an ancient volcano later called Mount Mazama. During the summer, visitors can navigate the Rim Drive around the lake, enjoy boat tours, luxuriate in the historic Crater Lake Lodge, camp at Mazama Village, or hike the park's trails. During the winter, the average snowfall is 533 inches per year!
Central Oregon
Believe it or not, Central Oregon enjoys blue skies and sunshine nearly 300 days a year, making it the perfect year-round destination. Its high desert landscape offer breathtaking views of shimmering Cascade peaks and features geologic wonders like Smith Rock State Park and Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
During the winter months, Mt. Bachelor offers a wide array of snow activities, while fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and golf dominate the rest of the year. Central Oregon is also host to world class museums and interpretive centers, and a variety of Native American cultural activities.
Eastern Oregon
Eastern Oregon, geographically speaking, covers more than half of the state. This area is for those who want a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, where car horns and fax machines are not a daily necessity. Stand in the ruts left by thousands of wagons headed west along the Oregon Trail. Join modern day cowboys round up cattle. Look for fossils in John Day, and be sure to visit the major Native American interpretive centers throughout the region.
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