8 Of The Most Adorable Small Towns In Oregon
Oregon may be home to vibrant and exciting cities like Portland and Eugene, yet this state also abounds in adorable small towns that provide different perspectives on life in the Pacific Northwest. Not only does Oregon have world-class wineries and verdant evergreen forests, but it also has the towering mountains of the “Little Switzerland of America,” a volcanic lake that’s the United States’ deepest, and perhaps the world’s most famous sea stack on its coast. Whether you’re hoping to meet some new furry friends or experience some old-school farm-to-table hospitality, you can make it happen at these eight most adorable small towns in Oregon.
Joseph
About 200 miles south of Spokane, Washington, discover the enchanting town of Joseph and the surrounding mountains that earned this region the title of “Little Switzerland of America.” For a great introduction to the wondrous beauty of the Wallowa Mountains, hike the Hurricane Creek Trail to reach running creeks, scenic mountain vistas, and even an original 19th-century pioneer cabin. Or, try The East Moraine to find a unique set of boulders and lovely views of Wallowa Lake. And speaking of the lake, Wallowa Lake State Park is a nice option for swimming, boating, fishing, and even year-round camping.
If you crave even wilder adventures in the wide-open wilderness, head a little farther south to reach the Eagle Cap Wilderness, 361,446 acre preserve with some 534 miles of trails, 32 mountain summits exceeding 8,000 feet above sea level (with the tallest at Sacajawea Peak, topping at 9,845 feet), and over 50 alpine lakes. Whatever you end up doing around Joseph, you can book a cabin at the Wallowa Lake Lodge for your own cozy and comfy “base camp” in town.
Hood River
Situated at the confluence of the Hood and Columbia Rivers, about 62 miles east of Portland, Hood River may be at the epicenter of Oregon’s farm-to-table culture. For a full taste of this region, do the Hood River Fruit Loop and stop at local farms like Draper Girls Country Farm and Smiley’s Red Barn to pick freshly grown produce like apples, pears, peaches, and cherries. It’s also worth visiting The Gorge White House to sample their selection of house-made ciders and wines, and to do a scenic lunch at Chef Jack Kennedy’s food cart.
Once you’re ready to stretch out and experience more of Hood River, hit up Hood River Waterfront Park for the waterfront hike and bike trail, as well as a pleasant stretch of Columbia River shore for boating, paddling, kiteboarding, and windsurfing. Then, check into the Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa to relax and recharge at this gorgeous riverfront resort with well-appointed rooms and suites, the on-site Spa Remedease, and delectable dining options.
McMinnville
Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, around 40 miles southwest of Portland, McMinnville is the perfect town to sip and savor the fine flavors of Oregon’s premier wine country. In town, make a pilgrimage to true Willamette Valley pioneers at Eyrie Vineyards’ winery and Brittan Vineyards’ tasting room, where you can taste their classic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Or, for something different, try HiFi Wine Bar for a great variety of local and global wines alongside contemporary pub fare and DJ spin sessions on weekends.
If you’re up for more of a field trip, go with a designated driver to Roshni Vineyard for guided tastings of their Pinots, Chardonnays, and Rosés made right there, on their beautiful country estate. Then, return to town and retreat to the Atticus Hotel, a luxurious boutique hotel that combines worldly sophistication with cozy small-town hospitality.
Cannon Beach
While sea stacks can be found up and down the Pacific Coast, nothing else really stacks up to the ruggedly beautiful coastline of Cannon Beach. Fortunately, it’s an easy walk from downtown to reach the beach with the best views of Haystack Rock, the legendary 235-foot-tall basalt sea stack, and you might see some local wildlife like tufted puffins, sea stars, anemones, and crabs. For even more spectacular coastal scenery, drive north to Ecola State Park for prime surfing at Indian Beach, where there are plenty of opportunities for tidepooling and spotting sea stacks and hikes into the inland Sitka spruce forest.
When you’re keen to experience even more of Cannon Beach’s coast at its finest, go south to Hug Point State Recreation Site to find stately sandstone cliffs, vibrant tide pools, and even a seasonal waterfall right by the beach. Closer to town, there’s also Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site, which has a more low-key surfing beach and an eye-catching Lion Rock sea stack. Finally, make your way to Hallmark Resort & Spa Cannon Beach to enjoy their cozy and comfy guest rooms, their full-service Elements By The Sea Spa, and their fantastic location near Haystack Rock.
Newport
Located around 84 miles southwest of Salem, Newport is the kind of cool coastal town that can only exist on the Oregon Coast. Head up to Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area to find Oregon’s tallest active lighthouse, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, that’s been operating here since 1873, and walk down to Cobble Beach to see the tide pools. Nearby, you can also explore Agate Beach State Recreation Site, which has a top-notch surfing beach and a nice site for razor clamming. And for a different perspective, it’s possible to book a tee time at the historic Agate Beach Golf Course that’s been operating here since 1931.
All around town, you will run into reminders that Newport is a working seafaring town that specializes in scrumptious seafood, and Clearwater Restaurant is a fantastic option for a snazzy dinner with plenty of delectable seafood dishes and a great location on Yaquina Bay. Staying by the bay, you can also book a stateroom at the Newport Belle, a 97-foot paddlewheel boat that’s also a boutique bed-and-breakfast for the ultimate waterfront experience.
Sisters
Around 22 miles northwest of Bend, you will find the rugged mountain town of Sisters. It’s named for the local Three Sisters volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range, and you can get up close and personal with these three 10,000-foot-plus peaks while traversing the trails of the Three Sisters Wilderness. In addition, this is where you can catch the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile-long path that extends all the way from the U.S.-Canada border to the U.S.-Mexico border. Meanwhile, to the north of the Three Sisters lies the Mt. Washington Wilderness, a 54,278-acre preserve that includes the Belknap Crater and the eroded Mt. Washington shield volcano.
In winter, Sisters provides plenty more natural thrills at Hoodoo Ski Area, an 800-acre resort with 32 trails to suit skiers at all levels. Whenever you make it to Sisters, it’s always a good idea to stay at Black Butte Ranch, a year-round community offering a variety of vacation rentals suitable for groups large and small, along with two golf courses, multiple restaurants, and a full-service spa.
Ashland
Near the junction of the Cascade and Klamath Mountains, about 135 miles north of Redding (California), Ashland is a college town where enlightenment happens far beyond the classroom. Of course, the Southern Oregon University (SOU) campus features year-round performing arts programming at the Oregon Center for the Arts and visual art exhibitions at the Schneider Museum of Art. But when you seek some natural beauty in town, head over to Lithia Park and explore this former mill site that’s now a prime spot to view fall foliage along the course of Ashland Creek.
If you’re up for more of a field trip, drive out to Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument to experience the unique ecosystem at the crossroads of two mountain ranges, where you can see wildlife like deer, bears, mountain lions, and eagles, and it’s perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, and sledding. Or, for a more chill road trip, go with a designated driver to Weisinger Family Winery to try some of their high-quality Rogue Valley wines, including Viognier, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, and Malbec. And for even more quality time at the winery, Weisinger takes reservations for their on-site guest cottage located right by their vineyard.
Brookings
Perched just north of the California state line, the Oregon town of Brookings offers anything but an ordinary day at the beach. In town, Chetco Point Park provides scenic sandy beaches, lively tide pools, seemingly endless views of dramatic sea stacks, and even chances to spot whales swimming nearby (during migration season). Meanwhile, to the north of town sits Harris Beach State Park, a natural wonderland with many more miles of sandy beaches, amazing sea stack views, and opportunities to view local wildlife like tufted puffins, harbor seals, California sea lions, and even gray whales during winter and spring. And a little farther north, you can reach Lone Ranch Beach and enjoy this often secluded-feeling, crescent-shaped beach with soft sand and tide pools full of sea stars, sea urchins, and hermit crabs.
Once you return to town, stop at Zola’s on the Water to feast on the freshest locally sourced seafood, hand-tossed and wood-fired pizzas, and plenty of fine California and Oregon wines. Then, go to Mermaid’s Muse Bed & Breakfast for a delightfully cozy and comfy inn right above the shore near Chetco Point.
These Adorable Small Towns Go Big on Oregon-style Scenery and Hospitality
Beyond the Silicon Forest of the Portland metro region, Oregon has plenty of real-life forests worth exploring, along with beautiful beaches, mighty mountains, and uniquely adorable small towns. Go to Joseph for the majestic landscapes of the Wallowa Mountains and the East Moraine, and try Hood River for the finest in farm-fresh goodness. Head to Cannon Beach for some of the Pacific Northwest’s most spectacular beaches, and visit Sisters to traverse the most striking mountains of the Cascade Range. In these wonderfully adorable small towns in Oregon, you will discover a lot to love.
