The Perfect Weekend: Visiting Portland and the Oregon Coast
The perfect getaway for a day trip or weekend getaway
When I first moved to the Pacific Northwest, my coworkers always encouraged me to visit the Oregon Coast.
But I never ventured that far out, preferring to stick to the foodie havens in Seattle and Portland.
I’ve always put the Oregon Coast on the back burner. I don’t love driving, and an additional 1.5-hour drive after my initial 3-hour drive to Portland wasn’t ideal.
But after visiting all the must-see’s in Portland, I figured the 3-day weekend was a perfect excuse to venture out.
Was it worth it?
Yes!
Here’s how you can make a quick weekend getaway to have it all!
Even on Labor Day weekend, parking wasn’t too difficult to find at Cannon Beach.
Ecola View Point marked our first stop.
One of the best things here is the beautiful drive itself. You’ll drive five miles per hour through these tall, green trees to eventually arrive here.
The viewpoint is famous for being in the Goonies movie.
If you look closely in this picture, you can see the outline of the Haystack rock in the far background.
Undoubtedly, the biggest attraction in Cannon Beach is the iconic Haystack Rock.
The nice thing about this attraction is that it’s hard to miss. As we started our half-mile walk, a couple rushed over and asked if we were going to “the big rock.”
Why yes, we were.
After a slight incline, we turned the corner and walked down stairs to this iconic view.
Photographers love coming here to take photos. And they do it justice.
My photos are a quick snapshot on my iPhone. This will probably be the worst photo of Haystack Rock you’ll see. If you’re still impressed, go visit!
After indulging in our amateur photography, we walked the beach back to our car. We saw a lot of animals and beachgoers indulging in their unique activities. The breeze made the 80-degree transform into a beautiful day.
We saw many people on the beach, which is uncommon in the Pacific Northwest.
The seaside town brings that small-town charm. Sure, it’s touristy. But you can tell most of the town is full of locals coming in from Portland or nearby places. It’s the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
You can visit a local coffee shop or brewery. The city's main strip is also home to unique stores and shopping. We only spent a few hours here but popped into a beautiful glass-making store.
While we’d love to purchase something to decorate our bare home, the price tags discouraged us. The prices ranged from $300 to thousands for beautiful fishes.
The food in Portland: brunch heaven
I’ve always felt like a brunch in the Pacific Northwest is unmatched.
Classic restaurants like the Screen Door have perfected their chicken and waffles have lines queuing before the restaurant even opens.
We opted for something with an Asian influence. This weekend’s brunch at Toki consisted of a delicious pork katsu curry and omurice over kimchi fried rice with pork belly. Overly ambitious, we also indulged in a steamed bao burger.
My husband has always branded himself as a brunch hater. His reasoning makes sense.
“It’s overpriced eggs.”
But I think with this brunch, I’ve converted him.
If you have a sweet tooth, famous donut shops are at your disposal. Please skip Voodoo, it’s all hype and too sweet. While I usually opt for Blue Star Donuts, I decided to venture out and try this ube mochi donut from a Vietnamese bakery, An Xuyen.
It achieved the biggest of Asian compliments, “It’s not too sweet.” Paired with a Vietnamese coffee meant I had enough sugar for the day.
Portland’s food extends beyond it’s downtown location. Even though we stayed out in the suburbs in Beaverton, we were only a two minute walk from the nearest food carts.
We strolled over to BGs Food Cartel for dinner. While my husband opted for a filling sushi burrito that I’m allergic to, I bit into the most tender piece of pork in this shoyu ramen. We shared these chicken wings that had a perfected blend of juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Last but not least, the tax free shopping
You can’t visit Oregon without taking advantage of their sales-tax free shopping!
I treated myself to some early birthday presents including a MacBook Air. My family didn’t want to miss out on the fun either. I got my mom an iPad for her future travels.
I don’t like to give myself an excuse to buy more when going to Portland. Instead, I keep a running list of items that I want to buy or refill. I hopped into Sephora to pick up a few makeup and skincare products I’ve had my eye on. As the coffee addict I am, I also popped into the Nespresso store to receive my refill of Nespresso pods.
With Washington state’s 20% liquor tax and 10% sales tax, we also purchased some alcohol for future parties and gifts.
Other touristy must-visit places:
I’ve visited Portland a handful of times over the past five years. While I don’t go to these attractions everytime, they’re worthy of a visit. Some are so nice I’ve gone multiple times!
Here are a few of my favorite touristy spots that you’ll have no problem finding on Trip Advisor.
- International Rose Test Garden
- Portland Japanese Garden
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Hoyt Arboretum
- Pittock Mansion with the skyline view
- Multnomah Falls and surrounding waterfalls
Most people always drive out to the Columbia Gorge to see the famous Multnomah Falls. I’ve visited multiple times, and it’s nice.
You can combine this visit with other beautiful waterfalls too.
If you love a good view, drive over to Pittock Mansion. The view is a short walk from the parking lot with big payoff.
Final Thoughts
This kind of trip is perfect for a 3-day weekend.
I love a good road trip or day trip. These vacations align perfectly with someone working full-time. You can get the most out of your weekend without taking more vacation days.
Oregon doesn’t disappoint. The food scene in Portland can make your mouth water. Fortunately, there’s a variety of dining options from cheaper food carts, mid-range brunches, and more expensive splurges for the fine dining fanatics.
Portland is also surrounded by scenic destinations that are a short detour away to provide a well-rounded weekend of food and nature.
Where’s your favorite weekend getaway? I’d love to hear!