Dukey1

I'm seriously debating whether or not to do this. I've only been to Portland once and that was only for a few hours.

I've read all the posts here, including the one by "As a Bay area resident, I'm not impressed by much" (and we all thought people from Boston and New York were full of themselves!!!) and even that person liked the place.

I thought maybe a couple days in the city itself and then perhaps a couple days at the beach for the scenery as much as anything

More musing right now than anything else but additional thoughts/suggestions would be welcomed.

Scarlett

I don't know if you know this but we moved to Portland after having visited for 10 days. We fell in love with the place and the people and moved there a few months later.
Our first visit , I had particular things I wanted to see, the Japanese Gardens, the Coast/Cannon Beach , go to the Gorge and explore the city .. we did it all plus every afternoon we enjoyed Happy Hour at some of the best restaurants in the Pearl and NW neighborhood. We rented a car only for the Coast/Gorge drive, otherwise, the Streetcar was all we needed, and walking . It is a very walkable city, too many good restaurants and great galleries and shops and amazing people watching
There are minimum stays out at the Coast .. you might want to stay one or two nights, spend the rest in town ..
You know, the SF Chronicle printed one of my letters when they did a piece on Portland and I responded to that piece.
Block SF from your mind and look at Portland without comparing any other place and I bet you will love it.
The people are so nice and then there is Powells !

justmy2cents

World class craft beers, world class pinot noir, and world class food. The spectacular natural beauty of the Columbia River gorge, the coast, mountains, and high desert, all within a couple hours drive.

But don't expect cosmopolitan. And you have to deal with people like those shown here: http://www.hulu.com/watch/208808/por...chicken-part-1.

If you have the flexibility, don't come during Rose Festival. Wait until summer starts, which is usually sometime after July 4.

Fodorite018

I agree with both of the last posts. So much to do and see here, but come later. If you can come right after Labor Day, that is ideal. Kids are back in school, weather is optimal (we had our outdoor wedding in early Sept, to give you an idea), fewer crowds, but still lots of daylight. Anyway, how many nights are you considering?

Gardyloo

Portlandia is a total hoot - one of those shows that makes you squirm while you laugh. It's really not that bad; there are areas in Portland where the standard greeting is "Nice tooth!"

Andrew

I think the Rose Festival is overrated for an outsider - unless you really love parades. But if you enjoy events like those, plus maybe the dragonboat races on the Willamette, you might find it an enjoyable time. Just expect Portland to be a bit more crowded than usual.

September usually is a nice time to be in Portland and to visit the coast. But the Oregon Coast is beautiful in any kind of weather. Just don't expect 80 degrees and sunny (even in the summer). Oregon Coast is not for fun and sun as much as enjoying the natural beauty, perhaps while wearing a sweatshirt (even in the summer). It can get warm and sunny in Portland in summer, sometimes up above 100 degrees, but the coast can be foggy in the summer.

bredhairedgirl

The wineries that are around Portland are worth it alone.

Definitely have happy hour at Portland City Grill. Get there early (any night of the week) Watch the lights come on in the city.

The Benson Hotel is one of my all time favorites. Nice people.

Definitely do a McMennamin's anywhere in the Portland area--good beer, good food, great decor. Ruby Red!!!

Japanese Garden are beautiful. Any park is a great location for any form of exercise.

Cannon Beach is extremely touristy, especially in summer, there is NO day that is best to go

sunbum1944

Agree with Andrew that the Rose Festival is overrated. There are much better things to do in the area besides the Rose Festival.

Dukey1

Thanks to everyone for these replies.

I have no worries about being "impressed" with the city and the area. I've been around far too long and been to too many countries to get the least bit interested when some bore "from the Bay area" or anywhere else for that matter starts in with the "who are these natives out here in the sticks?" routine.

I would much prefer to stay in the city and within easy reach of the public transport system. Will use a rental car for a drive over to the coast and then further south to visit a few relatives.

As to the beach: I like the beach, ANY beach, regardless of the time of year (one reason I'm often on the Outer Banks with the dog in the wintertime as well as the "season."

Thanks, also, for the comments about the Rose Festival and I think we won't worry so much about that.

Again, I appreciate the responses as they have been most helpful. We've decided to forego a trip to Europe (our usual destination) and do Portland and other parts of Oregon and the West Coast and the prospect is already exciting.

POlson

We've spent our last several vacations exploring Oregon and Washington State. It is really a beautiful area of the country with such great scenery, food and wine. Oh, and awesome photography opportunities.

One piece of advice about touring the Pacific Northwest - it is best seen at a linger. It is not really a check the list kind of place but rather best enjoyed when you can just take a long walk, hang out for awhile, take a deep breath. While there are lots of interesting city things to do in Portland and Seattle (museums, gardens, galleries, theater/music/arts, shopping, festivals), what the PNW really excels at are the things you savor - good coffee and a slow start to the day, a long walk on a cold beach, a hike in the rainforest, an amazing glass of wine overlooking the Valley or a microbrew at an old school pub.

Have a great trip.

Scarlett

Dukey, when we went to Portland for our first visit, we were there 10 days .. we went to the Gorge one day and the Coast (Cannon Beach) the next .. both trips get you back into town by afternoon and you still have time in town to walk, browse, and eat somewhere good. There are so many good restaurants ..
You need to visit Powells. in the Pearl.
The Streetcar runs a bit loop through Portand, you will be able to hop on and off day and night .. the only time you need a car is the day trips.
Cannon Beach is an easy drive practically straight from Portland to Haystack Rock .. about 90 min each way. ( we feel the same way about beaches)
The Gorge is only about 30 minutes each way ..but you will drive slowly and stop often so it is a very nice day trip.
We got a kick out of seeing the Rose Parade. Not that it was so super but it was more like "small town America" .. remember, we came from NYC parades. And the horses and people were great .. I loved it for the atmosphere more than the actual parade.
We were never that crazy about "wine country" .. the wine you will get in restaurants will be wonderful ..
What I miss about living in Portland is the outdoor eating in the summers, the casual friendliness and funnily enough, the weather.
I am no fan of high temperatures anymore and I often miss the weather in Portland.