Emily’s Weekend Road Trip: Portland to Hood River
Getting out of town is so much better when you don’t have to do all the planning. Whether you’re a Portland local looking for a weekend away or an out of towner who needs some direction for planning the ultimate Oregon stay, this 3-day trip is meant for you.
With the newly published The Portland Book of Dates on her mind, Emily Katz invites you on her weekend road trip: Portland to Hood River.
Cruise down the scenic Columbia River Gorge as you venture from city life to the edge of the high desert with Emily Katz’s adventure-filled roadmap in hand.
Emily at Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge
If you’ve never been through the Columbia River Gorge, get your cameras ready. With 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side alone, this scenic path along the border of Oregon and Washington will set the mood for the weekend and will also give you the benefit of recharging your body with loads of negative ions. Explore the All Trails App to choose which waterfalls you’ll stop by.
For locals escaping the bustle of the city for a few days, crank up the radio and enjoy the familiar views. We all know they never get old!
Celebrate your arrival in Hood River at Ferment, a modern brewery that taps the wild terrain of the Columbia River Gorge for inspiration and foraged ingredients. Located on the waterfront of the Columbia River, it’s the perfect place to sit back, enjoy the view and sip a cold beer.
Next, journey over bridge and check in at The Society Hotel’s Bingen location in Washington. Just across the river from Ferment, this boutique-style hotel is just the right combination of adventure and relaxation. With hikes, swimming holes, cheap eats, kiteboarding, windsurfing, snowboarding & skiing all within a short drive from your stay, you can really have it all!
The Society Hotel is known for its design-focused minimalist aesthetic, authentic staff and luxurious amenities, like their saunas, hot pools, private cabins and hostel-style bunk rooms.
Begin day two with a slow morning and a relaxing day in the pools. Slip on your swimsuit and soak, enjoy a sandwich by the fire and breathe in that restorative, Pacific Northwest, fresh air. Once you’re fully re-charged, head out for some wine tasting!
At Cor Cellars winery you will spend the afternoon tasting subtle and full-bodied wines. The vineyard sits at the crossroads of eastern and western Washington where a sub-alpine climate borders the desert. With a focus on mountain varietals from the Columbia Gorge AVA and Bordeaux varietals from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, Cor Cellars wines are famous for their vineyard-focused aromas of flowers, talc and minerals.
Back at the Society, spend your final evening winding down in your mountain retreat. Did we mention the cabins have hammocks? Cozy up with a blanket and pull out your favorite book as the sun sets over the Cascades.
Image by @yum_yum_splitsies of their delicious spread at Pixan Taqueria
Before heading out for the ride home over Mount Hood, grab lunch at Pixan Taqueria in White Salmon, WA. After all, it's not a road trip without a stop for tacos!
Photo by Ripatrip.com
As you venture back over the bridge into Oregon, keep your eyes peeled for kite surfers in the water. Did you know Hood River is an international kite surfing destination?
A view of Rowena Loop just past Hood River on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. Worth the view if you’re up for adding an extra stop.
Your last destination is tucked in the Hood River Valley: Kiyokawa Family Orchards.
The fertile soils found at the base of Mt. Hood and rarified, glacier-fed water sources create a unique growing environment for over 150 distinct varieties of apples, pears, asian pears, cherries and stone fruit.
Wander through the lush fields of seasonal fruits, picking your own as you go. On the way out be sure to get some local honey, jams and fresh cider to bring home for family and friends.
We hope you have fun on this PNW getaway! Back in the Portland area, explore all that the City of Roses has to offer with The Portland Book of Dates.
The Portland Book of Dates, by Eden Dawn and Ashod Simonian is a stylish, cheeky, curated guidebook of cool places for Portlanders (and visitors) to go on dates/outings/field trips/adventures.
With more than 130 outings in and around Portland to inspire romance and adventure, this book is full of secret spots, beloved locales, and unexpected destinations to offer endless options for date night or a weekend getaway.