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Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, a lifestyle hotel from Crescent Hotels & Resorts, is a beautifully revitalized property just south of Lincoln City. If you want to escape the dog-days of summer or in winter watch the natural world of Siletz Bay and take a walk along miles of ocean beach- this is the place. Built with quality materials in a thoughtful lodge-style architecture decades ago, covered walkways wind throughout the resort taking you from your room to the common areas of the full-service covered Tennis Center ( with resident pro), outdoor sport court, main lobby, fitness center and pool, conference and event areas, Samphire Restaurant, lobby and Sun Room restaurant. The incredible Salishan Spa, Shops at Salishan, and golf pro shop and golf course are also steps away. Rooms are newly renovated, polished, bright and large. I stayed in the Chinook section and our private patio looked through large firs to the captivating bay across U.S. Hwy 101, perfect for sitting in the rocking chairs with a glass of wine.. The food is also revitalized with Executive Chef Andrew Garrison at the helm, and along with visionary General Manager Steve Hurst they are making a name for themselves in terms of guest care and the jewel of a restaurant here called Samphire. The name Samphire is the name of a salty tasting water plant found nearby. Chef Garrison uses it frequently to ramp up the flavors in his straight-from-the-farm, forager, cheese maker, or fisherman, in his flavorful and fresh cuisine. Tip: Samphire is so popular, book a dinner seating when you make your hotel reservation. So head out to the gorgeous Oregon Coast soon and plan to stay here. You’ll be surprised and delighted. And may not want to leave.

A leader in Portland’s vegetable-forward movement, Quaintrelle has quietly become one of the city’s best fine-dining choices. All this on a strip of Mississippi Street better known for bar crawls and brunch lines than for seasonal cuisine and killer cocktails. The eclectic American menu rotates based on what’s available and in season. Almost all of the food is local, from the tempura Meyer lemons to the carrot and raisin salad. Meals at Quaintrelle can easily double as a primer on what can be grown in Oregon, including wouldn’t-guess-this-is-local ingredients like quinoa and wasabi.

An iconic name in Portland retail—as well as among readers who have never been to the city—Powell’s has multiple locations on both sides of the Willamette. The downtown store remains the one best suited for visitors to explore, with miles of used reads, a tightly curated selection of books from the knowledgeable staff, and every Portland-themed book you could hope to find under one roof. A renovation in 2014 opened up the space and made it feel less like a warehouse of dusty stacks, an improvement that bodes well for the future of the business. Author appearances, even those at the satellite branches, are some of Portland’s best events for interesting discussions.

There’s something about a place being “secret” that makes it exponentially more exciting. Counter Reformation, the European-style wine bar hidden from sight inside the Parker hotel, lives up to that notion. Open from Thursday to Monday, 3 to 10 p.m., the pocket-sized shrine to great wine has no tables and takes no reservations (though leaning at the low-lit 14-seat bar is encouraged). But there is food, and fantastic food at that. Instead of trying to be everything to everybody, Counter Reformation’s tapas menu is short and original, including caviar served with crème fraîche and a quail egg, plus a layered summer tomato salad with melon. The wines are carefully curated from California, France, and Italy, with a few wild cards from places like Portugal and Oregon, and are all priced the same. While the spot has the feel of an insider’s club, it’s without pretense, with the experts behind the bar providing enthusiastic guidance. For dessert, order the foie gras macarons with sea salt, with a sip of champagne. If you overdo it, don’t worry: You can ask for forgiveness in the restaurant’s authentic confessional booth, shipped in from Italy.

The Sunriver Resort is near Bend, Oregon, which is a rightfully famous, and incredibly beautiful, area for outdoor adventure. In the winter, there is skiing at nearby Mt. Bachelor (25 min away), but the summer has even more to do, including golfing, hiking, mountain bike riding, tennis, and of course, swimming in the resort’s amazing pool, which has a water slide, sand play area, hot tub, and amazing views of Mt. Bachelor and the golf course. The rooms are up to date and nicely appointed. The main lodge has a great bar area, a nice restaurant, and a large “back lawn” with live music and kid-friendly activities. Overall, a highly-recommended place for a family vacation.

Turning off the highway into Volcano Village, the one-street town leading into Volcanoes National Park, first-time visitors might think they just made a right turn into Oregon. Cool, misty, and thick with giant ferns, this corner of the Big Island is a small but serious rain forest, nourished mightily by eons of volcanic soil and abundant rainfall. Well concealed down one of the quiet side streets, in their rainforest property, are the four one-bedroom cottages that make up the Volcano Rainforest Retreat. Each is unique—one has a sleeping loft, another is a perfect hexagon, a third has a full kitchen. But with their cedar walls and ample windows and shoji screens, they bring to mind Japanese country houses.


A stone pathway even leads to a Japanese soaking tub sitting outdoors beneath a moss-covered pergola. Interiors have eclectic, tasteful furnishings (leather club chairs, farmhouse-style quilts, handmade ceramics) that make each one feel like the guesthouse of a good friend. Though kids are allowed, and futons are available for extra guests, the setting is best for quiet twosomes, rather than families or boisterous groups of friends, as guest quarters are fairly close to one another. That, and in the hush of the rain forest, loud voices just won’t do.

From lantern-lit walks to haunted escapes, enjoy Richmond’s spookiest attractions and fall festivities.

This week on Travel Tales by Afar, writer Santi Elijah Holley shares his 400-mile hitchhiking journey through Oregon—a leap of faith that tested whether a young Black man could find belonging in one of America’s whitest states.

Walk through Revolutionary history with visits to iconic sites, stately homes, and museums that reveal the lives of leaders and ordinary citizens who forged the path to independence.

On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene sets off on an eight-day Oregon coast road trip in a Rivian hauling an Airstream and discovers that the hardest part isn’t the miles—it’s the parking.

On this bonus episode of Unpacked by Afar, host Aislyn Greene shares five things she learned towing a 20-foot Airstream with an electric Rivian truck — and why the infrastructure surprised her most.

Experience autumn in Richmond with scenic walks, seasonal festivals, local dining, and colorful gardens across the city.

This week on Travel Tales by Afar, one traveler creates a worldwide map that helps people discover “Everywhere Is Queer”— even unlikely places, like his small hometown.

From rivers and trails to gardens and parks, come enjoy seasonal fun and local flavors across the Richmond Region.

On this episode of Where to Go, Aislyn Green and Zoe Baillargeon uncover new ways to experience the Columbia River Gorge—from restored historic trails and Mitchell Point tunnels to biodynamic wineries, seasonal glamping, and revitalized hot springs—with practical tips for respectful travel.