This pretty little town is located right on the Pacific coast and has homes up and down the shoreline, as well as on the shores of Devils Lake which is inside city limits. Filled with fish and waterfowl, the lake is open for fishing, canoeing, and water-skiing, with nearby trails and camping sites that are open mainly in spring and summer. This is the place to be for outdoor activities, low crime rates, access to the arts, and lovely parks. Want more Thrillist? The 23 Most Beautiful Places in Oregon. Read More: 10 Enchanting Oregon Lavender Farms Worth the Drive. But what makes the Oregon Coast so special? If you make it up this moderately difficult hike, you have a prize waiting for you: "Jaw-dropping" does not even begin to describe this incredible view of the Gorge. Living in McMinnville might be a dream come true for some people, as this is by far one of the most charming towns in Oregon. Copyright © 2023 Embrace Someplace | Privacy Policy | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Wildfire risks, however, are currently in the extreme.. 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Oregon's popular land of pinot noir has been named one of the greatest places in the world. Those cheap-yet-amazing places to live are: 1. Clocking in at a depth of 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in America and the ninth deepest lake in the world. Hood National Forest. The top grade schools in Sherwood are Middleton Elementary (9/10), Sherwood Charter (8/10), Edy Ridge (8/10), Archer Glen (7/10) and J Clyde Hopkins (7/10). HHillsborois home to around 106,633people: 66% white, 24% Hispanic or Latino, 12% Asian, and 3% Black or African American. The top elementary schools in Medford are Jefferson (8/10), Griffin Creek (7/10), Hoover (7/10), Oak Grove (7/10), and Roosevelt (7/10). Starting at the Mount Hood Wilderness area, the Ramona Falls Trail is 7 miles round trip and follows the scenic Sandy River throughout various portions of the trail. In sum, these are the most beautiful spots in Oregon: And there you have it my friends a roundup of the best places in Oregon. Tualatin. PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. Some people consider the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor to be one of the most beautiful places in Oregon, if not the entire country. The overall crime rate is 18.86 per 1,000 people. And the air is clean and sweet. Simply put, there were only 790 crimes recorded at the time of this report. All four of these high schools have between 1,200 and 1,600 students. Sherwood is a little city with big charm and is in a great spot because its only 35 minutes from Portland, 17 minutes from Newberg and all of its wineries, and 16 minutes from Wilsonville. 2023 | That Oregon Life LLC | All rights reserved. Eugene also attracts year-round visitors to its dozens of breweries in the city that stretch into the Willamette Valley. Feel free to comment below if you think any other place should be added to the list, Im sure other folks would love to know too! Allow me to ask, if you saw a place that was 10 times more beautiful than Oregon and aligned with your values, would you still refuse to move there simply because you werent lucky enough to be born there? I especially like spending warm summer days at the numerous award-winning wineries in Hood River while sipping cold Chardonnay and watching the sunset over Mt. 20 of the Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. The distinguishing feature of Crater Lake National Park in south-central Oregon? The surrounding area is full of rolling hills and sand dunes ripe for exploration. Nearby Cathedral Park, which is located underneath the bridge, has been named after the Gothic style of the St. Johns Bridge. Salem. We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 114, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Oregon. This is a popular hike during summer because of the trails proximity to Portland and the euphoric reward of cooling off next to one of the most epic waterfalls in Oregon. A true hidden gem, off-the-beaten-path Cobble Beach at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area warrants a detour. Taft High has a rating of 3/10 and has around 477 students. 1. There is no doubt that Oregon is one of the most expensive states to live in. Channel your inner Indiana Jones and go explore the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. The view of Surprise Falls from the relaxing pools is simply unforgettable and the springs are found by taking the Umpqua Hot Springs Trail, which is a very short hike. Stroll through winsome estates, sip world-class wine and dont forget your camera. I have spent all of my 58 years here and have no plans of leaving. The garden, which can be found in the West Hills of Portland, is made up of five sub-gardens. Tucked away in Willamette National Forest, Tamolitch Blue Pool showcases vibrant, gem-like shades of topaz, sapphire and turquoise in a super stunning setting thats surrounded by lush old-growth forests. Mount Hood, situated 20 miles east of Portland, is one of the most recognizable sights in the state. Cannon Beach and adjacent Ecola State Park have appeared in several films including The Goonies, Twilight, and Point Break. That means it came about thousands of years ago from a monumental eruption of Mount Mazama. My favorite hike at Smith Rock State Park is the beloved (and very popular) Misery Ridge Trail Hike. Jessica Tomlinson is a native Oregonian currently living in Southern Oregon. Buckman & Kerns 7. Since 1985, the family that owns the farm has been opening the fields for people to enjoy every Easter weekend, and now the farm is open from the end of March to the first week in May. Planning an Oregon itinerary can actually be quite difficult, though certainly not for a lack of options. Snow Lake is by far the most visited lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, with visitors flocking to enjoy the sights of Roosevelt Peak and Chair Peak. 1. Just dont expect any buried treasure.COVID-19 and wildfire info: Guided tours are cancelled, the beach is currently open for visitors. Obviously, were talking about Crater Lake. Hood. Crystal clear and nearly freezing at all times thanks to the spring that feeds it, Little Crater Lake has other great qualities such as its proximity to Portland and the smaller crowds. Before you just start roaming around the Beaver State (which does actually sound super fun and like an epic adventure in its own right), read up on the most beautiful places in Oregon. A sleepy beach town with stretches of soft sandy shoreline and countless epic hikes that offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, can you think of a more relaxing way to spend a long weekend? Each of these schools has between 300-1,173 students. This is one of the most beautiful places in Oregon! The centerpiece of the park is a huge lake that was formed about 7,700 years ago after a collapse of a Mount Mazama volcano. But there is so much more to the state than those famed locales, as these lesser-known locales demonstrate. You have a 1 in 1,455 chance of falling victim to a violent crime in Lake Oswego. While Portland is quite popular, it's actually not one of the most desirable cities to live in Oregon, at least in terms of affordability. Heres our list of top 10 best cities to live in, in Oregon. Mount Hood hypnotizes visitors with its grand size, snow-capped summit and plethora of hiking trails. Lace-up your hiking boots for the 4.2-mile trek via the McKenzie River Trail. Current Resident: Goose Hollow is by far the most sophisticated neighborhood in the Portland Metro area. Located in Southern Oregon, Jacksonville is a scenic small town and National Historic Landmark that was birthed in the mid-19th-century after the discovery of gold deposits nearby. The Sweet Creek Trail is an easy 2.2-mile trip that takes in around a dozen beautiful waterfalls. This city, which is 20 miles from Portland (a 30-minute drive) is big enough to have a wide variety of shopping and outdoor activities without feeling overcrowded. Dont cheat yourself and make plans to vacation in Oregon. Retirees looking to get outdoors and reconnect with Mother Nature will love Hermiston's numerous parks that make it easy to stay active and healthy. 97% of people in West Linn over the age of 25 are high school graduates or higher, and 62% of people in West Linn have a Bachelors degree or higher. Bend has apopulation of around 102,059people: 91% white, 8.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 1.8% Asian. The area is rich with wildlife too, with animals such as puffins and terns calling the rocks their home. If youre unfamiliar with Leave No Trace, its a measure to be a good steward of the land. The Peter Iredale shipwreck, found right along the Oregon coast, is enchanting and mesmerizing. The first mile of this scenic Oregon hike is challenging, but you must preserve because the views from the summit are worth the effort. There are actually 26 different named falls along the Columbia River Gorge. These rolling hills boast colorful stratifications of reds, blacks, and golds, and change throughout the year based on light and moisture levels. 91% of people in Scappoose over the age of 25 are high school graduates or higher, and 24% of people in Scappoose have a Bachelors degree or higher. Hood gracefully looms in the background. Passing by the rushing force that is Multnomah Falls, the paved trail turns into roughly 11 switchbacks that are easy to follow and not too taxing on the knees making this one of the best family-friendly hikes in Oregon. PrinevilleOregon's all-natural, glorious beacon, Steins Pillar is a more curious site than Multnomah Falls, and with far fewer tourists blocking the paths to take selfies. The park was designed by John. Sellwood-Moreland 3. A Woodburn institution and site of the annual Tulip Fest, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm covers 40 acres of fields filled with colorful blooms. The official website has more information. Cannon Beach is a well-known stop along the Oregon coast. Oregon is one of the most expensive states in the countryto live in. Oregon came in at #5 for the top 10 most expensive states to live in as of 2022. Visitors to the desert have also been known to spot wild horses at springs, drinking in water at the eastern edge of the desert. Hood National Forest and youre bound to get a recommendation to visit Ramona Falls, one of the best waterfall hikes in Oregon. Located in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Multnomah Falls, which rises 620 feet, is the tallest cascade in the state of Oregon and the most visited natural recreation site in the entire Pacific Northwest. Tell any Oregonian that you plan to spend a day at Mt. Tumalo Falls Deschutes National Forest - a natural protected space which is easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Oregon Another gorgeous place to go in Oregon, the Tumalo Falls is a wonderful 97-foot waterfall located on Tumalo Creek, in the Cascade Range in the state of Oregon. Oregon Has a Lot to Offer Oregon is listed as the 26th most populous state, and affordability is one of the main reasons. Featured Review: Current Resident says I love Eastmoreland for the well-maintained historic homes, safe quiet streets, and huge shady trees.We have also been really pleased with the public schools. Well, Oregon has you covered in that department as well in fact, Oregon is the 4th most wine producing state in the country. Bayshore and Waldport are two of the best coastal towns in Oregon. As you can imagine, every inch of Mt. Heres a hint: its a crystal-clear, unmistakably blue body of water that formed 7,700 years ago when an eruption triggered the collapse of Mount Mazama. Right at the edge of the Oregon coast, Thors Well is best seen at high tide or in stormy weather when the rock provides superb photo opportunities. Yet so many folks make the mistake of overlooking Oregons breathtaking Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival held in the spring. Here is a list of some of the most charming small towns: Shaniko Coburg Cannon Beach Cottage Grove Depoe Bay Fossil Jacksonville Wallowa Yachats Newport If you'd like to find out why these are some of the prettiest places to live in Oregon, read why here. 4. This alien landscape is called Playa. Samuel H. Boardman: This is a State Scenic Corridor, and holy cow, we think it is one of the most underrated places in the state. Located in Mount Hood National Forest, its hidden by dense forest and offers seclusion to take it all in without all the tourists and commotion.COVID-19 and wildfire info: Little Crater Lake is currently open for visitors. Its a remarkable opportunity to take in the incredible landscape which is home to hundreds of different species of birds and mammals, including the signature American Pronghorn, the fastest land animal in North America. Look no further than Washington Park in Portland. There are a lot of reasons to love Oregon: from scenic coastlines along the Pacific, mountains that reach into the sky, gorgeous sunsets, thousands of miles of hiking and biking trails, and pristine lakes and rivers, its easy to see why people are looking for the best places to live in Oregon. Cape Kiwanda State Nature Area provides a gorgeous backdrop of sandstone cliffs, great tide pooling at its base and a must-do climb straight up the highest dune on the Pacific coast. Bethany is no exception; home to 22,346 people this suburb has it's own small town feel to it. Downtown Portland 5. Scappoose High has a rating of 5/10 and has around 729 students. 19 Best Small Towns In Oregon Cute Oregon Small Towns To Live In Or Visit from hips.hearstapps.com. YachatsThe oceanic sinkhole on the Central Coast known as Thors Well is both magnetic and terrifying. Just dont wander off, get lost, and contribute to the place deserving its name. The top grade schools in Milwaukie are Sojourner (10/10), Ardenwald (7/10), Bilquist (7/10), and Milwaukie Elementary (6/10). The Alvord Desert is miles and miles of dusty mountain ranges, limitless sunsets, dry lake beds, and remoteness that will invoke a fear that you're the last man on Earth. Found in the Columbia Plateau in northeastern Oregon, the Wallowa Mountains boast perhaps the most varied and beautiful sights in the whole state. Want to see this striking sight IRL? The top elementary schools in West Linn are Stafford Primary (10/10), Three Rivers Charter (10/10), Cedaroak Park (9/10), Sunset Primary (7/10), and Trillium Creek (7/10). Luxury Cabin Treehouse. I stand by this post, it was a joy to write and there really is so much breathtaking beauty in Oregon. Various trails lead to breathtaking viewpoints that make you feel like youre at the edge of the world. Let the Insta-stalking commence. Contents1 What is the [] Your ticket to Oregon's 8th best place to live, Tualatin, is right here. Newberg-Dundee Come along for the ride! This makes the Painted Hills a study in stratigraphy (the study of rock layers to determine geological time scales). Bend Sherwood Beaverton Milwaukie Oregon City Tigard Portland West Linn Lake Oswego Happy Valley Where exactly is Bend and why is it sitting atop our list? Top of that list -- Metzger. There are so many options close by for shopping and activities. And how happy is Happy Valley? Its cheaper to live in Medford than in nearby Ashland and Jacksonville, but just as beautiful. ( the study of Rock layers to determine geological time scales ), Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival held the! Of mount Mazama volcano, there were only 790 crimes recorded at the time of this report time of report! Well is both magnetic and terrifying to it stretch into the Willamette Valley Iredale shipwreck found... 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Thors Well is both magnetic and terrifying Someplace | Privacy Policy | as an Amazon Associate i from... The longest continuous lava tube in Oregon favorite hike at Smith Rock state Park have appeared in several including. Named after the Gothic style of the annual Tulip Fest, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm covers 40 acres fields! So many options close by for shopping and activities attracts year-round visitors to its of! Offer Oregon is listed as the 26th most populous state, and lovely parks Oregon Lavender Worth. Wildlife too, with animals such as puffins and terns calling the rocks their home for outdoor activities, crime... In Southern Oregon Amazon Associate i earn from qualifying purchases the West of... The Goonies, Twilight, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story of... As these lesser-known locales demonstrate for outdoor activities, low crime rates, access to the,... 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