Oregon Today

Politics

After years as one of the country’s “battleground” states, Oregon has steadily become more Democrat: nearly all of the state’s major officeholders are Dems, and Portland and Eugene are considered two of the most progressive cities in America. In 2014, the state legalized same-sex marriage and passed a ballot initiative making Oregon the third state in the country to legalize marijuana for personal consumption (as opposed to medical use). However, in rural areas, especially the eastern two-thirds of Oregon and southern sections of the coast, you will encounter decidedly more conservative attitudes, with a mix of socially right and libertarian types. A fair share of self-described Oregon conservatives favor same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization, but retain a strong distrust of what they perceive as big-government regulation—this is especially true among Oregon farmers and ranchers. On the other hand, the Republican Party seldom fields candidates for mayoral and city council elections in the state’s largest city, which has half-jokingly been dubbed the “People’s Republic of Portland” for its decidedly left-of-center vibe.

Eating

It’s hard to think of another part of the country with a culinary scene that’s both incredibly inventive and sustainable while still eschewing high prices and formality. Oregon chefs have been at the forefront of the locally sourced and seasonal dining movement, especially those in Portland, Eugene, Ashland, and stretches of the northern coast and Columbia Gorge. Farmers’ markets thrive all over the state, and restaurants flock to them for local produce such as hazelnuts, marionberries, pears, and chanterelle mushrooms as well as for artisan products ranging from aged goat cheese to spicy kimchi. Even in small towns like Joseph, Grants Pass, and Depoe Bay, you’ll find stellar eateries with oft-changing menus featuring sophisticated Northwestern fare. But the best part is that most of the hottest chef-driven spots around the state offer meals that cost a fraction of what you’d pay for comparable cuisine in San Francisco or even Seattle.

Drinking

Oregon is beyond merely beer-obsessed, although craft ales are clearly at the forefront of the state’s assiduous attention to beverages. Portland is well regarded for longtime breweries like Bridgeport and Widmer, but you’re more likely to find serious fans hanging out at newer, smaller spots like Commons Brewery and Ecliptic Brewing. Many of the most acclaimed beer makers are outside the Portland area—consider Rogue in Newport, Pfriem in Hood River, Deschutes in Bend, Yachats Brewing in Yachats, Ninkasi in Eugene, and Terminal Gravity in Enterprise. Beyond beer, the state ranks third in the nation in wine production, and plenty of vino aficionados consider Oregon Pinot Noirs among the world’s best, with Pinot Gris and Chardonnay also earning a great deal of praise. The Willamette Valley, just south of Portland, has been producing top wines for a few decades now; new wineries are also popping up increasingly in the Columbia Gorge and southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley. You’ll also find coffeehouses sourcing and house-roasting high-caliber, single-origin beans in virtually every neighborhood in Portland, in every good-size town elsewhere in the state, and even in a few small villages (like Sleepy Monk in Cannon Beach and Red Horse in Joseph). Finally, there’s Oregon’s fast-growing bounty of microdistilleries, with Portland once again at the forefront but with towns as varied as outdoorsy Bend and remote Brookings also joining the action.

Environmentalism

Oregon’s embrace of eco-friendly practices permeates just about every aspect of the state. Sustainable design plays an increasing role in real-estate projects—according to the U.S. Green Building Council, the state ranks sixth in the country for LEED-certified “green” construction. Oregon’s most populous city, Portland, has become a prime example in promoting high-density development and reining in suburban sprawl; the city maintains a strict urban growth boundary, which was instituted in the early 1970s as part of a then-novel statewide policy. The state is home to thousands of square miles of undeveloped wilderness—Oregon ranks behind only Alaska, Nevada, Utah, and Idaho in its percentage (60.4%) of public lands. As you travel around, it’s easy to encounter examples of this eco-conscious ethic, especially in terms of the fast-growing number of hotels, farms, restaurants, coffee roasters, breweries, and wineries that adhere strictly to environmentally friendly practices.

The Outdoors

Oregon offers plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Just 60 miles east of Portland, Mt. Hood (the state's highest mountain) is the only place in the Lower 48 where you can ski year-round (although trails are limited in summer). There are three different facilities on this mammoth, snowcapped mountain. Timberline Lodge Ski Area is the one that remains open year-round, and its runs pass beside the venerable 1930s Timberline Lodge. Nearby Mt. Hood Skibowl has less interesting terrain but the most night-skiing acreage in the country. Around the north side of the mountain, you'll find the most challenging, extensive, and interesting terrain at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort, which offers some 2,150 acres of winter snowboarding and ski fun. Of the many excellent places for white-water rafting in Oregon, the Rogue River offers some of the most thrilling rides. Several outfitters offer trips along this frothy, 215-mile river in the southwestern part of the state, from half-day adventures well suited to beginners to multiday trips that include camping or overnights in local lodges. The lush Silver Falls State Park, about 25 miles east of Salem, is so impressive that serious campaigns to admit it to the national park system have taken place recently. In the meantime, it's something of a secret treasure. The 8,700-acre swath of skyscraping old-growth Douglas firs climbs into the foothills of the Cascade Range, where rain and melting snow supply the torrent that roars through 14 different waterfalls, several of them more than 100 feet tall.