Tag Archives: explore oregon

Oregon Birding

Birding at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast

Oregon is a bird watcher’s paradise, with many birding locations across our great state.  These habitats serve as excellent nesting and brood rearing areas for waterfowl and colonial nesting birds including American white pelican and several heron species.  Bald eagle and osprey nest in many parts of the state and can sometimes be seen dining on the local wildlife.

Our innkeepers know the most favorable viewing areas and after providing a comfy bed, hearty breakfast and useful information, will send you off on an extraordinary birding adventure.  The Guild recognizes this popular activity and has dedicated a page to Birdwatching that includes inns where innkeepers can share the best observation sites and what you might expect to see.

Some of our member Inns have grounds recognized as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, Old Parkdale Inn being one.  Another, WildSpring Guest Habitat, is an official birding site in Port Orford for the new Oregon Coast Birding Trail.  Many, if not most, are located near land ideal for birding.  Birding at or near an Oregon Bed and Breakfast.

Yamhill Vineyards Bed and Breakfast has 30 acres of Vineyard,  2 ponds, & wooded area.  Yamhill Vineyards has reported seeing on their property: hummingbirds, quail,  Red Tailed Hawk, goldfinch, towhee,  Barn & Tree Swallows, Turkey Vultures, chickadees, nuthatches, Juncos, Pileated Woodpecker, bluebirds, Evening Grosbeak.  With feeders right off the deck, guests enjoy watching the birds feed while they dine at breakfast.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Tundra Swans in the Columbia River Gorge

For me the return of the Tundra Swans to Mirror Lake in the Columbia River Gorge, marks the beginning of Winter.

Mirror Lake is at the foot of Crown Point, visible from Interstate 84 just west of the Rooster Rock exit. The Lake can host upwards of 100 Tundra swans, although as of yesterday only a few had arrived from their Arctic tundra nesting grounds.  The Scenic Colombia River Gorge is just one of Oregon’s 7 Wonders and Oregon B&Bs in the Region welcome you.

Tundra Swans dine on plant material, slugs, snails, insects and crayfish, and typically weigh from 10 to 18 pounds, averaging about 53 inches in length.  They mate for life and travel in family groups in roundtrip migrations of up to 3,725 miles.

Tundra Swans winter here and share space with Hooded Merganser, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, Song Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Steller’s Jay, Black-capped Chickadee.

Look closely at the photo for Mallards, a Great Blue Heron and a Hooded Merganser.

Oregon is a bird watchers paradise and many of our Member Inns recognize and are located near land ideal for birding.  Some, like the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast, have Backyard Wildlife Habitats recognized by the National Wildlife Federations.  There are extensive reserves across the state.  These habitats serve as excellent nesting and brood rearing areas for waterfowl and colonial nesting birds including American white pelican and several heron species.  Bald eagle and osprey nest in many parts of the state and can sometimes be seen dining on the local wild life.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share Oregon, its environment, culture, and heritage with you.  Get to know our State like a local. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape, a world class city experience, or a new spin on business travel,  you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance when staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

5 Reasons We Love Geocaching in Oregon

Geocaching in Oregon is nothing new as the game started here.  On May 3, 2020, this game, once known as the “Great American GPS Stash Hunt’, celebrates its 20th birthday with now over 3 million hides world wide.  A little history lesson here, the full version can be read on the Geocaching.com website where I pulled this information.

  1. You’ll find that discovery, exploration and adventure still exist in the real-world. It gets you out and about!
  2.  It’s a great way to stay healthy while having fun
  3.  Many of our innkeepers are cachers so you’ll experience new places from a local
  4.  Discover places you never knew existed
  5. You can learn fun facts about Planet Earth

And 5 reasons to Geocache as the Seasons change

  1. Trails are less traveled
  2. There may be more affordable travel options
  3. Enjoy the View: As the seasons transition temperatures can vary and lead to some stunning landscapes
  4. The changing weather means that you may have a sneak peek of summer sunshine in spring, or could indulge in ski or snowshoe caching in autumn!
  5.  A chance to get some lower elevation caches

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Sakura Ridge

Sakura Ridge ~ The Farm and Lodge

Sakura Ridge ~ The Farm and Lodge is a working orchard and Bed & Breakfast in the foothills of Mt. Hood and an inspected and approved member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  Perched on 72 acres in the foothills of Mt Hood, the farm has thousands of fruit trees and gardens filled with vegetables, herbs, and berries.  Fresh eggs are gathered daily and there is always plenty of honey from the hives.

Sitting on the expansive decks, overlooking the orchards and fields, with an awesome view of Mt Hood, you’ll feel like you’re so much more than only 10 minutes from downtown Hood River.  Five well appointed guest rooms, each with a private bath and complete with down comforters, Hudson Bay or Pendleton blankets.  Just the right balance between rustic and classy.  Breakfast is always what’s in season, what’s from the farm and what is always good to eat.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share Oregon, it’s environment, culture, and heritage with you. Get to know our State like a local; stay with one of our nearly 100 hosts in any one of our many regions. Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats.  Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, taking in Oregon Geotourism, for a World Class City experience, or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Three Capes Scenic Drive

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Three Capes Scenic Drive and Three Oregon Bed and Breakfasts

Three Capes Scenic DriveThree Capes Scenic Drive is a spectacular one with dramatic cliffs, old growth forests, crashing waves, hidden beaches, and historic lighthouses.

This gorgeous byway connects three amazing capes: Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout, and Cape Meares, and loops around on a lovely inland stretch of highway 101.   Along the way, you’ll pass incredible sea stacks, sand dunes, pristine beaches and charming seaside towns, two of which are home to Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inns.

At Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast in Oceanside fall asleep to the sound of the surf and wake up to a delicious hot breakfast.  Oceanside is a cozy little hideaway located just off the Three Capes Scenic Route.  Built upon a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Oceanside offers the ambiance of a quaint European Village.

Also in Oceanside: turtlejanes bed and breakfast offers two beautifully appointed bedrooms with spectacular views, king-size beds, private bathrooms with heated floors, and blackout shades on the windows.

Located just offshore is the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, the first National Wildlife Refuge established west of the Mississippi.  Three Arch Rocks is home to the largest breeding colony of tufted puffins and the only site on Oregon’s North Coast for pupping steller sea lions.  A tunnel through Maxwell Point affords access to Tunnel Beach, Agate Beach and other secluded beaches.

Sandlake Country Inn, an historic Farmhouse on the Three Capes Scenic Route provides luxury and privacy with 3 large rooms and a separate romantic cottage situated on a babbling brook with the Pacific ocean a short mile away.  The quaint town of Pacific City is just 10 minutes south where you will find  Haystack Rock, restaurants and the famous Pelican Brew Pub.

The drive only takes a couple of hours in total, but you’ll want to plan on taking some extra time to explore along the way, perhaps create a multi-day adventure, allowing our innkeepers to be your hosts.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Oregon Leaf Peepers

Oregon Leaf Peepers are sure to enjoy the vibrant fall colors

Oregon Leaf Peepers have come to expect a stunning fall color show and this year’s changing of the seasons will not disappoint as a variety of deciduous trees begin to change against a bold evergreen background.

Typically one can expect the Willamette Valley peak color change to happen during the third week in October.  The higher you go in the Cascade Mountains the earlier the color change. Road passes often peak 10 days to two weeks earlier than the lower elevations.

The earliest fall color display happens in the Wallowa Mountains and northeast region of Oregon, peaking the first part of October.

I found this blog, Oregon Fall Foliage Report, and from Labor Day through November, their goal will be to let you know where to find the best and brightest colors throughout the state. Visit or call the Fall Foliage Hotline at 800.547.5445.

Begin planning your Fall Foliage Tour, first by choosing a region, then by calling an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild inn and asking when the peak near them will occur.  We may not hit it right on but since we live and play in our regions we have a pretty good idea what’s happening around us.

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild provides quality accommodations throughout Oregon.  From the coast to the Willamette Valley.  From the Cascades to the high altitudes of Eastern Oregon you’ll enjoy the crisp cool days of fall and come home to the warmth of a unique Oregon Bed and Breakfast.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share with you their version of Oregon Culinary Tourism and Geotourism.  Get to know our State like a local; stay with one of our nearly 100 hosts in any one of our many regions. Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats.  Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, taking in Oregon Geotourism, for a World Class City experience, or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Drop Dead Savings

Drop Dead Savings

Drop Dead Savings are back at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast. We invite you to Stay two nights, mid-week in October at the Old Parkdale Inn and take 20% off your room rate.  Any room, midweek, Sunday through Thursday at the Old Parkdale Inn that comes with our hearty Northwest Breakfast, of course.

The Hood River Valley is a spectacular place to visit in the Fall.  Tour the valley and stop in at the fruit stands, alpaca and lavender farms, and wineries on the Fruit Loop.  Less crowds during the week.  More apples and pears for you to taste and take home.  The Mt Hood National Forest is just minutes away where the awesome fall foliage has begun to put on a show.  A little bit later in the month, after the harvest is in, the acres and acres of fruit trees begin to turn.  Or you may just want to relax in our gardens, a throw over your lap, watching the family of quail that have called our garden home this summer.   These savings come once a year.  Hope to see you next month!

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share Oregon, its environment, culture, and heritage with you.  Get to know our State like a local. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape, a world class city experience, or a new spin on business travel,  you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance when staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Vineyardview

Vineyardview Bed and Breakfast in Oregon’s Hood River Valley

The Vineyardview Bed & Breakfast offers elegant, finely appointed rooms, beautiful vineyard and mountain views at an affordable price.

Enjoy lovely patio outdoor seating or our wooden swing in the herb garden or inside in the sunny solarium, perfect for early morning coffee, afternoon tea and evening wine sipping.

Fresh Himalayan Blackberries, Italian Plums and Pears grown on the property served up with gourmet coffee & tea, fresh scones or proscuitto parmesan frittata are seasonal breakfast specialties.

Vineyardview Bed and Breakfast has four guest rooms and sleeps up to 12 people.  The family suite sleeps 6, has a private half bath and is great for parents and children.  The queen room sleeps 2, has a lovely window seat perfect for curling up with a good book.  The twin room has two twin beds, sleeps 2 and shares a full bath with the queen room.   The Honeymoon Suite has a private full bath with indoor hot tub and shower for 2 with a generous walk in closet and mini-fridge. All rooms have TV, wireless internet and DVD players.

Nestled among their own Pinot Gris Grape vines, Vineyardview Bed and Breakfast is less than 3 miles from downtown Hood River and minutes from the hiking and biking trails of Post Canyon recreational area.  The inn is neighbor to both Cathedral Ridge Winery and Phelps Creek Winery, to name a few.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share Oregon, it’s environment, culture, and heritage with you. Get to know our State like a local; stay with one of our nearly 100 hosts in any one of our many regions. Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats.  Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, taking in Oregon Geotourism, for a World Class City experience, or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Ocean House

Ocean House Bed and Breakfast offers Gracious lodging on the Oregon Coast

Ocean House Bed and Breakfast is situated in a picturesque beachfront setting offering gracious lodging for your perfect getaway in Newport, Oregon.  Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and incomparable Oregon coastline can be seen from every window.  Relax in one of the many common areas of the house to read or socialize at the end of your day. Outdoor garden paths lead to comfortable decks overlooking the beach with breathtaking views.

Breakfast at Ocean House B&B is served in the dining room may be delivered to your room for that special intimate morning with an additional cost.  Fresh chilled orange juice is served with either a savory breakfast entree or a sweet main dish every other day. Fresh seasonal fruit and a variety of protein sides are included.

Some of the house favorites include: Smoked Salmon Quiche, Traditional, Florentine, or Northwest Eggs Benedict, Swiss Strata, Vegetable Frittata, Belgian waffles, Crepes, Crème Brule French Toast to name a few.

Ocean House takes pride in their ability to accommodate guests with food allergies and dietary restrictions.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Cest la Vie

C’est La Vie Inn offers a quiet urban oasis for the traveler with discriminating taste in Eugene, Oregon.  Located in the Jefferson Westside neighborhood, walking distance to the Lane County fairgrounds, the food, brewery, and distillery scene in the Whiteaker neighborhood, and the Downtown/Market District with music and restaurants.  The Inn is just an hour from the coast or an hour to the mountains, there are unlimited scenic walking, biking, hiking, and sightseeing opportunities along the local paved paths, rivers, lakes and Oregon coast.  Relax and enjoy our lush gardens or sit by the babbling pond.

C’est La Vie Inn proudly offers four rooms to choose from, each with its own distinctive charm and luxurious amenities.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share Oregon, its environment, culture, and heritage with you.  Get to know our State like a local. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape, a world class city experience, or a new spin on business travel,  you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance when staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.